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_67280_2009-10-28-10-44-47.055.JPG "Pittsburgh TV Examiner")
The cycle of "threes" continues; Comic-Con TV panels and other TV news
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Fred Travalena
The old myth is that Hollywood deaths usually occur in threes.
I'm beginning to find credence in that myth. Last week saw the passing of legends Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. Early Sunday, it was Billy Mays.
Yesterday Gale Storm of the 1950s sitcom My Little Margie passed away and today we lost comic and impressionist Fred Travalena.
Storm's career, though not extensive, proved to be quite eclectic. After appearing in My Little Margie, she continued her television work with The Gale Storm Show as well as making spotty appearances as a guest star on Burke's Law and The Love Boat.
In addition to her presence on TV, Storm also had several hit recordings such as "I Hear You Knocking" and "Dark Moon", both of which were top 10 hits. Storm was 87.
Travalena was a well known impressionist in Hollywood circles. He began his television career in the 1970s on such notable programs as The Dean Martin Roasts (which were far funnier and more bawdy than any roasts seen on TV today) and The ABC Comedy Hour. He continued to make appearances on everything from dramatic series to game shows as well as lend his talented voice to projects all over Hollywood over the last several decades. Travalena was 66 and here's but a sampling of his talents from a David Letterman appearance:
COMIC CON 2009
When the San Diego Comic Convention held its first get together in 1970, there were 300 people in attendance.
Last year, over 125,000 people showed.
And why? Because it's now the place to see and be seen in terms of major media events!
This year, TV producers are determined to have a strong presence at the event to generate excitement about both old and new series. Warner Brothers alone is set to have panels on 11 different shows with others following suit.
The key to creating fan anticipation and word of mouth is of paramount importance at Comic Con and many shows like Lost and the upcoming V and Flash Forward are adapting their panels to enhance the public's experience. Altering their format from the normal Q & A sessions, many shows now incorporate footage shot specifically for the event as well as springing surprise guests upon audiences.
For example, Lost premieres small featurettes which may or may not drop clues to secrets yet to be revealed. While never totally giving anything away, these bonus goodies serve to whet people's appetites and create even more of a buzz for upcoming seasons.
Another reason Comic Con is so popular is that many series that have run their course have continued on in comic book form. Buffy, The Vampire Slayer's 8th season never materialized on the small screen but comic readers can pick up where the series left off thanks to Dark Horse's comic adaptation which furthers the adventures of the characters and is "produced" by Buffy mastermind Joss Whedon.
I'll have more on Comic Con when the event commences on July 23rd.
SVU to keep two
Negotiations to keep leads Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay on Law & Order: SVU have been successful. What had proved to be a lengthy battle over salaries has come to an end as new deals for the pair have been inked. Both are signed for the upcoming season with an option on one more year as NBC did not want to lose both actors at one time on one of their higher rated dramas.
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