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Sarah Michelle Gellar: Why I quit ''Buffy'' | 185318__buffy_l
SINGING THE BLUES Gellar and the cast in last season's moody musical episode
Buffy: Mitchell Haaseth

What was it like announcing your decision?
At the beginning of this season, Joss and I had a conversation outside my trailer. We both kind of felt that this was the end, that we should make that decision and say it publicly. And then...we didn't. We didn't even talk about it for a while... [But] the fact the show's been so good [this season] decided it for us. It was a realization that we all came to.

If the show had stronger ratings, and had received more mainstream acclaim -- as in Emmys -- would you have stayed?
No. Our show never had top 10 numbers, but everyone talked about it. Joss and I disagree on this. People are always, ''How sad are you that your show never won any awards?'' I think it's great! This is the cool show, the show the voters don't get. I've won an Emmy. Okay, it's a Daytime Emmy, but it's still an Emmy. It doesn't mean nearly as much to me as my Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Female Butt Kicker.

Was money an issue for you?
Money? No complaints. Never.

I'll be honest: ''Buffy'' on UPN has always seemed like an odd fit.
I knew this question was coming.

Do you feel the switch from The WB to UPN in 2001 hurt the show?
It was a hard transition. This is a hard question because UPN has been very supportive of the show. They gave us a home. But I will always have a loyalty and a very, very deep appreciation for the support that I felt at The WB. The WB and ''Buffy'' were synonymous. They made each other.


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