There's a first time for everything. For the cast of the television sitcom "Community," their first visit to Comic-Con left a lasting impression.

For this one-woman show, it was certainly a first to sit among a living legend like Chevy Chase, and Joel McHale a legend-in-the-making.

Joel McHale ("The Soup"), Gillian Jacobs ("The Book of Daniel") and Yvette Brown ("Tropic Thunder) (all photos by S. Valle)

The cast members of the smart comedy series traveled to San Diego to promote their second season, and witnessed the madness of the annual pop-culture convention as well as the emotional high only the Con's fandemonium can deliver.

The wide-eyed first-timers joined us for a round-table-style press conference after a successful panel at the Hilton Bay Front's Indigo Ballroom. It was evident the cast was still reeling from the thrill of the enthusiastic welcomed they got from supportive fans at the convention.

Veteran comedian, Chevy Chase ("Chuck"), was his charming self and very happy to be a part of this insanity. As I saw the iconic comedian  approaching my table, there's was little I could do to contain my excitement about casually chatting with him. (If you watch the Youtube video coming soon, you'll think I was as cool as a cucumber!)

Chevy Chase plays Pierce on "Community"

After pretending I was not star struck by his close presence, I (The Wrap) asked him how he liked working on a sitcom since I recalled he had stated that this would be something he would not consider.

"I know I said that last year," he replied "but, then I thought, why not? I've done everything else. Besides, this is a great cast and the writing is very good. And the show is funny!"

Donald Glover jumped into the conversation and after a few minutes of funny man-to-funny-man banter with Chase, he explained in a rather serious tone that the show is funny because all the characters have something the audience can relate to: "We are all a bunch of losers on the show. And we've all at some point felt like a loser."

Donald Glover of "Community"

Yvette Nicole Brown (Shirley) and Danny Pudi (Abed) joined our table next and were very moved by what they saw at the convention; fans had been lined up for hours in the sun just to get into the panel.

"It was really an emotional moment to watch what people were doing to see us. We're not used to getting this amount of attention from people who like us. After an episode airs, I usually just get a text from my mom telling me I did a good job and that I had a lot of lines," Pudi told us.

"That was a room full of love in there," Brown explained.

The tall recognizable figure approaching the table next was Joel McHale with Allison Brie and Neil Goldman, the producer. (Yes, I went weak in the knees when I saw the man and the myth sitting just across the table.)

Joel McHale

The show revolves around Joel's character, Jeff, a wise cracking lawyer who had to go back to college after his law degree was revoked.

When asked what he thought about where he's at in his career, his quick wit took over and jokingly replied in his signature "Soup" sarcastic tone, "Much further along".

Surprisingly, McHale is not at all like that in reality. He explained to us that he's had a blessed trajectory and that he was also very humbled by the reception the cast got from fans at Comic-Con.

"I do consider myself very fortunate.  I've had good fortune in my career decisions. I told my wife that when we moved to LA, the plan was to have a steady job in five years or move back."

If you follow Ryan Seacrest's nemesis' career, you'll know he has lined up more than one steady job. I asked McHale how he juggles the different gigs simultaneously: "The Soup" on E!, "Community" sitcom, and a stand up comedy show (he had a performance the previous night in San Diego).

His short answer was, "They pay me a sh#* load of money!"

To add to his overly-scheduled career, Joel also told us that though he didn't intend to drop names, he had just worked on a movie with Steve Martin over the summer. (Ahem?)

Neil Goldman writer/producer, Allison Brie and Joel McHale of the sitcom "Community"

Neil Goldman told us that one of the reasons the show has met with success is that the sitcom is mainly about people and not about relationships. "I don't want it to be like a soap opera," he pointed out. "Each episode is written to stand alone with only a few references to past shows in case you happen to see them, so you won't be lost each time you tune in".

I asked Goldman if there were any plans for the college students to graduate at some point, and almost in unison the cast said, "No!" Just take a look at how some of the characters never even open their books. They aren't in any hurry.

I missed seeing Ken Jeong ("The Hangover"), who plays the improbable Spanish teacher, Senor Ben Chang. He wasn't able to join the rest of the ensemble cast on this appearance at Comic-Con -- apparently he was attending a wedding according to his cast mates. 

We did, however, get a little scoop about his character in the upcoming season. It looks like Sr. Chang will be handing in the homework instead of handing it out.

Yes. We were told Senor Chang will be coming back as a student this fall.  (I wonder if he'll be invited to join the study group?)

The beautiful, and very busy, Allison Brie spoke to us at length about the show and the other couple of Hollywood gigs she has going on; a little show called "Mad Med" and she'll be starring in "Scream 4".

Allison Brie plays Annie in the TV show "Community"

Annie, the seemingly innocent character Brie plays, has seen a heightened sexuality directed at Jeff (McHale), and raised some eyebrows with fans of "Community" -- some were against it and others for it. Brie told us the loose behavior of her character is a lot of fun to play, and though fans have requested that it be toned down, she jokingly told us she hopes it isn't.

Allison also got emotional about the show's leader, and wrapping her arm around McHale's she mentioned that having a solid figure head leading a show like this one has made a difference with the cast and keeping everyone united. 

She also went on to tell us that she really likes the show because it has a balance, it isn't just funny “it has heart". In each episode you'll laugh, "but you'll also go awe."

I agree. We watch this show without fail, and aren't disappointed with the content or feel like we need a shower afterwords -- something that is becoming more difficult to do in today's unrealistic reality-based TV shows.

After spending some personal time with these talented yet unassuming personalities, I found it even easier to invest in the show's characters because they're down to earth actors -- with very visible mutual respect for each other -- behind the characters of "Community" lending them a genuine approach to familiar school dilemmas many of us have faced at some point in our academic lives.

Chatting with this cast in an intimate setting revealed to me that this "Community" of actors has (non) sense and sensibilities I like... and maybe understand a little too well.

It was an exhausting 5 days of Comi-Con madness, but I enjoyed every minute I had to run through crows of Steam Punk-costumed people; 

halls filled with wall to wall Avatars, Alice characters and Tony Starks;

or jog upstairs against a current of Spartans,

 or Storm Troopers. Okay, a special Strom Trooper, my friend Kent from All Things SD and his friend Seth Green (Robot Chicken).

The yearly pop-culture convention also transforms our otherwise peaceful, unasuming town into a bustleling metropolis for the entertainment industry. Hollywood desencends on San Diego bringing every major film studio mogul, movie stars from A to C, producers, writers and all their ancillary staff along with them.

San Diego's Comic-Con has been dubbed 'Sundace Without the Snow' and the 'Cannes for Blockbusters' by The Wrap.

It is really nothing less.

Take a look at the photos of the few panels and press conferences I was able to get to in one piece (and without getting stabbed) to get an idea of the heavy weights of the industry who come to America's Finest City to pomote their films and television shows.

HIGHLIGHTS

Attending the "TRON: Legacy" press conference was nothing short of amazing! The cast was warm and friendly, and really added a human touch to the cold and impersonal feeling of sci-fi flicks.

Jeff Bridges at "TRON: Legacy" (All photos by S. Valle)

The largest press room was for "TRON: Legacy"

The next one was a roundtable with the cast of "Stargate Universe". To be honest, I don't watch these type of shows, but Comic-Con is precisely where the SyFy Channel should be. First off is the press line,

David Blue ("Ugly Betty") plays Eli Wallace on "Stargate Universe"

then the actors came around and (not so) briefly talk to us about both the show and their personal lives - to some extent.

Robert Carlyle plays Dr. Nicholas Rush on "Stargate Universe"

Ming-Na ("ER") plays Camile Wray, a lesbian, in "Stargate Universe"

Another very fun press gathering was the voice cast of Comedy Central's "Futurama". Those guys were so funny!

 Left to right, Guiness World Recors Rep., Lauren Tom, Matt Groening (writter/creator), John DeMaggio (voice of Bender), David X. Cohen, Billy West (voice of Fry). (S. Valle)

By the way, the Guiness World Records people showed up and surprised the cast with an award for "Most Critically Aclaimed TV Series Currently on Television".

The next day was very exciting because I was able to sit in and listen to Guillermo Del Toro and Troy Nixey talk about their collaboration on the scary movie "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark".  It was so interesting to hear how much my fellow compatriot, Del Toro, revealed about himself. (Read my detailed post about Del Toro's press conference here)

Guillermo Del Toro and Troy Nixey at Comic-Con press conference

Then came time for the "Community" cast to talk to us about their show. It's only been on the air for a year, and it was the cast's first time at Comic-Con! They were blown away by the fans and the sacrifices they made to see and listen to their favorite TV personalities -- they were not expecting so much love!

Joel McHale (The Soupe, E!), Gillian Jacobs ("The Book of Daniel") and Yvette Brown ("Rules of Engagement")

This man doesn't need an introduction, but just in case it's Chevy Chase.

Danny Pudi "(Greek") plays de role of Abed and Yvette Brown is Shirley

Suzette Valle and Joel McHale at Comic-Con

I'll have a little more about the round table press conference with Chevy Chase, Joel McHale, the producers and the rest of the cast in a separate post -- they were way too generous with their time and comments about the show, what it's like to work with each other, and some of their personal lives. So I hope you'll come back to read about them later.

There were other great encoutners at this years Con, but I'll post more in Part 2 later this week!

After three years of visits to Comic-Con, patient fans of Disney's "TRON" will hear the final pitch for this long awaited sequel (28 years!), and if the hype surrounding "TRON: Legacy" is justified. 

Cast of TRON:Legacy at Comic Con 2010 (S. Valle)

Making their last appearance in San Diego at a closed press conference at the Hilton Bay Front to promote the futuristic film about life where computers swallow people into a videogame-like reality, it was all smiles and laughter between the film's stars Jeff Bridges and Bruce Boxleitner -- both actors are reprising their roles from the original "TRON"-- Olivia Wild, Michael Sheen ("Frost/Nixon", "New Moon"), Garret Hedlund and directors Joe Kosinski and Steve Lisberger.

The group seemed quite satisfied with the vision and direction provided by Hollywood newcomer Kosinski, an architect-turned-director in his first major directorial film. However, at ComiTron the protagonists were careful not to reveal too much of the plot except to reiterate that this is a sequel made to stand alone, and that a major part of the plot involves a father-son relationship.

The original "TRON" motion picture was considered technologically forward when released back in 1982; the lighted suits, ring games, light cycles and grid were conjured up in the imagination. All of these iconic props are back in the sequel and have been updated to match, or perhaps surpass, our imagery of the future.

Olivia Wild mentioned that the special body-hugging space outfits they wear in "TRON: Legacy" have integrated fiber optical lighting that when turned on made a sound which drove the sound crew crazy, and caused the director to have to first instruct the actors to light up, and then call "action!"

Besides getting a feel for the cast's camaraderie, we got a glimpse of both directors, past and present, sitting side by side with only a generation gap between them -- a gap filled by the technology one was dreaming about three decades  ago, while the other has practically lived with it his entire life.

At the press conference I (The Wrap) asked Steve Lisberger, director of the original "TRON",  what the legacy of the movie "TRON: Legacy" would be for the new generation of fans. Will it be the innovative technology used to make this movie, or is it the movie's message?

Steve Lisberger said, "The difference was that when we made the original movie, all we had to do was dream about what technology might do, but we really didn't get involved with what the technology would do.

As time went by, we've know reached the point where John and Joe (Kosinski) and their generations have had to make this real.

Technology is all about bringing people together. Supposedly. Now, there's a sense that technology has a dark side that keeps us from connecting with each other. And I think this film examines that problem."

(You can watch the YouTube video for this part of the press confrence here)

Essentially, it sounds like the anticipated mega blockbuster "TRON: Legacy" will not only be heavy on the technology front, but might also carry a weighty message alerting this generation to the possibilities and perils of the technology-dependent culture we have become since the first film -- a very current theme given our love-affair with machines.

The movie is scheduled for release in December in 3D and IMAX, and has also been encoded for D-BOX.

Regarding 3D, when Jeff Bridges was asked what he thought about the added dimension to "TRON: Legacy" he quipped, "Perhaps in the near future we won't have to wear the glasses, we'll just be able to take a pill."

"The Expendables" cast at Comic-Con 2010 panel in Hall H. Terry Crews performs his signiture pec dance to the audience's delight!

WARNING: Manly language ahead!

Here you are folks! I've once again disected Comic-Con's dense schedule -- magnifying glass in hand -- and picked worth while panels, presentations and activities with a focus on families with kids of all ages to enjoy. When I say worth while, I mean worth the treck through the massess of costumed humanity crowding all paths and walkways challenging you and your brood to make it to the convention halls in time to get inside, and maybe scoring a seat!    more »

This year Comic-Con is offering a few added options to help make your attendance at the biggest comic book show in the western hemisphere all that more enjoyable.

ADDITIONAL HOTEL ROOMS:
 
Comic-Con has additional hotels in the Mission Valley area. Please visit https://www.tphousing.com/r/startres.asp?EICode=1878&AttCode=72 to check availability and shuttle access to these hotels.

ADDITIONAL SHUTTLE ROUTE:
The hotel reservation situation this year didn’t go as well as it should have, as a result many people who expected to be closer to the downtown area found themselves in hotels farther away. For this reason we have expanded our shuttle route to help accommodate those who are staying at Mission Valley and Shelter Island hotels. The expanded shuttle route will service hotels in the Mission Valley and Shelter Island areas and is made possible, in part, by a generous contribution from Travel Planners. To provide faster service, the shuttle route for Mission Valley will run from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm from a location near the Omni Hotel (at the foot of L Street in downtown San Diego). Using this drop point during heavy daytime traffic periods will increase the frequency of the shuttles. After 8:00 pm this shuttle route will originate from the Convention Center front driveway.
 
PRE PAID PARKING:
To assist those who choose to drive to the event, Comic-Con has arranged with ACE and Five Star, two of the largest downtown parking companies, to offer advanced purchase of
Pre-Paid parking at many of downtown’s parking areas. As with all parking lots, in and out privileges do not apply. To take advantage of the advanced parking permit option, please visit http://www.thepermitstore.com/comic-con/event/
 
Purchase of Pre-Paid parking guarantees you a spot, though not a specific or particular space.

Comic-Con does not receive any compensation from this program.