Product Review

"The Walking Dead" at PALEYFEST on March 1, 2013. After a dark and brooding sophomore season, the series -- based on Robert Kirkman's graphic novels -- has been redirected and adrenaline-rushed, without sacrificing any of the compelling character drama and profound moral quandaries that have elevated it to the highest reaches of genre TV. This William S. Paley Television Festival live event honors "The Walking Dead," the drama/horror series based on the graphic novels of the same name about a group of Southerners fighting for survival when the undead begin to walk the earth. Chris Hardwick (TV host, "Talking Dead") moderates the following panelists: co-executive producer and makeup artist Greg Nicotero; executive producers David Alpert and Gale Anne Hurd; executive producer and "Walking Dead" graphic novels author Robert Kirkman; and cast members Andrew Lincoln (Rick Grimes), Norman Reedus (Daryl Dixon), Laurie Holden (Andrea), Steven Yeun (Glenn Rhee), Danai Gurira (Michonne), Scott Wilson (Hershel Greene), and Emily Kinney (Beth Greene). The panelists touch on such topics as: the secret to Nicotero's "wizard"-like special effects skills; Kirkman's explanation of the difference between killing a character on the page and on the screen; and Lincoln's reaction to the show's non-stop "boot camp" nature. Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics among others: the awareness of the actors that any of them can be killed off and its effect on their performances; Holden's "protective" feelings for her much-maligned character; and what the extras who portray "walkers" must endure.