The Bitch Is Back with Charisma Carpenter – Details, episodes & analysis

Join Charisma Carpenter in the studio for the premiere episode of The Bitch is Back! — a first-watch podcast where she recaps each episode with her signature sass, dives into the show's title and why she chose it, and welcomes Julie Benz to dish about episode fashion, blood-soaked FX makeup, Darla’s true soulmate, and who she considers a really good kisser. One of them names names! Your Buffy/Angel comfort content starts now! First episode LIVE & Free. Full future episodes on Patreon: www.patreon.com/CharismaCarpenter TT:   / www.tiktok.com/@charisma_carpenter IG:   / www.instagram.com/charismacarpenter

The Bitch Is Back: A First Watch with Charisma Carpenter *Powered by Patreon* is a spin on the traditional rewatch. Known as the formidable queen bee of the Buffyverse, Cordelia Chase-played by Charisma Carpenter-has finally decided to watch her own shows – and she’s taking fans along for the unpredictable ride! First episode LIVE & Free. Full future episodes on Patreon: www.patreon.com/CharismaCarpenter

The Bitch is Back! Podcast episode 2 features a soulful interview with Eric Balfour, along with a deep dive into Charisma’s “Hot Takes on the Hellmouth.” In this episode, she shares behind-the-scenes insights from filming library scenes, as well as her reactions, thoughts, and observations about the show—particularly highlighting early red flags related to Xander. She also offers career insights, including her struggles with performance anxiety. Additionally, Charisma weaves in personal stories about being a single mom raising her high school-aged son during the pandemic. She pays overdue tribute to makeup department head Todd McIntosh and shares her opinion that total obsession with your craft is the clearest path to success. Your Buffy/Angel comfort content starts now! First episode LIVE & Free. Full future episodes on Patreon: www.patreon.com/CharismaCarpenter TT:   / www.tiktok.com/@charisma_carpenter IG:   / www.instagram.com/charismacarpenter

This week’s episode, The Witch, explores themes of power and obsession with dangerous consequences. In this episode of TBIB, Charisma breaks it all down, highlighting how the show’s characters repeatedly demonstrate an intolerance for body diversity and exhibit the dark nature of strong competitive edges, the perils of peaking in high school, with a dash of voodoo magic. Welcome to 90s genre television. Your Buffy/Angel comfort content starts now! First episode LIVE & Free. Full future episodes on Patreon: www.patreon.com/CharismaCarpenter TT:   / www.tiktok.com/@charisma_carpenter IG:   / www.instagram.com/charismacarpenter

A new, big-bad bug in the form of a seductive new teacher comes to town, preying on feral, lusty Xander and bros. The real Teacher’s Pet, Buffy, saves the day by dismemberment before the she-mantis can wrap her raptorial legs around the sacrificial virginal boys. Full future episodes on Patreon: www.patreon.com/CharismaCarpenter TT: / www.tiktok.com/@charisma_carpenter IG: / www.instagram.com/charismacarpenter

The Bitch is Back! podcast welcomes Joanna Johnson, an educational influencer on TikTok with over 4 million followers worldwide (mostly from the US and… Texas!). Joanna is also a dedicated teacher, administrator, and the author of the recent book, “That’s Not What This Book Is About.” This episode covers themes of forgiveness and redemption—universal concepts that affect everyone including myself. Tune in and listen as this podcast episode turns very raw and personal. Full future episodes on Patreon: www.patreon.com/CharismaCarpenter TT: / www.tiktok.com/@charisma_carpenter IG: / www.instagram.com/charismacarpenter

Demonstrates through compelling storytelling the imperfect balancing act Buffy faces between leading a normal teenage life inclusive of dating Owen while also attempting to honor her duty as the Slayer. Full future episodes on Patreon: www.patreon.com/CharismaCarpenter TT: / www.tiktok.com/@charisma_carpenter IG: / www.instagram.com/charismacarpenter

I’m truly affected by this week's episode called Angel. I am drawn into the palpable attraction between these star crossed lovers with complicated backstories that prove most challenging to overcome. Is their love an epic one of emotional, highs and lows, tragedies and disappointments? Distance and togetherness? Is their connection enough to last a lifetime? Can an emotionally unavailable vampire with a curse survive a slayer intent to kill the very beast that dwells within him? Will she honor her duty or cave to their deep connection and mutual love? Will Buffy’s Darcy and Angel’s Elizabeth Beckett we have happily ever after? … how about will they each survive just this episode? Oh love. Full future episodes on Patreon: www.patreon.com/CharismaCarpenter TT: / www.tiktok.com/@charisma_carpenter IG: / www.instagram.com/charismacarpenter

In this candid reunion on The Bitch is Back, Charisma Carpenter sits down with her former Buffy the Vampire Slayer co-star, Seth Green. The two dive deep into the realities of navigating Hollywood, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from the Buffy set, Seth’s balancing act between series regular life on Buffy and his movie career and the contrasting pressures faced by men and women in the industry. From profound discussions on plant medicine and finding inner peace to laugh-out-loud memories. Enjoy! Listen now! Full future episodes on Patreon: www.patreon.com/CharismaCarpenter TT: / www.tiktok.com/@charisma_carpenter IG: / www.instagram.com/charismacarpenter

Charisma is diving into Season 2, Episode 5: "Reptile Boy," where she watches this frat house nightmare for the very first time and has plenty of notes on Cordelia’s desperate "pick-me" vibes and that fake laugh. She also learns into the cringey reality of the Buffy/Angel age gap conversation. Charisma then reunites with her old friend and Malibu Shores co-star, Greg Vaughan (Richard the frat leader), for a trip down 90s memory lane to discuss, fighting typecasting, raising three boys as a single dad while working insane soap opera schedules, and sharing a truly emotional moment remembering Charisma’s mom on set that you don't want to miss. Please share all your thoughts in the comments, discourse welcome!