Should I admit it?
I’ve never watched Buffy. I’ve never watched Firefly.
In fact, until 2008, I didn’t really know the name of writer/director and cult figure Joss Whedon. Gasp!
Today, of course, Whedon is riding high with this summer’s mega-grossing action flick The Avengers. But back in 2008 when a little internet miniseries called Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog was set to debut, I had to rely on the in-house teenagers (and my fellow GeekDad writers) to clue me in that this would be a cultural event that Must Not Be Missed.
Dr. Horrible is a darkly funny takeoff on the classic mad scientist film. How I Met Your Mother‘s Neil Patrick Harris plays an evil genius wannabe just looking for a little love and recognition. Nathan Fillion (Castle) is the bullying superhero who thwarts him at every turn. Simon Helberg (The Big Bang Theory) is Moist, Dr. Horrible’s aspiring minion with the ability to dampen whatever he touches. All Dr. Horrible — also known as Billy — wants is to be admitted to the Evil League of Evil, run by a villain known as Bad Horse, and win the affections of Penny, played by Felicia Day (Geek & Sundry). But fate, as it often does, gets in the way.
The three-part series is filled with smart writing, in-jokes and wry sight gags. And did I mention it’s a musical? The songs (by Whedon’s brother Jed) fit in seamlessly with the action and the mood and are eminently hummable to boot.
Up until now the only place to see Dr. Horrible in all his horribleness has been on the internet or DVD. But the hard-luck bad guy gets his broadcast premier this week on The CW. According to reports the series will be presented together in slightly edited form, and executives at the network are hoping to get first dibs on the coming sequel as well.
If you’re wondering, unlike some of Whedon’s other cult classics (such as this year’s horror/black comedy Cabin in the Woods), Dr. Horrible will appeal to kids as well as adults.
If you’re a long-time fan, this is another chance to enjoy an old favorite. And if you’re a Whedon newbie — hey, I’m not gonna judge you!
Catch Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog on your local CW station on Tuesday October 9 at 9 pm Eastern/8 Central.
