I made it up to the Burbank Convention last weekend where Michael Hurst and Kevin Sorbo reunited for a Hercules Reunion. I'll tell you what happened on stage then how it compares to Xena Conventions.
Kevin and Michael on stage:
Before KS and MH came out they showed an action clip from Hercules. When they come on stage Michael mentioned that those clips were from 10-15 years ago and don't expect them to be demonstrating any of those moves.
Kevin went to sit down shortly after being on stage and Michael teased him about being old because he sat down so soon. Kevin didn't argue and just agreed and says, "That's right I'm old."
Bitchslap - someone asked about Bitchslap which gave MH an opportunity to play a clip. We were the first to see a 2 minute clip of Bitchslap and there is a lot of T & A. And after they got past the T & A they showed more T & A. Did I mention that there was a lot of T & A?
I believe LL told us not to blink during her and Renee's clip; and if that's true I believe we saw all of it…I definitely don't need to see the whole thing.
If you want a synopsis I'll post a spoiler.
Someone asked what future projects they have lined up and MH
allowed KS answer first. KS rattled off a bunch of projects he had coming up in Calgary, Argentina, ect.
It was kind of weird hear of all the projects he had lined up. Actors have so much trouble finding work,
but it apparently isn't that hard for Kevin he is booked for months and months to come.
Earlier, someone asked the guy who plays Data (Star Trek Next
Generation) if he ever thought about doing comedy because he's really funny on stage. Data explained that you
don't get to say you're going to do comedy in this business, unless you're Kelsey Grammar who has made billions for the network doing comedy. You
take what comes you way. Kevin is very fortunate
When it was Michael's turn to answer he repeated several
times that he was going to be in Bitchslap so it would seem that he was as busy as Kevin. He finished that he was going
home to New Zealand Sunday and had several theatre projects lined up there.
Someone had an Andromeda poster and asked if Kevin wanted it and he graciously accepted.
And that lucky dog got to take her picture with him, too.
Speaking of picture, Kevin and Michael did pictures. You could get with just Kevin, just Michael ($40), or both Kevin
and Michael together ($80).
How cool would it be to take a picture with both MH and KS?
How cool would it be to take picture with both LL and ROC?
Someone asked about Kevin Smith and Michael mentioned that
Kevin Smith's widow found a full Ares costume and sold it on Ebay for $16,000. Whoo Hoo!
KS said he went golfing with Kevin Smith a few times I guess he wasn't the greatest golfer. Kevin Smith would get so mad he would throw his clubs and do push ups on the course to keep from venting his anger elsewhere.
Someone later asked KS what his golf handicap was. He said "my wife, bad um bum." I wasn't amused but he was clearly kidding
and answered his handicap was a 5.
Someone asked MH what his mother thought about the widow Twankie since the character was based on her. He said she loved the character but didn't see herself in it at all. MH was hilarious when he acted like the widow Twankie when he imitated his mother saying she didn't see herself in the character at all.
Kevin said that episode …and Fancy Free was one of his
favorite episodes. Me too, Kevin.
Someone asked what they did to work out. Both looked great, but MH looked particularly great; he was muscular and tan. Both gentlemen agreed that he was in better shape than when he played Iolaus. Michael said that having young boys kept him young and that he works out 5 days a week and doesn't eat junk.
Kevin on the other hand said he built a beautiful gym at his house but does 35-40 minutes of cardio a day. He doesn't lift heavy weights because he doesn't like it. He's still fit, but doesn't have the bulk and definition he did when he played Hercules.
Comparison to Xena Conventions
When I compare this con to Xena Cons several things stood out. I hope you can stay with me while I switch back and forth between the two.
First of all, KS and MH have not cultivated the relationship between fans like LL and ROC. For example, LL and ROC get automatic standing ovations coming and going just for showing up. KS and MH didn't get a full standing ovation from the crowd but us few Hercules fans gave it to them. If this was a Hercules only convention…they would have for sure gotten standing ovations.
More of the Burbank convention hall was open at this Sci-Fi convention. For those of you who have been to the Xena cons at the Burbank Marriott, you'll remember that they sectioned off about ¼ of the main room.
When LL and ROC took the stage there is usually standing room only. At this general Sci-fi convention not everybody watched all the shows of the guests. So there were a lot of empty seats when KS and MH took the stage that might otherwise been filled if it was a Hercules only convention.
Needless to say, the energy/electricity of the anticipation of having KS and MH come on stage wasn't there; or at least not what it is when LL and ROC take the stage.
One great thing about MH and KS together is that they seem
like genuine friends. I say this because at the 2007 Xena convention Lucy was talking about Renee performing at her
concert said, "I think everybody particularly loved you (Renee} showing up last night. Because it meant that the
friendship is real. (She asks the audience) and why was that? Apart from that
she's Renee… was it that it means that the friendship is real?" The audience says yes, and she says,
"This is about as real as it gets."
That question doesn't linger when MH and KS are together. Maybe because they spent time together
hanging out at Kevin's house the day before, MH showed up on an Andromeda ep, and they seem to interact in a way that leaves little doubt these two are
really friends
What was missing at this Sci-Fi Con was fan interaction. At Xena conventions all the videos are done by fans, which are much more interesting than a professional editor who doesn't really watch the show. There are fans on stage whether it's Missy Goode or someone who collects authentic Xena props. Xena cons also have people like Wendy Woody and Deborah Abbott making fun original short films. So the Sci-Fi con seemed kind of sterile to me.
One thing that kind of rubbed me the wrong way was one of the
first things Kevin said when he came out. He told us he postponed his trip to the Golf Masters so that he could be here
with us. He was taking a redeye that night so he could spend Sunday watching golf.
So right off the bat it feels like he's feeling that he's doing us a favor by showing up.
This is a sharp contrast to Xena convention guests who treat the con like a haven from the brutal acting industry of constant rejection. Like they are thankful to have a room full of people who paid to hear what they have to say.
Their being thankful made me feel appreciated, I didn't necessarily feel appreciated on Saturday, but I did have a good time.
I would definitely go back to see Kevin and Michael if they get together again.
TX Member
