Thursday, May 29 officially kicked off season 14 of the ATX TV Festival here in Austin. Following an evening of potentially severe weather, the morning was ripe with humidity and the buzz of festival attendees parading downtown. After welcoming campers inside the Hyatt Centric on Congress, the TV camp for grownups commenced.
An easier day began in the afternoon with “Comedy & What Not,” a panel that praised the storied career of standup comedian George Wallace (Clean Slate,). Accompanied by his writer and business partner for the last 18 years, Dan Ewen, Wallace reviewed his illustrious career, the secret to his successful longevity, and his heart-warming approach to life. Recently Ewen and Wallace’s Hacks-like partnership culminated in Prime Video’s comedy Clean Slate, the last original series from sitcom legend Norman Lear (Maude, Good Times). But before Wallace’s foray into acting, he spent a whopping 15 years on the Las Vegas circuit, performing 250 two-hour shows a year. Wallace’s ability to sell himself stemmed from earning a marketing degree, which landed him a flourishing advertising career in New York City. While he was extremely prosperous at the job, banking a salary of $75,000 in the 1970s, his first love was comedy.
Throughout his 50-year career, he shared rooms with everyone from Richard Pryor and Bernie Mac to his best friend Jerry Seinfeld and today, Ewen. His quick wit and positive outlook also produced a few books; the encouraging Laugh It Off and the tome of tweets, Bulltwit. Wallace preached how it’s good to be good, no matter what, and encouraged the younger generation to “express themselves in their own way.” Because he believes when you stop laughing you stop living.
Later, at 800 Congress, Andor creator Tony Gilroy and writer Beau Willimon discussed their professional relationship and the process of composing the critically acclaimed show. The two William Goldman pupils praised each other: Willimon commented if Gilroy chooses you for a project, it’s because “he believes in you.” And how his “incredible dialogue” has a musicality that “no one matches.” Gilroy praised Willimon’s scripts as “smart” and beautifully unexpected. He also stated Beau has a more looser and wider approach to his craft.
To discuss the show, four clips were shown from the second season that ended this month. One clip captured Cassian encouraging a new member of the rebellion. The second and third clips peered into two different relationships: the rigidity of Syril and Dedra, and the queer love of rebels Vel and Cinta. When asked whether Cinta’s death was part of the “kill your gays” trope, Gilroy defended the narrative decision noting her character was willing to sacrifice herself for the cause.
The final clip featured Mon Mothma’s speech, a canonical moment within the Star Wars mythos meant to bring attention to a genocide perpetrated by the government. Gilroy explained how it was “pretty effortless” to use the word and wished the events of the show — the rise of fascism and the extermination of a populace — wasn’t an experience so many folks could relate to.
As the afternoon shifted into the evening, Netflix brought the world premiere of Kevin Williamson’s The Waterfront to Paramount Theatre. Arriving June 19, the series follows the Buckleys, a privileged North Carolina family facing financial ruin. When a best-laid plan goes awry, they’re forced to revert to a past they thought they left behind. Set in Williamson’s native Wilmington, the series also looks at familial relationships — specifically between father and son — something dear to Williamson’s upbringing. After the screening, Williamson joined a panel with cast members Jack Weary, Maria Bello, Holt McCallany, Rafael L. Silva, Melissa Benoist, and Danielle Campbell.
To close the evening, attendees filled Paramount Theatre for a sit down with SNL alumnus and late-night show host, Seth Meyers. For an hour, Meyers discussed his early beginnings in improv, his transition from cast member to head writer for Weekend Update, and earning the show, which he’s now led for 11 years. As much success as he’s found in front of a live audience, Meyers praised the community he curated during COVID. Recording in his attic, he established a more personal relationship with viewers, spawning some of his more popular segments, including the post-show YouTube short, “Corrections,” where he reviews comments and moments his team may have gotten wrong in the main show.
He also comically discussed his “Day Drinking” segment, which pits him and another celebrity together for an interview mixed with alcohol. A clip shown included a hilarious moment with Paul Rudd, where the two attempted to memorize and recite Liam Neeson’s iconic phone monologue from Taken.
Finally, he reviewed “Closer Look,” the news-centric segment he does each episode. Calling truth to power, Meyers explained how the nearly 50-minute segment brings him a sense of normalcy to wade the unpredictability that is America. He looks forward to the work he views as a reclamation of joy that detractors can’t take away.
Photo credit: ATX TV Festival Press Team