Who or what is Yahoo! Screen and can we trust it? That is the question all human beings in Greendale and beyond are wondering right about now. Hopefully, this panel starts to answer that question, as we approach #sixseasonsandamovie and Community’s SDCC panel.

I feel like when it was first bandied about, this was a farewell panel. Now it’s a comeback, and that story is about to be written.

TV Guide Magazine is moderating this panel, which I suppose is fitting, since Community won top honors for best cult show.

Watching clips and reel for Community‘s previous five seasons. “Ratings…where we’re going, we don’t need ratings.”

Moderator Michael Snyder kicks it off with: “How about 7 seasons and a Broadway musical?” Yup, this is my panel.

STARBURNS is in the house, and wants Vodka.

EP Chris McKenna is here. Mr. Dan Harmon, creator and EP. Gillian Jacobs/Britta. Jim Rash/Dean Pelton. Joel McHale/Jeff Winger.

The show is back. Michael congrats Harmon for getting on national press release. Dan Harmon comments that he looks like a really bad Russell Crowe, stone age Russell Crowe, where only dinosaurs and carbs exist.

Harmon still doesn’t know how it happened, got call 3 hours before deadline. Said no, then changed mind in 1.5 hours.

Harmon: “You’ll be watching Community how you always watched it. Only now it’s legal.”

RE: ambivalence to comeback: Didn’t want to hurt the fans, didn’t want them to get optimistic.

McHale was asked if how sure he was about it being back, and Starburns pitched Trent, his graphic novel. When asked again, McHale mentioned Trent as an inspiration. But in all seriousness, he was fairly confident, always wanted it back if they paid “me what Jim Parsons is making.” McHale was ready to do a regional theatre version of the show, that’s how supportive and proud he is of the show. He called it the best TV show in the universe.

McHale: “Fuck you network television…unless they want us back.”

Starburns is making a graphic novel/musical, and selling it in the back exit. Scott Adsit sings on it (of 30 Rock). He’s clearly insane.

Gillian shed a tear when it was cancelled, and found out about its comeback on Twitter. Excited to see it in a new medium.

Jim Rash is gleeful about it being back.

Chris McKenna takes credit for it being back, because he tweeted that it was dead and to move on to fans.

What’s happening in season 6? Hard at work on a Pokemon episode…the crowd loved it, but he was joking. Now it’ll probably happen. And better. A Meow Meow mix prequel episode was also joked about.

Dan doesn’t have high falutin plans for season 6.

Anything you can get on the show now that you couldn’t before? Harmon is very careful about changing the show, thinks it needs to be about the community still. Aims to attempt to make the same show, and let the lack of boundaries happen naturally. Still hoping to “air” every week.

This is when my neighbor fell asleep and is leaning on me. When he realizes he’s asleep, he takes a quick photo and then resumes his nap.

Greendale is saved. Is it safe? “I like it as an underdog school.”

Is there a future for Jeff and Britta? Or for Jeff and Annie? McHale: “It’s on the internet, so it’s Jeff and Dean now.” Harmon: “Alison didn’t show up, so…I don’t know what is punishment or reward to her. I base all my decisions on pettiness.

Harmon gets very vague/complicated about romance and whatnot about the love sitch. No idea what he said, but he finishes it by saying, “everybody’s gonna be a vampire.”

Joel compares his character to a moth to a flame. “Maybe I grow a tail…doesn’t know what’s going to happen, and not gonna guess.”

Gillian glad that Britta was victorious on purpose a couple times. Enjoyed being right for a change. Rash: “You’ll never not be the worst.”

Rash spat on Gillian and Joel a lot during his infamous rap scene. Rash is a rapper, and “can’t control that sort of thing…that’s real.” Then Rash starts rapping Starburns’ graphic novel. I love these people.

What traits does Jim appreciate about the Dean? He’s doing his best, and really does love these people.

Which cast members are coming back and will Pierce’s chair be filled? Harmon needs to sit down with the writers and talk about that, so he can’t reveal anything. McHale: “It’s Benedict Cumberbatch.” It’s apparently contractual possible for John Oliver to return, and everyone got pumped about that idea.

Twitter question: What flavor are you? But don’t ask Dan Harmon. So of course Dan Harmon is the only one who answers: “that’s because they can already tell I’m bacon.”

Favorite moments of season 5?

McHale: Working with Mitch Hurwitz as Koogler. Couldn’t stop laughing every scene. Had to run out of scenes.

Jacobs: Had trouble picking an episode, said PASS, but loved the wolf howl and screaming “Floor, bitch.”

Rash: “I enjoyed particularly, the D&D episode, because I wasn’t involved with the first one.” Liked being paired off with different actors holed up in scenes. Mentioned story with Jonathan Banks, where he was expected to laugh, and he didn’t, and his response: “I was.” Then he went crazy in the next one. Apparently on his first day on set, he told someone, “I’ll punch you in the heart.”

Harmon: Most proud that they had three characters doing Gary Oldman doing The Professional.

McKenna: Favorite part was watching Dean trying to get Rhonda’s attention.

Starburns: Loved the Troy departure episode. Wants more of those. Loved the Pierce dying episode. Wants 8 more.

Brief chatter about Dave Matthews Band, because of course.

There was a lot of interrupting on Gillian’s part, Rash removes her microphone and puts her on timeout.

What is the state of Troy? “Troy’s out there…he may be in peril. That’s what movies are made of.  I have no plans for that, but a Search for Spock type movie” is a good idea. McHale wants to see Troy eat LeVar Burton at some point.

People want Meow Meow Mix app. If only a big internet conglomerate owned them…

In terms of holiday episodes, Harmon doesn’t know, because of the schedule and because of the internet. McKenna: “don’t want to do Halloween episodes in February, if we can help it.” Though, that sounds like a great idea.

Someone admits that Britta is they’re favorite character (while simultaneously admitting she’s the worst). What’s next for her in psychiatry? Gillian mentions her cats and being an animal psychiatrist. Gillian: “The possibilities are truly…limited.” Nailed it.

RE: varied theme episodes: “I don’t know how we do it…we blow our own minds”(Harmon)

Two human beings come up to the stage to ask questions, and hug. Aww. McHale wants to know how they go to the bathroom, McHale makes sure they stay on the stage (“It’s the only time of day they’re not awkward.”).

Villains– City College? “Good idea, thanks.”

Apparently there was a story pitched that McHale would have to take care of a dog in a baby bjorn.

What class would you take at Greendale? Gillian: “History of Ice Cream.” McHale: One of those take care of a dog for a week classes.” McKenna: Learning! Starburns: Ditto, what show are we talking about?

How does Joel get his hair to stand up? “I use the Chris Hardwick school of gels…this takes about six hours.”

A fan really wants toys, now that they have money. She also requests Dan Harmon’s weird laugh: apparently his trachea clicks. Could be our last season. Starburns: “I’m a toy…” wants to date the woman who asked it.

Why Colorado and where in Colorado? Harmon wanted to go with the Simpsons, anywhere USA angle. Apparently legal team needs to know where the show is, need a state. So that’s why Colorado was born.

What movie/TV show to spoof that you haven’t already done? Starburns says Toby Gilles (maybe?). No idea.

What about a Rick & Morty crossover? “I don’t know.”

What’s it like to move to internet acting is actually a question we get. “People will see the screen and think Moby has a new music video.” Nudity? Gillian: Only male nudity. McHale insists on it.

The Soup crossover with Mankini? McHale

Can watch Yahoo! Screen or download the Yahoo! screen, and will start production later this summer, and will be available as soon as they’re available. It sounds like it’ll be around Christmas time when we get new episodes.

McHale: “You guys are the greatest fans in history.”

Yahoo! Screen and Subway are providing free sandwiches from 4-8 PM at K Street in San Diego. They are actually themed to different characters on the show. You can order a Britta, people.

Finishes with Senor Chang cosplay, like every panel should. God bless you Greendale. Glad you still exist.

For many, the LARP subplot in ROLE MODELS was their first exposure to Live Action Role Playing, a “real life” version of Dungeons & Dragons, getting dice rolling fanatics out into the fresh air. And it not only was rife with hilarity, but made us all want to play it.

Unfortunately, the 20 minutes of ROLE MODELS is miles beyond anything found in KNIGHTS OF BADASSDOM. A LARP movie, with a brilliant, nerd friendly cast had tons of potential. It’s unfortunate to see it mostly wasted here.

For hundreds of years, an evil, Necronomicon-like book created by John Dee was thought to be lost forever. Unfortunately for the world, it’s been found, and put into the hands of Level 26 perpetually going on 27 wizard Eric (TREME’s Steve Zahn), who treats it like the gag gift that he thinks it is.

Instead, he summons pure evil into the world during a faux sacrifice with his Live Action Role Playing buddies. Oops.

Speaking of pure evil, girls are the worst. Especially long time H.S. girlfriends unimpressed with the direction, or lack thereof, in your life. Enter “doom” metal rocker Joe (TRUE BLOOD’s Ryan Kwanten), flashing his wares at a mechanic shop, clearly out of his preferred element. It’s the night of the big date with Beth (REVENGE’s Margarita Levieva), and fearing that Joe is planning a proposal (he has penned a song instead), cuts the cord, and dumps him.

Apparently, Joe’s been living a meandering life in a castle, with his “accidental millionaire” brother, the aforementioned Eric.

It’s so jarring and weird to see GAME OF THRONE extraordinaire Peter Dinklage as a character named “Hung” who would say “It’s a sativa, dude,” and acting like one of the idiots, rather than being the cleverest person in the room we’re so accustomed to seeing. This isn’t to say that Dinklage doesn’t pull it off, but it’s unfortunate that he’s not given much material, since he’s clearly brought in to be comic relief and awesome.

When Joe gets home, all mopey from Beth’s probably justified dumping, the pair get him life-threateningly drunk and stoned, and Joe wakes up the next day in the back of Eric’s van, in full armor, on the eve of the Battle of Evermore. He’s resistant to jumping into LARP, but apparently has legendary D&D skills from back in the day (it’s hard to believe Ryan Kwanten has ever not spent a night sleeping with women), and now single with nothing better to do, ultimately relents. From there, we learn the rules, etiquette and point system of LARP, meet the over-bearing game master Ronnie (IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA’s Jimmi Simpson, having more fun than most people in this movie) and in order to make Joe eligible to play, Eric must whip up a spell of transference or something.

Instead, Eric gives the demon a body, in the form of Beth, Joe’s ex-girlfriend who now likes to kill people:

This certainly puts a damper on the Battle of Evermore, as Eric, Joe and company attempt to fend off the villainous Beth with little more than foam swords and fake spells.

Oh, and SUMMER GLAU (FIREFLY, not that you needed this parenthetical). In a movie that has Peter Dinklage, Steve Zahn, Ryan Kwanten, Jimmi Simpson and friggin’ Danny Pudi (who is somehow unlikable as “Lando”), we’re all here to see THE sexy nerd Summer Glau be a badass. She gets that chance too infrequently, even with a +3 endowment (her butt).

What was successful was her reason for playing: her younger brother Gunther (Brett Gipson) has trouble separating LARP from reality, and after a disastrous outing to Medieval Times, Gwen has jumped into his world to protect him. It’s adorable, while a hulking brute who’s never off book is great comedy.

I’ll give KOB this: it certainly establishes the world and its characters quickly, and wasting even less time to escalate. KOB doesn’t tread lightly on his presence, racking up a body count quickly. In fact, it kills off the characters you want to see more of, which is unfortunate.

There are practically limitless opportunities for quirky characters, cameos, speeches and scenes within a fake-but-not-really fake Battle filled with LARP’ers, and blessed with such an awesome cast, it makes KNIGHTS OF BADASSDOM a frustrating viewing experience. It certainly has funny moments (it’s impossible to ruin the concept), and a satisfying climax, but mostly, it just left me wanting a do-over.

The Blu-Ray features a “Summer Glau Hottie Montage,” which sounded like it could break the internet should it ever get out. Instead, it was a boring interview inter-cut with scenes from the movie that were sexier the first time. There’s also a Peter Dinklage interview, a Steve Zahn interview and two “Horr-o-medy” featurettes, but like the Glau Montage, clock in at 1-2 minutes a piece. Director Joe Lynch has a 7 minute interview, but the cream of the crop is the San Diego Comic-Con panel, clocking in at 48 minutes, featuring everyone in the cast you’d want to see, save Steve Zahn.

KNIGHTS OF BADASSDOM is on Blu-Ray today, April 1st, and is just $19.99 on Amazon.

Oftentimes, I’m on my own, and that’s fine by me. If I waited for my friends to do something, or only did activities that appealed to them, I’d likely never get out of the house. Ever since I crumpled my acceptance form to the University of Washington, merely 15 minutes away from home, and took on the sojourn to an unknown, tiny town in upstate New York for college, many of my best times have come from my willingness to do exactly this. To just go, and see what my whims or instincts, or Yelp’s, Guy Fieri’s or Rick Steves’ instincts, will carry me into.

This random Saturday (Feb. 8th) in Los Angeles was one such day. I had a meeting for work (that I’m not at liberty to discuss at this time), and found myself in Hollywood on a sunny, glorious afternoon with nothing to do. The kind of conundrum people in Boston and NY wish they had right now.

I could bus back home (I’m one of the only LA residents who actually uses the infrequent, plodding and frustrating Metro system), or I could walk.

A lot.

Because I didn’t really bother zooming in on the Google Map of my phone, and because I had all the time in the world (a wonderful feeling), I decided it was time to make a Joss Whedon-tinged pilgrimage, and see what happens. That led to a roughly 4.3 mile jaunt down Vine (then Rossmore), then east on Wilshire, arriving at 4121 Wilshire Blvd, hoping this location still existed.

En route, I basically stumbled through one of the richest parts of LA, including past the infamous El Royale Apartments (above), erected in 1927 by William Douglas Lee, and keeping people erect until today. Check out the view and the inside:

Here are some other neat, massive apartment buildings likely filled with Arnold Schwarzenegger’s illegitimate children. Is it me or does the first one kind of look like an insane asylum, or a corporate building owned by Max Schreck or something? The day time maybe doesn’t sell that thought.

I sped past the Wilshire Country Club, keenly aware that I was the only one walking around (and not in a luxury vehicle). I also realized that I probably shouldn’t be snapping pictures at private homes, especially since many of them have legitimate security guards watching the house 24/7. I did anyway. Here are a few places I’d settle to live in:

For whatever reason, my recurring daydream involved bumping into Seth Rogen and smoking a blunt with him. I don’t even smoke. Not sure why it didn’t include a hot older woman who was antsy at home, like a Michelle Pfeiffer type. But I’m weird.

I also imagined actually living in a house like these, and while I liked some of the architecture, even if I could ever afford it, I just don’t think LA is where I’d want to live. Of course, if I ever find myself in that position, I’d likely sell out faster than I’d last during a sexual experience with Jennifer Garner (circa ALIAS days).

If this photo wasn’t taken from an iPhone, maybe it’d look more impressive. This is the view from Wilshire. Can it get any more Hollywood than this picture? Well, add droves of tourists, an empty tour bus, a hot dog stand and a dude dressed up as a Transformer, and you’d pretty much have it.

But enough of this shit. Finally, after a long ass walk, I reached the Hyperion Hotel, the sweet exterior location of Angel, Cordy, Gunn, Fred and Wesley’s base for seasons 2-4 of ANGEL.

BEHOLD!

The base was described by production designer Stuart Blatt as “an old hotel, something [the writers] could use to evoke the past of Los Angeles and some of Angel’s history, something kind of creepy and spooky but not too dark because they didn’t want something depressing…” It certainly fit the bill, and became the most iconic location on the show, aside from Cordelia’s chest. Clearly it stuck with David Boreanaz, as the hotel was even mentioned in a season 2 episode of BONES. It also got talked up in another Whedon classic, DOLLHOUSE.

In 1999, the apartment building, the Los Altos Apartments, was listed on the National Register of Historical Places. It was built in 1925 and was used as a luxury apartment and hotel for Clara Bow, Bette Davis, Mae West, Douglas Fairbanks and a little guy named William Randolph Hearst. I mean, they’re no Angel or Fred, but impressive nonetheless. AND YOU CAN STILL LIVE IN IT. RIGHT NOW.

While I was there, soaking all this in, a guard popped out and asked if I lived there. The guy’s either an idiot (I was a sweaty dude wearing a backpack taking pictures), or more likely, was using this question to get me off the property. I left pretty soon after, instead of staking the bastard, or claiming that I used to live in the house….fifty years ago. Either way, the nerd inside me was tingly all over during this experience.

If you want to live in such esteemed company, it’s only $1,850/month for a studio. A 2 bedroom apartment could be had for up to $3,600/month. What a steal.

I thought about turning around and going back the way I came back up to Hollywood, but thankfully I wasn’t a moron, and wandered toward Koreatown (or K-Town, if you think that’s cool to say).

In the heart of it, it appeared to be only hair salons and restaurants. My afternoon’s success called for one thing: BEER.

And that’s when I stumbled upon one of the best places to get beer and fatty foods in LA: Beer Belly.

Beer Belly is one of those “nice” places that serve craft beer and “classy” ways to ingest macaroni and cheese, pulled pork and french fries. I love these places, even if they’re overpriced.

I had the Duck Fat Fries, served with Raspberry Mustard (awesome), their “Frankenstein” ketchup (maybe even better) and a couple great beers. The fries were far too salty, but still fantastic, though I couldn’t help but want more duck than the duck skin cracklins and the duck fat oil the fries were drenched in. That probably means I’m getting Death by Duck next time, which is the duck fat fries with duck confit on top. Holy hell.

Their beer menu changes daily (the bathroom had a chalkboard advertising a keg opening on a Sunday, with deals occurring until the keg ran out), and after sampling a watery Irish Red from TAPS (of Brea, CA), I settled on the Holiday Spruce Ale from Craftsman Brewing Company based in Pasadena. As one might expect, it was like sipping on a Christmas tree, and that somehow translated into me calling it a smooth, easy drinking beer in my notes. I need help.

I followed that up with Modern Times’ Lost Horizon, a double IPA from the holy land that is San Diego. The beer itself was on the verge of being one of those IPA’s that’s just hoppy as hell because it’s supposed to impress you, without much in the way of flavor, but it skated by that potential catastrophe, thanks in large part to smelling like happiness. For more of my thoughts on beer, check out Untappd.

Beer Belly would’ve demanded future visits if only for the beer….but the food. I must try their Grilled Cheese, which has 4 kinds of cheese (Asiago, Gruyere, Cheddar, Goat Cheese), topped with bacon and a heaping portion of maple syrup. I could smell it all over the place, which made me hard and disgusted at the same time.

Bree, my delightful server, also recommended the Buttermilk Fried Chicken and the beer & chipotle braised short rib. I almost came on the spot, and somehow managed to resist ordering EVERYTHING on the menu. They have deep fried pop tarts, people. Bree also bought my second beer for me, so I was in love/tricked into tipping more to make up for the “savings.” One of my other notes about the place: “I want to be inside all the waitresses.” Real classy Andy. Beer Belly rules.

Before I had settled upon Beer Belly, I discovered another place for future reference. While I said earlier I’m fine going almost everywhere alone…this demanded company. This demanded a whole night dedicated to its revelry. This demanded Leonardo DiCaprio. Check out…

CAFE JACK. I don’t know where to begin with this place. It’s been themed after the TITANIC since 2007, merely TEN years after the movie came out. But that’s better than never to put a kitschy boat in a sketchy parking lot, where one buys coffee and sushi (they have a “Jack and Rose” sushi roll). It’s gotta be a stop on a Bachelorette party, or an ironic date with a game partner, or a place to get plastered at. It need to be on everyone’s itinerary.

The reviews are mixed, as one might expect, but that hasn’t deterred me from telling everyone I know about this place, in hopes that it can kick off a bizarre bar crawl.

With a spring in my step, I walked past Biergarten, then turned around and stared at the bar for a moment. I wavered on whether or not to grab another beer, or continuing on back up to Hollywood (I had an improv show to go to)…but it was that kind of day, and I sauntered in after a few moments hesitation. Plus I past this guy, who made the decision for me:

No idea.

Within moments, I realized that while trekking up Western, I had stepped in pungent dog shit, and I mistakenly brought it in with me to Biergarten. I quickly ordered a beer, and then stomped my entire body on the parking lot outside, rubbing my soles against the grass, to no avail. From there, I went to the bathroom and wiped the poop off of my shoes with paper towels, while the server was confused if I was staying or leaving. I still haven’t been able to get all of the poop off those shoes.

Needless to say, it was a fantastic entrance to a bar, let alone a Korean/German hybrid sports bar with one of the better beer menus I’d seen in LA. They have German fried rice, drunken chicken, and peanut butter sliders, apparently, but this was a beer-as-dinner sort of day.

I went with the Hop Tanker, a 9% double IPA, and it felt like heaven. If heaven gives you a hangover, an empty wallet and was from El Segundo. It had some great citrus and fruit on the tongue, while still remaining a kick in the pants.

Because I’m an idiot (and brilliant), I tried The Dudes’ Brewing Company’s Juicebox Series: Blood Orange, based out of LA (seen above). It was strong, overly sweet and thick, like the Big Lebowski fanbase, but it also kind of tasted like sweat. I was not a fan, but there wasn’t anything that I disliked about the concept.

Then I was off, to make it up to Hollywood. I got there in plenty of time to spare for the Doctor Who themed improv show that awaited me at iOwest (alumni from the entire iO program include Pete from 30 ROCK, Stephen Colbert, Andy Dick, Chris Farley, Tina Fey, Dave Foley, Neil Flynn, Jon Favreau, Dave Koechner, Lutz, Jack McBrayer, Seth Meyers, Tim Meadows, Amy Poehler, Mike Meyers, Danny Pudi, Key & Peele, Vince Vaughn, Jason Sudekis, Adam McKay, Eric Stonestreet, Glenn from THE WALKING DEAD and many more).

You know what that meant: more beer. Next up was the Blue Palms Brewhouse, another pub with a great beer list, including two of their own (brewed by Firestone Walker).

I started off with the aptly named Blitzen (from Faction Brewing of Alameda, CA), which was what made the Doctor Who Live! so much better than it really was. My quote for the beer: “Hell yes this is dangerous and hell yes I want all of it inside me.”

I followed it up with one of their own beers, the Blue Palms IPA, which was as bland and lame as any IPA you’ve ever had. Firestone apparently doesn’t care when there name isn’t on it. It was impressive that I could even distinguish anything at this point, but the bucket of salty pretzel balls surely helped (a bucket of salty pretzel balls ALWAYS helps, even if they burn your hand off). I was told to order the Truffle Burger next time I was there.

(Note: the next day I would randomly find myself back at the Blue Palms Brewhouse, and sampled their esteemed Truffle Burger, which was as rich and over-the-top as you might’ve expected. Not sure how much I truly loved it, but it was great.)

I found this hilarious at the time, and still do.

I finally arrived at iOwest, where I believe I had another beer while waiting for the show to start (because it was late), and talked football (GO HAWKS) at the bar with a couple folks, including a Minnesota Vikings fan and (gasp) a woman (no idea what team she was into).

I’d be lying if I said I internalized most of the show, but I still had a blast, and enjoyed the festivities, likely more because of the concept than many of the jokes. Crafting a new doctor, new companions and getting a different time period or locale every show highlights how the real show has lasted 50 years, and how an improv show based on it can last just as long.

Perfect photo for a caption contest.

Afterwards, it was time for another beer. Kidding: I took the bus and went sweet sleepy time. But before I did, I took a picture of the most important star on Hollywood Blvd: