Paleyfest 2020: Rick and Morty Panel Recap

Paleyfest LA went the virtual route this year, much like the rest of its convention peers, though it did manage to fit in one animation related panel for the beloved and maligned Rick and Morty. While the series is still in development for Season 5, it did bring together co-creator Dan Harmon, along with Sarah Chalke (Beth), Chris Parnell (Jerry), and Spencer Grammar (Summer) to discuss how they had been handling the quarantine and how that had impacted working on the show. Harmon was quick to point out that, while it definitely had its disadvantages, being stuck in their houses had helped to make creating episodes more like a board room meeting, which showed a marked improvement in productivity. Plus other members of the cast seemed to enjoy watching him and his various building projects.

As for the other members involved in the panel, Spencer noted that she actually enjoyed being able to stay in her house all the time, even if she still needed to help with her kids going to a private school. Sarah and Chris have had to do home schooling for their own respective children, which is proving to be a challenge but giving them more time with their families over time. Much was also discussed regarding the evolution of their respective characters, with Beth going from accepting daughter of Rick to teaming up with her bad ass space self (who I think is the clone, not the normal one), while Summer has come into her own in numerous ways and Jerry has had more subtle but noticeable development.

Rick and Morty Season 4 debuts on HBO Max and Hulu this weekend. Watch this panel here.