Quick Update – Jared and Jensen Panel – Chicago Con
Despite all the stuff I talk about the cons, the fan experiences, the bonding moments, the panels, the bottom line is all attention goes to Jared and Jensen. When they’re in the building, time stops. The panel is done and as I sit here on a break still trying to type up summaries of Misha and Jim’s panel from yesterday, I’m sure everyone has in the back of their minds, “Well, where’s the J&J news Alice? Cough it up.†Either that or you’re shouting it at the computer. You’ll get a full and an accurate summary later but in the meantime, here’s the quick and dirty or as I call it, whatever my fuzzy brain can recall.
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Jared and Jensen both are both in very high spirits today. They have been joking around with fans, especially in the photo-ops rooms (from every report I’ve heard anyway) and seem genuinely happy to be here. In something different this time, they both opted to do an hour long panel together. No individual panels. I think it worked out great.
Just like yesterday with Richard and Misha, “Changing Channels†got quite a bit of mention. The boys came out to the Supernatural sitcom theme song playing in the background. They both were goofing around and doing funny moves and faces to the song as they got settled into their seats. Jensen after mentioning they would be doing one panel together started off the questioning, but not before Jared had to joke around that they would take individual questions, but to please ask Jensen a question too so he wouldn’t feel left out. He takes it personally and he has to work with him tomorrow. Needless to say, there was no absence of such questions for Jensen.
There was tons of banter between these too, both joking on just about everything. Someone asked about their reactions to finding out they were Michael and Lucifer’s vessels. After remembering that they found out in different episodes, Jensen seemed okay with it, Jared thought being Lucifer was REALLY cool. Jensen joked that if he got to play Michael, he would just rip off John Travolta. There was some strange joking between them about Battlefield Earth and it got them both laughing.
What goals do they still have in their lives that they want to accomplish? Jensen wants to have children. The whole crowd went “awwwwwâ€. Then Jared jumps in, “me too!â€
Eye of the Tiger was not rehearsed. It honest was an impromptu thing setup by Jared. I think that was already established, but in case anyone wasn’t sure.
Someone asked if they would be sad if the show ends, especially after this season, saying goodbye to everyone, aka the crew in Vancouver. Jensen said (in a joking way) that the show will go on for as long as the fans want it to. Yes, everyone cheered. They were obviously vague about a season six, but it didn’t sound like they were prepping for the end either. The gist that eventually both guys answered, things must come to an end eventually and they will be sad when it happens, but they’ll move on. Jensen joked that he can’t find work outside of Vancouver anyway, so he’ll probably end up working with them again.
They’re both very realistic about their career directions. They know they aren’t A-listers and don’t have a lot of prime choices as actors. They will keep acting obviously because they love what they do, but the opportunities are unknown. Jared mentioned later in the panel he doesn’t want to do TV anymore when this is done, unless he had a gig like Misha. The schedule is too demanding in as far as he can’t see his friends often.
They talked about filming “The End.†Jensen talked about how challenging it was to do that dual role and visualize what his angrier self five years in the future would be like when doing those scenes. Jared got to fly to LA and actually talk with Kripke about how to play Lucifer. He mentioned in the panel a couple of times how much he loved playing Lucifer.
How would they like season six to go? Jared joked that he doesn’t see how considering there’s going to be this big Michael/Lucifer shakedown coming at the end of the season and then they’ll wake up and go “There’s a ghost in Topeka.†Jensen wants to see them go to Hawaii in season six, and then cleverly mentions this is why they aren’t writers.
I don’t remember the question, but it did come out that Jared loves playing evil Sam.
Which scenes do they prefer to play? Jared likes the serious scenes and finds comedy hard. Jensen loves the comedy and the action. The serious scenes just drain him, for the body can’t tell the emotions aren’t real.
They were asked what was their single proudest moment on the show. Jensen didn’t have a single moment, but mentioned working with Kim Manners. He and Jared spent a few minutes talking about how special Kim was and it’s clear they both still really miss him.
Jared loves to eat, which is no secret. I hadn’t heard this before though, but when Jensen’s done with his food he passes it onto Jared to finish. When they go out to eat in a group, everyone passes their unfinished plates to Jared. It gets kind of embarrassing for Jared in the restaurants with all those plates in front of him when the waitress wants to pick them up and he isn’t done with them.
What’s their favorite episode to film over five seasons? “Changing Channels†was the answer. Jensen loved doing the sitcom and all those different TV shows. Jared mentioned the CSI Miami bits. It’s so great that they can do stuff like that. Jared also loved filming “The Real Ghostbusters.†It’s great to get a break and do two fun episodes in a row like that.
It all closed with an impromptu charity auction! Just when we thought they were done Jared took the mike after signing the banners and mentioned that his mother, who’s a high school teacher in San Antonio, was raising money for a literacy program (I’ll have the exact charity name later). He was wearing Sam’s watch, which Sam has worn in every season. He gets a new watch every year and he brought today the season three watch. The watch would be auctioned off today and the proceeds will go to his mother’s charity.
Adam from Creation told them to do the auction right now. Jared had no idea what to do since so Jensen grabbed a mike and started playing auctioneer. While Jensen rattled off bids in a rapid pace like a real auctioneer, Jared kept walking around and posing the watch. As the bids started climbing, Jared especially seemed floored. I don’t think he thought the bids would go that high. Jensen was having a blast asking for higher bids. The winning big came in at $3500. Jared hugged the woman a few times (who was a ticket holder in the front row) and he was so gracious to her. He looked very very touched.
As I mentioned before, this is all off the top of my head. I’ll be going through my notes in more detail later and will have far better and more in-depth information to share.
Granted, a lot of mainstream scripts are shit so it’s entirely an actor’s fault, but given what passes for A-list acting today, we’re lucky as fans to have these guys on this show. I think some of those big tickets could learn a thing or three. Probably helps that they really seem to be down-to-earth, regular dudes.
I’d love a season six, but really, how in the hell would you go on after heaven vs. hell? They haven’t done a haunted fast food joint yet, heh.
Your memory is better than most of ours, that’s a lot of info off the top of your head! And grumbly congrats on your Bengals. 😎
omygosh, thank you SO much for this!
i’m glad that everything went well this time, and no weirdness between them, or not-so-appropriate questions from the audience. I’m so glad at least you got to go and make this report for us who couldn’t be there.
I hope you had fun!
I guess you’ve been having a blast, Alice! Thanks so much for this ‘quick and dirty’, I can imagine how tough it gets sorting out everything you sponged up over the last days… and it’s fantastic to hear about the high spirits of our favourite supernatural guys…
I’m so happy for you that you seem to have enjoyed this con immensely, and I’m happy for the actors to have had a good time. I’m deeply moved that so much money was raised for charity (though I would not have been able to even think of getting to any higher bids), even more for a literacy program – love that! Thanks in advance for providing us with the exact name later (I’m always interested in any kind of program that will enhance others’ approach to books and literacy in general, I’d like to check that out).
I’m looking forward to read your in-depth information, as just about everyone here… when you get back down….
Love Jas
Hi Alice …. You got a lot of info in this quick update. Can’t wait for any thing else you can share! All so interesting…… They really seem to like the fans.
I can imagine the chemistry between them in person…after all they have SO much chemistry on the show…it would have to carry over big time. Glad they were in high spirits…. Guess they are already on vacation.
Hope you have a safe, and eventless, trip home.
I so forgot the mention the part where someone asked them if Sam and Dean will ever discuss the message that Sam heard in Lucifer Rising. Jensen wasn’t clear about the question, so Jared had to clarify. They were having a heated discussion about it in a really funny way. I’m sure it’s on You Tube. Basically Jensen asked Jared what he thought the answer was and Jared said he didn’t know, he’d have to ask Sam. So Jensen told him to ask him. So Jared goes into character and gets the answer. These guys are so funny together.
I really enjoyed reading your report on Jared and Jensen’s panel at ChiCon. Hope you had a great time.
I am also relieved that the panel went well and there were no inappropriate questions, like the PETA question at the earlier Con. Were all the questions for Jared and Jensen submitted in advance?
Were either Gen or Danneel there at ChiCon? Was there any mention of Danneel and Jensen’s engagement?
Sounds like such a gas, Alice … How on earth do you keep it all straight in your memory? I’d be all discumbobulated and useless – Wow, ummm, well … Yes, Cor! Phew, etc. etc. ( Actually, thinking about it, this is probably something to do with why you are a well respected mistress of the blogosphere and I’m, you know … not. )
😆
Alice if this is the quick and dirty I can´t wait for the all article 😀 (2 or 3 pages?), it’s obvious you had a great time in Chicago didn’t you?
Thanks for the report, Alice. I’m glad to hear the panel went well, and that Jensen and Jared were having a good time.
I think my husband would look hot wearing one of Sam’s watches, but $3500 is way beyond my budget! I’ll have to settle for reviewing screencaps in hopes of figuring out what brands Sam favors. 😀
Hi Alice,
Not that this quick update isn’t charming and all and without sounding demanding but when are you going to put up your full, detailed, second-by-second account of everything that happened during J2 panel? I am very eager to hear every detail. Thank you very much.
I was there in the silver seat section…do u remember when jared came out he kinda got tangled in the curtain? lol
I laughed so hard when jensen did the auction voice for jared’s smelly non battery watch.