Media Mikes own Mike Smith will be a guest critic this Friday on the “Central Standard” radio program in Kansas City. The show, airing on KCUR-FM – 89.3, will take a look at some of the films that have opened in the last month and begins at 10:00 a.m. CST.
Mike will join show regulars Russ Simmons and Loey Lockerby as they discuss such recent films as RUSH, PRISONERS and MACHETE KILLS.
Listeners outside the Kansas City area can listen on-line at: http://kcur.org/programs/central-standard
I’ll have to admit I was a little worried when promoter Chris Jackson moved the Kansas City Planet Comicon from it’s familiar Overland Park, Kansas location to the Kansas City Convention Center at Bartle Hall in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. I needn’t have worried. The convention, which was held April 6 and 7, was a major success, establishing Planet Comicon as not only the best annual convention in Kansas City but one of the best in the entire Midwest.
Fans from all over packed the building to meet some of their favorite actors. This was the convention’s best line up of talent ever, led by George Takei, Adam Baldwin, Wil Wheaton and Lindsay Wagner. “Star Wars” fans were greeted by Chewbacca himself, Peter Mayhew, as well as Ray Park, who was so memorable as Darth Maul in “Episode One.” They also had what was sadly one of the last opportunities to meet Richard LeParmentier (Admiral Motti) who passed away earlier this week. Even Corey Dee Williams, son of Billy “Lando Calrissian” Dee Williams, was on hand. The young man shared some great stories of being with his dad during the filming of “Return of the Jedi” and even had a cameo as Klaatu, who ended up in the Sarlac pit when Jabba’s barge was destroyed.
Returning fan favorites included Lee Meriwether, Lou Ferrigno and Adrienne Wilkinson as well as Media Mikes favorites Tom Kane and Blair Butler. The autograph lines moved quickly, though I must say that I never saw the line end at Ray Park’s table. It’s amazing how less than 10 minutes of screen time made such an indelible impact on the fans. If meeting celebs isn’t your thing, there were plenty of dealers selling the very best in comics, toys and paraphernalia. My wife is tickled pink with her talking TED key chain (very “R” rated).
Overall, the convention was a hit, with fans already talking about next year as they were leaving. So am I.
For more information about the Kansas City Planet Comicon: http://planetcomicon.wordpress.com/
Photo credit: Dan Lybarger
George Takei signs for a fan A 70s dream come true: One of the “Mikes” and Lindsay Wagner A chip off the old block: Corey Dee Williams Setting up an interview that would never take place. R.I.P. Richard LeParmentier Just like in years past, fans went all out with their costumes.
CON-X Kansas City, a three day Horror, Sci-Fi and Pop Culture Convention, will be held September 14-16, 2012 at the Ramada Conference Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
Each year the convention chooses a worthy charity to highlight. This year they have chosen the Wounded Warrior Project, a non-profit organization that provides programs and services to severely injured service members during the time between their time on active duty and their transition to civilian life. The event will include film screenings, a dealers room and Q&A sessions with some of the featured guests.
Among the guests scheduled to appear: Walter Koenig (“Star Trek”), Denise Crosby (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”), Margot Kidder (“Superman the Movie,” “The Amityville Horror”) Bob Gunton (“Shawshank Redemption”), James Tolkan (“Back to the Future” series, “Top Gun’) and Kansas City native Sandahl Bergman (“Conan the Barbarian,” “All that Jazz”). Also scheduled to appear are stars from the “Stargate” and “Paranormal Activity” series.
