Tag Archives: science channel

NYCC 2013: Science Channel, Animal Planet and Destination America

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Science Channel, Animal Planet and Destination America today announced they will descend upon the east coast’s ultimate comics and pop culture convention with five exclusive all-star panels at this year’s New York Comic Con, taking place on Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12.

Check out their panels below!

THE MYTHBUSTERS Present A PUNKIN CHUNKIN EXTRAVAGANZA

Date: 10/12/2013
Time: 12:15 PM – 1:15 PM
Location: 1A22

On Saturday October 12, Science Channel gives a double-dose of entertainment with two brand new panels.  Discovery Channel’s MYTHBUSTERS present A PUNKIN CHUNKIN EXTRAVAGANA.  For 25 years, the World Championship Punkin Chunkin backyard engineers have been launching pumpkins high into the skies above Bridgeville, Del. For the fifth consecutive year in Science Channel returns to the pumpkin paradise November 1- 3 to catch every far-flinging, high-flying moment for the network’s annual Thanksgiving Day special PUNKIN CHUNKIN. From air cannons and catapults to torsion machines and the ever-mighty trebuchet, join hosts Grant Imahara, Tory Bellecci and Kari Byron as they demonstrate these unbelievable, home-engineered machines! The team will share behind-the-scenes footage from past Chunks and reveal what’s on the horizon for those who seek the 2013 Punkin Chunkin title.

FUTURESCAPE With James Woods: Tech Toys From The Future

Date: 10/12/2013
Time: 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM
Location: 1A14

Also on Saturday, October 12, prepare to glimpse into the future of life on Earth. Join Academy Award-nominee James Woods on a Tech Road Show from the Future, as he presents never-before-seen footage of the new Science Channel series FUTURESCAPE,  premiering on November 19 at 10PM ET/PT. He leads this panel with the most notable rock stars of the gadget world as they unveil the latest and greatest in the world of technology. Clips will take fans on a journey to reveal world-changing breakthroughs and their implications for the future, including demonstrations of synthetic biology, predictive analytics, habitable planets, and nano technology. What’s happening in these game-changing fields? What does it mean for us? Woods will ask the big questions, ignite debate and reveal a stunning image of the future.

Animal Planet Presents FINDING BIGFOOT

Date: 10/12/2013
Time: 7:45 PM – 8:45 PM
Location: 1A14

Animal Planet’s hit series FINDING BIGFOOT returns with all-new episodes this fall, and the intrepid cast of investigators – Bigfoot Field Research Organization (BFRO) president Matt Moneymaker, researchers James “Bobo” Fay and Cliff Barackman, and skeptical scientist Ranae Holland – are traveling across America and around the globe in their search for the elusive creature. But before they hit the woods, they’ll take to the NYCC stage on Saturday, October 12. Moderated by executive producer and FINDING BIGFOOT: UNTOLD STORIES host Keith Hoffman, the cast will discuss investigations in greater detail, answer fan-submitted questions and preview footage from the upcoming season. Find out how the  team films at night without scaring a sasquatch, or what the cast believes is its most compelling evidence to date?

ODDITIES Antique Road Show Presented by Science Channel

Date: 10/11/2013
Time: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: 1A22

On Friday, October 11, join New York’s fan favorites and purveyors of the peculiar – Evan Michelson, Mike Zohn, and Ryan Matthews – from Science Channel’s hit series ODDITIES as they return to NYCC to appraise some of their most macabre, bizarre and obscure items. They will open the doors of their famed East Village shop, Obscura Antiques and Oddities, to the NYCC audience, and interact with fans to talk about what’s in store for their new season.

MOUNTAIN MONSTERS Presented by Destination America

Date: 10/11/2013
Time: 7:45 PM – 8:45 PM
Location: 1A14

Also on Friday, October 11, Destination America presents its breakout hit series MOUNTAIN MONSTERS. Devil Dog, Wampus Beast, Mothman, Lizard Demon – for generations, these mysterious monsters have spawned countless sightings in the Appalachian Mountains. Now, a band of hardcore hunters and trappers native to West Virginia and known as The Appalachian Investigators of Mysterious Sightings (AIMS) is attempting to identify and snare these shadowy figures to help local mountain communities rest more easily when night falls and nature comes out to play. AIMS members John “Trapper” Tice, Jake “Buck” Lowe, and Bill “Wild Bill” Neff unleash authentic artifacts from their hunts and never-before-seen footage exclusive to Comic Con fans. Door prizes and plenty of surprises await to transport fans into the thick of this timeless battle between monster and man.

Firefly: Browncoats Unite and Some Thoughts from a Firefly Noob

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Before last week I knew of Firefly, but never watched the show. I might have caught a few minutes, but as I’ve stated before I’m not a Joss Whedon fan. That dislike of Whedon’s previous works and Fox’s habit of not supporting sci-fi lead to me to skip the whole Firefly phenomenon. 10 years passed and about a month ago, I found myself at the Firefly panel at New York Comic Con at the behest and nudging of my girlfriend. She wanted to see the panel and as that was the one thing she was REALLY excited about at the convention, who was I to not go and see her enjoyment as well as what this whole thing was about. I walked away from the panel with a smile. From the actors on stage to the fans packed into the hall, it was impossible to walk away from it all without getting a good vibe. And my interest in really seeing what it was all about grew.

This past week saw the 10th anniversary retrospective, Firefly: Browncoats Unite premiere on the Science Channel, which also seemed like a perfect opportunity to watch as much of the series as possible. So armed with Twitter, I decided to Tweet my thoughts as I watched episode after episode up to the special. Interest in watching it wasn’t isolated to me, 1.2 million unique viewers tuned in giving the network their second-highest rated telecast of 2012 among certain demographics and overall ir did a 0.7 rating.

The excitement extended to Twitter. The network’s “Flock to Unlock” campaign also proved to be popular, where fans had a chance to unlock deleted scenes and cutting room floor footage from the special. On Sunday, Firefly ranked tenth in Twitter TV Ratings in Cable with more than 25,000 tweets generating 26 million impressions.

I spent a day immersed in Firefly and the fandom around it. I walked away getting a good feel for it, but overall not completely won over. Of all the episodes I watched, only one really blew me away. The rest were entertaining, but the writing and direction didn’t really appeal to me. What’s weird is I like the characters and I like the plots and concept, it’s the execution isn’t a style I enjoy. There’s something about it that’s just not for me. But I really “get it” now.

At future conventions, when I see a panel, I’m more than likely to sit in line and wait to sit down and take part and watch. If there’s a future cartoon or another movie, I’m more likely to sit down and give it a shot. And if I ever see Nathan Fillion walking down the street, I’ll just look, nod, and say “captain.”

The show might not be my cup of tea, but for the fans, and the show and world they love, I have a new found respect.