The "Greatest American" Experience

Florida Supercon July 6, 2014

Many, many moons ago, when recess still existed for all elementary school children,  some of my good friends would spend their half hour outside playing "The Greatest American Hero".  At the time, it was a hit television series on NBC, and it ran from 1981 to 1983.  It was about a schoolteacher who is given a special red suit by aliens, and he teams up with an FBI agent to become a superhero.  It's theme song, "Believe It or Not" hit #2 on the Billboard Pop Charts.  Some of you may even remember the Seinfeld episode where George Costanza makes his answering machine message to the tune of that song.  

William Katt, who portrayed the Ralph Hinkley (a.k.a) "The Greatest American Hero" was a guest last weekend at Florida Supercon in Miami.  I was originally not going to attend this year, but an opportunity opened up for me to go last Sunday, and I took it.  This was the first year that Florida Supercon moved from the Miami Airport Convention Center, (which was attached to a mini-mall and Doubletree hotel), to the Miami Beach Convention Center, which has a lot more floor space to work with.  It was nice having the convention with a hotel attached to it, but due to it's growth in popularity, last year had become overcrowded, and there were a lot of complaints about parking and the lines to get in, which is why they moved to the bigger venue.  I read on their Facebook page that the show doubled its attendance this year, which is great for them. 

Last Sunday, I was limited on both time and finances, but there was at least one celebrity I wanted to meet- William Katt.  I was thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with him for a little while, but we did not talk about "The Greatest American Hero".  Instead, we talked about the other role he is well known for - Tommy Ross in Brian De Palma's film adaptation of  Stephen King's "Carrie". 

William Katt and Sissy Spacek "Carrie" -1976

"Carrie" is and will probably always be my favorite Stephen King novel.  I first found a copy of it in my high school library as a Freshman.  I was, at the time, being bullied by a few people, and the book, about a shy awkward girl, who is bullied, but then gets telekinetic abilities, was an outlet for me.  I checked out that novel several times that year. 

William Katt and I had a wonderful discussion about the book and the film, and I also told him about a college course I took about novels to film, and that "Carrie" was one of the four books we discussed.  He asked me if I was sci-fi fan, (yeah!), and he asked me what I thought about "Prometheus".  Honestly, I could have spent all afternoon talking with him.  I hope he will be a guest again here in Florida, because I would love to ask just how close he got to becoming Luke Skywalker, a role he tried out for the same time he was auditioning for "Carrie". 

So, all in all, I got to spend only three hours at Florida Supercon this year.  I bought some art, got the kids some things, and I also got to spend a few minutes with my fellow con-goer and friend, Vel.  I think Florida Supercon did an overall good job, and the convention has a lot more room to grow now.  I only wish I had more time to spend there this summer. 

Until next time, I am,

Sci-Fi Fan FL