# The San Diego Comic Con has a small problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 15, 2023, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-diego-comic-con-has-a-small-problem/987061 "2023-07-15T08:06:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2023, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-diego-comic-con-has-a-small-problem/987061/21 "2023-07-16T20:54:57Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > There is a big Star Trek convention in August and from what I read the stars are able to attend as scheduled but they aren’t allowed to talk about any shows they preformed on so I guess everyone will just watch Shatner sing Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. I really don’t think that’s true. Actors can’t promote current work, but I think they can discuss past work. Which is why old Trek actors are still attending cons, but stars of new shows aren’t attending. This is the first SDCC Im not attending in over a decade. Much easier when it was a few hour drive/train ride and I had a panel to be on or something to promote, but after moving to the PNW its more of a _thing_–I flew down last year and it was nice to be back in California but this year I’m am an invited guest at a con in Omaha so I with that instead. I never got the “Oh I want to see \_\_\_\_\_ famous person.” I hope attendees spend their cash in Artist Alley or small press. ---
**Author:** ![Steven\_Maven](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steven_maven/32/3272_2.png) [@Steven\_Maven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Maven)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2023, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-diego-comic-con-has-a-small-problem/987061/22 "2023-07-16T23:42:49Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > I did not know that. (Johnny Carson voice) I’m pretty sure it was Ed McMahon (Johnny’s second banana) who used that phrase in response to a joke, possibly in a bit called Weird Facts. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2023, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-diego-comic-con-has-a-small-problem/987061/23 "2023-07-16T23:49:36Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I say let’s change it up and have Shatner do the Shakespeare and Stewart do the singing. Shatner, in fact, did perform at least some Shakespeare as a young actor: he was a member of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario for a time. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-diego-comic-con-has-a-small-problem/987061/24 "2023-07-17T00:10:02Z")
He was also Christopher Plummer’s understudy in a performance of Henry 5. He repayed Plummer bby casting him in Star Trek 6, as a Klingon general. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-diego-comic-con-has-a-small-problem/987061/25 "2023-07-17T01:19:45Z")
> [@Steven\_Maven](#): > > I’m pretty sure it was Ed McMahon (Johnny’s second banana) who used that phrase in response to a joke, possibly in a bit called Weird Facts. I did not know that. (Ed McMahon voice) Seriously. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-diego-comic-con-has-a-small-problem/987061/26 "2023-07-17T01:43:17Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > > > I say let’s change it up and have Shatner do the Shakespeare and Stewart do the singing. > > Shatner, in fact, did perform at least some Shakespeare as a young actor: he was a member of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario for a time. He also could rap it. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/BbR68B0extA/hqdefault.jpg "Shatner Raps Julius Caesar") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbR68B0extA) ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-diego-comic-con-has-a-small-problem/987061/27 "2023-07-17T01:44:28Z")
> [@Steven\_Maven](#): > > I’m pretty sure it was Ed McMahon (Johnny’s second banana) who used that phrase in response to a joke, possibly in a bit called Weird Facts. “I did not know that” was one of the catchphrases from Dana Carvey’s Johnny Carson impersonation skits on SNL. I don’t know if Ed actually said it on the real show, but I think everybody who still says it today (like when you’re making a point to say it like TreacherousCretin did) is probably referencing Carvey’s Johnny. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-diego-comic-con-has-a-small-problem/987061/28 "2023-07-17T02:41:47Z")
> [@Push\_You\_Down](#): > > I really don’t think that’s true. Actors can’t promote current work, but I think they can discuss past work. Which is why old Trek actors are still attending cons, but stars of new shows aren’t attending. Armin Shimerman (Quark from DS9) as of a couple days ago was seeking clarification on what he can and can’t do at a con during the strike. [https://twitter.com/ShimermanArmin/status/1679929991193329664?ref\_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1679929991193329664|twgr^0f5e908dce393e16ddef9fd29aa049981f57184e|twcon^s1\_&ref\_url=https%3A%2F%2Fredshirtsalwaysdie.com%2F2023%2F07%2F15%2Fexpect-the-actors-strike-to-affect-star-trek-conventions%2F](https://twitter.com/ShimermanArmin/status/1679929991193329664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1679929991193329664%7Ctwgr%5E0f5e908dce393e16ddef9fd29aa049981f57184e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fredshirtsalwaysdie.com%2F2023%2F07%2F15%2Fexpect-the-actors-strike-to-affect-star-trek-conventions%2F) ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-diego-comic-con-has-a-small-problem/987061/29 "2023-07-17T07:34:09Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I just checked the guest list for Dragon Con in Atlanta. Do conventions really need celebrities? Maybe it’s because I live waaaay off the convention beaten path, but my local SF/fantasy/comics/etc. con, the biggest in my country, hardly ever gets anyone famous - the biggest celeb we’ve ever had, by far, was Neil Gaiman 18 years ago. And yet a wonderful time is had by all. After all, isn’t the whole point of conventions for geeks to hang out with other geeks? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-diego-comic-con-has-a-small-problem/987061/30 "2023-07-17T07:39:55Z")
Is your con a fan-operated not for profit con operated mostly by volunteers, where the cost of the ticket is usually all you need to pay to see artists and writers (and an occasional b-list celeb), or is it a for profit run by business wonks looking to maximize profits by giving volunteers a free tee shirt for about 20 to 30 hours of work, where the vastly over priced ticket just gets you in the door? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-diego-comic-con-has-a-small-problem/987061/31 "2023-07-17T08:08:01Z")
The former, which is how it should be. (Also, entrance is free, but you have to buy tickets for lectures, panels and events). ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-diego-comic-con-has-a-small-problem/987061/32 "2023-07-17T10:22:28Z")
The comic cons are always big on what we old-schoolers call media guests. It must work because the largest con, WorldCon, typically tops out at about 8,000 while even a middlin’ comic con like Phoenix Fan Fusion\* is many, many times that while San Diego ComicCon dwarfs it even further. \*It used to be Phoenix ComiCon until the San Diego folks got huffy. ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-diego-comic-con-has-a-small-problem/987061/33 "2023-07-17T15:52:35Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > > [@Push\_You\_Down](#): > > > > I really don’t think that’s true. Actors can’t promote current work, but I think they can discuss past work. Which is why old Trek actors are still attending cons, but stars of new shows aren’t attending. > > Armin Shimerman (Quark from DS9) as of a couple days ago was seeking clarification on what he can and can’t do at a con during the strike. Yeah! I think I actually was wrong—or they clarified later that it covered everything and not just in production stuff. I got my initial info from an acquaintance who is in SAG and that’s how he interpreted it. But oddly just today I saw that cosplayers are ‘officially’ being asked to NOT dress for any movie/tv properties as it would be seen as “crossing the picket line” in a way–as it would be promotion. Game, comics, books, etc still fair game. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-diego-comic-con-has-a-small-problem/987061/34 "2023-07-17T16:10:05Z")
> [@Push\_You\_Down](#): > > But oddly just today I saw that cosplayers are ‘officially’ being asked to NOT dress for any movie/tv properties as it would be seen as “crossing the picket line” in a way–as it would be promotion. Lots of luck with _that_ cat-herding. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-diego-comic-con-has-a-small-problem/987061/35 "2023-07-17T16:19:08Z")
> [@Terminus\_Est](#): > > Maybe Comic Con can get back to its roots. You know, comics. That’s crazy talk, man! ---
**Author:** ![JacobSwan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@JacobSwan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JacobSwan)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-diego-comic-con-has-a-small-problem/987061/36 "2023-07-17T19:25:11Z")
Are we still allowed to wear starfleet uniforms in the bedroom? ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-diego-comic-con-has-a-small-problem/987061/37 "2023-07-17T19:27:56Z")
As long as you’re not filming ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-diego-comic-con-has-a-small-problem/987061/38 "2023-07-17T19:39:46Z")
My friend from college who lives in San Diego, is a well known collector and attendee for decades said that “big Hollywood” won’t be on the panels but would have a huge presence of the floor. Independent actors, directors and filmmakers will have panels still. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-diego-comic-con-has-a-small-problem/987061/39 "2023-07-17T19:40:33Z")
> [@Push\_You\_Down](#): > > But oddly just today I saw that cosplayers are ‘officially’ being asked to NOT dress for any movie/tv properties as it would be seen as “crossing the picket line” in a way–as it would be promotion. Game, comics, books, etc still fair game. My wife used to write a fairly successful recap blog about a TV show (enough so that it got picked up by a newspaper in the show’s setting country) but ultimately a mixture of burnout and priorities made her end it. She recently started writing a little again before the strike and saw information basically saying “Writing about shows is essentially crossing the picket line and you won’t do it if you ever want to work with the unions in any of their functions/capacities (talking to show people, etc) ever again” I thought that felt a bit rich given that she’s neither a member of the unions, works in the positions they cover, nor have they ever done anything for her (I don’t count “she wouldn’t have a show to write about if…” as that wasn’t their intent in making the show) but it was enough for her to close the book on the blog yet again. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-diego-comic-con-has-a-small-problem/987061/40 "2023-07-17T20:00:52Z")
> [@Push\_You\_Down](#): > > I got my initial info from an acquaintance who is in SAG and that’s how he interpreted it. But oddly just today I saw that cosplayers are ‘officially’ being asked to NOT dress for any movie/tv properties as it would be seen as “crossing the picket line” in a way–as it would be promotion. Game, comics, books, etc still fair game. Sure, go against your fans, the people who pay your salaries, the people who identify with you so much they want to dress up like you. See how that works out. I support the unions here wholeheartedly, but _come on_. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-diego-comic-con-has-a-small-problem/987061.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-diego-comic-con-has-a-small-problem/987061.md?page=3)