OnlineHost: We are chatting with Jamie Kellner of The WB Network. Copyright 1999 America Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Question: Kpoots123: who came up with the idea for buffy and angel to fall in love and why? JamieKllnr: Joss Whedon, the creator of the characters and the series has made the decision about the story line. Question: IDOLIZEJLH: why did you cancel the most important episode of the season? JamieKllnr: The final episode, which will appear tonight, was not canceled; it was postponed and that is because at the end of the episode during the graduation ceremony there were moments in that scene, that given what has just happened in Denver and Atlanta, were inappropriate at that time. We postponed them for sympathy for the people in those communities. Question: *X2XTWiStEd: Will Buffy have its on Video Game? JamieKllnr: I would imagine that Buffy will eventually have a video game. Question: CaOsGrRl: How did you figure that a serpent at the graduation would be the same as the shooting at Columbine High School?? JamieKllnr: I didnÍt figure it. The issue was not what happened in Columbine, but whether what happened after that we wanted to air an episode that included a situation in a high school that included an action sequence so soon after the actual tragedy had occurred. Question: *SlverBB: 14:32 Hi! I think the show is the best and i was wondering if the shows storylines are going to change because of what going on in the world? or will it still have the same content? JamieKllnr: That's a very good question. [OnlineHost: We are chatting with Jamie Kellner of The WB Network. To interact with those onstage, click the "Participate in Event" button. Select either "Ask a Question" or "Send a Comment." Please be aware that it may not be possible to address all items sent to the stage due to time constraints. Questions or comments not relevant to the event will not be used. Jamie will be back in a moment to answer your questions.] JamieKllnr: The storylines will evolve around the imagination and creativity of Joss Whedon and his incredible cast. Obviously some of the story lines will change in the fact that they have graduated from high school and have moved onto some exciting areas of their lives. In some cases it will be college and some it will be work. So the story lines will evolve as the characters evolve to that new part of their lives. Question: SlayerTep: Do you think by delaying the episode and making the fans mad, it might effect the ratings next season? JamieKllnr: Well, we certainly hope not. That was not our intention. That's why we have elected to air it the first possible week in July that it could get as wide an audience as possible. So last week would have been coming off the 4th of July we weekend. I don't' think there will be a negative backlash to the show because of something the network did If the show continues to be tremendous, then I don't think it will have an effect. Question: Did the response from the online community effect you finally to come to your senses and air the show -- pesquali1 JamieKllnr: I don't think we ever lost our senses. We do listen carefully to our online community. It is certainly not in our interest to postpone an episode of a TV show that we have invested millions of dollars in. And we only do it in a very special situation like this. I'd add that we have received an enormous number of calls that supported the idea. People think that this is a one sided issue, it's NOT. And, as a fan of Buffy, I missed watching the episode of Buffy that night as well Question: *A16msyko: What are your thoughts on the bootleggings of the final episode? JamieKllnr: I think it's fantastic. It's against the law, but it's fantastic. That people feel that passionately about this program makes me feel great Question: RayneFire: Rumor has it you think Joss Whedon had something to do with placing the ad in Variety. I can assure you he had nothing to do with it. What did you think of the ad and did it have an impact? -Beth Kiefner, Stand Up for Buffy Committee JamieKllnr: I, in no way, believed Josh had anything to do with the ad. He and I work in a very collaborative way. We don't always agree, but we each have our areas of responsibility and we both respect each other and I don't believe he would have done that without telling me. He's a very open person that way. In terms of people being passionate about the show and sending a protest message to us, I admire those people and we are a country where we are able to say what we believe in. We had two choices, one was to air the episode in the fall and the other is to air it now. In the fall we could have made a lot of money when more people are watching TV, however, we would have disappointed our viewers further. We made the decision to play it as soon as we felt we could comfortably play it. Part of that decision was the result of the tremendous amount of comment we got from Buffy fans who desperately wanted to see this episode. Question: *Galaxy Ice: How does Sarah Michelle Gellar feel about it being Postponed? - and will she chat with us after the episode airs, maybe? JamieKllnr: Sarah was upset by it. She had gone on vacation, but she sent me a note and told me that she was upset by it. And I don't know if Sarah is available to chat about it, it will be interesting if she did. Question: Singer985: Do you feel that kids may become violent due to your show? JamieKllnr: I do not believe that the type of action in our show is violent and will directly stimulate healthy young people to commit acts of violence. There are people in Wash. D.C. that would like to see all violence removed from all TV and movies and music because they believe otherwise. It's part of a national debate that has gone on for 20 yrs and it makes our jobs more difficult. But I do not believe that what is seen on TV shows leads to anti-social behavior..... from healthy people. Question: Aiverson4g: Why would U Put the SEASON FINALE on tonight on the NIGHT OF THE ALLSTAR BASEBALL GAME, and Will there be a repeat of the FINAL episode? JamieKllnr: It actually happens to be a night where the target audience for Buffy is, in no way, the target audience for baseball. In reality, it happens to be the kind of night where Buffy can do great numbers. This happens to be coming from a baseball fan who has been forced to make a choice. But, in general, the baseball audience and the Buffy audiences are distinct. Yes, the episode will air again. Question: Dnzstr: -- Rumor has it that Faith signed to do a season of "Angel" but ended up going to college instead. Is that true?? JamieKllnr: Josh Whedon and David Greenblat who produce both shows, have been deciding which of the characters will staying Sunnydale and which will stay in L.A and be part of Angel. I'm not sure what is going to happen to Faith Question: HWCA404: What about the episode called "Earshot", any news on when we will get to see that one? JamieKllnr: Some time towards the beginning of the season. We'll probably use that one in the latter part of September. Question: Athena518: What do you have to say about all the annoyed fans such as myself that feel it was stupid to postpone the episode? JamieKllnr: Sometimes we do stupid things. We try not to. I'm sorry if we offended you. Question: TZuray: will there be any crossovers between AngelÍs new show and Buffy's? JamieKllnr: It was the plan since the beginning to cross over the characters and we are hopeful that Josh and David are able to do that. I think it will help both shows since they will play back to back this fall on Tuesday nights. Question: VampCollec: I'm glad you're airing the season finale, but there was also another episode canceled; when can we expect that one to air? JamieKllnr: That's the one I mentioned earlier called Earshot that I said we will play in September Question: Im Crackle: will you be casting new people for next season? JamieKllnr: Definitely. They will add regular characters the coming season. Question: MoriahY: The fact that the finale was up against the series finale of Home Improvement had no bearing on your decision to pull the episode? JamieKllnr: None whatsoever. This was not an economic decision. Question: TNW13177: Overall what was the cast reaction to the postponement of the episode, if there were any at all? JamieKllnr: I spoke to both Nicholas and Sarah, they were the only cast members I spoke to since then and they both thought it was a mistake and wished the episode had aired. Question: What changes if any can we expect next season? JamieKllnr: At the network we don't even know quite yet. Josh hasn't started shooting and is still working on scripts. So we're eagerly awaiting that information too. Buffy will definitely move on out of high school. JamieKllnr: I hope you all enjoy tonight's show. We appreciate your responses. Only one minute to go!!!! Everybody enjoy the show! OnlineHost: Thank you for joining us. JamieKllnr: I'll definitely be watching! OnlineHost: Remember checkout KW: Buffy