The audience got a look at the first fifteen riveting minutes of next weeks episode of Dead plus behind the scenes clips educating us about animatronic zombies and the astute direction of extras-as-zombies rather than a full episode screening as with most Fest offerings. Such is the cult fervor of the Dead that no discussions on where the series is going were entertained.

Instead, the Q and A, moderated by AMC fan show The Talking Dead host Chris Hardwick focused on topics like the heat, shooting on location near Atlanta, whether the cast dreams of zombies – some do indeed, and what the characters really want out of life in the apocalyptic future.

Laurie Holden amused with her take on character Andrea’s much maligned affair with the evil Governor- “she’s just trying to do her best” – which she says she’s castigated for at “gas stations and grocery stores.”

Heartthrob leads Andrew Lincoln (Rick) and Norman Reedus (Darryl) enjoyed good natured teasing from female fans, collective sighs and gasps filled the Art Deco Saban theater when the screening clip ended, and all in all it was another fine tribute to the art form that is television from the curators of the form at Paley Fest.  Here’s to another 30 years!