My Con Adventure

For the first time ever, I headed down to the San Diego ComiCon on Saturday. Though I missed a lot of morning events, I got to experience a lot in a day, and now feel I have the knowledge I need to make the most out of 2 or 3 days of the Con next year. A couple of tidbits that won't really make it into my Movieweb column:

Met Rene Echevarria, showrunner for 'Medium' and Brannon Braga. Somehow I managed to get posters from the NBC booth in the main hall which allowed me to get autographs from them after the TV Guide sponsored panel they both attended. They were both very nice and though I didn't get much time to talk to them, I was able to share that I was a 'spec monkey' (even mentioned to Rene that I am now writing a 'Medium' spec!)

Also met Frank Spotnitz who I interviewed for a couple of minutes -- some of those questions will appear in my article. He was also signing autographs in the main hall, but of course there was NO LINE. Handy tip for meeting writers -- find out where they are signing autographs.

Saw the 'Veronica Mars' panel, which rocked. I do think Rob Thomas has figured out a way to try to lure more viewers to the show. Next season will be split into 3 mysteries with no breaks between episodes for repeats during those blocs (a la the new 'Lost' paradigm, which has learned from 'Prison Break' and '24'). There will also be more focus on the 'mystery of the week' so new viewers don't feel lost if they should happen to tune in.

Did you know that 'Stargate: SG-1' has been on for 10 years?? Quite a fanbase too.

Snakes on a Plane is really gonna be HUGE. I thought so before, now I *know*. They were selling Comicon exclusive t-shirts for $20 and they were FLYING off the shelves. Imagine that, Transformers was giving t-shirts away (and they did run out), but people were paying for the priviledge of advertising Snakes on a Plane. New Line hit the jackpot on that one.

I need to have a stern talking to Disney about their presentations. Most were disappointed that there was no preview of the 3-D 'Nightmare Before Christmas'. Boo-hiss.

Highly recommend going to the Con. If you didn't think it was worth it already, let me emphasize what a learning experience it can be. My column should go up tonight/tomorrow with the rest of my day's experience.

Oh, I also have some exciting developments on the writing front. Nothing I can speak of yet, but keep your fingers crossed for me!

My new column is up!

Hey kids! It's been a busy week, but I do have something to show for it. My new column at Movieweb has gone live. I plan to update every other day for now, until I get a good schedule, then it will be a daily column. Those of you who read the blog regularly will notice me 'cribbing' from my blog posts for the column, but hey, whatever works.

Anyway, working on the rewrite of my pilot this week. I've also started a new treatment for a feature with another writer, and my spec class starts on Wednesday. I'm a busy writer with lots of irons in the fire.

But I promise not to abandon the blog. The redesign has slowed down, but is by no means dead. I beg a little patience.

By the way, I don't care what the critics say, I loved the heck out of 'Pirates' this weekend. What a fun movie! Kudos to Terry and Ted!

Emmy Nominations

There are some pretty egregious omissions - 'Battlestar Galactica's' campaign did not pan out, Hugh Laurie got snubbed for Peter Krause and Martin Sheen, the entire cast of 'Lost' gets snubbed (and the show itself isn't nominated!) All of the 'Desperate Housewives' get ignored this year too -- but whether this is an oversight or not is up for debate. Alfre Woodard, on the other hand, does get a nom for her stint on the show. 'How I Met Your Mother','Everybody Hates Chris' and 'The New Adventures of Old Christine' get overlooked for noms in the comedy category. So much for 'new blood'.

The good things: Gregory Itzin gets a nod for '24' (he's the guy who played the President -- well deserved, in my opinion). Jean Smart got a nomination for her role in '24' also, but I rather expected hers. Chandra Wilson, one of the best parts of 'Grey's Anatomy' gets recognized, and Kyra Sedgwick gets to go head to head with Geena Davis for the Emmy which should be interesting. I pick her as the upset of the night.

No James Gandolfini or Edie Falco. No Omar Epps (which is a crime really) for his supporting role on 'House'.

Now let's talk writing. David Shore won last year for 'House', but he is completely ignored this year. Lost does manage one writing nomination for 'The 23rd Psalm', the episode which details Mr. Eko's backstory (written by showrunners Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof). The ridiculous two part 'Grey's Anatomy' (written by creator Shonda Rhimes) aired after the Super Bowl gets a nomination along with 'Six Feet Under's' last episode, written by Alan Ball and an episode of the 'The Sopranos' written by Terence Winter. Krista Vernoff rounds out the nominations with the Grey's Anatomy episode 'Into You Like a Train.'

Comedy -- 'Entourage' episode 'Exodus' written by Doug Ellin is joined by the last episode of 'Arrested Development' (written by Chuck Tatham and Jim Vallely), the great 'Christmas Party' episode of 'The Office' (written by Michael Schur), the pilot of 'My Name is Earl' (written by Greg Garcia) and the 'Extras' episode featuring Kate Winslet (who is a riot sending up herself) which was written by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. Again, no 'Desperate Housewives', no 'How I Met Your Mother' -- but we do get 'Two and a Half Men' off the writing nominations (for better or worse, I don't know).

Full nomination list is available at Emmys.tv or the shortened list (without the writing or directing noms) is available at the link below.

More discussion later as I digest the list...feel free to post your comments of who got robbed, who is rightfully recognized.

Link: BREITBART.COM - List of Primetime Emmy Nominations