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.

Listen on:

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Episodes

Friday May 31, 2024

In the second episode of our snack tasting series (named Scooby Snacks!) we try Animal Crackers. Inspired by Oz and Willow's conversation at the end of the Buffy episode "What's My Line Part 2", we try the classic animal cracker and frosted ones!
There's also a video version of us doing this tasting on Youtube!

Tuesday May 28, 2024

Sean and Melanie share their views on Valentine's Day as well as some memorable Valentine's day experiences .Hear when Sean got friend-zoned on Valentine's Day and when a flower delivery put Melanie in an awkward situation!
While Cupid's arrows fly, Melanie and Sean discuss the Buffy episode "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered." There's slow motion strutting, angry mobs, people turning into rats, a lovestruck Joyce, and a scavenger hunt!

Monday May 20, 2024

Sean and Melanie dig into this episode, dealing with werewolves, by discussing their past and present pet dogs! Melanie shares her husband's future plans for having a pack of dogs and Sean reveals the one thing that Melanie's dogs do with him that they don't do with her. 
Unleashing their thoughts regarding the Buffy episode "Phases", Melanie is enamored with the opening scene and the throwback to Season 1. This episode's snack discussion centers around the weird marshmallow filling in Moon Pies and Peeps (gross.) Sean compares the locker room scene between Larry and Xander to a scene from Glee and Melanie questions the sudden bond between Cordelia and Willow. 
Check out our social media accounts (@thesunnydalediaries) for pictures of our dogs. We want to see pictures of your pets, especially your pets named after Buffy characters! Send them to thesunnydalediaries@gmail.com or post them on our Facebook or Instagram. 

Monday May 13, 2024

Melanie and Sean look back at the first half of Season 2 - comparing it to the first season, and how the show has progressed. While discussion the newer characters in this season, they go off on a brief tangent to discuss Danny Strong (who plays Jonathan) and his current screenwriting career and accolades, including several Emmys!
Navigating the aftermath of betrayal in the Buffy episode "Innocence", Sean wonders what was actually being produced in the factory that has become Spike and Drusilla's lair. Melanie questions the career of the random woman in the alley that approaches Angel (and how Angel can smoke when he has no breath??) Sean and Melanie also express appreciation of Willow and Oz's emotional maturity. 
There's a few conventions upcoming this summer with several Buffy actors that Sean and Melanie plan on attending - Tampa Bay Comic Convention, FanBoy Expo (in Orlando) and Dragon Con. If you're also attending, keep an eye out for your 2 favorite podcast co-hosts!

Sunday May 12, 2024

In their first full video episode, Sean and Melanie interviewed Georgia (@scrapthecatwalk) who was a background actor in the first few episodes of Buffy! Hear what it was like walking down the halls of Sunnydale High, dancing at the Bronze, and having lunch with James Marsters. Georgia also made one of the prizes that will be given away in the Diorama Derby! Time is running out to enter - see thesunnydalediaries.com/diorama-contest for more info and submit your entry before June 1st, 2024! 

Monday Apr 29, 2024

Sean and Melanie open this episode discussing their experiences with surprise parties - how difficult it is to keep them secret and when each of them have been surprised in the past. Sean recounts the interesting theme for his 30th birthday party and Melanie describes what she did to make her 40th birthday party unique (hint - it involves a bounce house.)
Amidst the balloons and streamers, Melanie and Sean analyze the Buffy episode "Surprise", including a review of the varied filmography of Vincent Schiavelli, who played Jenny's uncle. Along with providing the Judge his very own theme song, Melanie points out where we've seen the actor who plays him before and Sean highlights how suspicious Jenny is being in this episode. 
For our birthday, we'd love it if you can leave us a rating or review of the podcast, and send us your thoughts, suggestions, and ideas to thesunnydalediaries@gmail.com!
 
 

Monday Apr 22, 2024

Sean and Melanie tackle a very controversial topic - eggs! They divulge their go-to egg orders, discuss eggs in cinema, and reveal their opinions on caviar. There's also conversation about sex-ed classes and hearing the dreaded phrase in school "Choose a partner" and the anxiety that follows. 
Eggsploring the details of the Buffy episode "Bad Eggs", they review the events  occurring at the Sunnydale Mall and discuss their favorite mall food court foods. Sean recalls the store in the mall where he first heard his favorite band while  Melanie can't get enough of Lyle and Tector Gorch and their authentic Texan accents. Joyce continues her campaign for worst mother ever. 
If you haven't heard about our diorama contest, be sure to stick around until the end of this episode for the details! Or visit https://thesunnydalediaries.com/diorama-contest/

Tuesday Apr 16, 2024

Mark the date - Melanie stated "This episode's amazing!"
Sean and Melanie begin this one by discussing their experiences with single parents dating, since they both are children of separated parents - hear how they dealt with meeting the significant others of each of their fathers.
In the circuit of conversation surrounding the Buffy episode "Ted", Melanie provides an OUTSTANDING rendition of Captain and Tennille's "Love Will Keep Us Together" and they recall watching Three's Company in their younger days. Sean reveals his theory of what causes a stake to either dissolve into ash or stay whole and highlights the inaccuracies of Joyce attempting to take Ted's pulse after his tumble. Melanie comments on the unfortunate victim shaming that occurs at the police station, and there's a lot of Joyce-bashing (she's pretty horrible to Buffy in this episode.) 
Have you left us a review yet? Let us know how we are doing and drop a review in your favorite podcast platform! Email us your thoughts at thesunnydalediaries@gmail.com. 

Monday Apr 08, 2024

Inspired by Kendra's intriguing accent, Melanie and Sean discuss their experiences in Jamaica, the Caribbean and on cruises - favorite excursions, pier runners, and rum punch are some of the highlights.
Reviewing the plot of the Buffy episode "What's My Line Part 2" Melanie schools Sean on the existence of the "raisin" color in cosmetics (which led to a tangent about raisins). Melanie expresses how Drusilla is quickly becoming her favorite character. Sean runs through the filmography of Bianca Lawson (who played Kendra) and since they always enjoy discussing snacks, there's a quick conversation about animal crackers. Before wrapping up, Melanie asks about the concept of potential slayers and how they become "activated", which is more proof that she is getting hooked into this show!
 

Monday Apr 01, 2024

Melanie and Sean discuss their careers - what they wanted to be as kids, what jobs they've had, and where they are at now. The jobs they ended up with were very different than what they thought they'd be as kids! 
Analyzing the intricacies of the Buffy episode "What's my Line Part 1", Melanie poses the question of what career Buffy could have along with being the slayer and does a great impression of Drusilla's whimper. Sean compares the Order of Taraka to The Three from Season 1 and also provides an impression, his being a line from Kendra. 
Don't forget about our diorama contest! Visit https://thesunnydalediaries.com/diorama-contest for more info. 

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