Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Fox, color, 40 discs, 140 hours plus supplements, Dolby Digital Surround, fullscreen, Street: Nov. 15, $199.98; First Run: Fox-TV, 1997-2003

Why is it that so many stars these days are reluctant to acknowledge the films or TV series that made them commercially viable in the first place? That’s the question that immediately springs to mind when watching the bonus disc featurettes accompanying Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Chosen Collection, which collects all 144 episodes of the TV series in a massive box set. Sarah Michelle Gellar, Alyson Hannigan, Michelle Trachtenberg, Eliza Dushku, Seth Green and James Marsters-all of whom have since won top billing in various projects-are conspicuously M.I.A. in the Chosen supplements, produced by Michael Meadows, Paul Apel and Alan Baral. Of the show’s principal cast members, only Nicholas Brendon ("Xander") is represented, although supporting players Emma Caulfield, Charisma Carpenter and Danny Strong make significant contributions. The six featurettes-for which all the new talking head footage seems to have been shot in one day-examine various aspects of the popular series, including the emphasis on sexuality, the approach to demonology and Buffy’s status as a role model. The longest and most informative extra is "Back to the Hellmouth," a 55-minute gabfest between series creator Joss Whedon and various cast and crew members, including the aforementioned actors and executive producer Marti Noxon. This unscripted free-for-all elicits many fascinating facts and some refreshingly candid observations. (In describing one noteworthy event during production, Noxon places it in the period "just before I ruined season six"-a reference to fandom’s well-known dissatisfaction with the show’s direction in its penultimate year.) Whedon playfully directs the round-robin reminisces, although the participants’ self-awareness and back-patting gets a bit tiresome. Pivotal moments in the series-including Angel’s seduction of Buffy and the famous musical episode-are recalled with warmth and enthusiasm, making the hour-long conversation a real highlight. Buffy fans are devoted, and the hefty price tag on this deluxe limited edition set (which includes a collectible book and letter signed by Whedon) is not likely to greatly hinder sales, especially as Christmas approaches.