The Sunnydale Diaries - A Buffy the Vampire Slayer Podcast
Watching Buffy with fresh eyes...and 25 years of baggage.
The Sunnydale Diaries is a rewatch podcast with a twist: one host has loved Buffy the Vampire Slayer since the 90s, and the other is watching it for the very first time.
Each week, Sean (the lifelong fan) and Melanie (the first-time viewer) revisit an episode and start by connecting its theme, or even a single scene, to their own lives, whether that’s family, relationships, eggs (yes, eggs), or the weird emotional baggage we all carry.
From there, they break down what holds up, what doesn’t, and why this show still resonates decades later. Part recap, part personal reflection, and part “wait, did that really happen?”, The Sunnydale Diaries is for longtime fans, curious newcomers, and anyone who likes their pop culture discussions grounded in real life.
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Episodes
Monday Dec 11, 2023
Monday Dec 11, 2023
This episode of The Sunnydale Diaries has it all! Sean and Melanie discuss their first loves, then jump into Buffy episode 7 - "Angel". There's dodging, there's parrying, there's fumigation parties, there's barbecue forks and there's a very emotionally vulnerable Master. Sean struggles with the inaccuracy of the medical aspects of this episode, and Melanie catches us up on what Todd Oldham has been doing since the 90s.
Bonus points if you get the reference in our episode title!
Here's a clip of the Daffy Duck/Porky Pig cartoon that we referenced: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBYfZOwKu4k
Monday Dec 04, 2023
Monday Dec 04, 2023
Melanie and Sean start this episode off on a serious note, discussing the xenophobia in the portrayal of African and Maori mythology present in the Buffy episode "The Pack". They share their experience with bullying in middle and high school before moving on to the more lighthearted topic of school spirit (which involves Melanie in a penguin costume.)
As they get further into "The Pack" they touch on a variety of topics including geometry, croissants at the bronze (seriously what kind of club is this?) and how much of a jerk hyena-Xander was. There's also mourning of Prinicpal Flutie and Herbert, the Sunnydale High pig mascot. Although this episode starts with a significant topic, there's also a lot of laughter throughout. We're halfway through Season 1!
Here is the link to the "Joss Whedon and Race: Critical Essays" book that was discussed in this episode: https://www.amazon.com/Joss-Whedon-Race-Critical-Essays/dp/0786470100
Monday Nov 27, 2023
Monday Nov 27, 2023
It's always fun when Melanie gets to do her "It was the 90s!" jingle more than once and that happens in this week's episode! Melanie and Sean describe their first dates (both memorable and not so memorable) then review the Buffy episode "Never Kill a Boy on the First Date."
Melanie questions if the Master is really a threat to Sunnydale and what kind of club the Bronze actually is, considering they've had tea and muffins on hand recently. Sean compares a vampire getting thrown into a creamator to a cookie baking mishap he experienced, and asks why people in their mid 20s keep getting casted to play high school students.
Do you know why that one vampire kept yelling "pork and beans" in this episode? Have an interesting first date story to share? Send it over to thesunnydalediaries@gmail.com!
Tuesday Nov 21, 2023
Tuesday Nov 21, 2023
Since the Buffy episode "Teacher's Pet" focuses on a new teacher at Sunnydale High, Melanie and Sean discuss teachers from their past: teachers who had an impact, teachers they had a crush on, and for which teachers they still hold a grudge. They also question the existence of school permanent records (has anyone actually seen theirs?)
Examination of "Teacher's Pet" leaves us with some unanswered questions:
What was in Cordelia's medically prescribed lunch?
Can a praying mantis actually tie a knot?
In the last scene, where in the classroom were those eggs?
Were you a teacher's pet? Did you have a teacher that turned into an abnormally large insect? Let us know at thesunnydalediaries@gmail.com!
P.S. We're aware of a slight issue with the audio in this episode, and apologize. Bear with us as, like Buffy in the biology class of this episode, we are learning!
Monday Nov 13, 2023
Monday Nov 13, 2023
Episode 3 of "The Sunnydale Diaries" is here and all about witches! Melanie and Sean review the infamous cherries scene from "The Witches of Eastwick," the unforgettable "Top That" rap from "Teen Witch," and the eerie room of heads in "Return to Oz."
While examining the Buffy episode "The Witch", Melanie shares her not-so-fond memories of driver's ed, Sean analyzes a chemical reaction, and the correct pronunciation of hyperbole, mitochondria, and subterfuge are discussed (hint, the last one involves fudge!)
Melanie's opinion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer seems to be shifting after watching "The Witch". Will the next few convince her how amazing Buffy is? Let us know at thesunnydalediaries@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram and Threads (@thesunnydalediaries).
Monday Nov 06, 2023
Monday Nov 06, 2023
We made it to a second episode! Before discussing The Harvest, Sean and Melanie discuss their exposure to vampires in books, movies and television - everything from Once Bitten to Blade. Sean mentions his potential family connection to one of the stars of Interview with the Vampire and Melanie describes how she likes her vampires - sexy.
While recapping The Harvest, they express their concerns about the very insecure 90s internet, how society should use the word "score" in conversation as a replacement for 20 years, and question how often people truly crawl through air ducts.
Did we miss a favorite vampire movie of yours? Have an opinion on some of our musings? Send us your thoughts at thesunnydalediaries@gmail.com!
Monday Oct 30, 2023
Monday Oct 30, 2023
In this first episode, Sean and Melanie discuss their previous exposure to Buffy, what they were doing when the show first aired, and do a deep dive into the episode Welcome to the Hellmouth. There's some falling into IMDB rabbit holes, questioning of 90s slang, and Melanie provides an interesting link between Buffy and the song Hug a Turtle. Send us your thoughts at thesunnydalediaries@gmail.com!
Monday Oct 23, 2023
Monday Oct 23, 2023
Welcome to The Sunnydale Diaries - a podcast where two friends watch every episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Sean, who has loved Buffy the Vampire Slayer for years, and Melanie, who is yet to be convinced how great the show is, open each podcast discussing a theme central to the Buffy episode they are watching. They then walk through the Buffy episode, with some banter, sarcasm, and intriguing bits of trivia along the way.
The Sunnydale Diaries is available on most podcast streaming platforms. Email Sean and Melanie at thesunnydalediaries@gmail.com, or follow @thesunnydalediaries on Instagram, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.