--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The mere existence of 'Buffy' proves the…" description: "\"The mere existence of 'Buffy' proves the declinists wrong about one thing: Hollywood commercialism can produce great art. Complex and evolving characte..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a27/virginia-postrel-2867_about_the-mere-existence-of-buffy-proves-the-d_2067018.jpg" --- # The mere existence of 'Buffy' proves the declinists wrong… ![“The mere existence of 'Buffy' proves the declinists wrong about one thing: Hollywood commercialism can produce great art. Complex and evolving characters. Playful language. Joy and sorrow, pathos and elation. Episodes that dare to be different - to tell stories in silence or in song. Big themes…” quote by Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a27/virginia-postrel-2867_about_the-mere-existence-of-buffy-proves-the-d_2067018.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a27/virginia-postrel-2867_about_the-mere-existence-of-buffy-proves-the-d_2067018.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a27/virginia-postrel-2867_about_the-mere-existence-of-buffy-proves-the-d_2067018.jpg) > “The mere existence of 'Buffy' proves the declinists wrong about one thing: Hollywood commercialism can produce great art. Complex and evolving characters. Playful language. Joy and sorrow, pathos and elation. Episodes that dare to be different - to tell stories in silence or in song. Big themes and terrible choices.” [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Argues that mainstream TV can create high‑quality, artistic content. **In simple terms:** Hollywood can make great art. Key Takeaway Recognize artistic potential in popular media. Themes art media culture creativity Mood analytical enthusiastic Type critical celebratory When to use this quote - TV criticism - media studies - creative writing Key Concepts commercialism character development genre innovation Questions to Reflect On - What makes a commercial series artistic? - How can creators balance profit and art? A Different Perspective May generalize from one show. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Buffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buffy/) [Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Dare to be different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dare-to-be-different/) [Elation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elation/) [Evolving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evolving/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Great art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-art/) [Hollywood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hollywood/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Pathos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pathos/) [Playful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playful/) [Silence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silence/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Sorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sorrow/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) ## Related quotes > [When 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' premiered on the WB Network in 1996, American culture was in trouble. Americans were bowling alone, pursuing individual interests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/when-buffy-the-vampire-slayer-premiered-on-the-wb-network-in-1996/) [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) > [I'm always drawn to strong female leads, so that's what drew me to 'Lost Girl.' I was a 'Buffy' fan and watched it with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-silk/i-m-always-drawn-to-strong-female-leads-so-that-s-what-drew-me-to/) [Anna Silk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-silk/) > [The Internet community started forming right when 'Buffy' started airing, and the notion of a show creator being anything other than a name people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-whedon/the-internet-community-started-forming-right-when-buffy-started/) [Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/) > [Throughout my college years, I'd watch my sister squeal every Christmas as she unwrapped another 'Buffy' DVD set. 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