BEVERLY HILLS, CA - MAY 09: Executive producer Hart Hanson attends An Evening with "Bones" presented by The Paley Center For Media at The Paley Center For Media on May 9, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California.
David Livingston/Getty ImagesWith hundreds of thousands of people attending San Diego Comic-Con every year and the July 20-24 event quickly approaching, The Hollywood Reporter chatted with the big names in television to discuss their favorite memories and tips for attending the annual event. THR’s Live Feed will talk Comic-Con with actors, writers and producers in the days leading up to the event so check back soon for interviews and the latest news on panels and screenings.
Hart Hanson
Geek Cred: Joan of Arcadia, Bones
Upcoming:The Finder
Comic-Con panel: Bones, Friday, July 22, 1:45-2:45 p.m., Ballroom 20
THR: What was your first impression of Comic-Con?
Hanson: My first Comic-Con was 2005; I never went before Bones. I’d heard about Comic-Con, but to see thousands of people lined up and a huge number of them wearing costumes? It was astounding; so many Stormtroopers in one place. The funniest thing that happened the first time was with David Boreanaz– he’s like Mick Jagger at Comic-Con and I did not understand that. For our first panel, they announced me first, then David second and I had no warning about the noise. There were 4,000 people there and I had no idea. I may have peed a little. It was astounding. I walked out with him right behind me and the noise was unbelievable.
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THR: What makes for a kick-ass panel?
Hanson: At one Comic-Con, I was in a back room when they showed a brand-new clip from Twilight when Taylor Lautner took his shirt off. The noise was incredible. Showing something new that no one has ever seen before is really, really great. For Bones people, the biggest response I ever got is when I made a veiled reference to David’s genitalia. All I said was, “You should see what’s going on behind this table.” It was rather innocent. And the joy… (Laughs)
Comic-Con 2011: Full THR Coverage
THR: What questions would you recommend fans not ask during panels?
Hanson: One thing that’s tough on actors is when someone questions the storyline. “Did you think it was a good idea for Booth to propose to Hannah?” It’s a good question for a showrunner and it’s so far in the past for us that it’s kind of a dull, meaningless question. That and when somebody thinks they’ve noticed something clever that nobody else noticed, there may be a reason nobody else noticed. You can feel all the energy drop out of the room.
THR: What advice do you have for Comic-Con first-timers?
Hanson: Be prepared to be jostled. Have water and supplies and be ready to go nowhere fast. It is a shuffling hoard of brightly-colored sharp-edged humanity banging into each other. It’s best not be an agoraphobe. If people dress up as Stormtroopers, it’s for self-protection.
THR: If you were to dress up for Comic-Con, what would your costume be?
Hanson: If I had to, I would dress up as Terion Lannister (Peter Dinklage), the imp from Game of Thrones. His outfit persuades me that a guy who is 4 feet tall could kick my ass.
THR: What panel would you stand in line all day for?
Hanson: I would love to go to the panel for Falling Skies and Game of Thrones.
THR: Three things you’d do if you could work on any other show:
Hanson: I love Community and would force Pierce (Chevy Chase) to be a male stripper. Bill Parks and Ken Jeong have done all they can do of being naked. One of my favorite relationships on television is Abed (Danny Pudi) and Troy (Donald Glover). I would do an episode in which they have a horrible falling out because they are just too sweet for me. And I’d do a show where just once, the dean goes home.
THR: What series would you reboot?
Hanson: The American Top Gear. And now that I’ve got Josh Friedman as a consulting producer on The Finder, I would like to take another whack at a Terminator series. I think that would be a kick.
THR: How will Emily Deschanel’s pregnancy impact the story line?
Hanson: The baby will be born, and these two disparate people are going to have to figure out the environment in which that child will be raised. What is their relationship? Are they going live together? How involved will Booth be in the raising of the baby? We have a shortened season because Emily is actually pregnant. We hope to get 16 episodes done, I’m sure we will. That’s going be the bulk of this year.
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit
