I've been spending the last few nights watching my Firefly DVD boxed set - been having a ball. The series is a Joss Whedon production, just like Buffy and Angel, and it shows that same nuance and level of quality. It was a great show, and as I've written before, its cancellation was unjust, and a shame. A funny thing about Whedon is that he can probably walk down the street in any city - save Los Angeles - without being recognized. He's famous without being familiar. That's a nice accomplishment. It speaks of merit without PR, and thus earned fame.
I've met a fair number of famous people - politicians, writers, even a few actors. Normally I haven't gotten close enough to tell whether I'd really like them or not.
One time I watched Strom Thurmond grope a young woman, Ford Fairlane style, in the Dirksen Senate Office Building. (I never really met him, but happenstance put me in his presence on several occasions. Having been young and relatively unimportant, no one thought to introduce me.) I saw him speak once to a large crowd, and it seemed obvious to me that he was a bullshitter. Despite his meritorious wartime service, I was never reallly able to think good thoughts about him, though I've defended him from time to time. While I've laughed at the recent confirmation of rumors that he has a 78-year-old illegitimate daughter, born of a union between Strom and his family's black housekeeper in 1925, I have to say that he really was a despicable character. He's someone who had no qualms about taking advantage of other people for his own gain. He built his fame on the backs of other people, and I think perceptive people sensed a reptilian quality about him.
Joss Whedon I think I'd probably like. It's a peculiar universe he's created for himself: he'd probably enjoy the company of a lot of the fans of his shows. It's a shame he'll never find the time.
