COVID-19 has forced closures and cancellations aplenty through spring 2020, including big movies, concerts, events and conventions.  Restrictions on gatherings may continue until later in the year, something that could potentially affect FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention in September and its many thousands of attendees.

Fan Effect host Andy Farnsworth reached out to FanX owner & co-founder Dan Farr (from a safe social distance!) to answer the big questions fans may be wondering about the annual event, including:  Is FanX still going to happen, or could it be postponed or cancelled?  Can (and should) people still purchase tickets?  What potential changes are organizers considering?  Are celebs still planning on coming, and will they still allow autographs and photos?  What can organizers do to protect healthy patrons from those who might be sick but still want to attend?

Whether you already have tickets to FanX 2020, or were waiting until the event got closer to decide, this is the interview you need to hear!

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The main theme in Disney/Pixar's new movie ONWARD centered around the question: What would you do to spend one more day with a loved one who is dead, and what would you do during that day?

Fan Effect host Andy Farnsworth joined once again by Deseret.com entertainment editor Herb Scribner to review "Onward" (with minor spoilers) and talk about each of their personal connections to the story.  They also discuss which character from their favorite fandoms they'd like to spend a day with and what they'd do with them!

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The leading box office movies of the past month have all been adaptations of either books or a video game: "Sonic the Hedgehog"; "The Call of the Wild"; "The Invisible Man".  But if you've been paying attention, this is not a recent trend.

Host Andy Farnsworth is joined by Kristian Odland, GeekTyrant.com writer and "One Minute Critic" on Instagram, to discuss these three recent movies, as well as Hollywood's apparent shift away from writing screenplays and creating imaginative movies about original characters. Is it Hollywood's fault...or are they just reacting based on our consumer choices?  They also argue whether you should read the book first...or see the movie first!

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The future of "Star Wars" outside of Disney Plus is no longer a secret with the announcement of "The High Republic" crossover series of books and comics.  Starting in August 2020, publishers will explore the world of the Jedi that existed 200 years before the movie series takes place.

Host Andy Farnsworth is joined by Deseret.com entertainment editor Herb Scribner to break down the details of the announcement, talk about what fans can expect, and gauge the reaction to the announcement from around the internet.

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A supposed first draft script for Star Wars Episode IX that Colin Trevorrow wrote before he was fired as director in 2017 is now on the web and has many fans asking... would this movie have been better final chapter in the saga than what we got in "The Rise of Skywalker?"

Host Andy Farnsworth and Deseret.com entertainment editor Herb Scribner recap what was in the script, talk about the timing of the leak, what our reaction to it could say about us as fans, and why the continued fracturing among fans could have a more simple explanation than we might have thought.

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Star Wars' first live-action TV series, "The Mandalorian," is an unquestioned success, as it quickly became one of the most in-demand streaming shows after its launch on day one of Disney Plus.

Fan Effect host Andy Farnsworth is joined by Deseret.com entertainment editor Herb Scribner and KSL Radio reporter Mary Richards to break down what we got from the eight episodes of season one, how the series came to be, background on the characters introduced and that big spoiler at the end of the final episode.

Oh, and #BabyYoda.  Did we mention that already?

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There's an old saying about having too much of a good thing.  It implies that at some point, we could get tired of even things we love.  Eating one doughnut can be a delicious experience, but eating a dozen doughnuts at once can make you sick and maybe make you not want one for a long time.  But is it true for all good things? Say, for instance...Star Wars?

"Fan Effect" host Andy Farnsworth and Deseret.com entertainment editor Herb Scribner got to watch all 9 (IX?) Star Wars saga films in a row during a 24-hour marathon at Megaplex Theaters leading up to and including the premiere of "The Rise of Skywalker".  Now they're here to talk about the experience, including new observations on each of the trilogies and new appreciations for moments in that galaxy far, far, away.

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The wait is over and "Star Wars- The Rise of Skywalker" has brought an end to the 42-year film saga.  The Fan Effect team of Andy Farnsworth, Tysen Webb, Adam Thomas and Ryan Meeks go in-depth on their thoughts on both Episode IX and the sequel trilogy overall.  They also talk about what they'd like to see from the "Star Wars" universe going forward.

(NOTE: Massive Spoilers in this podcast episode.  DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS UNTIL AFTER YOU SEE "RISE OF SKYWALKER")

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