ATX TV Festival Sets Norman Lear Celebration for Closing Night, Adds ‘Orphan Black: Echoes’ and More to Lineup (EXCLUSIVE)
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The 2024 ATX TV Festival will close out its 13th season with a celebration of TV icon Norman Lear, Variety can exclusively announce.
“Norman Lear’s TV for the People: Script Reading and Conversation” will honor the legendary television producer and activist, who died in December 2023, with a night of comedy and conversation. There will be two live script readings — one of the groundbreaking abortion episode from “Maude” and the second of a classic episode from “Good Times.” Guest actors will read for each role, including Katey Sagal (in the role of “Maude”), Phil Rosenthal (in the role of “Walter Findlay”), Danny Pino (in the role of “Dr. Arthur Harmon”), Dulé Hill (in the role of “James Evans Sr.”).
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The script readings will be followed by a conversation with Lear’s former collaborators and friends discussing his approach to TV and his ability to use the sitcom format to have important conversations. Lear’s former producing partner Brent Miller will participate, with additional panelists announced soon.
ATX TV Festival, which takes place May 30-June 2 in Austin, Texas, will also feature the U.S. premiere of AMC’s “Orphan Black: Echoes,” followed by a panel with producer/writer Anna Fishko, executive producer/director John Fawcett and more to be confirmed. There will also be a Season 2 screening of AMC’s “Interview With the Vampire,” featuring creator/executive producer Rolin Jones, executive producer Mark Johnson and cast members.
The cast and creators of Hallmark Channel’s “The Way Home” will appear for an in-depth conversation about the creation of the hit, which recently aired its second season. Confirmed panelists include showrunners Heather Conkie and Alexandra Clarke, co-creator Marly Reed and cast members Andie MacDowell, Chyler Leigh, Evan Williams, and Sadie LaFlamme-Snow.
Phil Rosenthal will return to the festival for a discussion about his new book, his Netflix series “Somebody Feed Phil” and his podcast. This time, he’ll be joined by his daughter, his brother and son for the panel.
MGM+ will host an advance screening of “Billy the Kid” Season 2, Part 2, followed by a conversation with star Tom Blyth and showrunner/executive producer Donald De Line.
Universal Studio Group will return with their “Funny AF” panel, featuring top comedy showrunners and comedians. Confirmed panelists include “Hacks” star Mark Indelicato, “Girls5eva” creator Meredith Scardino, “Resident Alien” creator Chris Sheridan and “Lopez vs. Lopez” co-creator Debby Wolfe. Additionally, USG will host “Queer Storytelling, a panel celebrating LGBTQIA+ series and moments. Indelicato and Daniel Kyri (“Chicago Fire”) are confirmed. The studio is also hosting a “Resident Alien” panel with Chris Sheridan and Alan Tudyk, as well as a “Hacks” season 3 finale screening and Q&A with Indelicato.
Additionally, writer and producer Beau Willimon will break an entire season of TV with the audience in just one hour. Plus, Fox’s “Animal Control” will host a panel with cast members Vella Lovell and Grace Palmer.
Previously announced events for ATX TV Festival include a “Halt and Catch Fire” retrospective panel, a look into horror on television with Mike Flanagan and Kate Siegel, and a “Suits” reunion panel, featuring creator Aaron Korsh and cast members Patrick J. Adams, Sarah Rafferty and Dulé Hill. See the full lineup at ATXFestival.com.
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