Tag Archives: Karen Gillan

Welcome to St. Louis! Toasted ravioli!

7 Apr

This story originally appeared on RealTime/STL.

The midwest has a reputation for being kind and hospitable. At Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con, we were both.

Throughout the weekend, celebrity Q&As were peppered with shouts of “toasted ravioli!”

During Saturday’s Q&A with fans, Milo Ventimiglia said he’d had a great dinner Friday night, but when he tried to order pasta with tomato sauce, “like a good Italian boy,” he was disappointed to find the restaurant only had cream sauces. After shouting “toasted ravioli,” the audience sent Ventimiglia and Jon Bernthal to The Hill. Both shared a photo — the same photo — from outside Charlie Gitto’s on Sunday.

On Sunday, young questioner asked Karen Gillan if she’d tried “fish fingers and custard.”

Gillan said she had, and the audience yelled for her to visit Ted Drewes. (Gillan had not heard of frozen custard.)

Sunday afternoon, Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk and Adam Baldwin heard about toasted ravioli, too. Fans must’ve feared Fillion would starve while here: Online recommendations (often offered at the mere mention of St. Louis) included a lot of pizza and a little frozen custard (and a trip to City Museum).

Comic con day 3: Q&A with Karen Gillan

6 Apr

This story originally appeared on RealTime/STL.

On the heels of Matt Smith’s Q&A with fans, “Doctor Who” companion Karen Gillan took the stage Sunday afternoon.

Gillan is well-known for her role as Amy Pond on “Doctor Who.” The TV show, which traces its roots back to 1963, was reborn in 2005 and uses a clever plot device that allows the main character, the Doctor, to “regenerate” as a different actor. The Doctor also travels with friends, known as companions. The series’ 11th Doctor was played by Matt Smith, and for two years Pond and her boyfriend (later husband) Rory Williams were the Doctor’s companions.

Fans asked several questions about Gillan’s “Who” experiences and favorite memories.

There’s a memorable scene in season six of “Doctor Who” where Amy Pond holds her newborn daughter, and she melts into a puddle of flesh.

Gillan said she was a “Doctor Who” fan before she was cast, but not as big of a fan as her mother. She’s been able to collect a lot of “Who” memorabilia.

As for the most difficult scene, that had nothing to do with stunts or subject matter.

Gillan said her “Who” connection has helped her land other parts, too.

Before she was cast, Gillan said she talked to the director via Skype and noted he was drinking coffee from a “Doctor Who” themed mug. “Oculus” is a horror film that hits theaters Friday.