Five on Friday: Favorite Bad Lip Reading Videos

Like many of you out in Internetland, I'm a peruser of YouTube. I like to start with a video and just watch similar vids until I feel like I've reached a sufficient level of WTF-ery. Case in point: Bad Lip Reading. I first came to know of BLR several years ago when they parodied the video of my dear Michael Bublé, to which he posted an amazing response video. I've been a fan ever since and love to keep up with their newest releases. Since joining YouTube on March 21, 2011, BLR has garnered 4,146,593 subscribers and 424,525,344 views. I believe it, too. Their 2012 Presidential Election videos were insanely popular and I see their pop culture parodies circulated often.

Cincy ComiCon Seeks to Connect Creators With Fans

People attend conventions for different reasons. Many want to have have a commission done by their favorite artist, some want to meet their childhood hero, whomever that may be, and others want to make industry contacts so they can get a foot in the door. For some, it's all of the above. I find it exciting when I get a notice about a new convention being organized because I think that it's just another opportunity for fans to be able to interact with their favorite actors and artists. It appears that a new convention in Cincinnati, the CincyComiCon is promising just that.

Talking Dead and Comic Book Men Renewed for Season 2

Things seem to be pretty good over at AMC, the station formerly known as American Movie Classics that has gone from being a go-to source for golden-era Hollywood films to gritty, original programming. With hits such as The Walking Dead and Mad Men, fans have come to expect a lot out of the cable channel. In a release today, executives unveiled their plans to not only renew the network's newest shows The Talking Dead and Comic Book Men, they are extending their run from thirteen episodes to sixteen. Both shows are part of the network's Sunday night line-up and follow the series The Walking Dead, based on the comic book by Kentucky-native Robert Kirkman.


The Talking Dead, hosted by 'The Nerdist' Chris Hardwick, invites celebrity guests in a panel-style discussion of the night's episode of TWD. The show has featured Felicia Day, as well as stars of the show and Kirkman himself. The reality show Comic Book Men follows the staff of director Kevin Smith's New Jersey comic book shop Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash. In addition to the documentary style of the show, the podcast which Smith leads is part of every episode, recounts the adventures of the week. According to the AMC Blog, Neilson ratings place Comic Book Men as one of the most engaging reality programs on television. Both Hardwick and Smith are very happy with the news about their AMC programming. Smith was quoted as saying,  

"A thousand thank you's wouldn't cover the gratitude I'm feeling right now. And as you might imagine, everyone at SModcast Pictures is in love with everyone at AMC today! Rest assured, Walt, Bry, Mike, Ming and I are suited up and ready to hit the ice for our second season with Team AMC."

  Hardwick shared similar elation.  

"Talking Dead has been an amazing experience and I cannot pile enough hugs and thanks onto AMC for renewing it. I CAN'T WAIT for Season 3 of Walking Dead, so that we can finally talk about Rick meeting [SPOILER] and [SPOILER]-ing him with a heavy-duty [SPOILER] at the [SPOILER]. And let's not forget all the rest of the [SPOILER]s getting in on the action! [EXPLETIVE] me! It's going to be great..."

  According to network executives, both programs fit the model that AMC strives for in creating engaging original programming. While both television shows feature "real" people, they do tell unique stories and create "authentic characters." Both programs should be back in the fall to correspond with the premier of season three of The Walking Dead.

Are you a fan of these two programs? Leave a note in the comments and tell me what you think of them!

This article appeared on Word of the Nerd Online on May 10, 2012.

Check out KGG on Completely Comics: Bonus Episode: Completely Who Is Under The Hood?

I know that Will and Troy of Completely Comics are as excited about Lexington Comic & Toy Convention as I am, so I phoned in to the show let them know what I'll be doing at the convention: giving away free stuff! They'll be roaming the floor at the convention so be sure to say hello!

On this bonus episode of Completely Comics, the guys talk about the season finale of The Walking Dead that aired on Sunday (AND HOLY COW WHAT A CRAZY EPISODE IT WAS!) and answer some of the questions that were raised.  Please note that the episode does contain spoilers, so be sure to listen to it when you've watched Sunday's finale.

I talked  to them about the giveaways that I'll have at LCTC, including GEEKSOAP, as well as items from Apex Publications and Morris Bookshop. Look for a post later with the specifics about what you can win! HUGE thanks to Troy and Will for having me on again.

In addition to this week's bonus episode, be sure to check out their convention preview, where they talk to Jarrod Greer, the organizer of LCTC!

Check out their website, Facebook, and Twitter pages for more info!

Derby City Comic-Con This Weekend!

Okay, I admit it. I'm really sad that I won't be attending San Diego Comic-Con this year. After getting to know so many people in the community over the last year, I really would love to meet everyone in person. Hopefully the stars will be right next year for me to attend, but I'll just be with everyone in spirit and following along on Twitter.

If you're around Louisville, KY this weekend, stop in at the Kentucky International Convention Center for Derby City Comic-Con. Both Lexington and Louisville are home to many comic shops, all of which we'll be featuring here with Your Friendly Local Comic Shop. You can also find many collectibles at these stores and DCCC will feature some of the best artists, writers, and publishers in the comic business. Did you know that there are many Kentucky natives who have made it big in the comic world? Robert Kirkman, creator of The Walking Dead is from Central Kentucky. Artist Tony Moore whose work on The Walking Dead was nominated for two Eisner awards will be a guest at DCCC this year. Louisville native Jay Leisten (Marvel Comics), Marjorie Liu (Marvel Comics), and Bill Nichols (Comics Mentor) will be featured guests as well. There are many more artists who will be in attendance this year, so be sure to check it out.

Tickets are available online for the low price of $7 or at:
Comic Book World
ear X-tacy
The Great Escape
Role of the Die
The Zone Comic Shop

I will be checking out the excitement of Derby City Comic-Con. If you head down to the convention center, be sure to say hello! For more information about Derby City Comic-Con, check out their website, Facebook, and Twitter.