Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
The Jetsons and Primetime Hanna-Barbera
The Warner Archive podcast team along with historian Jerry Beck and Tony Benedict, teleplay writer for every episode of first season of The Jetsons, were on hand to promote the series coming to Blu-ray. After The Flintstones was a huge hit, it led to dozens of other animated prime time shows. The shows were made in color before majority of TVs were color. If the WA team found anything with the Jetsons elements, they included it on the Blu-ray such as a scotch tape ad and sponsor spots. One of the clips shown was of a rock band performing “Eep Opp Ork Ah Ah!”
Cartoon Voices 1
Moderator Mark Evanier brought together cartoon voice actors, such as Laraine Newman and Fred Tatasciore, to talk about the business. They discussed their heroes and times their characters have died. They did a script reading of Rapunzel in different voices as directed by Evanier. This panel might have had the most swearing I’ve heard at a panel so far, which was a surprise as there were a ton of kids in the audience.
Sesame Street’s 50th Anniversary Panel
After an introduction by Big Bird, the panel was comprised of Sonia Manzano (who retired from playing “Maria” six years ago); puppeteers Matt Vogel, Eric Jacobson, and Ryan Dillon; and Dr.Rosemarie Truglio (SVP, Sesame Workshop Content and Curriculum). They discussed how every year they focus on subject to deal with. It was odd seeing the humans working the Muppets. Most the voices were good, but the Count doesn’t sound like his original self. Although it was nice to pay tribute to the new folks behind the scenes, for a 50th anniversary it would have been nice to honor those who had been their longer or even at the beginning.
Talks Machina with Cast of Critical Role
No idea what this is as I am waiting for another panel. Apparently a bunch of actors sit around playing Dungeons & Dragons and people watch them online. Seems odd considering how many books there are to read, but different strokes for different folks. They went to the Q&A early, which included some who have asked questions at previous panels. Not a really a great way to build an audience. But they have a following as there were cosplayers, including those who didn’t care that their props were blocking the video screen, and those on Twitter aghast that I would suggest anything negative about it.
What We Do in the Shadows (FX) Screening and Q&A
My favorite new show of the past TV season was this spin-off from the movie of the same name. The TV version has a different group of vampires to follow in its documentary. Creators Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi along with the cast and crew members were on hand. They showed “The Trial” episode and security was overzealous for an episode that had aired months ago. They credited the idea for the episode to Tilda Swinton while they were at SxSW. Kiefer Sutherland was in Toronto at the same time they were shooting but appears not to have been interested in joining them.
Marvel Studios
As I waited for this panel, I made sure to stay on Twitter to get the latest Marvel Studios news rather than missing the previous day at the Con by waiting in line. I don’t need to be in the same room and neither do to learn Shang- Chi: The Legend of the Ten Rings is coming Feb 2020 with the Mandarin as the villain. Black Widow hits theaters on 5/1/2020. The Eternals will be out 11/6/20. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is coming Fall 2020 to the new streaming service, Disney +, which will also host WandaVision and Loki in Spring 2021. Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness debuts May 7, 2021. It will be a gothic horror tale and Scarlet Witch will be in it following events of WandaVision. Coming to Disney+ in Fall 2021, the animated anthology What If…? and Hawkeye. Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe concludes with Thor: Love and Thunder 11/5/21.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
I don’t watch the show but it’s been on a while and there a bunch of talented funny people so thought I would give it a chance. Unfortunately, the moderator from The Hollywood Reporter could have been randomly replaced by any fan in the crowd. Her first question to the cast was asking for embarrassing stories or “hot gos,” which I hope is a phrase from the show or I’ll have an embarrassing story about a moderator at Comic Con. The idea of dinner and drinks was more compelling so I left.
