Could a CBS crime procedural make a big splash at a fanboy convention?
The network is bringing its new police drama “Hawaii Five-0” to the upcoming Comic-Con, just one of several cop shows and off-beat choices invading the increasingly broad-based fan event (full list below). In addition to “Five-0,” ABC is touting crime show “Castle” and FX is paneling outlaw biker drama “Sons of Anarchy” -- both for the first time.
The additions come after Fox and USA Network helped trail-blaze Comic-Con for procedurals last year with panels for “Bones,” “Burn Notice” and “Psych.” All three drew a large enough crowd to earn a return performance this year, plus USA is adding a panel for “White Collar.”
Though the dramas play in more grounded genres than early Comic-Con TV pioneers like ABC’s “Lost” and Syfy’s “Battlestar Galactica,” each choice needs to present a compelling case to be included in the lineup. Comic-Con picks are debated by networks and studios and discussed with Comic-Con organizers -- who veto shows from participating if they’re too off-brand. All agree it’s not anybody’s best interest for a show to go to the event if fans ridicule its inclusion or fail to pack its ballroom. (Networks declined to comment for this story since Comic-Con organizers prefer to announce the event’s schedule).
In the case of “Five-0,” there’s a few factors that make the show more Comic-Con friendly than one might expect. It’s remake of the 1970s series, plus CBS’ tentpole new title for the fall and boasts heavy amounts of action. But what best lures Comic-Con fans to a new show is the panelists, and “Five-0” has former “Battlestar” vet Grace Park and ex-"Lost” co-star Daniel Day Kim, as well as “Star Trek” producers Alex Kutrzman and Bob Orci.
Networks are using similar logic behind including “Sons” and “Castle.” “Sons” stars “Hellboy” lead Ron Perlman and “Futurama” co-star Katey Sagal, while “Castle” has “Firefly” and “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” star Nathan Fillion.
Some other new shows making their Comic-Con debut include NBC’s thriller “The Event” and superhero drama “The Cape”; ABC’s superhero family drama “No Ordinary Family”; AMC’s zombie drama “The Walking Dead” and the CW’s action-series “Nikita.” Fox’s new animated show “Bob’s Burgers” will be there, as well as Steven Spielberg’s new dino-drama “Terra Nova.”
Though Fox will not have started shooting "Terra Nova" by Comic-Con, expect some kind of teaser footage for the show.
TBS hasn’t yet had conversations with Conan O’Brien about attending Comic-Con, but having the former “Tonight” host make an appearance would certainly seem like a smart play.
The San Diego event will also host a slew of returning shows, including Fox’s “Glee,” “Fringe” and “Human Target"; ABC’s “V"; Starz’ “Spartacus"; The CW’s “Vampire Diaries"; NBC’s “Chuck” and the CW’s “Vampire Diaries.”
The list will continue to fill out as the Comic-Con dates approach, which are July 22-25.
Here's the list:
FOX
Glee
Bones
Human Target
Fringe
Bobs Burgers
Terra Nova
Simpsons
Family Guy
Cleveland Show
American Dad
NBC
The Cape
The Event
Chuck
ABC
No Ordinary Family
Castle
V
THE CW
Vampire Diaries
Nikita
Smallville
Supernatural
CBS
Hawaii Five-0
Big Bang Theory
FX
Archer
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Sons of Anarchy
USA
White Collar
Psych
Burn Notice
COMEDY CENTRAL
Futurama
SHOWTIME
Dexter
HBO
True Blood
STARZ
Spartacus
AMC
The Walking Dead
TBS
Neighbors From Hell
SYFY
Eureka
CARTOON NET / ADULT SWIM
Adventure Time, Generator Rex, Ben 10 , Unnatural History, Tower Prep, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Squidbillies, Venture Bros, Robot Chicken, Metalocalypse and Tim & Eric
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
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