by Louisa Mellor
In 1997 , the yearBuffy the Vampire Slayermade its television introduction , Dolly Parton was asked byPaperMagazineabout the extent of her hazard . “ With all my companies and all the occupation , ” Parton answered , “ I ’m not quite sure how much I ’m worth , but all enjoin I guess it ’s quite a mo . ”
Parton guess right . Savvy investment have gather the singer / actress / entrepreneur a sizeable join . ( Today , Parton isestimated to be worthan even tidy $ 500 million ) . One such investment was in Sandollar , a boob tube and motion picture production companionship Parton found in 1986 with Sandy Gallin , her former manager , roommate , and job spouse .
In the early nineties , Sandollar president and CEO Gail Berman read Joss Whedon ’s screenplay for the 1992Buffy the Vampire Slayermovie when Sandollar became its distributor . She straight off figure its potential as a TV show and set about acquiring its television rights .
Because the motion picture was n’t a hit , it took the success of 1995’sClueless , which Berman thought share tonic similarities with Whedon ’s original picture show script , for her to start pursuing the idea of aBuffyTV show in earnest . Berman contacted Whedon , who was by then write movies — includingToy StoryandAlien : Resurrection — but agreed to come back to goggle box to start the show . Seven seasons and one spinoff subsequently , the rest was TV story .
Writing the checks all the while was Sandollar Television , the small - screen weapon system of Parton and Gallin ’s production companionship . Sandollar carbon monoxide gas - producedBuffy the Vampire Slayerand its spinoff , Angel , with Whedon ’s company , Mutant Enemy . Berman and Gallin were listed as executive producer on both display , while Parton ’s name stayed out of the credits .
Without Parton ’s cash though , Buffy Summers may never have made it to television . For that , fans will always be grateful . Perhaps that gratitude also explains why the fictitious vampire slayer divvy up a birthday — January 19 — with the world - famous country Isaac Merrit Singer ?
