Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons and Kaley Cuoco from The Big Bang Theory at a panel discussion during PaleyFest 2009.

The Paley Center for Media will start off PaleyFest: The William S. Paley Television Festival this Friday, March 1, celebrating the small screen with live table reads and screenings of some of today’s best series at the Saban Theater. In its 30th year, the festival boasts an impressive line-up of panelists from shows like Nashville, New Girl, and Once Upon a Time.

PaleyFest opens with an already sold-out screening of The Walking Dead on March 1, followed by a Q&A session with cast members Andrew Lincoln, David Morrissey, Laurie Holden, and more, as well as the show’s executive producers. The event will subsequently be broadcast through Fathom Events at theaters nationwide, including LA’s Century City 15 and L.A. Live on March 7 at 8 p.m. (for tickets go to fathomevents.com). Fathom will also show the sold-out panel event for The Big Bang Theory live on March 13 at 7 p.m. (purchase tickets on fathomevents.com). The festival closes March 15 with the much-anticipated table read for American Horror Story: Asylum.

Especially noteworthy this year is PaleyFest's presentation of the first annual PaleyFest Icon Award today (February 27) to Ryan Murphy, creator of Glee, Nip/Tuck, and American Horror Story. Meanwhile, premier sponsor Hulu will stream full-length content and short clips on-demand from each PaleyFest panel. Tickets for the individual events are available through paleyfest.org. 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 323-655-0111