Being the curious type, occasionally I go to psychic fairs and have my cards read or find out what my cats are thinking or let someone intuit my aura. OK, I'm not sure what that means, but I get a nice bluish-green printout and assurances that I'm "in a good place," so I figure that's worth $10 now and then.

As a result, friends tend to email me with news from the woo-woo world, whether interesting or weird or just plain outrageous. But I have to say the best thing I've received lately came from a tarot fan with the note, "I think a hot woman is in your future."

Yes, that's exactly who you think it is. The card is part of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer tarot, which Dark Horse Comics announced at New York Comic Con. Paul Lee, longtime cover artist for Buffy comics, is designing the deck with tarot guru Rachel Pollack. Pollack, who's been a Buffy fan for years, also is writing the deck's guidebook, which will explain how the cards fit into the Buffyverse. … continue reading

Sometimes, a list appears that just begs for AfterEllen.com readers' comments. And most of the time, your suggestions result in a list vastly superior to the original. I fully expect that to be the case with this week's effort from IF Magazine: “The Top Ten Things We'd Like to See in 'Buffy' and 'Angel' Comics.”

The list proposes situations and returning characters that would make for good reading. Here are some of the highlights:

Bring back Tara and Joyce

As the article puts it, “If bad guys can come back, why not good guys?” True enough. While I doubt that anyone here would disagree that killing Tara was a bad move, do we really want her to come back now?

To my surprise, I have mixed feelings about it. Love, love, love Tara. But Willow has grown and changed a lot, and I don't think I want Tara to return to Willow unless they can live happily ever after. One thing is certain: I wouldn't want anyone but Joss to write that story line. … continue reading

God bless women! Can I get an amen? While it may seem redundant to sing the praises of women on a site for gay/bi women, I say we can never lift our voices high enough when it comes to the truly inspirational women of this world. I’ve always looked to other women, real and fictional, as my role models. Whenever I’m feeling a little down, I use their wit and wisdom to lift me up. Whether on the big or small screen, something about the righteous (or riotous) indignation of a woman is just so satisfying. It practically sizzles.

So in honor of Scribegrrrl’s impending departure (sob, sniffle, bawl!), let’s burn bright with sisterfire today. The Linster and I have assembled some of the best speechifying by fabulous female characters to celebrate the fabulous female that is Scribe.

Bette Porter (The L Word): No additional explanation required.

Julia Sugarbaker (Designing Women): Sugarbaker sisterhood is powerful.

Buffy Summers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer): Are you ready to be strong? … continue reading

As you've probably heard, last night the cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer reunited at the Paley Center in Hollywood. Here are some links to coverage of the event. (Unforunately, Alyson Hannigan and Eliza Dushku did not attend, but Amber Benson, Charisma Carpenter, Joss Whedon, Emma Caulfield, Michelle Trachtenberg, Marti Noxon and Sarah Michelle Gellar did.)

I've included excerpts, but be sure to click the links for more!

1. Coverage on Whedonesque:

The first question of the Q&A (of course) is: Would Joss and cast ever consider making a new Buffy movie? Joss casually replies, "Oh, I don't know," before turning to Sarah and asking, "Well, you wanna?" Sarah just smiles and says, "Eh, sure. Why the hell not." Half the crowd faints. The other half suffers a severe heart attack.

Asked about a Buffy Musical on Broadway, Joss didn't rule it out. Asked if they would participate, most of the panel indicated that they would. Sarah was not among them. She was more like, "No way," but laughingly.

2. TVGuide.com's Michael Ausiello:

Greenwalt revealed that shortly after word leaked that Willow was going to be coming out of the closet, he got a call from an unnamed WB exec who said, "Is [Joss] really going to do this gay thing?" Whedon threatened to quit when the network asked him to leave Willow and Tara's first kiss on the cutting-room floor. "It's the one time I pulled that out," he said. "And they were like, 'No, it's OK. Leave it in.'"

3. Watch With Kristin (E! Online):

Sarah didn't know until someone told her tonight that Buffy's hooking up with a girl in the comic. Joss, on Buffy's temporary change of team: "They have a lot of time on their hands...What? None of you went to college?"

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Need something to help you pass the time today or usher in the weekend? Look no further: Hulu.com is here.

The new video site from NBC Universal and News Corp was officially launched last week, and if you haven't checked it out yet, you're missing something marvelous. The TV shows — which are very high quality and mostly full episodes — are from NBC, FOX, and the various affiliated cable networks like Bravo, FX, Sci Fi, Sundance and Oxygen. And the site offers movies, too (yes, full movies). And all of this for free (with occasional commercials). On demand.

Do I sound amazed? I kind of am. Here are some of the things I've been salivating over so far. (One caveat: Hulu.com is only available to U.S. users. Openhulu.com, after it has been updated, will provide access to users outside the U.S.)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Hulu has only Seasons 1 and 2 of Buffy right now, but what a great excuse to revisit the whole series from the beginning.

30 Rock

I can never decide who I love more: Tina Fey or Liz Lemon. Luckily, we don't have to choose.

Picket Fences

I loved this show when it first aired in the late '90s. Hulu has Season 1, including "Sugar & Spice," the episode in which Kimberly (Holly Marie Combs) kisses her friend Lisa (Alexondra Lee). I remember it well! … continue reading

So you're watching a scary movie, and the expendable female character, who is probably blonde, is about to die. You know this because of (a) the Psycho-esque shrieking music, (b) the food, either in the microwave or stove, that is beginning to burn, or (c) it is starting to rain outside, and said female is trying to escape from her car but cannot hold onto her keys. The correct answer? Any or all of the above.

Ah, movie and TV clichés. We all know the things that happen only in the movies or on TV. If you've ever lived in a large city, you know that the Sex and the City girls had to be wearing some sort of taxi-attracting pheromone. That is, unless they were in danger, or having a bad day, or needing rescue by a man, in which case no cab would be available. Then they would have to walk, most likely in the rain.

This month, TVsquad.com and its readers have been tracking some favorite clichés. The lists made me chuckle enough that I thought I should share. Here are some of my favorites and my nominations.

Here's one that's bugged me for a while: “In bedroom scenes, men have sheets that reach their waist, but women have L-shaped sheets that come up to their chests.” No kidding! This is especially true on American TV. Heaven forbid we have a wardrobe malfunction and expose the country's children to the evils of the female body. (I know, some of this has to do with actresses who won't do nude or charge for it. But still. Double standard.) … continue reading

Weep no more: The artist formerly known as Willow is confirmed for the big Buffy the Vampire Slayer reunion at PaleyFest next month. Alyson Hannigan will attend the Buffy panel as part of the 25th annual event sponsored by The Paley Center, formerly known as The Museum of Television & Radio. (Thanks for the tip, AfterEllen.com reader lookherecheers!)

Now officially confirmed along with Alyson for the March 20 reunion are series creator Joss Whedon, Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy), Amber Benson (Tara), Nicholas Brendon (Xander), Emma Caulfield (Anya), Eliza Dushku (Faith), Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia), Seth Green (Oz), James Marsters (Spike) and Michelle Trachtenberg (little Dawnie).

You know what this news means, right? Right? Yes, the Willow and Tara reunion we've been dreaming about for six years could still happen. I feel like lighting an extra flamey candle to celebrate. Anyone else? … continue reading

Or perhaps that should be "to glow in the moonlight." The protagonist is, after all, a human in love with a vampire. For those of you not familiar with the series, Twilight will follow in the footsteps of the Harry Potter and Chronicles of Narnia franchises in attempting to turn a bestselling young adult fantasy series into a multimillion-dollar cinematic spectacle. Kristen Stewart will star as Bella Swan, one half of the starstruck lovers.

She's done some growing up since playing Jodie Foster's daughter in Panic Room.

I've never read the Twilight series, which is a recent phenomenon (the first book came out in 2005), but here's the premise, according to MTV.com. Teenage girl Bella falls for what she thinks is a normal boy, but finds herself in an abnormal situation: The object of her affections is a vampire. But not just any vampire, according to Stewart:

“He's so good and he's so soulful and he's just not a liar — you can feel pain from him. The cool thing about the story is that it's a seemingly wonderful fantasy — let's fall in love with vampires and live forever — but it's so much harder than that. Imagine living forever. Living one life is hard enough.”

If you were paying attention to TV in the 1990s, you've got to be thinking the same thing I am. Is the author of this series paying royalties to Joss Whedon? … continue reading

The Scoobie Gang is getting back together. On March 20, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer cast will reunite for a panel discussion as part of the annual Paley Center for Media Festival in Los Angeles. Feel free to scream with delight. I’ll wait.

Confirmed to appear so far are series creator Joss Whedon , along with Buffy herself Sarah Michelle Gellar and almost all the past Scoobies: Amber Benson (Tara), Nicholas Brendon (Xander), Emma Caulfield (Anya), Eliza Dushku (Faith), Seth Green (Oz), James Marsters (Spike) and Michelle Trachtenberg (little Dawnie). The reunion is part of the 25th annual PaleyFest, an interactive pop culture event that connects fans with the creators and stars of their favorite TV shows. The event is sponsored by The Paley Center (formerly known as The Museum of Television & Radio).

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Think back: Were you feeling particularly down two Mondays ago? It’s proven scientific fact, or at least a well-publicized theory, that the third Monday of January is the most depressing day of the year, aptly dubbed Blue Monday by Cardiff University researcher Dr. Cliff Arnall. But here in the States, Jan. 21 fell on a holiday, and you can’t really be sad when you’re being paid to not work. So for me, yesterday was Blue Monday. It could have been the nonstop drizzle, or perhaps it was the holiday credit card bills that arrived and made me rethink the role of my internal organs. I mean, I have two kidneys when one could suffice. Perhaps it’s time that freeloader starts earning its years of room and board.

But instead of wallowing in my self-pity or Googling black-market kidney buyers, I decided to cheer myself up the old-fashioned way. No, not with a whole cheesecake and bottle of pinot. Instead I went with my favorite music, movies and TV shows. These old standbys are guaranteed to put a smile on, at the very least, my face.

Album: Ani DiFranco, Dilate

Now, I realize this selection seems counter-intuitive. Right now you’re all, “Uh, Ms. Snarker, that’s, like, an angry breakup album filled with personal demons and unrelenting angst.” True, true. But it’s also got some of the best F-you songs on the planet, not to mention some of the best music to sing to at full volume in the car, windows up or down because you are a righteous babe and don’t care who knows it. And if all else fails, just fast-forward to "Joyful Girl."

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OK, I'm going to tell you right up front what I'm writing about: Sarah Michelle Gellar and Vaseline. Go ahead. Let your mind go there. SMG and I will wait.

The real story is not even close to the one in your sordid imagination. But it does involve seeing a whole lot of skin — and very beautiful skin at that.

Yep, that's Sarah, the newest celebrity to take it all off for Vaseline. You may remember that SMG has eschewed nudity in her film roles, despite playing a few less-than-wholesome parts like Kathryn in Cruel Intentions. And I'm still scratching my head about her Maxim spread. But Gellar's nudity is far from titillating in this ad campaign. Well, not intentionally. Personally, though, I find nothing quite as alluring as a soft, feminine neck. … continue reading

Ever wonder what would happen if Joss Whedon sent out a call to action? The answer appeared in the form of 400 actors, writers and fans walking the WGA picket lines with Whedon this past Friday, including Buffy writing alums Drew Goddard and Jane Espenson.

Sarah Michelle Gellar brought doughnuts. … continue reading

When the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 comic turned out to be so true to the television series — and so much fun — many Joss Whedon fans dared to hope that more of his canceled shows would continue in graphic form. Angel fans got their wish in November (with mixed reviews) and now comes confirmation that a new Serenity comic will be published in March 2008.

Serenity: Better Days is a three-issue series set between the end of Firefly and the 2005 Serenity feature film — the same setting as Serenity: Those Left Behind, which was published in 2005. … continue reading

The ever vigilant folks at Whedonesque alerted us to a very cool promotional calendar from Toronto illustrator Glen Hanson — and it can be yours for the price of postage. You might want to hurry, though. I'd be surprised if he's prepared for the PR this piece is getting, thanks in large part to September's calendar girl.

Hanson has designed characters for shows like Daria and Beetlejuice and illustrates for just about every popular magazine you can name. And some of our favorite celebrities — Mary Tyler Moore, Carol Burnett and Rosie O'Donnell, for instance — have original caricatures that Glen did for them. Oh, and he also co-created the comic strip "Chelsea Boys," a Lambda Literary Award nominee. … continue reading