Scenes from Comic-Con 2015: Doctor Who, Josh Holloway, Sharknado, Lego Chris Pratt and More!

It's hard to believe, but Comic-Con 2015 was already a week ago. Equally hard to believe: This was already my fifth in a row with TV Guide Magazine, and the fifth year we parked a yacht behind the San Diego Convention Center for talent, producers and executives. It was a busy five-day marathon, and once again I moderated four panels this year. (Details to come in a separate post).

As a bonus, the family came down on Saturday evening to see the craziness upclose, and also watch me moderate our "Farewell to Phineas and Ferb" panel on Sunday. Here are some images from another 'Con.


Checking into the W Hotel, greeted by chocolate Stormtroopers, Darth Vader and Spider-Man.


Wednesday night: Opening night madness!


Candid Polaroids from the TV Guide Magazine/TV Insider Yacht!


Doctor Who on the yacht!


BLING.


Conan Bingo was indeed a thing.


Back on the yacht: Josh Holloway, Sarah Wayne Callies and Peter Jacobson from USA's Colony.


My colleague Damian Holbrook shows off his Sharknado 3 cover story to Ian Ziering on the yacht.


This was surreal: We ran into megaproducer Chuck Lorre and The Big Bang Theory exec producer Steven Molaro on the way to the Warner Bros. party, and along the way fans recognized Chuck -- and asked for a photo!


Lego Chris Pratt


Now that is luggage!


Christy borrows a cosplayer's tail. I think she wants to keep it.


I'm inside Rick and Morty!


On the floor


The convention floor was still a madhouse on Sunday, but the Blogger Boys did gravitate to the video games, of course!


Phineas and Ferb signing session


Spidey!

KCRW's THE SPIN-OFF: August Edition (Listen Now!)

It's the August edition of our monthly TV podcast on KCRW, The Spin-Off! This month, Joe and I are joined by Yahoo TV's Maggie Furlong. Here's what we discuss:

This summer saw lots of new, original programming in both cable and broadcast networks. Not all of it was great, but much of it has been renewed. Some new reality projects are taking interesting risks, but are networks willing to give the shows the marketing boost they need? And after resolving contract disputes for the show's main stars, The Big Bang Theory will be back, though no one ever really doubted its return.

Unlike in years before when summer was the time for reruns only, this summer offered a variety of new shows across lots of different networks. There was big hype surrounding programs like HBO’s The Leftovers, CBS’s Extant and FX’s The Strain. But the show that’s done really well? TNT’s The Last Ship, which counts Michael Bay as an executive producer. That show is one of several summer debuts that has been picked up for a second season.

And in the realm of reality TV, there’s been a lot of talk about all the nudity in shows like VH1’s Dating Naked, but the buzzy show of the moment is FYI’s Married at First Sight. Part of the appeal comes from the show’s docu-drama feel. Producers don’t appear to exploit the cast members like we might have seen in a version of this show 10 years ago. And ABC’s The Quest also feels like something new and adventurous, but with little marketing and a less-than-ideal time slot, did ABC bury a show that could have been a winner?

Plus, fans of The Big Bang Theory need not worry. The hugely successful CBS sitcom will be back with a new season in the fall, after only a brief hold-up during cast contract negotiations. The show’s three main stars will now make around a million dollars an episode and get a piece of the back-end from syndication. Given the continued popularity of the show — it still draws over 20 million viewers a week — there was never much doubt that CBS would find a way to resolve any contract disputes.

Finally, a quick round of Emmy predictions! Listen to find out who’s team Cranston and who’s team McConaughey (and even who’s team Woody Harrelson), which Spin-off guest is fine with Modern Family winning yet again, and which guests will riot if a different comedy doesn’t walk away with an award.

Listen by clicking below!

The Walking Dead, The Vampire Diaries and More: TV Guide Magazine's Showrunner Panel Comes to Wondercon

I hit Anaheim on Saturday for my first-ever Wondercon in Anaheim, but kicking it off with a bang via our all-star TV Guide Magazine Showrunners Panel (see the listing here.)

Here are the panel details:

TV Guide Magazine celebrates its 60th anniversary with an all-star panel of TV's hottest showrunners. Moderated by Los Angeles bureau chief Michael Schneider, the panel brings together top showrunners and producers of current and classic hits for a lively discussion of sci-fi and fantasy television. Panelists include Remi Aubuchon (Falling Skies), Jeff Davis (Teen Wolf), Glen Mazarra (The Walking Dead), Steven Molaro (The Big Bang Theory), Greg Plageman (Person of Interest), and Julie Plec (The Vampire Diaries).

Saturday March 30, 2013 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Room 300DE

In addition, TV Guide Magazine editors will be moderating the following panels:

Rich Sands: Falling Skies, Saturday, 12:30–1:30pm, Room 300DE
Damian Holbrook: Arrow, Sunday, 1:00–2:00pm, Arena

Got a question for one of the show runners? Leave a comment!