Angel

The show's building great buzz, but the producer of both shows, David Greenwalt, says, "Buzz is buzz. I care more about making a show that will connect with an audience."

The New York Daily News clearly agrees with us about the show's potential, citing Buffy's success, star Boreanaz's undeniable hunky appeal, and the presence of Buffy creator Joss Whedon on the new show.

Daily News' Donna Petrozzello spoke with Greenwalt about the future of the brooding vamp. "I think Angel grows out of Buffy, but still is its own show," Greenwalt says. "While Buffy is a bright and sunny character in a bright and sunny town [called Sunnydale], Angel is a bit more dark and powerful character, but not ultra-brooding. He's a grown guy in a grownup city."

"I think the stories for Angel will be a little older, a little badder," Greenwalt says. "The shows are polar opposites that are drawn together."

Greenwalt, whose credits include ABC's bright, shiny The Wonder Years and the dark and vastly underrated Fox series Profit, says it's (duh) better to work on a show that people are talking about.

"The best part about working on a show where there's buzz is that people get it," Greenwalt says about the pre-sold concept of Angel. "When Buffy is mentioned, you know that everybody from fans to critics to network executives understand the show." Not to mention advertisers.

Greenwalt says he will leave the audience guessing as to when and if Angel will revert to his bad vamp self, as happened when he found a "moment of true happiness" and undid a gypsy spell, thereby losing his soul for the second time.

"Angel has done terrible things in his past, and I think we've all done things we're ashamed of," Greenwalt says. Hey, I don't think any viewers are guilty of Angel's excesses. While in his evil phase, he tortured Buffy's Watcher, Giles, and murdered Giles' love Jenny Calendar, not easy stuff to forgive. "He's seeking redemption, but he might go bad again," says Greenwalt.