The Sunnydale Diaries - A Buffy the Vampire Slayer Podcast

I decided to do a full Buffy rewatch this year in anticipation of a potential reboot of the show. Like Sean, I watched the first time through during its original run while I was in college and have a lot of nostalgia wrapped up in this show. As I'm rewatching now I can definitely see the flaws and appreciate Mel's unbiased takes, but I'm also hopeful that she will eventually come to love the show as much as Sean and I do! I'm almost caught up on the pod and may force myself to slow down because I love it so much and don't want to run out of episodes. I wasn't as obsessed with the Angel spinoff but I'd totally rewatch it if Sean and Mel would do a pod for that one too....hint hint Thanks for making my chores much more enjoyable while I listen to y'all banter!

I love the dynamic between these two. I think a downside to the podcast is how much is conversation unrelated or only loosely related to Buffy. I think having a more succinct wrap up of the episodes and then following with a conversation about what they liked, what worked, what didn't, etc would be a better format. As it is, it doesn't really feel like anything new is being added to a conversation that's been happening in a more thorough way with other podcasts. I don't necessarily think that's a prerequisite to having a podcast, but it helps. Take the episode about Pangs, for example. There's a fifteen minute lead up that's just talk about Thanksgiving. Then they start going over what happened in the episode. There's some sidetracking, not much of a summary of what happens between the beginning and end aside from culinary commentary on Buffy's preferred method of mashing potatoes. There's no mention at all of the overarching theme of the episode: found family. Overall, it's cute and works well for anyone who enjoys more long form conversational pods. If you're like me and you prefer a show that's more of a deep dive, this might not be the best fit.

If you’re into Buffy or just love smart, witty commentary, The Sunnydale Diaries is an absolute gem. Sean’s deep-dive fandom paired with Melanie’s sharp takes and hilarious side-eye make every episode a blast. They break down the show with just the right mix of nostalgia, snark, and heart along with their chemistry makes it feel like you’re hanging out with two friends who know their stuff but never take themselves too seriously. It’s the kind of podcast that makes you laugh, nod along and even rewatch a few episodes with fresh eyes.

This a fantastic podcast with a unique format that makes it stand out from other Buffy recap podcasts. I really enjoy Sean & Melanie’s viewpoints & appreciate the personal stories provided as additional insight. I can’t wait to hear their thoughts on the remainder on the series!