Kynt and Vyxen from "The Amazing Race"

Today, when I first got to the Convention Center, I decided to check out the Autograph Area, where fans speak directly to artists, filmmakers, and actors from shows of both the past and present, plus get photos, program books, and artwork signed.  It was still early so there wasn’t much going on, but I did see actors Morgan Fairchild, Erin Gray, Richard Hatch, Mark Shepphard, and also Kynt and Vyxen from The Amazing Race.  Guillermo del Toro was supposed to arrive at any moment, but the line was so long, I couldn’t get even close.

Next, I headed over to Ballroom 20 where I spent most of the day watching the major TV panels.  My first panel was “Caprica“, moderated by Geoff Boucher of Hero Complex.  The panel  featured actors James Marsters, Sasha Roiz, Alessandra Torresani, and Magda Apanowicz, as well as executive producers Ronald D. Moore and David Eick.  Eick brought a bottle of tequila with him, and he and Moore took several shots as they talked about the future of the show.   It was a lively discussion as they explored several themes from the show, including marriage and what it means to be human, especially for a society which the audience knows is ultimately doomed.  I was very intrigued to hear that they had begun to write “Caprica”, before they began writing the final two seasons of “Battlestar Galactica”. So as a result, they were able to resolve certain issues on Battlestar… and avoided painting themselves into a corner.  The second half of the first season of “Caprica” will begin airing in January of 2011, and Moore seemed confident that the show would get signed for at least one more season (if not two!).

The Barenaked Ladies

“The Big Bang Theory” panel was up next and kicked-off with a sing-a-long, performed live by  The Barenaked Ladies.  Wil Wheaton moderated the panel that included executive producers Chuck Lorre and Bill Brady, along with actors Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, and Kunal Nayyar.  Wheaton led a fun panel  as they mostly talked about how endeared the cast was to each other.  In fact, when an audience member asked Parson how he was able to find inspiration to play Sheldon, he beamed that it was so easy to play the part because of the great writing and “everything was there on the page”, prompting Lorre to walk over and give him a hug.  They didn’t reveal too much for next season but they did confirm that Mayim Bialik will be back to play Sheldon’s love interest and that Steve Wozniak will guest star on the show.

As I was waiting for the “Bones” panel to begin, I wanted to grab some water, so I asked a woman sitting behind me if she could watch my seat.  It turns out that she was Kathy Reichs, the forensic anthropologist and crime writer that the series is loosely based on.  After a lively panel, that mostly involved flirtatious bickering between Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz, creator Hart Hanson called Reichs up on stage.   She was also at Comic-Con promoting her new book, and all of the members in the audience received a copy.

The Joss Whedon Experience was next on the agenda.   This has become an annual tradition, for Whedon to talk directly to the his fans about what he’s working on.  I also saw Whedon yesterday at EW’s Geek Gods panel, as he sat down with J.J. Abrams and moderator Jeff Jensen.  I was really excited to see two of my favorite writer/directors on stage together, but I have to admit it felt a bit anti-climatic.  Don’t get me wrong: it was cool to hear how Abrams owns the original tongue from The Exorcist (sent to him by Dick Smith the make-up artist after he wrote a fan letter) and that Whedon was definitely directing The Avengers (was it a question?). But I think I was expecting them to read Holy tablets straight from the mountaintop.  But today, Whedon was laid-back and comfortable as he leaned on the front of the table as he answered questions  directly from his fans.  One fan asked him about his writing process, which he summarized as “Fun, Hunger, Porn, Depression, Fun.”  At the end of the panel, a strange audience member tried to get Whedon to say who his favorite actor he has worked with.  Turns out it was Nathan Fillion in disguise, complete with a fake mustache and trench coat.

My last panel for the day was “True Blood“.   Tim Stack from EW moderated the panel featuring the majority of the cast, including Joe Manganiello, Kristin Bauer van Straten, Deborah Woll,  Nelsan Ellis, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Anna Paquin, and Stephen Moyer, as well as creator Alan Ball and Charlaine Harris, the author of the Sookie Stackhouse novels that the show is based on.  Alexander Skarsgård wasn’t in town because he’s shooting a film, but Paquin and Moyer carried out a cardboard cut-out and set it up on a chair.  Alan Ball shared an exclusive clip that showed scenes from the second half of the series, that revealed a whole lot of drama including Sookie being attacked by Sophie-Anne,  and hinted at Alcide and Sookie taking their friendship to the next level.  I don’t want to give away any spoilers, so you’ll have to wait and see!  One thing they did confirm for sure was that Manganiello is officially a series regular on the show.   Now there’s something to howl about.

- Michelle Bryant