Marti Noxon on Working with Joss Whedon: "He Taught Me Everything About Storytelling"
"I wouldn't be here without him, there's no question," says #GG2D's EP of her Buffy the Vampire Slayer boss.
Long before Marti Noxon was helping to shape Abby's (Lisa Edelstein) life post-divorce on Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce, the show's writer and executive producer was penning tales about another strong female for the small screen. Marti joined Buffy the Vampire Slayer during its sophomore season, bringing to life the teen vampire slayer, Buffy Summers (played by Sarah Michelle Gellar), and penning iconic episodes including "The Prom" and "Buffy vs. Dracula." It was her time working alongside Buffy creator Joss Whedon that, she says, helped her become better equipped to weave together emotional stories that can both make viewers laugh and cry.
"He taught me everything about storytelling; about no matter what the genre is, it's so personal. It's still about human stories," she told The Daily Dish. "And then, in terms of running a show, it's about being generous and trusting your co-workers and letting writers do their jobs; and being generous instead being somebody who acts out of fear and ego 'cause he's kind of the king that."
In the years since her work on Buffy, as well as its spin-off Angel, Marti has gone on to work on Mad Men, Glee, and Grey's Anatomy. (Not too shabby.) But, she holds her time with Joss near and dear to her heart. "He taught me a bunch and to have him show up on Episode 1 and be able to have fun with him, it was such a joy 'cause I wouldn't be here without him, there's no question," she said, noting his Season 2 cameo.
Picking her favorite Buffy episode is nearly impossible (and who could blame her), but there is one experience in particular that she'll never forget. Back in 2001, the show stepped out of its element and aired an episode entirely done as a musical. (Yes, long before Glee.) It also gave Buffy fans the chance to meet Marti on screen. "I feel like it's pretty hard to pick between the Joss episodes," she said. "They're all so good. I mean "Once More, with Feeling" is probably a pinnacle only because almost every show that gets to a certain season has actors who can sing, actors who can dance — but who wrote all the music for their own show, and kept the story moving forward, and actually made it a real musical? Like, only, Joss Whedon."
It probably doesn't hurt that she also got to make a cameo. "Plus, I got to play the Parking Ticket Lady, so come on. It was my shining moment." (And you can check it out below.)
Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce returns December 1 at 10/9c. Check out a preview below.
