Ed. Note: Please welcome Evan to Big Hollywood and encourage his return. –JN

I’ll admit I came a bit late to “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” I had seen the rather silly cinematic version on VHS at a friend’s house, but didn’t feel compelled to watch the television show. Meanwhile,  I had gone through an extended period of not watching television at all. It wasn’t until a friend at work mentioned that she was a “Slayer” that I took notice.  I did a double take and asked her what she was talking about. This was 1998, when Buffy was in her second year as a series and was just starting to take off. It wasn’t until a couple of years later that I ran across an episode of the teen drama and finally understood what all the buzz was about. I was officially hooked and went back looking for all the previous episodes as well as watching each new one as it came out.

The Buffy phenomenon spanned seven seasons, picking up multiple awards in every category. As a young father of three daughters, though, there were several aspects of the show that spoke to me even more deeply. The fact is that Buffy the Vampire Slayer is, at its core, an exceptionally conservative show. There are a few episodes that break this general mold but, as a whole, it is everything that Hollywood is not. There is a main theme that runs throughout the entire span of the show and is apparent in every single episode.

Evil exists and you do not negotiate with it; you fight it.

The evil on display in “Buffy” takes many forms: a giant man-eating praying mantis disguised as a beautiful substitute teacher, a mayor intent on becoming a greater evil being, various vampires (of course), and fellow students intent on more run of-the-mill mischief. Buffy and her friends don’t attempt to talk to the villains when their plans become apparent. There is only one solution, and that is the eradication of those who are intent on destroying or corrupting you and those you love. While it is true that there are occasional gray areas,  as sometimes the antagonist is a former friend or ally, this thread follows throughout, sometimes writ large as the gang goes after the Big Bad and sometimes closer to home with a parent’s abusive boyfriend. (more…)

It’s just a few months into the Presidency, and Barack Obama is finally living up to his middle name.

In a good way, of course!

In front of the Turkish Parliament last April, he stressed how he’s lived among Muslims, while also saying the West must “educate ourselves more effectively on Islam.” Of course, I thought I learned all I needed to know already. But I’ve soon realized that all that terrorism, murder, and mayhem are the fault of extremists – and Islam really is a peaceful religion (we should really be listening to Olbermann and focusing on those nutty rightwing Christians who fly planes into abortionists).

So I totally get what OFM (our fearless Messiah) is doing. Before he was president, he stressed his Christianity, because we’re a nation of Christians. Now, with the office under his belt, he can speak freely of his experiences in the Muslim world. (more…)