So I really enjoy this podcast for the most part. When they are talking about Buffy it’s amazing, they break it down and find things I never saw and it’s great. However, they often go off on P.C rants which is fine because it’s important to talk about things that were not so great on Buffy, it being very homophobic at times being whiter than pure snow, but these girls will go off topic and rant for 10 minutes straight without saying anything new, they repeat each other say the same thing in another way and it completely takes you out of the story of the episode. I am a feminist I am doing my best to help the world grow up, I appreciate the bad behavior being pointed out, just do it ONCE and move on. If you want to start a podcast about bad things in old pop culture and rant away, that isn’t what the show is being offered as, it’s a episode by episode discussion on Buffy. That’s MY rant, and I put it where it belongs.

OG obsessed fan of Buffy and have become obsessed with this podcast and their take on it! Rewatching now and seeing it in a whole new light. Thank you for creating this wonderful podcast for us die hard fans. Special shout out to Lani for her love of Spike! :) so enjoy!!

Learned a lot about story from the podcast. But the thing that just blew my mind was the simple edit of deleting “ No you don’t” and leaving “Thanks for saying it”. Worth the price of admission.

I really love the depth of analysis of BtVS in this podcast along with the deep love of the show and the enjoyment. I laugh, I learn and I really appreciate this amazing podcast! I got so much more from watching along with this podcast than just watching BtVS itself. Such great insights and so many eternal human themes that make you see how even 25 years later, Buffy has something to say.

I have listened to other Buffy podcasts and I am so glad I found this one. Other podcasts I have listened to either ignore the problematic perspectives of the show or focus on them to the point of it being annoying. It is clear that these hosts love Buffy but realize there are problematic points especially looking at the show through today’s lens. While Buffy was, in some ways, progressive for its time, viewers are still coming to Buffy for the first time in the modern world and I think this podcast helps to view the show with a modern perspective. Even if I don’t always agree with the hosts’ overall view (bad vs good) of an episode, they still make valid points for their opinion that I sometimes will still agree with. Sometimes the thoughts are really interesting. I find this such an enjoyable podcast. ❤️

New fan of the podcast but an OG fan of Buffy. I watched Buffy when it originally ran back in the 90s and I’ve been waiting 20 years for this. Your attention to detail and your conversations on the shows topics especially the characters of color is amazing. Please keep up the good work

I love Buffy. I realize that some things don’t hold up. The show is very white and mostly heterosexual. However, it was an extremely progressive show for the time it aired. I agree with some of the insights here but these two are finding homophobia and sexism where it doesn’t exist. I don’t mind calling out problematic things about Buffy. There are some of course. But Buffy was one of the most progressive shows on television at the time. You can’t honestly compare then to now. There were things you simply could not do on television at that time. And sometimes, a joke is just a joke. Now, every criticism of Xander is right on. Maybe just lighten up a little. You can’t look for things that aren’t there all the time. And that episode of Seinfeld you criticized was given the Glaad Media Award for outstanding comedy episode. It too was very progressive for the time it aired

Why aren’t you guys talking about the Buffy/spike dynamic this season? :(

Too much discussion of the "problematic" aspects of the show. I wish they would just discuss the story, the themes, and structure. I don't need a women studies lesson every time I listen, and In every episode. I had to stop listening because it wasn't enjoyable after a while.

I love Buffy, and I LOVE film criticism. This is an excellent analytical podcast about Buffy that comes both from the feminist perspective and the filmic perspective without being obnoxious on either end. The hosts are professional, knowledgable, and obviously enthusiastic. This is a delight to listen to if you want to feel smart and also have fun while listening to podcasts.

I have loved buffy for so long, this podcast is the cherry on top

I’m a HUGE Buffy fan, and I love this podcast because it 1. talks about each episode in the context of the entire Buffyverse, which leads to more complex conversations and is very satisfying for those of us who know Buffy backwards and forwards, and 2. uses each host’s unique perspective to find and explore the small details that you can miss even after having seen each episode a dozen times. This podcast makes me feel validated in my love for Buffy, pushes me to think about the many problematic aspects of the show (which is something fans of anything should do), and teaches me so much about film theory, symbolism, the art of narrative, and much much more. Thank you Lani and Noelle! You never fail to make me think in new and interesting ways😊

I turned to this pod after checking out the first three seasons of Buffering the Vampire Slayer. I’ve got no issues with that show but I wanted to stop while I went back and refreshed myself on those early seasons and episodes. I couldn’t go without some Buffy talk to get through my days and came upon this show. Great perspectives and insights. I love that the hosts can view things differently from the shows, express themselves, and keep on pushing through. I actually stopped watching Buffy either late in season 6 or early in season 7 because I didn’t want to see it end. Now nearly 20 years later, I’m diving back in! Again, tremendous show.

I’m a bit behind and just listened to episode 127 The Gift and I just had to share how great this podcast is. All episodes are great but this one was everything I’ve come to expect from their insightful deep dives into every aspect of Buffy and then even more. Their conversations are fascinating. I absolutely love this podcast! Thank you Lani and Noelle!

After trying out at least 5 other BtVS podcasts and not enjoying them, I finally found my perfect match with Still Pretty. Lani and Noelle always analyze and speak thoughtfully about every episode and I like the freeform feel of the podcast rather than it being a straight up recap. Lani might also be the biggest Spike fan in the world! I look forward to her enthusiasm about his character every week.

I can confirm, this is the best Buddy podcast.

I like the idea of this podcast and I'm hoping the episode I'm on is an abberation. I'm only on The Dark Ages, and I'm a feminist, but I find that so far the conversation, Noelle particularly, is going out of the way to find "homophobic" remarks. If you look for sexism and whatever-ism in every sentence, you're likely to find it. For example, in The Dark Ages, they discuss Ethan and Buffy responding to his comment about being manly by saying, "One of us is." You refer to this comment as homophobic. However, taken in context, first, there is no actual textual evidence that Ethan is gay. Maybe he is. But you have decided that he definitively is based on I guess his mannerisms (which could be considered a prejudiced look at gender conformity on your part, as straight men can be more "feminine"). Additionally, you don't put the scene in context, which is that he is committing violent actions towards her and others. She is saying "one of us is" to refer to the fact that he is a coward, not that he is gay. His being cowardly was textually established in Halloween. This is one of a few examples of this type of criticism has occured. You are so critical that it is hard to believe you actually enjoy the show. Remember how many feminist and gay breakthroughs this show brought. The examinations of mental illness, grief, independence, loneliness, etc that it explored in revolutionary ways. Sure, critique terribly done points. The Shadow Xander you talk about is definitely there and interesting to look at, but sometimes you seem to be digging through the diamonds to find the coal.

The BEST Buffy podcast!

Was looking for a Buffy podcast as I am in a rewatch while this is my husband’s first time through. So happy I found you ladies!

I love Lani’s work. Her other podcast, Still Dead, is brilliant. This one has started to become more difficult to listen to - it’s become a lot of calling out “problematic” aspects of the show in a way that isn’t particularly sophisticated. I typically love feminist critique (right on!), but this sounds like being talked down to, and it’s frustrating because many of these are issues on which feminists DISAGREE and there is no correct stance. Anyway, the story critique is still great. And feminism is awesome, but the discussion is lagging.

Lani and Noelle are an absolute delight! They’re are well-spoken, funny, knowledgeable, and downright entertaining women. They bring an insightful and unique perspective to one of my all time favorite shows that I am not able to find anywhere else (and i listen to and watch an embarrassingly large amount of Buffy media). Still Pretty’s critique is intriguing and enjoyable. Their love for the text is abundantly clear, so criticisms of elements of the show never come across and mean or unwarranted. They make my 30-60 minute, early morning commute to school much more enjoyable. Let’s go on patrol!

I've been a huge fan of Lani's podcasts for a long time, but I think Still Pretty with Noelle is probably my favorite. I love Lani's knowledge of narrative craft & story structure + Noelle's knowledge of visual film language + background in feminist theory. I've watched this show so many times and listened to multiple podcasts about it, but they always pull out something new I hadn't considered.

This podcast can be fantastic. But the increasing level of outrage is getting really offputting. Guys - you are preaching to the converted and repeating the same points over and over. Yes, we know that by modern standards the show can be a garbage fire in some areas. How about instead of applying abstract modern standards to the ceritique you focus on how the characters are affected. I am so tired of being lectured that I am now skipping episodes once they descend into outrage. Go back to your brilliant story dissection, and give us some credit. We understand - we really do. Put the sledgehammer away.

I so enjoy listening to the deep, brilliant insights the hosts of this podcast share with their fellow Scoobies. If you love Buffy this is a must listen for you. Thanks ladies for being so smart and delightful.

Best Buffy podcast out there. The hosts are so insightful and entertaining. It makes me feel like I’m taking a college Lit course on BtVS!

I like Still Dead -and that is because unlike this one - Still Dead will actually dissect the story. Still Pretty has become just one long lecture on the same topics - over and over again - I don't even disagree with most of their points but they make them OVER AND OVER AND OVER again - the SAME points - OVER and OVER - EVERY SINGLE EPISODE - I find that I am constantly fast fowarding through the podcast because...I have heard what they had to complain about in EVERY other previous podcast. I get it - really I want to hear about story stucture - story development- etc. too.

Lani and Noelle have the best podcast out there. Now, that’s a bold statement as I haven’t listened to them all, but based on listening to their show, I feel confident in my assertion. Noelle’s theories and ways at looking at scenes that I’ve watched 100 times over the last 20 years is just fun! Lani is busy teaching me to write! Her grasp on story and her dissection have given me so much insight in shaping my writing just by listening to her. I think that was a horribly written sentence, but I listened to Big Strong Yes and I’m ok with that. I look forward to this podcast above all others. ALL OTHERS! Well, Still Dead is pretty equal. Listen to both!

Noelle and Lani are incredibly insightful, skilled, and intelligent hosts. It’s hard to add something new when there are so many Buffy podcasts, but Still Pretty finds something new to dig into with every episode. This show keeps me thinking and is a ton of fun. Noelle and Lani’s different backgrounds and perspectives lead to awesome discussion. I’d recommend this podcast to any Buffy fan.

Love this show. I didn’t think I could fit another Buffy podcast into my listening, and I’m so glad I did. This show is witty, smart, and entertaining.

Best Buffy podcast. Nuff said.

I watched Buffy as it was coming out and have loved it ever since. I am always looking for more Buffy content to absorb and this podcast has quickly become my favorite commentary content. If you love anything Buffy, listen!

Best. Podcast. Ever. Literally the highlight of my week. There aren’t enough words to express how incredible , Brilliant, and fun this podcast is! Thank you so much!!

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is my favorite show of all time, and it’s so refreshing to know that people are still getting excited about this show. I fell in love with Lani’s analysis and interpretation of Buffy in her previous not-to-be-named Buffy podcast, so I was really happy to find that she started it up anew! Lani and Noelle have really opened my eyes to all of the ~patriarchy~ that exists in Buffy, and their constant anti-body shaming has helped me get through a tough time in my life. I cannot express enough how amazing these women are and I can’t WAIT to hear them talk about the rest of the show! 😁😁😁😁

I really love listening their theories about the show, and the deep love they obviously share with me for each of the characters. I go to Buffering for my fun and silly Buffy discussions and to Still Pretty for my more serious, academic Buffy discussions. Love.

I am a huge Buffy fan so finding a podcast solely about it was amazing! I love listening to Lani and Noelle and their thoughts on each episode. They are such fantastic women on a fantastic podcast!

Serious scholarship and unapologetic feminism with a heavy dose of critical-fangirling and humor. A truly awesome deep dive into Buffy studies! Still Pretty is a joy!

This is the best Buffy podcast bar NONE! Both ladies are so fun to listen to, and they are bringing new things to their analysis of the show in every episode. Perfect balance of personal opinion and objective analysis. If you listen to 1 Buffy podcast, listen to this one.

Lani and Noelle present a smart, feminist read on an important cultural text and they do it with humor and style. Fantastic work.

Wonderful podcast, I think Lani found the perfect format for her analysis. I tried the Dusted podcast a while ago and as much as I wanted to, I couldn't get into it, it was way too nitpicky for my taste and spent too much time on unimportant details. Still Pretty finally has the right balance between some very specific comments and the really clever analysis. I'm just sad it's coming to an end, and that Lani is returning to the conversational podcast for season 1, I've just tried her new Angel podcast, and I sadly had the same issues I had with "Dusted", and probably won't continue with this podcast as a result. I will greatly miss the current Still Pretty format.

Lani Diane Rich is the best story analyst out there. Buffy is her favorite text. She knows how to talk about this show, about the hard themes and the story craft. Even a casual Buddy lover will love Still Pretty. But mostly you will come away from it with the greatest respect for Lani. She does the work!

Fantastic insights, fantastic production value, fantastic human being.

I found Lani Diane Rich through Dusted and gladly followed her here. I love buffy and I love learning everything Lani has to say abut story telling. Can't wait for her continuation of Angel podcast! Go check out her other works! they are all wonderful.

Thrilled that LDR is back on Buffy. I couldn’t stand Dusted when she left, so much that I couldn’t finish even 20 minutes of the first episode without Lani. Lani was my favorite part of Dusted. I enjoyed hearing her stand up to the other guy’s pretentious, condescending remarks. Still Pretty is great. I can tell how much Lani loves Buffy but she isn’t afraid to discuss what she doesn’t love about the show and always provides context as to why. This show makes me think in a new way and analyze Buffy in ways I never did before. Thanks Lani!

So good to hear Lani talking about Buffy again!

Lani's long affection for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, along with her expertise in narrative theory and criticism, makes Still Pretty the absolute gold standard for Buffy podcasting. I can't wait for her take on each episode, and I hope and pray she'll start back from the beginning once she finishes. Find these episode reviews on Youtube, as well! They're even better!

This is the audio of the Vlog Still Pretty. All the ideas and wit come through. Check out the videos, though, because it adds even more to the experience.

I never really got hooked on the TV show, but I did get addicted to Lani's smart discussion of storytelling and morality. I'd probably listen to her break down the phone book.

Lain Is a wordsmith and a performer and a joy to listen to/watch. She hits things that make even a 20 yr fan like me go "huh... I never thought of it like that." It's a must for any Buffy fan.

Love Buffy, love Lani's insights, love Lani's voice.

I consider Lani Diane Rich to be THE formost authority on all things Buffy and Buffy-adjacent and her return to analysis and thoughtful discussion of The Slayer is everything I've been missing for the past few months.