This past spring, we learned about Alan Tudyk and Nathan Fillion's newest project - a crowdfunded web series that would give us an inside look at what it's like for sci-fi celebs to attend conventions.  Con Man reached all its funding goals, raising more than $3 million on Indiegogo, and since the campaign ended we've been waiting with bated breath for the first episodes to go live.

This week our patience was rewarded, as the first four episodes were made available to contributors via Vimeo!  And believe me, they were worth the wait.  The misadventures of Wray Nerely (played by Tudyk) as he travels to a scheduled appearance at a sci-fi convention will keep you laughing, and the abundance of cameos and performances by the likes of Sean Astin, Wil Wheaton, and Felicia Day (just to name a few) will delight fans of the genre as well as anyone who's ever attended a Con.

Felicia Day's performance as Wray's convention personal assistant is especially hysterical - no spoilers here, but I have to say that when her character first appeared, I burst out laughing because she was doing something I'd suggested one of my friends do at a recent Con (and now I'm glad we didn't, as I realize how creepy it would have looked).  But all fans will relate to her inability to contain her excitement at working with a celeb she admires, even as she sees his flaws.

For those who didn't contribute to the Indiegogo campaign, the first episodes will be available on Vimeo soon - but tonight you can view the first three for free on EW.com!  Join Alan Tudyk, Nathan Fillion, and Felicia Day as they host a Twitter party for the first few episodes tonight at 10pm Eastern.

Tune in and enjoy the hilarity that will no doubt ensue!

​​Christopher Lloyd reprises his role as Emmett “Doc” Brown, promoting a short feature that will be part of anniversary DVD and Blu-ray sets of Back to the Future.  If you feel like being nostalgic, the new short film and movie sets will be out October 21st.  Great Scott!

Last night Fox ran a two-part trailer for the new X-Files that blew the tops of our heads off!
I only saw part one during Gotham, but part two ran during Minority Report. 

​You can catch both here!

NASA's big announcement today is that NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter found evidence that strongly supports the longtime theory that salt water in liquid form flows down certain Martian slopes each summer!

The source of the water is still a mystery. Scientists speculate it could be melting ice, an underground aquifer, or water vapor from the thin Martian atmosphere, or a combination thereof. Of course the biggest deal is, that finding water can have major implications for the possibility of life on Mars!

Over the course of last week many new genre (and genre adjacent) shows had their very first episodes. A bunch of us hunkered down with our DVRs and watched them all (so you don't have to.)

So, what were the winners and losers of the week? Here are our humble opinions...

Minority Report
Lindsey:  I thought minority report was jerky and awkward. It didn't feel like a cohesive show and the cast had no chemistry.

Lauren: I wasn't terrible, and it was very pretty to look at - but I just kept thinking - if they were going to spend that kind of money on futuristic effects, why did they cancel Almost Human again? Rating: I'll give it one more episode.

Blindspot
Jen: Blindspot was great if you're into crime dramas - not really a geeky feel, more like Criminal Minds (which is totally my jam) with additional intrigue.

Heather: I enjoyed it as well. Season pass for sure.

Lindsey: I think Blindspot is sci-fi adjacent because she's from Asguard. ;)

Lauren:  I really liked it. For some reason it reminded me of Alias - a show I loved. There's an element of mystery, a kick ass female lead - eventually the amnesia thing is going to get old, but I'm in for the ride. Rating: Season Pass

The Muppets
Lindsey: I thought The Muppets was trying too hard to be relevant. It was like an episode of The Mindy Project with puppets.

Lauren: I watched it last night. It was funny and smart, but I don't know if I actually liked it or liked the nostalgia of it. But I am morally obligated to continue watching it because Muppets) - Rating: Season Pass.

Scream Queens
Jen: Actual conversation at my house tonight while watching Scream Queens:
        Me - It's dark and funny, sort of like Heathers!
        Rob - Except it's not good like Heathers. I'm going to bed.

Lindsey:  Scream Queens was snarky and not gross enough to give me nightmares. Jamie Lee Curtis is delightful.

Limitless
Heather: Limitless was good enough to view at least 1-2 more episodes before deciding if I want to commit the time.

Maria: Heroes Reborn interested me just enough to tune in next week, but the old favorites like Zachary Quinto were sorely missed.

Winners for the week are Blindspot, The Muppets and Heroes Reborn. If you haven't committed to any of the new shows yet, we would start there!

The scene features Thor, played by Chris Hemsworth, experiencing visions of the team's future in a sequence extended from the film's theatrical release.  Poor Thor seems to have lost his mind....and his shirt. ;)

BBC One drops this teaser trailer for the upcoming season of TV goodness from the UK. Here's hoping much of it makes its way to the 'colonies' for our enjoyment too!

Especially, Luther, The Tracey Ullman Sketch Show, War and Peace, and The Night Manager mini-series, starring Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie!

Have you started your holiday shopping yet?  Need some ideas? In today's edition of "Shut Up and Take My Money!" we present for your consideration this wondrous new coloring book from Scholastic.  

Pre-order your copy on Amazon today - it will ship on November 24!

Here’s Krysten Ritter (Veronica Mars) as the star of Marvel’s upcoming series, Jessica Jones. 

The official Marvel’s Jessica Jones logline: “After a tragic ending to her short-lived Super Hero stint, Jessica Jones is rebuilding her personal life and career as a detective who gets pulled into cases in New York City.” That description might explain why there are no costumed-hero photos yet (mainly this is Ritter looking a bit bummed out and wary). 

Below we see Mike Colter as Luke Cage (Powerman) - who is getting his own Marvel/Netflix series next year - and the 10th Doctor,  David Tennant as Gilgrave (Purple Man.) The cast also includes co-stars Carrie-Anne Moss and Trish Walker. 

The first season of Jessica Jones will debut November 20th on Netflix. 

Images courtesy of Netflix