In Defense Of

"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players." The bard may have been making a rather sweeping analogy about the pattern of one's journey through life, but for those who find themselves enamored with stagecraft, either from the audience or in the company itself, the famous quote from "As You Like It" rings a little more true. Whether you come from the performance side, the live audience, the pre-recorded side, any view of the stage you choose, those of us who proudly consider ourselves "theater geeks" have a very unique community to thrive in. Drama? Sure. Suspense? Whenever needed. Fascination? Unquestionably. But how can we possibly explain these deep-rooted emotional connections with the uninitiated, or even worse, uninterested? Should we just wall ourselves off (mind that fourth wall, of course) and keep it to ourselves, or are there means to extend beyond? This session, we're looking at the topic of theater geeks, that infatuation with live (or broadcast) stage entertainment. Joining us for the discussion are two unabashed fans of stage productions, Joy Piedmont (of the Reality Bomb podcast) and Robyn Jordan (of Black Girls Create and the #WizardTeam podcast)! * IMPORTANT NOTE: * As you'll hear in this episode, this marks Alyssa's last conversation with IDO for the near future, as she is taking on a highly time-intensive (and wholly incredible) new career pursuit. We wish her the absolute best in everything she invests her time and energy in, and look forward to having her back in the studio down the road, with so many stories to tell!

If we were to take some of the best things our respective fandoms have given us this year to date, wrap them lovingly in fancy paper, add a few ribbons and bows for detail, possibly place them under a tree or on a candle-lit table, chase away the cat who inevitably will attempt to eat said ribbon, and invite friends to accept them as gifts to be opened and enjoyed as we first did, you'd have the spirit of what we're looking to do today. You may hear a lot of items we've shared in our "good news" segments from previous episodes this year, or even things that have come up in our main topic conversations with previous guests. Knowing us as you do by now, you may also be able to predict a number of things we have on our lists, and that's okay! That just means we're excited about them and thankful for them, and hope you feel the same. You may, however, hear of some things you'd missed in the flurry of activity and social media blur, and that's even better. Our biggest hope is that you find something new to enjoy, and maybe even a new fandom to add to your roster. Joining us for the "game" this year is staff editor for and contributing writer to Den of Geek, Kayti Burt! (The full roster of mentioned 'glad' items is coming shortly, but listen for them first!)  

When the world around you feels like a burning trashbag, there are many -- many -- of us who seek the temporary refuge of laughter. We rely on comedy and humor to brighten our days, distract our conscious minds, perhaps bond with others, and even release some valuable endorphins into our systems that help with the mental and physical healing processes. (It's true!) Knowing this, the role of the comedian, the humorist, the satirist, is that much more important to our society. But is this a viable occupation in that society? How does one actually make the decision to bring laughter to others as a profession, and then seek out and test the medium in which to explore it? From the comedy stage, to the pages and sites of humor and satire magazines, to the writer's rooms of television, film, and online studios, there are thousands among us who not only enjoy the good joke, but enjoy its creation. Joined by stand-up comedian and writer Riley Silverman, we look at what is means to make a career out of comedy, and how one can retain their sanity in the pursuit. (...Maybe.)

We may be a single generation away from effective use of the term "Saturday Morning Cartoons", as the accessibility of streaming services and on-demand entertainment brings any number of options to audiences at any time, on any day. But for adults viewing audiences right now, there are animated programs that occupy double-digit percentages of both broadcast and online programming libraries. Some of these are, without question, geared specifically to a mature audience. But many are created and written for younger audiences, while still drawing substantial numbers adult viewers. We're geeks by definition, and to us, that means a deep-felt and detailed appreciation of things that we find entertaining, interesting, and engaging. So it should come as no surprise that many of us -- a huge swath of us -- are drawn to cartoons, regardless of the target demographic. Perhaps it's the nostalgia, the opportunity to escape a demanding and stressful adult world to enjoy the simpler entertainment of our past. Perhaps it's the original programs and series being created today, that capture that youthful energy, while still providing quality storytelling and content that either refuses to be maturity-labeled, or transcends those stiations to offer entertainment that is just as engaging and appealing to adults as it is to teens or even younger children. A good story, after all, is a good story... Joined by guests Chip (of This Week in Time Travel) and Lauren (voiceover artist and podcaster), we look at the topic of cartoons -- specifically, enjoying them as an adult even if they are produced and targeted primarily to a younger audience.

If you have listened to even ten minutes of the two of us talking over the past couple years, you will recognize our commitment to allowing anyone and everyone to find the activities, content, and art forms that interest them, and feel free to immerse themselves in that interest in whatever fashion and to whatever degree makes them happy. For some, that is casual enjoyment of a film franchise -- we had an episode on casual fandoms. For others, it's fan fiction and conversation about non-canonical relationships among fictional characters. We've had conversations about that as well. We've discussed fanatic appreciations of television, film, music, sports, politics, even social activism. We do this for one important reason: because when you understand someone's interests better, you can hopefully see why those interests exist, even if you don't share them in the same way, or to the same degree. The fact that it makes them happy, with no harm to others, is the point. Love what you love. We try, and most often succeed, in being positive people. We revel in seeing others get excited about an upcoming release, or watching someone discovers a new passion. We may not share that passion. We may not be as interested in something coming to market. But we love that others do. What we cannot abide, however, is gatekeeping. This disgusting behavior never seems to die out, and perhaps it's because of the immediacy of Internet response, or the growing public awareness of these acts of intolerance and exclusion, but with the recent news story of "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" actor Kelly Marie Tran being effectively run off social media by hateful comments by so-called fans who attacked her for what they perceived as 'ruining their fandom', we'd had enough. This time, In Defense Of is going on the offensive. Joined by Joy Piedmont of Reality Bomb, and Don Klees of Acorn Media, we're asking everyone to tear the gates off.

We never want to see a good tale come to an end, though we know that even "The Neverending Story" had to roll credits at some point. We live in a time when sequels, prequels, and extended universe content is more the norm than the novelty, and with our television programming, countless networks and distribution sources, we expect hit programs to get a long, healthy run, and for creators and showrunners to be able to share their ideas in full, to a logical and natural conclusion that leaves viewers satisfied. Life, however, runs on a very different set of production notes. Every viewer, every fan who has ever gotten invested in a television series likely knows the pain felt when word comes that the host network has decided to cancel a show before it reaches a narrative conclusion they are happy with. In many cases, the dedication to the program is such that no conclusion exists where they would be happy -- they'd prefer to see the actors suspended from aging, and live out their roles forever. But the fact remains that executive decisions (and at times, extenuating circumstances) come about that halt fan-loved series too soon. Sometimes they are given the remainder of their season to complete the narrative. Sometimes, the axe falls faster. What is a fan to do? Podcast host Josh Liston of On the Bubble joins us to discuss how fans react, and even rally to save programs slated for cancellation.

You may pride yourself on your own personal Potterphilia, and you may be an aspiring athlete in a physically challenging, fast-paced field sport like soccer (sorry, football), field hockey, or rugby. But what about where those worlds merge? Enter Quidditch. Initially popularized on university campuses in the United Kingdom and United States in the mid-2000s, it has grown dramatically in structure, engagement, and recognition over the past decade. That being said, however, mention the actual sport to any number of workplace or community muggles, and you may get a blank stare. If this isn't the perfect grounds for an IDO intervention, we don't know what is. We were fortunate enough to be recently joined on a Skype call with someone who not only has a great insight on the structure and logistics of Quidditch games, leagues, and seasons, but has a vested interest in seeing the sport's popularity continue to grow: Jack Lennard is the founder and director of the Quidditch Premier League, and was kind enough to talk with us about the sport, the league, and the players' passion!

At a point in nearly everyone's life, the point arrives where we are called upon to provide our own sustenance. Adulting! For some, this is daunting, daresay terrifying, and the task of preparing nutritious or even barely edible foods become a task, a chore, something to avoid when possible. Others, however, relish the challenge of a recipe, or go even further to blaze their own culinary trails, learning the artistry and alchemy of preparation, combination, presentation. Hail to thee, kitchen nerds -- for you have our hearts, and our bellies. This session, we're setting the table for a conversation about fan-caliber fascination with food and cooking. It might emerge from the love of family cooking history that evolves with the newest generation, or a a true geek's immersion in trying new and innovative cooking technology. It could be a fanatical following of a famed chef or culinary personality, and exploration of the dishes, recipes, and styles they center upon. Whatever the flavor of fandom, when there's this much passion in the mixture, you have to appreciate the results. We're joined in studio by television editor, podcaster, and master-of-his-own-kitchen, Wil Hendandez, to discuss this fanatical fascination with food. Editor's Note: For those interested in the #WhoAgainstGuns initiative mentioned during our "good news from the fandoms" segment, please visit the fundraiser site for details on how to get involved. We implore you to do so, and help spread the word about this campaign to combat gun violence!

Whether you first heard of the idea of "improv" from a studio that went up in your hometown, from a rather recognizable televised comedy game that saw popularity in the last ten or fifteen years, or possibly even from conversations with performing arts majors on college campuses, most people will have some understanding of what improvisation means. The form has grown in recognition and application in the last 25 years, but dates back as far as some early 20th century vaudeville shows, or even the Commedia dell'Arte of 18th century Italy. Referring to it as "improv acting" may be a misnomer, however, as in many modern instances, there may not even be 'acting' involved. Improv skills and their approaches to interpersonal communication have found new applications in team building exercises, speech and behavioral therapy, both elementary and adult education. Of course, there is still the obvious association with quick thinking, listening skills, speaking in public, and everything else you might look to develop in order to "say yes" to any offers you're presented with. And yes, despite the fact that it appears so off-the-cuff, there's actually a rather sophisticated structure to improv. We're joined for the conversation by Julie and Matt, players from the Hartford, Connecticut-based Sea Tea Improv, as well as other improv comedy groups from around the country!

We survived 2016 by the skin of our teeth, and the struggles that year put us through were the flames in which the 'Geek Glad Game' was forged. We are optimists and positivists, and found a long list of things that fans of all topics and subjects could revel in, from books to television, film to music, community efforts and random charitable acts. So here we are at the close of 2017, and while opinions vary on how this year has compared to its predecessor in many ways, one thing is for certain: it has still been a great year for geeks. Joining us for the discussion is the host of the Terminus Podcast, friend and genuinely ultra-positive person, Nicole Mazza!

If you met someone who expressed a high interest in the culture, language, civil structure, and societal behaviors of a historical period, say, the 16th century in northwestern Europe, you might identify them as a Elizabethan of Jacobean historian. If someone else spent weeks on end portraying a historical role, actual or fictional, you'd likely guess they were an actor by profession. If someone combined these passions and fueled them with a boundless energy, a willingness to accept self-inflicted physical discomfort, a desire to learn obscure or even dangerous hobbies, and a penchant for equal parts highbrow and low-brow humor, well -- you've got yourself a renaissance faire performer. The origins of renaissance faires and festivals can trace back to the late 1950s, but it wasn't until the mid 1960s and early 70s that the idea of a weekend-long historical immersion enterprises began to appear in the United States. These interactive attractions combined music, dance, and theatrical performance with demonstrations of archery, riding, combat, artistry, crafting, and even smithing. Faire-goers came to expect an experience where the staff (or cast, or company, the labels may vary) remains "in character" at all times, adding to the sense of realism. These are commercial endeavors, to be accurate, but something about the nature of comradery and desire to create a complex and intricate illusion for the patron makes "faire-folk" a very special breed. We'd like to find out what makes renaissance faires as popular now as they've ever been in a 40-plus year legacy, and in addition to the constant stream of patrons, what draws talent in from long distances to be a part of this most unique production. To help make that happen, we sat down for a raucous conversation with Kelly and Don Kilcoyne, two of the principal writers, directors, choreographers, marketers, oh -- and cast members -- of the 40-year running New York Renaissance Faire in Tuxedo, New York.

There are (at present) 16 head categories and 56 subcategories recognized by the Apple iTunes podcast directory, and similar numbers for Google Play's library. Within them, there are virtually hundreds of thousands of podcasts to explore and listen to, nearly 30% of which continue to publish new content on a monthly or even weekly basis. We don't want to bog everything down with the math, here, but assuming each cast varies in length from 25-minute explanations of recent behavioral research studies (see NPR's "Hidden Brain"), to hour-plus analyses of each individual minute of a single film (such as the "Back to the Future Minute"), you could safely estimate that at any given hour, there is more audio content than can be listened to in an entire year. It takes a very special sort of person -- some may say, a special flavor of crazy -- who chooses not only to enter this sea of sound as a listener, but as a creator and contributor. Well, challenge accepted! Today, joined by fellow podcaster Haley Malle (of Gallifrey Public Radio, Legends of SHIELD, and numerous other Gonna Geek podcasts), we're looking at the idea of podcasting as an activity, perhaps hobby, perhaps profession, and the rise of this form of distributing entertainment, news, and information over the past ten years that has earned the buzz phrase of "disruptive technology", now rivaling broadcast and satellite radio in more demographics and regions of the world as you may imagine. Sure, you can still enjoy a good oldey-timey radio show, complete with sound foley, musical interludes, and even commercial product endorsement, but the actual radio itself is now not only optional, it teeters on obsolete.

Whether you identify with Hermione, delving into the racks and dusty back corridors of the Hogwarts library to find the perfect tome, or Sam Tarley, sneaking into the Citadel archives to seek the ancient texts that may save Westeros, or perhaps Willow in the Sunnydale High School library, poring over stacks of historical and theological references to find the information needed to keep her friends and town safe, there's something in in nearly every pop culture franchise of the past two decades that involves a lover of books. Doesn't this conflict with the increasing ubiquity of digital media and electronic communication? Haven't we sold enough Kindles, Nooks, and iPads to turn the tides of publication, and go truly paperless? Does anyone seriously want to hold a physical book in their hands anymore? (You probably know where we're going with this.) Despite the sales of electronic reading devices, the exponential surge in both independent blogs and commercialized Internet journalism, and the exhausting media hype about "those darned device-dependant millennials", the printed book still has a firm foundation in our culture, and in our consumption. We want to spend some time looking at the dogged persistence of print, and what still gives us that unique pleasure in holding a tangible literary object in our hands, the act of turning the pages, and the satisfaction of closing the back cover after finishing the tale. This week, we're joined once again by fellow bibliophile Joy Piedmont, to discuss the enduring love of the physical, printed book. Referenced Text: The HPA Fandom Forward on Doctor Who, with extensive citation from our own Alyssa!

Some initial facts to chew on: population distribution by ethnicity puts caucasians at roughly 60% in the United States, and below 33% globally, according to census data and CIA factbooks between 2010 and the present. That means that by ethnic identification, 40% of Americans and 66% of the world recognizes itself as non-white. Now go to the movie theater, video game shop, comic book rack, or convention center, and see if the math holds true. Something feel a little out of joint? There have been great strides made in the wide scope of science fiction over the last 50 years with regard to incorporating people of color. Often in step with historic advances in civil rights, political awareness, and a more vocal and interactive global community, the entertainment industry has likewise moved forward to present stories and characters that better represent the diversity of the human race -- both present day, and in the future. So how far have we really come? Who has led, and is still leading, the efforts to progress further towards true representation of all ethnicities in science fiction? And how far are we from where we ought to be? Joined by writer Tai Gooden, we look at the past, present, and future of diversity in science fiction through all media.

We’re all about appreciation and support on In Defense Of, but this time around, we’re taking that even further by defending the seemingly indefensible. In the age of nearly limitless varieties of entertainment surrounding us: broadcast, cable, streaming, and even equally popular self-produced content, there are going to be an equally limitless number of approaches that fictional characters can be depicted. We're not just referring to the hero and villain, ingenue and sidekick, comedy relief and best friend, but the underlying themes, motivations, and thought processes behind each individual on screen. With 10,000 programs at our fingertips, do we need another 'Ozzie and Harriet'? But when writers, producers, and directors opt to put problematic and complex characters on screen, ones who cannot fit into the conventional boxes that television history has crafted, there is pushback. And when that character is a woman, the pushback can get even uglier. We're going to look at some of the characters who have gotten nearly lynch-mob reactions from critics and fans in recent years, and try and identify where the discontent stems from, where it misses the creators' and actors' intent, and how we can truly recognize and celebrate the impact of the 'broken' character -- if they are indeed broken at all. Joined once again by the dynamic Cat Smith, we look to the merits and value of characters often maligned for their failure (or refusal) to conform. BONUS SEGMENT: Our "good geek news" of the month is a celebration of the "saving" of Sense8, thanks entirely to their fanbase!  

We've been immensely fortunate here on In Defense Of to meet and speak with members of the geek community and various fanbases who use their passions, creativity, and sheer numbers to enact positive changes in the world. From online gamers fundraising for Save the Children, to artists and illustrators auctioning their work for refugee aid, to fan groups volunteering time and resources to political and social activism; it's clear that our fanatical passions bring us together, and when we stand together, we stand stronger. It came as no surprise to us that, while attending a Doctor Who convention this year, we met a group of people who exemplify the crossroad between fan appreciation and philanthropy -- or to steal a term from their organization's founder, "fanthropy". Their virtual running events have hundreds upon thousands of participants, and each event is specifically targeted to channel donated funds to a charity uniquely connected to the fandom involved. One conversation later, and we immediately saw the benefit of sharing their vision, efforts, and tremendous successes with the IDO listening community. We hope to connect with many more such innovators and catalysts for positive change in the years ahead. We're joined this time in-studio by Brian Biggs, founder of the Whovian Running Club, Hogwarts Running Club, and Chilton Running Club, to chat about geek altruism and fandom-inspired fundraising efforts. BONUS SEGMENT: We're adding a section to the start of every IDO installment to celebrate and signal boost the positive news from our greater fandom circles, because we can always use some o' that feel-good in today's world. This session, there's absolutely nothing better to talk about than the global success of the Wonder Woman cinematic release -- and we spend a few minutes cheering the triumphs, the empowerment for fangirls and enlightenment for fanboys, and our unabashed love of Patty Jenkins.

The adage states that art imitates life. True to the stage, the novel, the canvas, the screen, we see the influences of events and subjects of societal importance relative to the time each creative work is crafted. Often, the influence is worn as clear as a scarlet letter, as a clear and unequivocal statement from creator to audience about their observations of the world of that time, and the people within it. Other times, the impact of cultural impression, social nature and mindset are more nuanced, but can be identified by a more objective eye. If Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice and Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird can exemplify the lens of art focusing upon a point in humanity's behaviors, state of mind, triumphs and tragedies, is there anything that says the same could not be true for the comic book and graphic novel medium? Can superhero stories really teach us anything about ourselves as a community, a nation, a species? Joined this time by Danica LeBlanc and Jeremy Radick, we look at the past, present & future of comic books as a societal lens.

From the use of anthropomorphic cartoon characters to sell war bonds and other government propaganda in the early 20th century, to the image of a certain futuristic rebel-princess-turned-general with fist raised in defiance of a modern-day political regime, it is an established practice to utilize a welcome, familiar, and widely understood cultural icon of fiction as the rallying or motivating point for a very real and serious grassroots effort. What makes this sort of juxtaposition so effective? Are there behavioral or psychological explanations for why the very thought of a film's theme, a literary character, or a representative logo of an organization entirely fictitious in origin can inspire us to support a cause, or raise our voices for (or against) a movement in our own nation, state, or neighborhood? Joined by public broadcast producer Andy Hicks, we look into the origins, efficacy, and potential pitfalls of using geek or pop culture icons as the means to gather support or advocacy for another effort, be it social, environmental, political, or any other goal not directly related to the reference to begin with. Hoist the Rebel flag, earn points for your house, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

We've made it abundantly clear how thrilled we are to witness the progression of fandom topics from the sidelines, to an era of "geek chic", to widespread mainstream adoption. Watercooler conversations now involve such subjects as the Marvel cinematic universe and 'Game of Thrones' as often as politics or sports (well, almost as often), and you can drop references to Star Wars, or even quote a line from a Harry Potter book at a party without getting side-eyed. If this is the new age of geek assimilation, that should mean that the "old guard" of people in those fandoms should relish the new blood, increased interest, and new energy that the expanding fan-bases see, right? Well, not exactly. Why is it that the casual fan can still be made to feel marginalized, or even discouraged from the fandom because they're not as deeply invested as the hardcore or "superfans"? Joined by our friend Chip from Two Minute Time Lord and The Audio Guide to Babylon 5, we discuss the rigors of being a casual fan of anything in a world of 'superfans'.

By its simplest definition, anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics to nonhuman objects or entities. With roots going back over 30 years, the concept of anthropomorphic characters as a fan-based portrayal, or the furry fandom, in more modern parlance, is a substantially sized and diverse group that gathers worldwide in their own convention settings, as well as online forums, social network groups, and other in-person and virtual meetings. Like many fandoms we've covered in the past year and a half on In Defense Of, there is a close and very active community within the furry fandom, one that extends beyond their social gatherings, into music, literature, and the arts, charitable fundraising, and nonprofit organizations. Broadcast media has had a tendency to pick and choose what aspects of the fandom are reflected, but when fuller research is done, it becomes clear that like any science fiction or comic convention, sports fanatics or other group of enthusiasts, the community rallies together for conversation and enjoyment of their common interests, and in this case, those interests often center on a brief escape into a fictional character, acting out for a while, and enjoying watching others immersed in the same. This episode, we're joined by furry community member and convention attendee Nate, as well as Dr. Samuel Conway, chairman and showrunner of one of North America's largest and longest-running furry conventions, AnthroCon. With their contributions to the conversation, we get a fuller understanding of the furry fandom and the upbeat and fun-loving community that has grown at the heart of it. Links of Interest: WikiFur AnthroCon Answers: What is "Furry"? BBC Magazine Reports on Furries Syrian Refugee Children Entertained By Furry Convention Attendees