The Paley Center for Media, known for leading the discussion about the cultural, creative, and social significance of television, radio, and other emerging platforms, made headlines last night at its Beverly Hills location by honoring its first online sitcom, Husbands. The web series, created by writer/producer Jane Espenson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Once Upon a Time) and writer/actor Brad “Cheeks” Bell (Pop Up Video), follows a young same-sex couple as they deal with the trials and tribulations that all newlywed couples face. In a red carpet event, the Paley Center hosted the creators, cast, and crew of Husbands for a panel discussion and preview of the first two episodes of Season 2.
The buzz at the Paley Center was palpable as the creators and stars of Husbands made their way down the red carpet, excited by both the upcoming release of Season 2 (at lovehusbands.com) on Wednesday, August 15th, as well as the overwhelming support provided by fans who made the second season possible. Co-creators/Executive Producers Espenson and Bell were floored by the financial support provided to their Kickstarter campaign, which collected $60,000 to put towards the production of Season 2. The enthusiasm was echoed by all guests in attendance, which included co-stars Sean Hemeon (Criminal Minds, True Blood) and Alessandra Torresani (Caprica), director/Executive Producer Jeff Greenstein (Will & Grace), and producer M. Elizabeth Hughes. In addition, notable guests stars from the upcoming season made an appearance to lend their enthusiasm and support, including Amber Benson (Drones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Magda Apanowicz (Caprica).
The cast and crew, as well as a slew of fans, filed into The Paley Center’s auditorium and were treated to not one, but two episodes from Husbands Season 2. In a departure from the format of the first season, each episode rounded out at approximately eight minutes, and yet the audience still clamored for more. (Each new episode will premiere bi-weekly, with bonus material and behind-the-scenes footage being released in the off weeks.) While my lips are sealed on the plot points and three surprise guests starts included in the second season, I will say that the performances by the guests stars who have already been announced, including Joss Whedon (The Avengers, Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Felicia Day (The Guild), Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica), Dichen Lachman (Dollhouse), were absolutely fabulous and hysterical, even if for the briefest of moments in which they appeared.
Following the premiere of the episodes, moderator Jace Lacob (Televisionary, The Daily Beast) led a panel discussion which included Espenson, Bell, Hemeon, Torresani, Greenstein, and Hughes and tackled the questions of why Husbands is TV for the digital age, how it subverts and/or reclaims accidental marriage tropes, why the Kickstarter campaign was such a success, and the reason for the change from a 2.5 to 8-minute episode.
Overall, the night was a huge success and easily demonstrated the success and support that surrounds the web series. Be sure to tune in to lovehusbands.com on Wednesday, August 15th, for the launch of the first episode of Season 2, and stay tuned throughout the week for Fanboy Comics’ coverage of the red carpet premiere with interviews of the Husbands cast and crew.
