Thursday, 22 November 2012

TV Shows like Buffy aka Alternatives to Buffy

When Empire placed Buffy the Vampire Slayer at number one on their list of top TV shows, it was met with many a facepalm, myself included. But a recent re-watch has made me realise what an excellent show it was. Not top position mind you, but good very good nonetheless. It helped inspire a whole TV genre as we know it. So If you've just finished Buffy, and are jonesing for something similar, read on...

Angel

Obviously, first up we have the Buffy Spin-off Angel. There are many fans that never warmed to this show, sticking with Buffy to the end and then making a clean break from the Buffyverse. There are certainly difference: The high school setting is gone, and the soapy, romance element is substantially muted, but many of these are for the better. Buffy was about a young girl trying to lead a normal life whilst simultaneously competing with an overwhelming destiny which often felt like a burden. Angel is more about redemption, and atoning for the sins of the past. Its darker, and bleaker, but the trademark Buffy-style dialogue, wit and humour are all there. Its a bit like Buffy for grown-ups. A lot of fans were put off by the first series, which was much more violent, and had more of a noir-detective vibe. I personally liked it, but regardless, push on and in the subsequent seasons, the show becomes more and more like its sibling, especially the final season 5. In conclusion, Angel is a 100% necessary watch


Todd & The Book Of Pure Evil

This is a really bizarre show. Its set in high school and features a satanic book, which can be used to cast spells. The book ends up in the possession of various students in episode, who use spells for personal gain which invariably backfire. Todd and his crew of friends clean up these messes, whilst trying to destroy the book [although it flies away after each spell, which makes it tricky]. It features much more violence and bloodshed than Buffy, and there also isn't as much of a running story arch. The show is more of a horror comedy than a drama like Buffy, and is much much ruder. There is a profanity-free version they produce as well though, for before the watershed. And you have love a random small rile from Jason Mewes (Jay from Jay and Silent Bob)

Reaper

Reaper features an underachiever working in a bargain superstore, whose parents sold his soul to the devil. Now he's contractually bound to track down and return, escaped souls from hell, all with the help of his dimwitted best friends and coworkers. This one is squarely focused on being a comedy, and it takes a while for a series long thread to become apparent. The drama isn't great but Tyler Labine's Burt 'Sock' Wysocki is truly hilarious, and Missy Peregrym is crazy hot. Ray Wise rounds things out nicely as the suave, sharp-suited Devil. The second series was getting really good before it was abruptly cancelled. Typical.

Charmed

A bit more girly than Buffy, this is a show about three sisters who find out they are witches, and have a responsibility to find and stop various monsters and bad guys. The show is very Buffy-like in its monster of the week episodes, which give way to longer plot threads involving the human (read: relationship) drama of the main characters. It really picks up pace as the show progresses, although the last season is a little lacklustre. If you liked Buffy, this is well worth a look.

Supernatural

Two brothers drive across America hunting monsters. To say any more might give too much away. The show started out with Monster-of-the-Week Origins, but quickly moved onto a long and sprawling plot of death, destruction and conspiracy, which deeply draws you in. Its not profane, but it is graphically violent, and and can also be very funny and tongue-in-cheek. Characters are at the heart of the show, and its amazing that its in its 8th season but still only features 2 [maybe 3] main characters. It's a bit like Buffy [more like Angel] but with a lot of the high school drama/silliness and slayer slang ditched. Definitely watch this.

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