Ajay Fry and Teddy Wilson from Space TV’s Sci Fi genre news program InnerSPACE were back in town for the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo, and at their panel the boys got a chance to really sharpen their improvisational and hosting skills: the reel clip of upcoming shows refused to play, leaving them to re-enact the concepts. While it would have been nice to see the reel, it was a lot funnier to watch them perform on the spot. As well, a large portion of the panel was devoted to a new series – Orphan Black (see the accompanying article in this issue).
Often in Expos and conventions you get creators or fellow geeks like the InnerSPACE men giving a serious analysis of themes, characters and ideas on various science-fiction television shows. When I caught up with Teddy and Ajay later that weekend, their panel prompted me to discuss gay characters and geek culture.
It’s probably indicative of how much closer to the mainstream "Geek Culture" has become by how often it comes up on shows that are not science fiction oriented – and it’s no longer just the odd Star Trek references either. Recently on The Big Bang Theory , Sheldon had a minor meltdown upon finding out his favourite series Alphas was being cancelled. Ajay and Teddy have had those moments themselves, and have heard of fans echoing a similar response when a favorite sci-fi series ends. "I do think it’s really cool that idea of meta geek referencing on shows like The Big Bang Theory," Teddy said. However, while the characters on that show are a bit of a stereotype of geeks, "I think it’s very interesting gateway show for people who aren’t super aware of the geek community."
Besides stereotypes of geeks, I asked them about evolving portrayals of LGBT characters on television. Orphan Black has Felix, the adopted brother of the main character. What’s refreshing about Felix is that he’s not the stereotypical neutered, safe gay character. He’s sexually aggressive, acerbic, sells drugs and is probably not someone you’d want to have as a friend.
"Whereas ten years ago people might shy away from that kind of vibe and dynamic from a gay character, now it’s fine," Teddy said. Some gay characters will be flamboyant, some won’t. "That’s the key to it...people are who they are." Ajay added that I used the right word when I discussed Felix – character. "It’s no longer a caricature. It’s a fully fleshed out, realized character."
As usual for Expo interviews, we didn’t have much time to talk, but the InnerSPACE boys were also excited about all the series they’ve got going on. Besides Orphan Black and the new season of Doctor Who, they were gushing over a new television series from the UK - Utopia. It just started airing on Space and essentially it’s about a cult graphic novel which is rumoured to have predicted the worst disasters of the last century, and how a small group of people gain possession of a sequel manuscript. They then have to battle other groups who may or may not want to use this information for nefarious purposes.
Ajay was excited for In the Flesh: "It’s another great BBC series...it’s a mini-series about zombies being reintegrated into society after they’ve been cured of zombism." And for those who like their reality shows, look for "Panic Button" - a Canadian reality series about facing your fears whether that be snakes, spiders, or small spaces. There were a few more new shows coming out, and with the summer movie season upon us, I’m sure InnerSPACE will be ready with comments, interviews and opinions – whether it be on the Expo floor or on SPACE.
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Contributor Evan Kayne |
Locale Calgary |
Person Ajay Fry | Teddy Wilson |
Topic Calgary Expo | Celebrity Interview | Celebrity Video Interview | Comic Expo | InnerSPACE | Most Read Articles in 2015 |
