Yo…
Fan Expo is this weekend!
Thursday, August 22, 2024 to Sunday, August 25, 2024 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Yes: starting on Thursday the Chipotle sandwiched between Union Station and the Metro Convention Centre will get busy with iconic movie characters like Darth Vader, Deadpool and countless personalities from movies to anime to video games all buying burritos.
Expect a Green Power Ranger to hold up the line debating to pay for guacamole which is extra. Move it along, hungry nerd!
Fan Expo is your basic comic con but bigger like the big butts Sir Mix-a-Lot wrote an rousing ode to back in 1992.
If you’re a pop culture fan (comic books, TV shows, horror movies, anime, science-fiction…oh video games!) you can gather with fellow nerds, geeks, gamers, dorks, friends…oh and foes in downtown Toronto. (So many foes…)
At a Fan Expo prior to the pandemic: I bought a comic book from an indie creator and his wife handed me a Chinese dumpling!
Unexpected marketing is a delight...I walked away with a comic book in 1 hand and a Chinese dumpling in the other! Just like the Wedding Singer and those tasty meatballs.
Last year, I covered Fan Expo for Toronto 640 (Talk Radio AM 640). They’ve asked me to return and translate nerd to English. I already did a “check this out” segment on Saturday, August 17 with Stephanie Smyth.
Also back at Fan Expo? Squishmallows is returning to Fan Expo Canada!
Squishmallows is also the lead sponsor of the Fan Expo Canada Family Zone this year, which features family-friendly activities and programming.
Bring the kids, especially if they enjoy Squish Mania. The one and only time I’ll ever use that phrase in My Pal Sammy. (The media release uses the phrase: “It’s the Summer of Squish at Fan Expo!”)
If that’s not your jam…there’s two fantastic panels that demand attention and attendance:
Friday August 23: 11:45 am in Theater #2 [Room 206]
Echoes From Hill House: A Haunting Panel With Mike Flanagan & Kate Siegel
Mike Flanagan and Kate Siegel, a horror power couple, will chat about all-things horror.
Their adaptation of Stephen King’s The Life of Chuck is premiering next month at TIFF. (Mark Hamill is in the movie: Luke Skywalker)
If that’s too scary for ya, how about some classic 90s comedy?
The Seinfeld Secondary characters gather...for the first time:
Sunday August 25: 12:45 pm in Theater #2 [Room 206]
Masters Of Their Domain: The Seinfeld Guests Who Stole The Show
John O’Hurley: J. Peterman Elaine’s boss
Patrick Warburton: David Puddy Elaine’s boyfriend (“Yeah, That’s Right.”)
Larry Thomas: The Soup Nazi
Phil Morris: Kramer’s wild lawyer Jackie Chiles.
These zany characters are reuniting to share their favorite moments and unforgettable laughs.
I’ve attached my conversation John O’Hurley who played J. Peterman, Elaine’s boss with these ponderous Hemingway-esque monologues. If fact, listen to the end of the My Summer Lair interview: John recites a J. Peterman monologue as J. Peterman.
That was a Top 5 all time magical moment, hosting this podcast.
How fun was Seinfeld? Share your sassy sweet Seinfeld sentiments here:
Who is your favourite Seinfeld secondary character? You can pick two if one is difficult.
Is there a Seinfeld catchphrase you still use in life?
Are you sponge-worthy?
Celebrities highlights include:
McLovin (Christopher Mintz-Plasse)
Helen Hunt (Mad About You: so good!)
Morena Baccarin (Deadpool(s): so good!)
Josh Gad (Pixels: not so good but still decent!)
Dolph Lundgren (Rocky IV: so good!)
and Kathryn Hahn (Agatha All Along: could be good? It comes out in September.)
Whew.
Over in the comic book corner you can hang out with massive celebrities: Geoff Johns and Scott Snyder. Big massive names, right there.
Comic book celebrities highlights include:
Peter Tomasi (The Bridge: so good!)
Francis Manapul (The Flash: so good!)
Adam Gorham (Godzilla: so good!)
Carl Potts (Punisher: so good!)
Jason Fabok (Three Jokers: so good!)
and Wordburglar (he rhymes so good!)
There’s a ton of stuff going on. Including a Lord of the Rings booth where you can forge your own precious ring. Hah…like the world needs more evil.
Enjoy my attached conversation with man who is J. Peterman.
And here’s some Fan Expo music to crank as you head down to The Big Show.
Wordburglar’s classic Rental Patient: an ode to renting videos. So much pain, so much joy. Those were the days.
Be Kind…Rewind…
Sammy Younan
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Sammy Younan is the affable host of My Summer Lair podcast: think NPR’s Fresh Air meets Kevin Smith: interviews & impressions on Pop Culture.
#PantsWorthy: Fan Expo 2024