Fans and Collectors Converge on the 2006 FX Show
Over this last weekend, I attended the FX Show, held this year at the Central Florida Fairgrounds. I went the first full day, Saturday, and had a fun time. I arrived just as the venue was opening and even though the admission lines were long, they moved quickly.
My friend and I first made our way through the throng of signing tables featuring stars of the horror genre. Longest lines went to zombie-master George A. Romero, Robert Englund (a.k.a. Freddy Krueger) and Sid Haig, who most recently appeared in the Rob Zombie horror films House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil’s Rejects.
We then wound our way through aisle after aisle of dealer booths, featuring everything from classic collectables to more current memorabilia. As a long-time Star Wars collector, I found something at nearly every booth that I “needed” for my collection, but even though I drooled a bit at the offerings, I somehow managed to escape with my wallet intact.
As we reached the back area, we encountered three walls of celebrity booths, which offered a good variety of stars for everyone in attendance. Young ladies were screaming at the arrival of Harry Potter alums Stanislav Ianevski and Devon Murray to their signing area.
Baby boomers and their kids crowded the “Happy Days”/”Laverne & Shirley”/”Three’s Company” area, with the longest lines for Anson Williams (Potsie on “Happy Days”), Cindy Williams (Shirley of “Laverne & Shirley”) and Joyce DeWitt (Janet of “Three’s Company”). Martial arts master David Carradine also had long lines, but he rarely seemed to look up, much less speak to the fans.
In the far corner was the most popular signing area, featuring Serenity/”Firefly” stars Alan Tudyk and Summer Glau. Lines were always long (go Browncoats!!) and both actors really interacted with the fans.
I also enjoyed seeing many of the celebrities, though I decided not to get any autographs. Most of the celebrities were not only signing for fans, but happily posing for photos with them (with exception of the aforementioned Carradine).
Later in the evening, the event organizers threw a combination party/costume contest finals at the Hard Rock Live. Tudyk, Glau and Englund were some of the celebrity judges in attendance — and certainly the most vocal as they asked questions of almost ever finalist.
Even though the Donnie Darko bunny unnerved Englund a bit, it was Samantha Strickland, as Hermoine’s feline incarnation from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, who walked away with the grand prize. I feel it was deserved, as you could tell a lot of work went into the costume.
After the show, I got a chance to talk to both Glau and Tudyk, which was cool. Both hadn’t really had much time to get out and see Orlando — or as Tudyk put it, “I’ve seen the fairgrounds, the hotel and the backstage area of the Hard Rock, so far.” — but they were enjoying the chance to meet their fans and get their feedback.
Overall, I think this is one of the better multi-fandom events I have attended over the past few years. There were plenty of booths to check out and the mix of celebrities seemed to please most in attendance. I look forward to seeing what they do with next year’s event.
For more information on the FX Show, please visit the event’s website at www.fxshow.com .
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I wish I could have gone to that but times are busy. Nice coverage of the event though, and kudos for getting to talk to Glau and Tudyk.
If I’d have seen Tudyk I couldn’t have resisted on commending him on his character Gerhardt in 28 Days which is where I first saw him. That dude rules.
Excellent coverage! I didn’t know this was taking place. It would’ve been another even I’d enjoyed going to.
I’ll look forward to next year.