Well, there are multiple stories about whether they even were cancelled or just 'ended'.

Which is true of pretty much everything about the show, but I guess that's what happens when there are so many people involved in the show, and they all have their own POV or version of events (a la Rashamon) plus what's misquoted in the media, misremembered, passed along by fans and altered on down the line like a game of telephone. I mean, some of it is interesting for me to hear about, in terms of the context and how it affects what I've seen - if and when I care - so long as I take everything I read or hear with a grain or salt. Speaking of,

According to Joss, everyone knew it would be the last of Buffy before it started.

Wasn't that in reaction to AH stating that she and the cast were taken by surprise by Sarah's "announcement" that she was leaving? Aly seems to have been Joss' "special snowflake" in a lot of ways (see the production of OMWF) so that's actually a rather strong defense of Sarah on his part esp in context. (not that I care, not that I care, not that I.... *lol*)

Where does Fox come into it, btw? Did Fox own UPN? Assume I'm clueless because I am.

Naturally people thought she was referring to SMG, but when asked later she clarified it had something to do with Fox

Was that still the era of "blame Sarah (and Marti) for everything"? (So the boys can be untouched and blameless gods?) Are we still in that era? We've moved past that, right? Again, newbie here: so not interested.