Kelly McCorkendale

Kelly McCorkendale is a dog-lover, avid quilter, and occasional creative writer who loves the color orange and boycotts cable (except Game of Thrones because, well, what if winter is coming!?). After college, she realized poets weren’t in demand, so she shipped off to Madagascar with Peace Corps. Since then, she’s found a niche working on health systems in Africa but has a long-list of life tasks yet to be fulfilled--such as perform blackmail, learn a trade, and become a competitive eater. She has an MA in International Education, believes rice is the elixir of life, and, in high school, won the best supporting actress honor for the state of Missouri. She may also recite poetry (her first love) when imbibing in alcohol.

Companions in Time and Space (And Conversation!)

Catherine Tate and Freema Agyeman (in her first Dragon Con appearance) graced Hilton’s Grand Salon Saturday and answered fans’ burning questions about how it felt to explore time and save the universe beside the 10th Doctor, played by David Tennant. Tate, with her characteristic quick wit and silliness, wooed the audience from the word go, calling the silver carafe of… Read more →

Zach Galligan, Gizmo, and the Gremlins: A Study in Black Comedy

Zach Galligan—a mainstay of ‘80s cult horror films and black comedies—lovingly cleared a space for an ever-cute plush Gizmo on his table, moving the silver pitcher of water as far from the mogwai as possible. It was a charming and endearing start to his panel in the Hilton’s Grand East Saturday afternoon to celebrate all things Gremlins, where Galligan showed… Read more →

Will the Real Karate Kid Please Stand Up?

Will the Real Karate Kid Please Stand Up?

In 1984, Ralph Macchio, as Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid, lifted his arms sky high, assuming “the crane” stance, and face-kicked his nemesis, the bully known as Johnny Lawrence, played by William Zabka. We all cheered. Our hero prevailed, getting the trophy and the girl. Good bested evil. Or did it? Fast forward thirty-some-odd years to a little show… Read more →

The Puppetry and Possibilities of The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance

The Marriott Imperial Ballroom faded slowly into darkness Saturday afternoon as screens flanking either side of the stage lit up with color and sound for a good old-fashioned trailer. Not for a feature film, but a ten-episode TV series that had been released the day before on Netflix—The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. The trailer was truly spectacular, showing glimpses… Read more →

Catherine Tate: A One-Woman Zeitgeist

Catherine Tate is a one-woman zeitgeist. A red-headed goddess of sorts, entering the Hilton Grand Salon on Friday by saying “Thank you for coming. Let’s start a cult.” Yes, let’s. You, Ms. Tate, shall be our supreme leader. You may know Tate from Doctor Who as the indelible Donna Noble (no pun intended)—a companion of the 10th Doctor, played by… Read more →

Stranger and Stranger Things: The Cast Spills All

Stranger and Stranger Things: The Cast Spills All

Stranger Things—Netflix’s ultimate ode to the 1980s and nerd culture—came screaming back July 4, 2019 after an 18-month hiatus. Bloodier. Funnier. And sadder. With the characteristic humor, horror, and heart that has made it a cultural phenomenon, something cast members Cary Elwes, Shannon Purser, and Mark Steger were happy to dish about Friday at 5:30PM in the Sheraton Grand Ballroom…. Read more →

Steve Whitmire

Steve Whitmire: The Heart of a Puppeteer

You may not know his face, but you know his voice. Or, at least versions of it. Kermit the Frog. Ernie. Rizzo the Rat. Beaker. Wembley. This is the legacy of Steve Whitmire, a Muppeteer from 1979 to 2016, who stopped by the Hyatt Hanover on Friday afternoon to talk about his storied career, which included taking over that beloved… Read more →

Barrowman and Tate: Dragon Con’s Greatest Show

If you thought Monday at Dragon Con was a slow day, meant for packing, unwinding, and breathing, you thought wrong. Because at the “10th Doctor Companions: Donna Noble & Captain Jack Harkness” panel at 1:30AM on Monday in the Marriott Atrium Ballroom, Barrowman and Tate were in the house, and they brought it down with their own brand of live,… Read more →