A British "Buffy" Spin-Off? Um, Maybe.

BUFFY: So, Giles! Got anything that can make this day any worse?
GILES: How about the end of the world?

Ah, how we miss Anthony Stewart Head as Rupert Giles, the veddy British watcher to Sarah Michelle Gellar as "Buffy The Vampire Slayer." The show has one of the more fanatically loyal followings on the Internet - thanks to the Buffyverse DB for the quote, btw - and we have to say we're part of it. Love that show. So we should be excited by the reports in the Guardian's TV Blog and elsewhere that a long-awaited spinoff for Giles, called "Ripper," is in the works in England. But it all appears maybe a bit more iffy than folks would like to believe.

The Guardian post sent me to Head's own web site where I was briefly distracted by his support for animal causes: "Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land has rescued another male donkey that has been named Giles 2. If you would like to make a gift donation, or donate on your own behalf, all proceeds will go towards the veterinary care of Giles 2. Donations over £10 will receive a certificate of thanks, signed by Anthony, sent to either yourself, or the person you are donating on behalf of. For full details please visit our donkey fundraiser page." Cool.

But with a little closer look we found a brief item that says this: "We can now confirm that 'Ripper' may be given a green light for development. Although one step nearer the possibility of becoming a reality, it is still subject to there being a script. If made, it would be a one-off 90 minute TV movie." OK, still pretty cool if it happens - Joss Whedon appears to have a little time on his hands now that he's out of "Wonder Woman" - but definitely a one-off.