Supernatural fans are among some of the most passionate around, and they have to be for the show to last as long as it has. Actors Richard Speight, Jr. (Gabriel/Loki) and Rob Benedict (Chuck/God) are fortunate enough to have been crowned fan favorites for their time on the show. The two enjoy trotting the globe and rubbing elbows with fans so much that they created a show about just that. The new Indiegogo crowd funded adventure, Kings of Con, follows Rob & Rich through the exaggerated world of conventions, where two middle-class actors can be kings. We spoke with Rich and Rob about their new show, the comparisons to Alan Tudyk & Nathan Fillion’s Con Man, as well as potential crossovers, convention flu, Godhood, humanity, Tom Hiddleston and, of course, making out with fans.
Classicalite: So we have to talk about Kings of Con vs Con Man. Is there enough room on the internet for two crowdfunded convention shows?
Richard: I think if there's enough room on TV and the web for more than one procedural, there is room for these shows as well. Because at the end of the day, Kings of Con isn’t solely a show about cons, it's a show about people. It's a show about characters, it's a character driven piece, and, firstmost, the characters that Rob and I play in it. The con world is the backdrop, and it's a fertile backdrop filled with very unique stories and adventures and situations that definitely inform the tone of the story.
But what the story arcs are, where the characters are, where they go and what they do, week to week and season to season, is going to be completely different than whatever stories Con Man decides to tell. They have their own universe that they created, and their own characters and those journeys will be unique to their show, and our characters, and our stories, our universe are unique to our show and will be ongoing.
This is a world that Rob and I have lived for 5 years and continue to live in. We dropped our campaign while heading up to Seattle to host and co-host a three day Supernatural convention. So, it is a world that we are steeped in and feel like there is ample material to create a lot of fun, funny heartfelt stories, and I don’t think that takes away from anyone else doing the same.
Rob: The sort of responses we got from people who supported us have been great, people are thrilled that there are two of these shows. People who are actually fans are like, “Oh my God, how great, there are two of these, that’s awesome!” People are not really bummed about it, they are excited about it because it's great to have more.
Richard: You know Rob, that is a very valid point. It's one of the things that is like saying, "If there is a Star Trek, should their be a Star Wars?" Both have "star" in the title, both have ships, both have space. Those are completely different universes, with completely differently stories that tap into very passionate audiences. I think the audience, the con audience, the core audience that goes to these conventions are enormous and overlooked. So creating programing that they like, and of course it hopefully expands beyond that audience, but that builds on that audience's passion for that world and knowledge of that world. I think it is long overdue. So one show, two shows, I think there's room. Plenty of it.
CL: I couldn't agree more. It is such a wide cast net, the world of people who come to conventions. “Geek culture” is starting to show up everywhere now. The Geeks have taken over.
Richard: I feel like it has always been there, and it's the web that allowed everyone to gather in one place and realize that they shared this passion. I really think that helped fuel the world, because, the Supernatural convention being a perfect example, you walk on a stage and say, “Who’s new here,” everytime we do a show and three-quarters of the hands of nearly 2000 people go up.That is somebody going to conventions for the first time right now. That doesn’t seem like a world with a lot of stigma to it. You know what I mean?
This is a very open world, accepting all newcomers and creating very passionate followers for various genre shows all over the globe. We see it on Twiter, we see it on Tumblr, we see it on Facebook, we see it when we go city to city. There is just a ton of people out there of all socioeconomic backgrounds, who are drawn together by their love of whatever show or genre that is going on at the time, or multiple shows or genres. Look how huge Comic-Con has gotten. Look at all this stuff, Walking Dead, all these shows that are just building on their ability to tap into that fan base. Again, to reiterate, I am certain that there is no concern having two shows. It's having two drops of fresh water in the ocean, it is not going affect anything other than bringing entertainment to a well deserved mass.
CL: Well said. I agree, I think there is plenty of room in this universe for two similar things. However, the internet is a very polarizing place. The two similar ideas, although conceived independently, are going to be compared, especially regarding the timing. In a way, you are always going to have to face those problems.
Richard: Absolutely.
CL: The internet is a very polarizing place, where some people are always going to pick one and say, "this one is better." It is stupid, it is senseless, needless and completely based on personal bias. With that being said, what one is better?
Rob: [Laughs] Well we can’t really speak about Con Man, because we don’t know as much about it. I mean, I am personally a fan of both those guy’s work. Nathan Fillion is obviously huge and so big in this world. And Alan Tudyk, I have been a fan of for a while. I love the kind of things that he does, certainly different types of roles.
Richard: And Rob and I are both buddies with Felicia Day who is involved with that show. So we have nothing but admiration for those people for mounting such a successful campaign, and I am sure they are going to make a kickass show, and Rob and I will be watching it.
Rob: Alan Tudyk has such range. We really can’t speak on it, because we don’t know much about it. It is always interesting when Rich and I, originally and independently, had this idea, and right when we were about to put it out, their's had just come out. So, it is interesting that the universe came up with both of these ideas separately. We welcome the other show and, independent from them, we are super psyched about our show. We think it finally gives us the ability to show the world the relationship that we have.
Richard: And tell the kinds of stories that we are coming up with that are derived from our experiences. We are much more excited about our show than concerned about somebody else’s show.
CL: Any chance of seeing a crossover? Would you be open to that if they were?
Rob: Yeah,we have talked about that idea. Again, I think we are far enough off that each project is trying to get going, but I think it would be great if both shows get going and start to build a following as independent series. I mean, how could you not have some sort of crossover. I mean, where we at least come across each other in the hallway at Comic-Con. I think it would be funny and interesting and kind of unique.
CL: Lets talk a little about Supernatural. Rob, after you learned that your character Chuck was God, were you afraid that you might get struck by lighting?
Rob: [Laughs] Well I can tell you this, before that happened I didn’t know. I hardly knew when I got to set, someone said, “you know this means you are God,” and I was like “Oh, wow, wait, what?” I mean a crew member knew and I hadn’t figured it out yet. [Laughs] Once I realized that what it was, it was a big burden. Its a big burden to carry around. [Laughs]
Richard: He is not afraid to bring it up, that he kind of usurps all the other characters on the show. He is being coy now, but he will drop the ,”Oh really, cause I am God” bit.
Rob: If i have to drop the “I’m God” bomb, I will do it...if i have to.
CL: Was it more intimidation to play God or Eric Kripke?
Rob: Playing Eric Kripke was really the intimidating part. That is what was the really interesting fun part of playing Chuck. There are so many inside jokes that I got to say that we're basically his message to the audience. That was really the fun part. And obviously when he went away, he kind of took me with him. And I got to come back this year for a little bit, but my dream is for Eric to come back and direct a couple, write a couple at the close of the seasons, and then maybe bring me back in at that point. That was the fun part. I loved the meta part of my character.
CL: So Richard, you said that Rob isn’t afraid to drop the God bomb in an argument. Well, on the show you played Gabriel, who is also known as The Trickster, or to some as Loki. Do you ever drop the “I’m Loki” bomb when facing comparisons to Tom Hiddleston’s Marvel character?
Richard: I will say that fandom does that an awful lot. They will walk past me in the hallway, and they are like, “I like you more than Hiddleston’s Loki.” For a while there, i didn’t know what the hell they were talking about. I didn’t know the actor's name, but then I put it together and I was like, “Ah, nice!.” Just like there is plenty of room for two shows with convention backdrops, there is room for two Lokis.
Rob: Come on though, who do you like better? You or Hiddleston?
Richard: [Jokingly] I am a Hiddleston man.
CL: So who will win in a senseless internet fight, with no rules, based on nothing but biases.
Richard: You know, I am not sure if I would win, or if I would just surround myself with scantily clad beauties and put myself in a porno. My costume should definitely have a dark side. A dark fun side.
Rob: A dirtier side, that is for sure.
Richard: A much,much dirtier side.
CL: So you guys play fictitious versions of yourself in this new show. Are we going to start off with you first being introduced to the con world or will you already be Kings of Con?
Richard: We are already involved. When the show takes off, we are already ensconced in the universe. So we don’t come in wide-eyed and bushy-tailed and introduce ourselves in that world. It is a world we are already familiar with when we start off.
Rob: We are more like characterized versions of our real selves than we are completely fictionalized. They are exaggerations. We represent the sort of middle-class actors, who are out doing more cons than he is acting. For my character, that is sort of the dilema. I feel like i want to get out so I can pursue acting, but there really isn’t that much acting opportunity for my character in the show. With Rich, it's like he has already been through three marriages, and he is like, “what do I have to lose?” He loves it, so he is sort of pulling me back in. So that is where we are at the beginning of the show.
CL: How grounded in reality is this show vs humor-based situations? Will the laws of the natural world apply here?
Richard: No, It is definitely humor driven. I mean, the stakes are heightened, the situations are heightened. Its definitely the humor through lines that is going to drive the story. I always stress to people, that even though Rob and I are doing it and we are basing it on our experiences, it is not a reality show. It's not a documentary. There are definitely big, BIG streaks of fiction through there, and we are definitely taking liberties with whatever we want to take liberties with, in order to tell the best and funniest stories we can tell.
You will see familiar faces, and you will see them maybe even using their real names, but it will be larger than life versions of themselves, and doing things that they would never, never actually do in the real world. This is truly the most fun TV we can make.
Rob: Yeah, closer to Louis C.K. or Curb Your Enthusiasm, you know, which are sort of obviously based on their own experiences, but are -- through the comedy mind -- sort of translated into this different, elevated world.
CL: Con Crud or Con Cold is a very serious thing. So many people crammed together shaking hands and spreading germs. Last year, G.I. Joe Comic illustrator and Skyward creator Jeremy Dale passed away from what is believed to be a “convention flu” combined with a rare autoimmune disorder. With the recent measles outbreak and ebola in the news, do you take any special precautions? Is their a bottle Purell in you pockets at all times?
Richard: Well I just recently stopped making out with fans. I decided that it was a bad move. You do 400 photos, that is 400 makeout sessions, and that is a lot. So I decided that was too much. [Laughs] No, Rob and I haven’t changed a thing. This is the first I have ever heard of convention flu, and I am enjoying the image right now of picturing Rob having a minor panic attack. Because he, literally, before we got on the phone with you was like, “I don’t feel so good from the convention,” because we just got back from Seattle, and he was like, “I feel worn out, I am not sure if i washed my hands enough.” And then you come in with convention flu bit, and [to Rob] chunks of your hair are probably falling out right now aren’t they?
Rob: I have actually already called 911 and am in the ambulance.
Richard: I have never thought of at that level. I mean, look, the people who run the conventions, the Creation folks, they -- there is Purell everywhere and we have to be mindful of that. Just-- caution what you take going into serve the crowd.
Rob: Its true we get worn out.
Richard: We definitely get worn out, that is for sure.
Rob: I never heard of anything like that. And honestly the fact that I have a little bit of cold right now, that really doesn’t ever happen.
Richard: That makes this call even scarier for me.
Rob: We just got to the hospital, so they are wheeling me in.
Richard: I have never heard of that, man that’s ominous.
Rob: Now I have to worry about that.
CL: Recently, Gen Con, the gaming convention, that is based in Indiana, said they were considering pulling out of the state after their contract ends, because of the Religious Freedom Law, which could discriminate against homosexuls, depending on your interpretation of the law. If a law like that is allowed to stay on the books, would it affect the appearances that you are going to make in 2016?
Richard: I have to be honest, I don’t think that issue has come up with the world we run in. We are blessed with a very open fandom that supports humanity in whatever form that takes. I don’t look at the politics of each city we go to, but I don’t believe the cities that we have gone, that we have had that concern.
Rob: We don’t have any stops planned in Indiana next year, and I just read that Arkansas did the same thing. Literally, I just got a CNN News feed. We don’t have any stops there, so I don’t know if we would have to make that decision. But like Rick said, even if we did, I don’t think this would be affected. This world openly embraces all flavors and types.
Richard: That is the beautiful thing about Supernatural, really, truly the most open people in the world.
Rob: And Rich and I as human beings also support all types. We are fully supportive of whatever your flavor is, and we have no issue with that at all.
CL: You have compared this show to Broad City, which got its start on the internet before moving to Comedy Central. I know you said the show could be “near impossible to sell to networks.” However, if you prove successful, would you be open to moving the show to a cable network, or is the freedom from the “suits” something you are not willing to give up?
Richard: I think the idea of going to a platform that can support the show and get it to a wider audience is always going to be attractive. Broad City was smart. Those girls are really funny, really edgy, had an interesting idea and rather than wait around and see what could happen if they spent years peddling their one pilot script exec to exec, they just started shooting and telling funny stories and being funny, being themselves and the characters they created.
And it caught the attention of Amy Poehler, networks and now an audience, and I think that is a great recipe. I think you are going to see that more and more as people's ability to shoot their own stuff and get it out there becomes easier and easier. Well, maybe not easy, but more doable. I think you are going to see more projects take that route.
So no, we would be totally open to that conversation at any step during the process. Because like I said, the goal is to get it front of people, so people can watch it and enjoy. If that means keeping it on the web, that is what we will do. If it means starting on the web and moving to Comedy Central or Spike TV or something like that, that we’ll do. If it means starting on TV, that we’ll do as long we get to tell the stories that we want to tell. That has worked in Broad City’s favor in a huge way.
CL: The Indiegogo campaign has already reached its initial goal and you are now working towards your Full Slate goal. Is there anything you want to say the fans who have supported you?
Richard: We have just immeasurable gratitude to all the fans and all the people who have either given their support in terms of dollars or given their support in terms of a retweet or given their support in terms of “good luck guys.” All the support we have gotten has been so fantastic and it all matters and it all means a ton, and it is why Rob and I feel so blessed to be a part of the fandom that we are a part of and why we look forward to telling stories that they will enjoy watching.
Rob: We don’t take any of this for granted.
Richard: Not at all.
Rob: We’re just incredibly humbled by the support that the Supernatural fans continue to give us, and it motivates us to create the best product we can when the ball is in our court. So this is a great team effort. Its a great thing and we are humbled by it.
You can support the Kings of Con campaign by clicking on the link below.
For convention appearance dates, be sure to check out www.creationent.com.
Keep an eye out for Rob this summer in the IFC series, Documentary Now! with SNL vet Fred Armisen. You can also check out his new short film, The Sidekick, available now on iTunes & Amazon.
Be sure to check out America 101, writing and directed by Richard Speight Jr, coming soon to iTunes.
You can follow the guys on Twitter, @ROB_AND_RICH, @ROBBENEDICT and @DICKSP8JR.
Or on INSTAGRAM, @RoBENEDICT, @DICKSP8JR.
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