BURN NOTICE
WHITE COLLAR
PSYCH
July 22, 2010
Lena Lamoray
In case you missed it USA Network had three panels at Comic-Con 2010, Burn Notice, White Collar and Psych. USA Network set up a live chat feed so the fans could interact and videos of the panels will be posted to their site next week. Here is a recap of the live chat feed.
BURN NOTICE was up first and the panel room was packed with 4200 fans. Chris Vance (RIP Gilroy) moderated the panel. Jeffrey Donovan was filming in Miami so he could not be there. Tim Matheson, Matt Nix, Executive Producer and writer Alfredo Barrios Jr. and Bruce Campbell took the stage. Bruce entered the stage doing a little fashion runway routine for the roaring crowd and threw out one of the limited edition Chuck Finley t-shirt. Alfredo Barrios Jr says they sit in meetings thinking on new ways to blow stuff up. Bruce Campbell was asked which version of Chuck Finley he has preferred playing. He said the episode where he got to fleece rich women. Bruce: "I like fleecing rich women." Matt Nix said the writers act out a lot of the scenes in the writers' room before finalizing scripts to see if they'll work on the show. Bruce described Jeffrey as "a very sexy man".... a lady yelled out "You're a very sexy man." Bruce stood up and walked to the edge of the stage and told her to come up and he threw cash at her! Classic. Bruce said the Charger didn't have AC for awhile and it was brutal to film inside.
The panel talked about the EMMY NOMINATED Sharon Gless. Matt Nix said it took awhile between shooting the pilot and getting picked up by USA. When they called Sharon to tell her the pilot had been picked up, she responded "What pilot?" Chris Vance: "Why does Sam hate Dead Larry so much?" Bruce Campbell: "Because he's a butt-face. One day Sam is going to give it to him. In the face." Dead Larry will be back this season! They believe it will be episode 15. Bruce Campbell announced to the room that the Facebook Fan Page just broke 1 million fans!
OH! The big announcement has arrived!! What the world could really use is a little more Bruce Campbell." USA executive Jeff Wachtel took to the stage: We will be producing a SAM AXE prequel movie starring Bruce Campbell!! Matt Nix asked Bruce Campbell if it is okay for him to put a chainsaw in his hand in the movie? The crowd erupted and Bruce threw Matt money. Tim Matheson chimed in "Who is going to direct this thing?" When Bruce is asked about the movie, he replies: "I have to say, USA finally got its shit together." Someone asked, “What makes a good film?” Bruce replied, “Any film starring me.” The movie will premiere on USA Network.
WHITE COLLAR panel began with the audience watching a hysterical video of the cast talking about going to Comic Con "to steal the Tron Legacy trailer." Willie Garson is wearing spock ears and a TEAM EDWARD t-shirt. Willie Garson took the stage and announced the other guests, Sharif Atkins, the beautiful Marsha Thomason... Willie- "She would have an eye for Mozzie if she didn't have an eye for the ladies." Tiffani Thiessen took to the stage next to a roaring applause. Willie announced Tim DeKay as "a man who just completed a world tour of Pippin". Willie: "The most talented actor, the best actor, that I have ever worked with.....in the last 5 days....MATT BOMER." Creator Jeff Eastin and executive producer Jeff King joined the cast. Willie says about Matt: "Isn't it amazing how far the unattractive can go in show business." Willie to Matt: "What song would you use to audition for American Idol?" Matt: "Daughtry...maybe Folgers in Your Cup." Willie to Jeff Eastin: "Kate's plane blew up. Is she dead?" Willie to audience: "Who wants her dead?" - Overwhelming response that the audience wants her dead. Jeff avoids the question. Hmmmmmm..
Tim reveals about an upcoming “caper” where he gets to go undercover. Tim tells the audience about the cast cheer they do when they're tired and need a boost. They yell out "WHITE COLLLLLLAAAAARRRRRRRR" Willie asked Jeff Eastin if "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid" had any influence on creating White Collar and Jeff replies a resounding yes. Willie addressed EXP Jeff King: "Jeff King- who are you and what do you do?" Jeff says this is the first show he has ever worked on where everyone on the set gets along and likes each other. Willie laughs and says "NOT TRUE." Tim & Tiffani say there are no plans in the immediate future to add any kids to the Burke home. Jeff Eastin reveals that the music box prop cost about $20k. The music box was created specifically for White Collar. Marsha reveals her tattoo has no special meaning. She doodled some lines and boxes on a piece of paper and that became her tattoo. Tim explains that there are people on the set that put fear in others by saying "Don't ask her what it means."
Marsha tells the audience that Tim does a mean SINGLE LADIES dance. Tim DeKay reveals that Matt Bomer does a great Arnold Schwarzenegger.... Matt shows off his skill. The cast talks about filming in NYC and the challenges of people walking by and yelling things at them including "CUT!" Willie Garson is talks about tour buses going while they are filming on location: "Ladies and Gentlemen, look over there and you'll see Willie Garson from Sex and the City."
Someone from LA named Matt in the audience is asking Jeff Eastin a question...... Apparently Burn Notice creator Matt Nix has snuck back into the auditorium to taunt Jeff Eastin. Jeff Eastin rubs it in that he has more Twitter followers. Matt Nix challenges the White Collar writing team to a paintball competition. Jeff Eastin: "It's on." Matt Nix runs down a whole list of writers, directors and editors that have worked on Burn Notice and also on White Collar: "What influenced you to use those people?" Jeff responds: "Matt- you have a cute show too. It's called Royal Pains right?" An audience member just asked if there is any connection to Kate & Elizabeth since many think they look alike. Jeff says "There is no relation or connection. Complete coincidence." An audience member just asked Jeff Eastin if there would ever be an episode set at a Comic Con type event. Jeff says: "50/50? We sorta blew our wad with Willie in the spock ears." Matt & Tim close the panel with a rendition of "The best part of waking up is Folgers in in your cup". Willie thanks the audience for being here and the cast waves goodbye to a roaring crowd! Willie says how much they love making White Collar and hope to be back to Comic Con many times over.
PSYCH, the audience got to watch a special video made by the Psych cast... Nestor Carbonell cameo!! Tears for Fears cameo! Curt Smith! James & Dule are approach Curt Smith in the video to sing SHOUT to him. Curt Smith: "I know you guys. You are the guys from Scrubs, right?" Curt Smith is singing SHOUT! Dule & James take to the stage and are now sing SHOUT with Curt Smith. The crowd went CRAZY. When “Shout” comes to an end James says, "WHAT'S UP PSYCH-OS!" There is a pineapple sitting on the panelist table! It's the small details people!
Moderator Andy Berman introduces the cast. Tim Omundson takes the stage dressed in a hot grey suit and dark sunglasses. He shoots kisses to the crowd while walking the stage like a runway. Andy Berman introduces Steve Franks as a "gentle giant". The audience gets to watch a montage video including a sneak peek at an upcoming episode starring Freddie Prinze Jr.
"Why is Psych the most awesomest show in all of the universe?”
Steve Franks: "Because of our fans.......is that sucking up enough?"
"What's the secret to keeping the show and produce fresh?"
Steve Franks: "Don't put an onion next to a banana because it will speed up the ripening process."
Andy Berman: "Huh..ok"
Chris Henze says there is a drag racing episode coming up as well as an episode called "Viagra Falls". He also reveals that Nestor Carbonell will appear in a couple of episodes.
Question for James & Dule: Tell us things you don't like about each other?
James: I'm jealous that Dule keeps a better tan than I do.
Dule: James has good hair. I hate that.
Andy Berman asked Kristen Nelson about her on screen "sexual chemistry" with Buzz McNab. She says she is into men of height. It stems from Steve Franks being so tall. Corbin is tells the audience that he isn't wearing underwear. Andy asks Maggie about her real life relationship with James. She explains: "Shawn Spencer is a boy...James Roday is a man." Kristen shows off her Swedish accent.
Question for "James- who would you want to replace you if that day ever came?"
James: "David Bowie."
Tim reveals an exclusive! "I'm working on my ability to raise my other eyebrow."
FAN QUESTIONS from the audience:
Q: "Who usually breaks character the most on set?"
Dule answers James.
Maggie answers Tim.
Q: "James- do you find yourself raising your finger to your temple in real life?"
Maggie: "In his sleep"
Dule: "He doesn't do it in his sleep, I see him all the time."
James: "I do find myself using variations of WHATTTTTT"
Q: "How many of Gus' nicknames are scripted and how many are improv?"
James: "They started as improv but the writers got wind of it and thought 'Gee this is fun. We want to make up names.' So now they're mostly scripted."
Q: "Tim- when did you learn to be more selective in your work. I've seen Luck of the Irish."
Tim: "Listen honey. It's not easy eating dirt."
Q: "What characters would you dress up as to walk around Comic Con?"
Dule: Papa Smurf
James: Alf
Maggie: Wonder Woman
Q: Seriously?! Someone just asked about the origin of the pineapple. The question that won't go away! :)
James ponders "I often wonder what would have happened if we had used Dragon Fruit."
Q: Next question that won't go away: "What's the story with the three hole punch?"
Andy Berman asked the audience: "Would anyone go see a Psych movie?" The audience went crazy. James tells the audience that Dule loves his food. He is very protective of his food. "I've seen his wife reach for a fry and get shut down." Andy Berman is brags about Dule's tapping abilities... But wait, another surprise guest! Jason Samuels Smith is now tapping up a storm!!! Join him... DULE HILL! The crowd went insane! Standing ovation!!!