"Community," "The Blacklist" and More: What I'll Be Doing This Comic-Con

What will likely be the highlight of my Comic-Con happens early: On Thursday, TV Guide Magazine has organized (along with Sony Pictures TV) a panel celebrating the rebirth and indestructibility of "Community." The panel is called "Greendale Forever: TV Guide Magazine's Tribute to Community," and will be chock full of info about what happens next as the show moves to Yahoo Screen.

Here are the details:

Greendale Forever: TV Guide Magazine's Tribute to Community

Will "six seasons and a movie" come true? Greendale Community College been saved by Yahoo, but what happens next to Jeff Winger and the study group? Moderator Michael Schneider, TV Guide magazine's executive editor, joins Community creator Dan Harmon, executive producer Chris McKenna, and cast members Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Jim Rash and Dino Stamatopoulos as they recap last season (including Dan's heralded return to the show) and discuss the future of this fan-favorite comedy.
Thursday July 24, 2014 2:15pm - 3:15pm
Ballroom 20

Here are my other panels throughout the weekend:

Resurrection

What if someone you lost...returned? For the first time ever, ABC brings hit-dramaResurrection to Comic-Con! Moderator Michael Schneider (TV Guide executive editor) and executive producers Michelle Fazekas (Marvel's Agent Carter), Tara Butters (Marvel's Agent Carter), and Aaron Zelman (The Killing), along with Omar Epps (House), Kurtwood Smith (That 70's Show), Frances Fisher (Titanic), and Devin Kelley (Chernobyl Diaries), explore the mysterious return of residents of Arcadia, MO. Get an exclusive first look into the new season and join in for a Q&A panel full of surprises.
Friday July 25, 2014 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Room 6DE

The Blacklist

James Spader (The Avengers: Age of Ultron, Boston Legal) and executive producers Jon Bokenkamp (The Call, Taking Lives) and John Eisendrath (Alias, Beverly Hills, 90210) discuss the genesis of the NBC hit series. Join James and the executive producers for a compelling conversation moderated by Mike Schneider (executive editor, TV Guide magazine). The Blacklist returns to NBC September 22 at 10:00 following The Voice.
Saturday July 26, 2014 1:45pm - 2:45pm
Room 6A

Constantine Pilot Screening and Q&A

John Constantine is a man waging war against the forces of darkness-from both within himself and the outside world. An irreverent, working-class con man and occult expert, he's an experienced exorcist and demonologist with an extensive list of supernatural contacts, each with their own paranormal talents and abilities. Following the aftermath of a tragic incident, Constantine has voluntarily checked himself into an asylum and sworn off investigating matters of the supernatural, but when a cryptic message calls him out to reluctantly resume his old life, he finds himself saving the life of a young woman whom he's never met but is connected to in a very important way. With dark forces gathering power in the world, Constantine allies himself with Manny, a rogue warrior angel, and his giant childhood protector Chas-the only friend who's managed to stay alive. Based on characters published by DC Entertainment, Constantine reflects the lore of the fan-favorite comic, combining noirish storytelling with the evolving mythology of John Constantine, a morally challenged character who doesn't come down on the side of either good or evil...but ultimately might be the only thing defending us against the dark forces from beyond. Attendees will see a screening of the complete pilot, followed by a Q&A with series stars Matt Ryan (Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior), Harold Perrineau (Lost) and Charles Halford (True Detective) and executive producers Daniel Cerone (Dexter) and David S. Goyer (The Dark Knight trilogy). From Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television, Constantine will air Fridays at 10/9c on NBC this fall, premiering October 24th.
Saturday July 26, 2014 5:15pm - 6:15pm
Room 6BCF

Send me your questions for any of these panels! And see you down in San Diego!

Beverly Hills' Robinsons-May, Disappearing Forever

I've spent the last two weeks driving every day to the Beverly Hilton hotel, site of the Television Critics Association press tour, watching the sad demolition of the once proud Robinsons-May department store building. Until recently, even the sign remained, even though the Robinsons-May brand disappeared in 2006. Although many Robinsons-May stores were converted to Macy's, this location -- originally a Robinson's, before J.W. Robinson's and the May Company merged in 1993, shut down entirely.

According to Curbed L.A., the site has not been sold, but the owners decided to tear the building down anyway.

Rate-A-Restaurant #321: Shark Pit (Maui)

img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3917/14403854217_69fd766db1.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="Maui tacos">

Restaurant: Shark Pit

Location: 4482 Lower Honoapiilani Hwy (Lahaina, Maui)

Type of restaurant: Tacos

We stipulated: While on vacation, looking for a quick but tasty lunch before an afternoon at the beach.



They stipulated: "While other food trucks on Maui may focus on mobility, price, and quick food, Da Shark Pit focuses on bringing you great tasting high quality food. Because we have built strong relationships with local farmers and fisherman, the quality of our food is always exceptional. In addition to Ono Grindz (great tasting food), our goal is to make sure the food you get at Da Pit is good for you, too."



What we ordered: Kabayaki Chicken Meatball & Portuguese Sausage Taco plus a Spicy Shrimp Taco (with Tropical chipotle, house slaw, Korean aioli and Sriracha) --both pictured above, $12; Kalbi Burger (on taro bun, $9); Kalbi ground beef tacos, $8



High point:  The taro bun was a nice touch on the burger. And the chicken meatball/portuguese sausage mix was a unique, tasty idea for a taco.



Overall impression: There are a lot of fish taco joints on Maui, particularly around Lahaina. But let's face it, we're not hurting for the taste of a fish taco here in SoCal. Shark Pit offers a tasty island twist on tacos, and worth a visit (even if it's a bit on the pricy side).

Will we return: If we were back on Maui, especially on that part of the island.

California's Swimming Pool "Poop Signs" Are Pretty Gross

What's the only thing more gross than seeing this sign (above)? Seeing it next to a buffet table of food (below).



I caught this at a party the other day around the rooftop pool at Petit Ermitage in West Hollywood. These "poop signs" have been required around public pools in California since 2012.

L&L's Cheaper Version of the Ramen Burger Comes to Town

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue founder/president Eddie Flores calls it "bigger, better and cheaper" than the original. I can't speak to it being bigger or better, but L&L's take on the now-trendy ramen burger is indeed cheaper. And it's now showing up in local L&L locations (at least, as far as I know, in Glendale, Eagle Rock and Pasadena).



I tried the L&L ramen burger during our recent trip to Hawaii and.. it wasn't bad. There's an interesting taste when you slap a burger between two tightly-wound patties of cooked ramen.



(I tried both the ramen burger and the ramen BBQ chicken sandwiches. Although I usually prefer chicken, in this case the burger was better.)



Chef Keizo Shimamoto originally came up with the idea for the ramen burger, and famously drew four-hour lines last fall when he brought it to Torrance. According to the LA Weekly, a brick-and-mortar Ramen Burger is coming:

The Ramen Burger brick-and-mortar, which will soft-open on Aug. 1, will be a walk-up window located next to the popular Koreatown bar Lock & Key. Patrons of Lock & Key will be able to order the ramen burger inside the bar, as the two venues will share a kitchen. A hidden cocktail bar PLUS ramen burgers: It doesn't get much better than that.

The Ramen Burger menu will consist of the original ramen burger, which features a handmade ramen bun, scallions, ground beef patty, baby arugula and secret shoyu sauce. The spicy La Sriracha Macha specialty ramen burger, which debuted at last month’s DTLA Night Market, will become a regular menu item available at the brick-and-mortar.

The veggie ramen burger will also be available, as will various iterations of french fries: red miso and cheese; aonori seaweed and sea salt; and Shaka Shaka fries. There will also be the option to add a fried egg and bacon to any of the burgers.

If you can't wait, the L&L ramen burger is on sale now.