Amidst the sea of science fiction/horror/fantasy fans in attendance for the 2011 edition of the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo, you might have seen two blurs running back and forth from event to event. That would have been Teddy Wilson and Ajay Fry – hosts of SPACE TV’s science fiction entertainment and news show InnerSPACE.
Like any fanboy, they were there to enjoy the Expo. However, for them it was a double barrelled pleasure as they were attending in their professional capacity, hosting or moderating several panels with subject matter varying from Todd and the Book of Pure Evil, Stargate, and the big star of the Expo this year, William Shatner.
Returning for his second time, Teddy told me Calgary has been exceptionally welcoming. He had a blast at the 2010 Expo schmoozing with all the guests. Yet what he found more interesting was the reception of the fans here in Calgary: they seem to come out in droves. "I don’t know if it’s the kinship between the western frontier spirit and the exploratory, boundary pushing nature of sci-fi," Teddy said, but he implied there seems to be a strong alchemy between the two.
This kinship or alchemy is not new, Teddy continued. After all, Gene Roddenberry pitched Star Trek as Wagon Train "to the stars". The weird marriage between Western and Science Fiction has recently been seen in Firefly, upcoming movies like Cowboys and Aliens, comics like Jonah Hex and even in literature with Steven King’s "Dark Tower" novel series.
"I think it’s a natural fit that the West would have a really strong sci-fi genre fanbase. Calgary was great...just great spirit," Teddy added. However, what set this Expo apart from others for him was not just the attendance (though it did double from 2010), it was the participation of fans. "(In 2010) I came back and mentioned to Ajay that I noticed a larger percentage of fans who were cosplaying – who were dressed up in costumes – than at a lot of other con[vention]s."
For Ajay, this was his first Expo. He has been to Calgary before, for the Calgary International Film Festival. Before the Expo, he told us that because of Teddy’s review from 2010, he was counting down the days until he left for Calgary. Of course, he was put to work – besides the panels he hosted with Teddy, Ajay got to moderate the Matt Frewer panel and the Mike Mignola panel – the latter of which was a bonus for him, as he’s a huge Hellboy fan.
What did Ajay think of the experience? "My first Calgary Expo was fantastic. And I choose that word specifically because the fans were in large part what made it such a fun experience. I got to know a number of them as they came out to various panels and events over the weekend." As well, he was impressed by and wanted to send a big thank you out to the volunteers: "Every one of them was friendly and helpful."
Furthermore, he was thrilled – as were many people – that Mayor Nenshi embraced his inner nerd and attended the Expo. Unlike last year with Dave Bronconnier, Nenshi didn’t just show up, present a White Hat to the major celebrity, and then split. "It’s great to see a local politician hanging out with us geeks. I heard he actually spent some time on the convention floor too...how cool is that?!"
Besides the panels they hosted featuring sci-fi favorites, Ajay and Teddy also had their own InnerSPACE panel. It’s a bit overwhelming for them to see the fan reaction at this panel, Teddy stated. "We shoot our modest little show in a little studio in downtown Toronto...you’re kind of in your bubble a little bit. But then you go out to...anywhere across the country and you get this fan love."
Ajay’s response was much the same: "[There were] so many people who knew not just general aspects of our show InnerSPACE, but specifics as well. It just goes to show you people all over the country really are watching and hearing what we have to say." Of course, this wasn’t their first experience with fan feedback. At the Halifax convention, Teddy and Ajay were shocked to see the panel discussion for InnerSPACE being crowded to the point of standing room only.
This year, they did do some homework for the major star. This was necessary, as one of their most surreal convention moments came courtesy of William Shatner at Toronto’s expo last year. They were moderating a panel with him, and normally there’s some interaction with panel hosts and guests. But Shatner came out after the introduction, took the mike and away he went on a roll...leaving Ajay and Teddy standing in the background. "About ten minutes in, he looks back and goes, What are you two guys still doing here?...and the whole crowd erupted in laughter at us." At which point they slunk offstage. "I don’t think we’re going to stay at the podium this year...we’re probably just going to introduce him and let him do his thing." Which is pretty much what happened.
As both geeks themselves and media figures, the appeal Teddy and Ajay offer to their audience is their enthusiasm about new and exciting science fiction projects. Besides their thoughts about the Expo, I talked with them about the upcoming shows on SPACE.
There are the staples: Doctor Who is returning in the Fall for the second half of this incredible season, and Teddy is really excited for the next season of Torchwood: "Miracle Day" starting on July 9th. If you’re a fan of TV shows about superheroes, "...there’s also a cool looking show called Alphas coming to Space July 11. Fall, we’re having Todd and the Book of Evil returning for season two, which is amazing. "
Ajay is eagerly anticipating Outcasts, a show about humanity struggling to colonize a distant planet, starring Jamie Bamber, "Apollo" from Battlestar Galactica. As well, Ajay mentions SPACE has something for a lot of the folks who attended the Expo – Fanboy Confessional. "The first episode is set at Anime North and follows a bunch of cosplayers. But it explores all different elements of fandom including Furries, Steampunkers, LARPers. There’s six episodes and it begins on Space July 13th at 10pm."
Of course, for those sci-fi fans who want to be in the know, this the Fall when InnerSPACE resumes its normal broadcasting schedule, you can tune in to get the latest news on what’s happening in the science fiction entertainment world. Hopefully, we’ll also get the chance to welcome Teddy and Ajay back at the 2012 Expo.
Related Articles
Contributor Evan Kayne |
Locale Calgary |
Person Ajay Fry | Teddy Wilson |
Topic Calgary Expo | Celebrity Interview | Comic Expo | InnerSPACE |
