“What Is A Zombie Alligator?” and Other Supernatural Related Comic Con Ramblings
As I pour through my notes, pictures, programs, flyers, and general swag from Comic Con, I found several loose pieces related to “Supernatural” that I thought would be fun to share. Or maybe it’s just me bullshitting on a casual Saturday instead of transcribing interviews. Either way, here’s a collection of some random notes and small stories that just aren’t strong enough to stand on their own.
My biggest thrill of Comic Con (slightly higher than an incredible press session with several cast members and producers from “The Walking Dead” which will be up on TV For The Rest of Us very soon), was that our press table got almost 15 minutes with “Supernatural” Producer Ben Edlund. That is one guy who’s brain I’ve always wanted to pick. Because there was time, I managed to pitch an idea that has been much obsessed about on this site for the last three years. The zombie alligator. The exchange (which you can read in my Ben Edlund interview) went something like this:
I’m going to do something for a fan that’s been on my site for a few years now. She has been campaigning for a zombie alligator and knows that you are the guy to do it.
That’s probably true actually. A zombie alligator. I’ll give that thought. (pauses) I think about, no, we’ll do it.
Where you do come up with a lot the creatures?
I don’t know. Often something comes into my head that seems so dumb that I almost shouldn’t say it and I get myself thinking. I mean, I’m serious about spaceships.
We’re serious about watching it.
Zombie alligator good because we can do something with taxidermy which we haven’t really touched. So we’ll start with alligator…(we can see the ideas churning in his head)…I’ll take it. There are days I’ll be happy to take whatever so tell your fan thank you.
Will do.
Ever since that, several perplexed people on this site and on Twitter have had to ask, “Zombie alligator?” So allow me to tell the story of it’s origins.
When The Winchester Family Business first came to be back in 2008 as my feature column for Blogcritics, I created a small little blog site to store some of my “Supernatural” archives and do some general rambling that I couldn’t do on Blogcritics. It was primitive, no flash or substance, just a basic blue and white template that was a subset of my jesterz.net portal. Somehow, two people found their way to following me at that site (thus eventually inspiring me to build a real fan site). The first was Tigershire, the second was Suze. They managed to kick off many stirring conversations and helped get the ball rolling for the great discussions we constantly have now.
Many of the comment archives from those early days are gone, so I honestly don’t know when the first comment happened, but one day Suze in an answer to what she wanted for the upcoming season presented her idea, “zombie alligator.” She had seen a documentary about alligators dying in Florida, and the condition rendered them zombie like before their demise. The idea caught on like wildfire, and for many of us that were around at the time, the zombie alligator has been a running theme ever since. I wanted to make the zombie alligator the official site mascot, but I haven’t found anyone talented enough to make a good character design. When that happens, it’s going on our official site t-shirt (when that happens too).
Back when word came about the season five renewal, I started pitching the zombie alligator on Twitter. My comments were often “Come on Mr. Edlund, you know you want it!” Needless to say, no responses from any of the creative team (although several strange comments from followers!) It wasn’t until this little lark of ours was running for a year or two that Suze came clean. She really only wanted the zombie alligator as an excuse to see Winchesters in wet t-shirts. Did that deter us? HELL NO!
So, the story now ends with the ball in Mr. Edlund’s court. I have a feeling he likely can’t run with it because of royalties or stealing ideas or something like that. Warner Brothers does have very strict rules about such things. But, for something that we’ve carried on so long, it was exciting to finally get the idea be heard. The fact that Ben Edlund saw merit in the idea, even better. Sorry Suze, it’s not Winchesters in wet t-shirts, but will this do?
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We got about 30 whole seconds with Misha Collins in the “Supernatural” press room. Would you like to hear the transcript? The role of “press” is really multiple people speaking in various turns. Let’s just pretend the 8 of us were one person (it’s easier that way).
Press: Good morning.
Misha: Good morning.
Press: How are you?
Misha: I’m fine. I’m a little tired but I’m otherwise good. How are you?
Press: It’s been an exhausting weekend.
Misha: Has it?
WB Publicist: Sorry, I’ve got to pull him. We’ve got to go.
Press: This was friendly and nice.
Misha: It was friendly. It was not terribly productive our meeting.
Press: I can say I got to sit at a table with God.
Misha: Bye, I’m sorry.
Yeah, enthralling isn’t it?
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“Supernatural” came up twice in other press rooms I attended. The first time was in the “Nikita” press room, when I asked Executive Producer and Showrunner Craig Silverstein if he felt any pressure about “Nikita” being on Fridays. Here’s his answer:
“I think that “Supernatural” has a more similar audience, it’s just a better fit. I think the kind of people who watch “Supernatural” will watch “Nikita.” I was hoping for this kind of thing half way through last season.”
It should be noted my other big thrill of that press room was meeting Shane West for the first time in person. He’s…nothing like his character Michael. He smiles! Yes, I was paying attention. I was in the “Nikita” press room last year but he didn’t attend.
The second “Supernatural” mention came in “The Secret Circle” press room. One of the Executive Producers I interviewed was Richard Hatem. He was a co-executive producer and writer for “Supernatural” in season one. As the interview came to a close, I couldn’t help but tell him that “Phantom Traveler” (which he wrote) to this day is one of my favorite “Supernatural” episodes (he also wrote “Asylum”). I then identified myself as the editor of The Winchester Family Business fan site. He thought that was pretty cool and actually took a small amount of time (he didn’t have much) to talk about writing that episode.
“I wrote that at the height of my fear of flying. That was just really this great thing. It was like, ‘I’m terrified of flying, a lot of that will come out here.’ It was good. Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
Yeah, I was REALLY bummed to find out on Thursday that Kevin Williamson fired Richard Hatem as Executive Producer for “The Secret Circle,” citing “creative differences”. He seemed like a real classy guy in the press room and was excited to be part of the project, especially after “Heavenly” wasn’t picked up. I wish him the best on his next endeavor.
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Here’s a great idea I picked up from the Chuck press room. Ryan McPartlin (Captain Awesome) and Chris Fedak (executive producer) were both talking about how antiquated and inaccurate Nielsen ratings are and it’s only the avid fan support that’s kept the show going all these years. He said one of the brilliant campaigns the fans did was to tweet NBC how much they love the show with the hashtag #imnotanielsenviewer. Clever, huh? Something to consider next time fans want to show the network “Supernatural” love.
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I saw this on the Hollywood walk of fame. Chad Everett is all kinds of awesome. He was the only “Supernatural” guest star I saw represented that day. As you recall, this TV legend played the old Dean Winchester in season five’s “The Curious Case of Dean Winchester.” His performance was brilliant! He was so much like Dean it was stunning. And funny. That might make a good trivia question. How many “Supernatural” guest stars/actors have a star on the Hollywood walk of fame?” Gotta research that one.
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This one is fun. On Monday, me and the family took the Warner Brothers studio tour. Sure I was a bit bummed out there was no “Supernatural” merchandise or that the Impala was no longer on display in their car museum there, but at least there were a couple of Sam and Dean flashes in the ten minute film that opened the tour!
This amused the crap out of me though.
Why? Besides the fact that I sincerely doubt anyone “hearts” Chuck Bass? (Yes there were plenty of shirts left. I assume the hot Winchester ones all sold out). Because anytime I see mention of Chuck Bass, I think of my CW dream promo. It was an idea that’s been with me since season five, but I love sharing it. It’s a joint thing that came up when “Supernatural” and “The Vampire Diaries” were on the same night. Here’s the pitch:
The usual “Gossip Girl” promo comes on the screen. It ends with that normal shot of brooding Chuck Bass standing there looking all dapper. Enter Sam and Dean Winchester, who ambush him and start beating the crap out of him. Cut to a “90210” promo. As the cast poses in the California sunshine at the end, Damon Salvatore jumps in and starts biting everyone’s necks at rapid speed, blood spurting everywhere. While Damon enjoys his dinner, a bloodied Chuck Bass runs by screaming his fool head off with Sam and Dean behind him in full pursuit.
Now for the tagline: “The CW, something different is always happening.”
Cut to Castiel, Stefan, and Elena all watching the entire mayhem unamused. Castiel says, “That’s it, I’m smiting everybody.” Stefan and Elena nod in approval. End promo.
You like? Yes, the strange crap that goes through one’s mind on a studio tour.
That’s all I have. Anyone else got any good “Supernatural” stories from Comic Con? Do share.
Alice Jester is the founder, editor-in-chief, head writer, programmer, web designer, site administrator, marketer, and moderator for The Winchester Family Business. She is a 30 year IT applications and database expert with a penchant for creative and freelance writing in her spare (ha!!) time. That’s on top of being a wife, mother of two active kids, and four loving (aka needy) pets.
LOL!Awesome promo idea. Damon biting everyone and then Castiel smiting them. That would be awesome to watch.
but Zombie Alligators? thats just scary.
I actually like Chuck Bass. Not “like” but I think he’s a very complex and heavily misunderstood character on Gossip Girl.
That being said, I’d so watch that promo over and over. That’s awesome! Now that Matt Cohen’s on 90210, we might not want HIM bit, though.
Well, I went with my children last week for my first Comic-Con and it was amazing!It’s so big! We arrived on Tuesday and were able to walk around before it became crazy with people. I’ve never seen so many people so well-behaved in one place ever. Some of the costumes were amazing and so original! The time and money spent in some cases was definitely worth it! We’ve already made arrangements to attend next year and are looking forward to it. 😀
As for interesting sights, other than attending some fascinating panels, I really didn’t see anything unusual inside the convention center. Now, outside was quite a different matter. I mean we heard a man preaching to all as we crossed the street and another pair of gentlemen squared off against each other on their points of view in a grassy green across the street from SDCC near the Hilton. Democracy and free speech at work!
As for the Zombie Alligator idea, my daughter is a really great artist (in my opinion). Anyway, she was gathering a little crowd as she was doodling away at a booth near the artist alley. One of the profession artists over there kept going up behind her to see what she was doing. He commented to me several times about her talent as did others. Well, she’s told me that she would like to tinker around with idea and see what she comes up with. I hope you don’t mind that I shared the story with her. It will be in the Manga style of drawing. I’ll send it to you as soon as she’s done to see what you think of it.
BTW – Package sent.
Ruth
I saw that interview with Ben Edlund I really think he was considering it. Maybe it will show up in a nightmare or a fever/drugged induced haze but I have a feeling it [i]will[/i] show up at some point. I’m gonna keep my fingers crossed.
ROFL! I think the biggest art problem on the zombie alligator idea is simply, how do you illustrate an alligator as a zombie??? I mean, they do tend to just lie around, and sometimes snap their jaws open while lying there … *grin*
I LOVED the promo idea! Now add in Matt Cohen saving the rest of the 90210 ccast by channeling a mix of John Winchester and the archangel Michael … 🙂
Bardic, I love you.
We can’t let Matt Cohen get ganked, so you solved that problem. YAY.