Comic-Con is next month, and what used to be a small collection of nerds trading comic books is now a thriving corporate parasite that feeds on the excitement of the sweaty and unshaven. Expect this kind of enthusiasm every time I write about the convention.
Anyway, three networks — HBO, Fox, and Starz — released the schedules for their panels today, and I’ve got the schedule below along with some of my typically breezy commentary. Long story short: HBO will showcase “Game of Thrones” and “True Blood,” Fox is sending a gazillion shows, and Starz is something that exists to some people.
Thursday, July 21
Napoleon Dynamite: Jon Heder, Tina Majorino, Efren Ramirez, Jon Gries, Sandy Martin, Diedrich Bader and EP Mike Scully. A sneak preview of the animated series to be screened.
Game of Thrones: Author George R.R. Martin will moderate the panel with attendees including David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington, Jason Momoa and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. The panel marks the freshman series first time at Comic-Con.
Awake: The first episode will be screened, with Howard Gordon, Kyle Killen and Jason Isaacs attending.
I’m not sure why “Awake” is on this list, as it’s an NBC show. Nevertheless, the buzz is already mounting for the midseason series, with everyone at TV Squad itching to see more.
As for the “Game of Thrones” panel, I’d like to see Martin moderate it from a massive floating dais. That dude’s got the bulk of a Harkonnen. These nerds know what I’m talkin’ ’bout, right?
Friday, July 22
Bones: Panel discussion with Hart Hanson, Stephen Nathan, David Boreanaz, Emily Deschanel as well as the stars of its spinoff, The Finder.
Bob’s Burgers: Season 2 clip to be presented, along with Q&A with Loren Bouchard, Jim Dauterive, H. Jon Benjamin, John Roberts, Dan Mintz, Eugene Mirman and Kristen Schaal.
True Blood: Attendees include Alan Ball, Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell, Ryan Kwanten, Rutina Wesley, Kevin Alejandro, Kristin Bauer van Straten, Nelsan Ellis, Joe Manganiello and Deborah Ann Woll. The panel will be the show’s fourth Comic-Con appearance.
Torchwood: Miracle Day: John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Bill Pullman, Mekhi Phifer, Alexa Havins, Lauren Ambrose and Jane Espenson will attend.
Spartacus: Vengeance: New Spartacus Liam McIntyre will be introduced alongside fellow panelists Lucy Lawless, Dustin Clare, Manu Bennett, Katrina Law and Steven S. DeKnight.
I suppose I might enjoy the “Bob’s Burgers” panel if I didn’t have to wait in line to see it. I hate lines. I won’t go to a bar is there’s a line to get in. I get homicidal every time I go to the post office. And I damn sure wouldn’t spend a July weekend in San Diego standing in line — not when I could be at the beach or getting drunk playing frisbee golf in Balboa Park.
Saturday, July 23
Terra Nova: The first episode will be screened with Stephen Lang, Rene Echevarria and Brannon Braga set to attend.
“Uh, we added some more dinosaurs. You guys like dinosaurs, right?”
Futurama: Matt Groening, David X. Cohen, Billy West, Katey Sagal, John DiMaggio and Maurice LaMarche to attend with a sneak preview of the show reincarnated as Japanese anime and a preview of the new season to be screened. Bill Morrison will moderate.
The Simpsons: Matt Groening, Al Jean, Rob Lazebnik, Matt Warburton, Mike Anderson and Tom Gammill will be in attendance.
Family Guy: Alex Borstein, Seth Green, Adam West, Mark Hentemann, Steve Callaghan and Kara Vallow will screen a sneak preview of Stewie Goes for a Drive, featuring voice guest star Ryan Reynolds.
American Dad: A preview of the Season 7 premiere will be screened, featuring guest star Cee Lo Green, followed by a panel discussion with Wendy Schaal, Scott Grimes, Rachael MacFarlane, Dee Bradley Baker, Mike Barker, Matt Weitzman and Kara Vallow.
Sunday, July 24
Glee: Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and stars of the musical hit will air a musical sneak preview at never-before-seen footage and behind-the-scenes secrets about the series.
Allen Gregory: Jonah Hill, David Goodman, Andrew Mogel and Jarrad Paul will be joined by the voice-cast for a sneak preview of the animated series.
The Cleveland Show: A look at its Die Hard parody will be screened, followed by a Q&A with Mike Henry, Sanaa Lathan, Kevin Michael Richardson, Reagan Gomez, Rich Appel and Kara Vallow. [THR; THR]
That looks great, but could Fox maybe make some more animated comedies?
