Dancing with Daleks: Time Lord Fest in Tampa

This Sunday I met a mechanical dog, danced with some Daleks and hung out with the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man. I purchased an original t-shirt (“Optimus Time”) from the artist himself, met some authors, and attended a costume contest judged by Robert Allsopp, prop designer for both the classic and new Dr. Who.

I did all this in a bizarre storefront event venue in a Tampa shopping plaza. The neighboring bar (sporting a sign that said “Welcome, Time Lords”) and the Mr. Empanada were happy to serve the motley crew of Doctors, Companions, Tardis’ and Daleks, whose cleverly decorated vehicles filled the plaza parking lot. Inside the venue, fans of BBC’s “Dr. Who” eschewed the empanadas for fish sticks and custard, fish and chips and “Hot K-9s.”

The whole scene reminded me of Grateful Dead tour in the 1980s.  All of a sudden, a freaky group of fans in weird clothes with unusual bumper stickers can bring magic to the most mundane of places.

Where was I? It was Ken Spivey’s “Time Lord Fest 2014,” of course.

The venue, Tampa’s Event Factory, was a fanciful and surreal place to hold such a timey-wimey event.  Behind the strip mall doors is a glittery, Styrofoam-looking medieval castle resplendent in fairy lights and bountiful fake flowers. There is an enchanted forest, a Camelot-style courtyard and many sumptuous ballrooms. One might find it either cheesy or breathtaking, but one would have to admit the kitsch added to the ambiance of Time Lord Fest.

One of the things I love about Dr. Who is its diverse audience. Because Dr. Who is a fifty-year old institution; the Doctor has fans of all ages. Dr. Who, and its spinoff, Torchwood, both reflect real inclusivity without being preachy.

That inclusivity showed itself in some of the cosplay. There were recognizable Doctors and Captain Jacks wearing skirts, and folks of all ethnicities playing people of many species. The youngest Tardis I saw was three months old; the oldest was much older than I am.

There were an impressive number of panel discussions and presentations. I especially enjoyed the guest of honor, Robert Allsopp. I was a bit disappointed with the panel discussion of “Supernatural and Occult Elements in Dr. Who.”

The panelists were personable, intelligent and interesting. Two of the three panelists were horror writers. For them, supernatural and occult elements are tools for creating horror stories and nothing more. The discussion may have gotten more informative. I left; frustrated that is was about “scary” storylines and not the occult elements in Dr. Who at all.

I was hoping to hear about true occult symbols and themes used in Dr Who, such as the tarot reading received by the Seventh Doctor. Next years’ Time Lord Fest could use a real occultist who also happens to be a Whovian. I can tell you for sure we exist.

It feels weird for me to be such a fan of a TV show. I don’t even watch broadcast TV! I have often accused big media companies of taking creativity out of the hands of common people and giving it only to the select few. Yet Time Lord Fest was an awesome display of individual and original creativity. Dr. Who, and the rest of fandom, inspires costumes, music, stories and art. Time Lord Fest wasn’t just about a TV show, it was a celebration of art and creativity.

I worry sometimes about the thin line between fan art and copyright infringement. On the other hand, I was thrilled to see so many people inspired by fifty years of Dr. Who.

The final events of the day included a performance by the Ken Spivey Band. The interesting thing about this three-person line-up is they have some actual and impressive musical cred.

I love that the Ken Spivey Band plays “Time Lord Rock,” and that “Time Lord Rock,” or “Trock,” is an actual genre.  I would love to hear more songs inspired by Dr. Who.

The Dalek Dance was one of my favorite moments of Time Lord Fest.

Next year, I’ll come in costume. For the final event, I’d like to see fewer chairs, and more dancing; because if you have a chance to dance with Time Lords, Daleks and other aliens, you definitely should.

Krod Mandoon Sorcerer Makes Box Office Sizzle

Kevin Hart’s new movie, “Think Like a Man Too,” was number one at the box office this past weekend. Movie critics are celebrating Hart as the next Hollywood sensation. Personally, I think the praise is deserved. Hart is funny, good-looking and basically inimitable.

I will always think of Kevin Hart as the not-so-talented sorcerer Zezelryck in the cult favorite “Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire.”

“Krod Mandoon” was a 2009 six-episode cooperative effort between BBC2 and Comedy Central. You can watch it on your favorite video streaming service, and, if you have a certain sick sense of humor and/or a love for Kevin Hart, you definitely should watch it.

Krod Mandoon is a stunningly funny parody of every epic fantasy story ever told. Don’t watch it if are easily offended, because this series goes out of its way to offend everyone.

However, if you want to see Kevin Hart before he was dominating Hollywood, or if you want to know how a roving band of freedom fighters protects the land from the evil Chancellor Dongalor and Emperor Xanus (say that one aloud), you need to watch Krod Mandoon.

A New Trend in Television

When I first started this Dark Forest blog for my non-tarot musings I was going through my “Glee” phase.

I haven’t had cable TV or even broadcast TV in almost twenty years. I really do think TV is basically a terrible drug. But there have been some shows over the years I have liked. I watch them on Hulu, Amazon and Netflix, at my convenience.

Recently, I’ve noticed something new afoot on my dependable entertainment websites.

Now, they have original programming!

That’s right. There are now original series that you can only watch on Hulu, on Netflix and on Amazon.

Even more amazing, some of these shows are really good and really popular. Some of them feature talent you already know, like John Goodman on Alpha House.

I am particularly enjoying “Deadbeat” on Hulu. It’s the story of a pot-smoking ne’er-do-well who happens to be a talented psychic medium and a lousy businessman. He has a crush on a famous TV psychic whom, he discovers, is a fraud. I always enjoy an arch-nemesis and romantic interest rolled into one. The TV psychic has an assistant who is played by Lucy Devito, the talented daughter of Danny and Rhea.

This show, like many others of these new, original series, is fresh, funny and unexpected.

There is something about TV series that are produced independently of the traditional networks that makes me really happy. The fact that the shows are truly worth watching isn’t bad, either.

The Cultural Value of Star Trek

I’ve never identified myself as a “Trekkie” or a “Trekker.” I don’t go to conventions or speak Klingon. But I do have a deep appreciate of the Star Trek franchise. Seeing the recently released feature film “Star Trek: Into the Darkness” got me thinking about why I value Star Trek so much. Other than the shear entertainment value of it, of course.

I should disclose this fact, too. Over the past few years I have been systematically watching all the Star Trek series on Netflix. I’ve now seen all of Voyager and Deep Space Nine. I’m currently working my way through Next Generation.  And, yes, I have seen every Star Trek movie ever made.

Although I loved “Into the Darkness” I was a bit peeved with J.J. Abrams for messing with the original time line. No tribble should have been present on the Enterprise at this point in the time line, and Chris Pike needs to be available to be found in “The Menagerie” episode of the original series.

So, if not a Trekker I am at least a bona fide geek. But I believe Gene Roddenberry’s vision captured us for some very important and optimistic reasons.

Debuting in 1966, the original Star Trek was campy and low-tech. I remember being able to see the wires that held the Enterprise aloft. But in 1966 space was the only possible frontier where race and gender didn’t matter and exploration was more important than exploitation.

While watching the different Star Trek series I am often struck by the political truths portrayed in these fanciful fictions. What happens on fictitious worlds light years away often very clearly reflects our own struggles on planet Earth.

When klingons, ferengi, humans and bajorans are trying to understand each other on a space station at the edge of the known universe we learn a great deal about our own issues of cross-cultural communication.

Set in a distance future, Star Trek offers the hopeful vision of a time that we move beyond poverty, war, racism and sexism. Star Trek proposes that an appreciation of science, culture and nature might be all the currency we need.

And, no matter how they appear, every character, whether vulcan, android or hologram, is striving to find within themselves that defining characteristic we call humanity.

When in Doubt, Dance

I'll be turning 50 very soon. I've been practicing owning that age for a few months so it won't be so traumatic when it actually happens.

As I contemplate a half-century on this very strange planet, I think about the cultural snapshot of now, what that looks like, and how I feel about it.

Here's where I stand.

I love Gangnam Style. Recently a CNN Blogger declared Gangnam Style over and dead. I think he's wrong. Gangnam Style makes the whole world dance together. Who cares if the dance is silly?

Honey Boo Boo who? I don't watch broadcast TV, so I only see snippets of stupidity. But, apparently, there is plenty of stupidity to go around. I still like Glee, which I watch on Hulu. I'm also watching The Voice, but was bored with blind auditions - 16 team members per coach seem just too much. And, as usual, the Brits do TV better than we do; Dr. Who was terrific this season.

My favorite adult cartoons are getting grosser and grosser. Vomit and dismemberment just aren't funny. Politics and religion are. Don't forget why I first loved you, Seth MacFarlane!

The new SNL cast is pretty good. I am expecting great things from Vanessa Bayer, and then I am expecting her to be over-used and worn-out, just as Kristen Wiig was.

Right now, the Western world is mourning the tragic deaths of two young girls. Jessica Ridgeway was the victim of kidnap and murder in Colorado, while Amanda Todd took her own life in Canada, a victim of bullying. I guess really sad things have always happened to kids and there have always been monsters in the world; the internet just makes sure we all know about them.

The presidential race is too close to call, with each side terrified that awful things will happen if the other candidate is elected. What a weird national mindset that is. We are ideologically divided. The Tea Party and Occupy extremists seem to have lost their credibility, but that hasn't brought us closer to center, or to each other, as a nation yet. One thing we all agree on - the government has lost its way. We are only divided on what we need to do to fix it.

It has been a long time since there was a national mandate in a presidential election. According to my research, it would have been 1984, when Ronald Reagan was re-elected by a landslide. At the time, I was not a Reagan supporter. In retrospect, I think he and Nancy did a good job in certain respects. The funny thing is that his policies (that many of us considered too right-wing then) now wouldn't be enough to win him the support of the current Republican party, so far to the right has the GOP moved.

I never thought I would say this, but we could sure use a guy like Reagan right now. Doesn't that make me sound old?

But how long can a nation stand so evenly divided, so angry, and so afraid?

The only answer I can think of? Oppan Gangnam Style! When in doubt, dance.

I guess things haven't changed so much over the past quarter century. Then I was seeing as many Grateful Dead shows as I could, always hoping to hear my favorite songs, including this one (Throwin' Stones), whose lyrics described the situation then just as it feels now.

"So the kids they dance
And shake their bones,
And the politicians throwin' stones,
Singing ashes, ashes, all fall down.
Ashes, ashes, all fall down."

What I’m Watching This Season

Several folks have asked why I have discontinued writing about Glee and SNL this television season.  I hate to say it, but it’s because my two favorite shows of last year have flat-out failed to inspire me this year.

After years of refusing cable television service, I wondered what would happen when we moved into a condo with free cable.  Well, here’s what happened.  We still don’t watch TV.

We still watch Hulu and Netflix.  We have also started buying downloaded episodes of Archer and Dr. Who from Amazon.  Now that’s a great deal.

I guess my main objection to television is that you have to watch it at a specific time.  My clients may dictate my schedule for me, and that’s fine.  But my television never will – end of story.

So, what have I been watching?

Well, I am still following Glee.  It’s gotten marginally better than it was in September.  I’m happy that Santana is out of the closet and it was great to meet Rachel’s gay dads.  I especially love that Jeff Goldblum plays one of the dads.  I am also glad that one of my favorites from the Glee Project, Simon, is appearing as a freshman Christian who has been homeschooled all his life.

I’m watching SNL, too.  Lately it has been pretty lame, except that Jason Sudeikis does a great Mitt Romney, and it was terrific to see Maya Rudolph come back and host a few weeks ago. 

What I’ve really been watching is the entire series of Star Trek: Voyager on Netflix.  I missed it the first time around, and it’s pretty good. I am a scifi geek after all.

In terms of actual network TV right now, I have two favorites.  The first is Archer.  I am embarrassed at how much I enjoy adult cartoons.  My second favorite, perhaps even more embarrassing, is The Voice.

Oh my goodness, how did THAT happen?  I resisted American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, and all the other network talent contests.

I like The Voice because there are no judges, only coaches.  And the coaches are pretty cool – Adam Levine, Celo Green, Christina Aguilera and Blake Shelton.  I also really like that the coaches choose their teams using blind auditions.  And I like the host, Carson Daily.  The Voice is a Mark Burnett production.  He is the king of Reality TV and all.

So, yeah, I’m watching The Voice this season.  But I’m still watching on Hulu.

Eighteen Steps to Better Radio: How to Be Amazing on Internet Broadcasts

By Christiana Gaudet

The proliferation and accessibility of broadcast opportunities on the internet has created a new world in which anyone can create their own podcasts, radio show or television show.

The internet is a meritocracy.  It’s huge, so no matter how narrow, obscure or arcane your subject matter may be, you can find your audience.

The good news is that creativity is no longer limited to the lucky and the rich.  You can shoot a feature film with your cellphone.

The bad news is that most internet broadcasters don’t bother to learn even a little bit about what makes a good broadcast.

I’m not a media expert, but I am quick study.  I have worked as a morning co-host on three FM radio stations, and I’ve been a guest on countless more.

I’ve been featured on television news shows several times.  And, when asked to appear on a BTR show, or an internet TV show, I always say yes!

I’m not sure why so many would-be internet broadcasters don’t take the time to learn some broadcast fundamentals.  In actuality, some of them don’t even take the time to learn the subject matter on which they are promoting themselves as expert.

So how do you make sure your production is everything it could be?  Here are eighteen tips.  They are some of the basics that I learned from the highly competitive world of Arbitron-rated radio.  They will help you make all your internet broadcast projects, whether audio or video, the best they can be.

1. Less is more.  Use sound effects, sounders and imaging in appropriate places only.  Keep everything short.  Never say in ten words what you can say in five.

2. Avoid stall-sounds like “um” and “er”.  No, not everyone says these non-words.  Yes, you can train yourself not to say them.  If you are going to ask the public to listen to you speak, you owe your listeners at least this.

3. Speak in normal, conversational tones.  Do not slow your speech for drama or clarity; it just doesn’t work that way.  Neither should you accentuate inflection. 

4. Smile!  Even in radio, your smile comes through loud and clear.

5. If you are trying to generate listener phone calls, give the phone number repeatedly, especially before and after each call you take.  (Ex. “John’s calling in on 1-800-555-1212, let’s go to him now.” Or, “The number’s 1-800-555-1212, do as John just did and give us a call.”)

6. Never suggest that people aren’t calling in, or don’t want to call in.  I actually heard one host say, “Not everyone feels comfortable calling in.”  Don’t give people an excuse not to participate, or suggest that calling in isn’t the most fabulous thing they will do all day!

7. Don’t spend a lot of time explaining the technology your are using, even if it malfunctions.  No one cares.

8. Don’t call attention to a mistake or a malfunction.  Simply move on.

9. Broadcasting, especially radio, is theatre of the mind.  Make sure everything your listeners hear supports your creation.

10. Prepare your material, and plan your show.  This sounds like a no-brainer, but it’s not.  Many people like to wing it.

11. Don’t over-prepare.  Sometimes it’s best to get a natural reaction.  Plan your topics, but play off your guests spontaneously.  Whether or not your conversation is planned, make it sound spontaneous.

12. Conflict and controversy make for great shows.  Be able to present more than one point of view in a polite way that makes listeners think.

13. Practice saying your name, the name of your show, the call-in number, and other pertinent information.  Say it as often as you can.

14. Don’t over-talk a topic.  It’s better to leave listeners wanting more than wanting less.

15. Don’t refer to your listeners/viewers as “audience.”  As in “Good morning, audience, we have a great show for you.”  You can call them folks, friends, or even listeners or viewers. 

16. Keep up the pace.  Don’t let the show drag.  Your job is to move things along.  No one should be bored during your show!

17. Set up your guests for success.  Give them all the information they need, off air, to be the best guests ever!

18. Let your passions show! The more excited you are about a subject, the more your listeners will connect with you, and the more they will be excited about your show.

Prom Trauma: The Glee Prom Episode

The "Prom Queen" episode of Glee was everything that a musical dramedy should be, and more. 

The episode opens with, no surprise, the news that the Glee club will have to provide the musical entertainment for prom.  Almost immediately, we segue to a fabulous duet- “Rolling in the Deep,” sung by Rachel, and, well, you won’t believe this but . . . Jesse is back.

Sadly, this first musical number was also the best of the show.

Jesse apologizes to Rachel, and joins her, Mercedes and Sam on a low-budget prom date.  He is egotistical and pushy, and all about Rachel, who eats it up.  The other kids aren’t so sure, especially Finn, who ends up getting both himself and Jesse kicked out of prom for fighting.

Quinn has put all her energy into campaigning for prom queen.  Having her king, Finn, kicked out before the crowning is bad.  That he was fighting Jesse for coming on too strong with Rachel is worse.

As in real life, prom trauma promotes both insecurity and growth.  Karofsky tearfully apologizes to Kurt, and we believe his sincerity.  Artie makes a play to get Brittany back, and she shoots him down, kindly but firmly.  Mercedes admits that, as much as she is an independent woman, she is sad no one has asked her to prom. Lauren, usually proud to be a woman of size, bemoans the difficulty of finding a great plus-size dress.  Quinn confesses her fear that once age takes her beauty, she will have, and be, nothing. 

The juxtaposition of the Glee characters is thought provoking.  Kurt and Blaine have the courage to do what Karofsky and Santana cannot do.  Hefty Lauren has the self-esteem that beautiful Quinn does not.

There is a lot of great dialogue.  Some of the best is between Kurt and Blaine.  It is nice, if predictable, that the healthiest relationship in the Glee club is the gay one.

There is also a lot of fun fashion in this episode.  Prom dresses range from Quinn’s traditional blue gown to Brittany’s outrageous orange and green 1950’s style cocktail dress, worn with a tiny steampunk hat.  Kurt’s prom outfit includes a kilt.  Mercedes and Rachel’s thrift store finds are beautiful, but off enough that we can still believe they came from Good Will.

Gay acceptance is the most important theme of this episode.  When Kurt asks Blaine to prom, Blaine relates that he has been the victim of a violent hate crime.  While Karofsky is able to speak frankly with Kurt, he is not able to envision a time when he would be ready to come out.  Santana, lovely in a sexy one-shoulder prom dress, is still caught in her own tragic dilemma.

The success of prom is jeopardized when, in a Carrie-esque practical joke, Kurt and Karofsky are crowned Queen and King, respectively.  Kurt reacts, and then bravely decides to own the moment.  He accepts the crown, quipping, “Kate Middleton, eat your heart out” and dances with Blaine.  He turns what was meant to be a humiliation into a stellar victory.  The crowd shows their support with applause, joining him and Blaine on the dance floor.  It is a well-acted feel-good moment for everyone but Karofsky, who isn’t ready to take the opportunity to come out in front of his peers.

Glee receives a lot of criticism from conservative groups for compassionately depicting gay teens and their struggles.  These groups foolishly suggest that Glee is promoting gay activity that wouldn’t otherwise be an issue.

In an odd personal synchronicity, right before watching Glee on Hulu, I checked Facebook.  There, a friend’s post revealed that he has just been the victim of gay bashing.  Luckily, it was only verbal abuse.  A stranger yelled at him “I hope you die of AIDS.”  He had the quick wit to shoot back with “I hope you die too.  It would be terrible to outlive all your friends.”

With that reminder of the xenophobia that threatens anyone who does not conform to a specific norm, I was particularly ready to appreciate Glee for its deft ability to handle these issues on mainstream television.  Arguably, a Glee episode may save someone’s life one day.

I wasn’t thrilled with some of the song choices, although they were all beautifully performed.  “Dancing Queen” was an unlikely choice for a coronation song in 2011.  Rachel’s “Jar of Hearts” was better than the original artist’s version, but odd for a prom song.  “Friday’s,” considered by on-line critics to be the worst song ever, was the best prom number.

For a middle-aged woman, I attend many proms.  I entertain at proms, semi-formals, and sweet sixteen parties.  The Glee prom felt very real to me, even if the plot twists didn’t always.  It was as joyous, angst-ridden and fashionable as these events usually are.

The return of Jesse has me chomping at the bit for next week.  Is he spying for Vocal Adrenaline?  Is he sincere in his feelings for Rachel?  Will he rejoin New Directions, improving their chances in New York?  What will happen now that Finn has disappointed Quinn, and demonstrated that he still has feelings for Rachel?  A good serial always ends with a cliffhanger.

There were a couple of folks missing from prom.  I would have liked to see Mike Chan and Tina have a great dance together.  It also would have made sense to have Will and Emma chaperone, and share a poignantly romantic dance.  And while solo Brittany was busy dancing the entire night, I would have loved to see her share a dance with Santana, and with Artie.

Overall, the Prom episode was funny, exciting, entertaining and meaningful.  And that’s why we watch Glee, isn’t it?