Host: Woo! Make some noise! How many of you like a little show, just a little show called Our Flag Means Death? How many? How many? [audience cheers] I think you can be a little louder. Let's make it louder! We have some awesome, awesome guests here that are going to be so excited to see all of you, talk to all of you. Let's get them out here. First up, let's bring out Vico Ortiz!

All right, all right. Next up, we got Samba Schutte!

And finally, we have Kristian Nairn!

Samba: Hi guys, how's it going?

Kristian: Hi.

Samba: How you doing? Thanks so much for coming out.

Vico: Y'all look so freaking incredible and stunning. [Audience member: I love you, Vico!] I love you!

What has the experience of talking to fans been like? (02:00)

Host: Hello, everyone. I have to ask. Clearly the show has a huge loving fan base. [audience cheers] Yes, exactly. I need to know, how has it been with the show being out now and being able to come talk to the fans? What has that experience been like for all of you?

Vico: I mean, I am incredibly energized by every single one of you. It feels like such an honor to be part of this, honestly. Like, I love connecting with y'all, I love getting to know you all, I love how you all connected with the show. And for me, I mean, I'm queer, a lot of the fandom is queer. And it feels like home to me, you know, it feels like we're in community with each other. And we're getting to chat and be curious and continue to expand and explore who we are. And it's truly wonderful. I am just so blessed to be here.

Samba: I completely agree. You know, this show is about found family and you guys make it a complete family. And we wouldn't be able to do it without you. It's one thing interacting on social media, but it's another seeing you guys actually face to face and actually seeing what you've created, what you're wearing, what… how the show has impacted you, in person. Nothing can take that beautiful feeling away, so thank you so much. We love you so so so much.

Kristian: I don't think that when we were making the show, I don't think any of us expected it to be this absolutely massive. I know everyone, the whole ca[st], I can speak literally for everyone, is so grateful. I've never seen a fandom quite the same as this. I mean… I mean, I don't mean in a weird way, I mean in a really positive way. You gu- [laughs] Though seriously, you guys are awesome. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you, as another queer person, thank you very much.

What would you name your pirate ship? (04:03)

Host: Now I have to ask, if you were to have a pirate ship, what would you name it?

Vico: Why have I not been asked that before? Like is this the first time? This is the first time someone has asked me that. If I had a pirate ship, it has to be a Spanish name. My partner who is here is gonna be like, yeah. I would call it La Jayaera. Which means… Yeah, I hear them over there, like "yeah!" Jayaera in Puerto Rico means like, like feeling yourself, celebrating yourself. So Jayaera. It's spelled J-A-Y-A… yeah. E-R-A. Sorry, I'm like in Spanish and then English and I'm like wait. Yeah, Jayaera.

Samba: Nice, I like that. Mine would be called The Delicious Chaos.

Kristian: We need an explanation for that, Samba, seriously. Why is it called delicious chaos?

Samba: Because I'm the chef and I make delicious food, Kristian.

Kristian: Do you? He does, he does.

Samba: And I'm chaotic. And my, Roach is chaotic, and I love chaos. So, yeah.

Kristian: I mean, I'm from Belfast, and I don't think we've got a great history of building boats, so probably best not to call it Titanic. I'll go for Titanic. Titanic in a different way. Hopefully more successful this time.

Vico: Yeah, reclaim that, reclaim that name.

What song would you pick to play in a scene, and what would the scene be? (05:37)

Host: So, music also plays a big part in this show. So if you could select a song to play in the background scene, what song or what type of song would it be? And what would the scene be?

Vico: Ohhh. Ohhh. Okay, because... I've always, I've always thought of, like… I've said this in the last panel, Tu Pirata Soy Yo by Chayanne. But then like, what scene would be behind that? I feel like, yeah, Tu Pirata Soy Yo by Chayanne, it's this beautiful slow ballad love song about like, I'm your pirate and you're my anchor. And like, I will write your name on my ship. And it's really sweet and tender. And I feel like if there is a conglomeration of scenes between Olu and Jim, kind of just like, they are for each other in that way, and like, you know, it's a little bit of that, you know, so it's a slow build into that. So yeah, that would be, that would be like a compilation of scenes. With that song in the background for sure.

Samba: As he's, as he's pulling a sock on the door, just to let the guys know.

Vico: Yes. Oh my god, I love that.

Samba: I remember in a couple of episodes, Jim would call Roach "Cucaracha".

Vico: Yeah, Cucaracha! 

Samba: So I wouldn't mind La Cucaracha playing as Roach is slowly sharpening his knife to torture somebody and like, [sings] "La cucaracha, la cucaracha, da-da-da-da…" I think that's cool.

Vico: You know, the reason why I call Roach Cucaracha is because my mom calls Roach Cucaracha, and Cuca for short. So I was like, thanks Mom, I'm gonna use that now in my acting. Cuca! It's great.

Kristian: I guess… There was a really funny meme I saw on Twitter where I think it was, someone had drawn Wee John in the middle of a room that was completely on fire, looking very happy with himself. So I'm gonna say probably The Prodigy: Firestarter. He'll be happy and self-content in his own blaze.

Samba: Your character does love fire. My god.

Kristian: He does love fire.

Vico: We need so much more fire in the show. Maybe in the second season, who knows?

Samba: Who knows?

What are some of your favorite fictional romances? (08:03)  

Host: We already touched upon the romance, just a little bit, of the show. But now I want to ask, what are some of your favorite fictional romances?

Vico: Okay, I wanna…

Samba: What do you mean? We don't know what's going on on the internet, we have no idea. We don't, we don't have a group chat where we send each other messages and… images.

Host: Just constantly going off.

Vico: Oh, goodness.

Kristian: Do you mean fictional romances in the show? Or just in the general wide, wide world?

Host: Either or.

Kristian: Okay. Okay. I'll work on that for two people. Go ahead.

Vico: I feel like that throuple situation between Olu, Spanish Jackie and Jim. It's like, "fictional"... Sure sure sure sure. Sure sure sure sure, you know. I call it canon, but it's fine.

Samba: Well, I've been tagged in a bunch of Roach and Izzy stuff, so. I'm all for the Rizzy. Let's go for it.

Vico: Yes! I've also been tagged with Jim and Izzy stuff, and I'm Jizzy. So like, yeah, it's um…

Samba: Rizzy Jizzy.

Vico: Rizzy Jizzy. Oh god. Is there any Wee..zzy on your end?

Kristian: Weezzy? No. I'm doing a right turn here, definitely. Outside the show… I was never a big Disney fan. Let me hear the boos. Oh okay, everyone hates Disney. That's okay. What do you call that bloody thing about Rapunzel? Tangled.

Samba: Oh yeah.

Kristian: I wanted to be in that boat with the lanterns. That got me, that changed me into a Disney fan. But inside the show, I know there is quite a lot of talk about the room people.

Vico: Yes, yes.

Kristian: Fortunately, or unfortunately, I don't know if we pursued that enough. I mean, I'm down.

Samba: In our minds we have, in our minds we have, for sure.

Kristian: So yeah.

Vico: I think we've seen a lot of combinations.

Kristian: Yeah.

Vico: And it's really interesting, I mean like, Oh, did not think of that, interesting, okay, cool. And then you think about, also the person that you're working with, and you're like, would that be, how would that look like? Okay, okay, I could see this going this route. Sure.

Kristian: I mean, I've seen some really great erotic fucking art. Really, you don't have to use any imagination whatsoever. I've seen myself in strange poses with people I would not have imagined myself with.

Samba: I remember we were in New Zealand, we were in New Zealand filming and then Kristian's like Samba, Samba, Samba… So we're like, they're calling us to go on set, and he's showing me all of this fanart before we go. And then I had to do a scene with that person immediately after, and I was like… [flirty faces] "What's wrong with you?"

Vico: Oh my god, that's brilliant.

Do you have favorite pieces of fan art or fanfiction? (11:21)

Host: We've already kind of touched upon it a little bit, because there's definitely not a group chat with tons and tons of fanfiction and fanart, definitely not, definitely not, but. Are there favorites that we have seen?

Samba: What, like…

Host: Fan art and/or fanfiction?

Vico: There's too many, honestly, there's, I… I just, I love what I… Whatever I'm able to to get glimpse on, it's always so, it's so much fun. I remember earlier on, there was something really sweet that happened where someone wrote a fiction about Black Pete… Why am I forgetting the English word for this? But when you have a piece of wood and you carve it, is there a… [audience and Samba: whittle!] Whittle, there we go. I was like, there is a fun word and I can't remember it. Black Pete whittled Jim a packer, and I thought that was really cute.

I also love the one where Roach is a surgeon and just like, gives them top surgery. Just like, chop! Chop! Lower, chop, I don't know how, that, or this way… I don't know what would the right way be but who knows. But I love that. Those were really sweet to like, you know, watch and read and see fanfiction around it, whether it's visual, and like, it's a lot of, it gives me a lot of gender euphoria. So I'm like, thank you. I appreciate it. I'll take it.

Samba: I just love how creative people are. I mean, every fanfic, every… it was just like, it's such a creative fan base. And it's just so moving to see this, I've never experienced this before. I thought that what was really poetic was how, and I know the writers did not intend this, but you guys made it a thing, the Kraken and the Lighthouse, the dark and the light. And you guys really just managed to find those two symbolisms in a beautiful, beautiful way. And so, yeah, you know, credit to you guys, you're more creative than we are, I can give you that.

Kristian: The only problem I have with fanfiction, and it's not a bad problem, is when you guys write something that's better than the manuscript. And you're kind of sort of trying to shove it towards David, "have you seen this, I kind of want to do this David." So that's my only issue with it. Because you guys are very creative.

Vico:It is really fun though. Because when we have these things, you know, when we continue to enrich our characters and storylines like we have, we have y'all in mind. And it's really fun to be like, Oh, they're gonna notice this, and then it's gonna be really fun when they do. So it's really wonderful when that happens, so.

Vico's GLAAD award-winning interview (13:44)

Host: Now I know all of y'all are really excited and want to ask some questions. So I have one more question for all of you. And then I'm going to open it up to fan questions. I believe there is two microphones set up right here, if you want to start lining up for fan questions. There they go. There they go.

And my last question is actually for you, Vico. It was recently Trans Day of Visibility and the GLAAD awards. And you actually won an award for an interview that you did. I would love to know a little bit more about that interview, and like, what it meant to you, what winning meant to you. And just like the impact it all had.

Vico: Yes, oh my god, thank you so much. So, yes, so when Our Flag came out last year, I got myself a publicity team that had a strong base in Latin America and the Caribbean as well as the US. Because I wanted to not only do a publicity tour around the US, but also really be like, hello, there's a, you know, trans nonbinary person in this show who speaks Spanish, who's Puerto Rican. Let's say hello, right? And you know, a lot of Spanish speaking people were like, yes, Our Flag Means Death, Taika Waititi, Rhys Darby! And then they'll have me and be like, Wait, how do we talk around, what are we, how do we… What are you speaking? Inclusive Spanish? And a lot of them got a little scared.

And having Primer Impacto, which is a huge show in Latin America, be super thrilled to not only promote the show, but talk to me and interview me and chat with me and hear me, right, was amazing, because I know… I mean, this show, I grew up with this show, you know, this would show all the time in my household between telenovelas. And like, my grandma watches this, my aunts and uncles, my family, a lot of households have access to the show.

And to know that I was able to promote the show, and then use Jim as a way to segue into like, this is also who I am. And this is something that like, we've always existed, and you know, Spanish is something that like, we get… No, so it was really…. Thank you. It was really wonderful to have that and have access to that, and also have the support of the network and the show to be like, yes, go for it, do it, you know. Because it has helped to be like, Hey, I have a massive team with me, who's supporting me and like, you should hear me, you know. And it was wonderful. I mean, the amount of people that watched that and were like, oh my gosh, my grandma saw this and was like, You're not the only nonbinary! And it's like, yeah, there's more.

And there are ways to use language to honor who we are, you know. I know that Spanish is a very binary language, but we, there is an amazing amount of people that are introducing this neutral Spanish. And it's there, it's accessible, and it's really fun to use. And I try to make it as fun as possible, because it is fun. I mean, language and life should be about exploration and being curious and leaning into that. So yeah. Thank you.

Host: Beautiful. Beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing.

Samba: Wait. Before we open it up to the floor, I have a little surprise for you. The teaser for season two! [audience cheers] April Fool's.

Host: If only, if only.

Kristian: I told him not to.

Samba: They told me not to do it. I'm so sorry.

Vico: I said that after this everyone's gonna be like, never bring the crew on April Fool's ever again. Do not do a panel on that day.

Samba: It's coming. Don't worry. It's coming.

Vico: Yes.

Host: Yeah!

Vico: It's too good.

Audience: [chanting] Now! Now! Now!

Vico: Is it happening now? Is it… no.

Samba: No, no, no. I do have a message from David Jenkins, though, and he said, Go with god, pretty people. So take that as you may.

Vico: Oh my gosh.

What happened in your life when you realized the show was going to be popular? (17:45)

Host: All right. We will start right over here. Hi. What is your name and what is your question?

Audience member: Hi, my name is Christine. 

Samba: Hi.

Audience member: So my question: you go, you film season one, you go back to your normal human lives. What happened in your life, when you realized, oh, crap, this is gonna be a thing, this show is popular?

Samba: I remember… We had filmed the show, I went back to Los Angeles. And then me and Vico attended the Renaissance Fair in LA. It was my first Renaissance Fair, and it was a pirate themed Renaissance Fair. And we were just walking around minding our own business. And someone walked up to me and went "Roach!!" And I was like… [shocked face] I was like, wow. And that hit me. I was like, Oh my god, like this, this show is having an impact.

Vico: I think around the same… I do a lot of drag shows in LA. And I think it happened... I mean, I go to the same ones, it hasn't been... It's the same people, my friends, my chosen fam. And then I went to one in June. And it was like, the biggest, most packed drag show that we've had. And it was like, Oh my gosh, wow, this really, this is what's up. And my friends even were just like, dude, what's happening? And I'm like, I don't know, dude, but like, I'm here, let's do it, you know, let's… Yeah, I mean, absolutely. We were raising money for charity, so it was wonderful, you know? So yeah, that's when it kind of hit me. I was like, Oh, wow, this is massive. Yeah.

Kristian: I mean, after season one, after we finished filming, and maybe the first couple of episodes went out, I mean, there wasn't that huge groundswell after the first couple of episodes. And it was kinda, is this gonna take off? Are people gonna like this? But then this sort of tidal wave started to happen amongst you guys. And that's when it sort of went, Holy shit, this is gonna work. Because it is, it's not the usual show, it has… It's different and that's what everyone, I think, I believe, that's what everyone loves about it. It just covers topics and shows people that aren't usually seen on TV. And it's just been such an amazing response from you guys. And that's when I started to really feel it, Oh we'll get a few seasons out of this I think. I think it's… It's such a great story to tell there.

Audience member: Thank you.

Samba: Thanks for your question. Thank you.

Do you have any headcanons for your characters? (20:19)

Host: Hi, what is your name, and what's your question?

Audience member: Hi, I'm Siduri [sp?]. And my question is, do you have any headcanons for your characters or any other characters on the show that you would like to share?

Vico: Uhh…

Kristian: Do you know, I think it kind of becomes dangerous, though, because we kind of know what… People ask what you think or what you would like to happen, you have to be so careful not to interweave it with what, the truth that's in our head, that we actually know what is gonna happen. So I'm gonna let you handle that, Vico.

Vico: I'm gonna take a risky, a risky moment here. I see Jim and Izzy as… I see it, because… Not on some of the routes that you have taken. But I, and I'm gonna go on a route now that's gonna be a little dangerous, but let's take it slow. Jim lost their father early on, and I think that there is a certain relationship there between Izzy and Jim that can be, it does foster a little bit of that like, we're both really difficult, that like, expressing our emotions. But that is the same thing that kind of like leads us to be more connected in one way, even though we're not speaking to each other. It's like we get each other, and our way of connecting is through sharp objects. And there is a mutual sense of respect there and like, I see you, and yeah, there's, it's a bit of like a, yeah, like father-kid moment, so yeah.

Samba: Good job avoiding any spoilers for season two.

Vico: Or did I?

Samba: Cheeky face. I mean… You are not answering, Kristian's not answering this question. [Kristian shakes his head] I mean, yeah, I always thought Roach and the Swede had a good connection, you know, just… He's always hurt, like in the pilot there was a few deleted scenes where the Swede gets stabbed and Roach is cooking as he's treating him. And you know, with the teeth falling out and all that. If you see us in the background, we're usually either you know, sleeping in the same position, like on the pillowcases, or collecting coconuts or whatnot. So yeah, I think Roach and the Swede would be an interesting combination.

Kristian: I'm gonna try. I'll try. I think, obviously Wee John is not your typical big guy, just like myself. And I think he would like to explore his creativity, I think he's quite a creative soul. And I think I would like to see him expand his talents and skills in certain ways.

Samba: Good job, Kristian.

Kristian: Not just burning things and setting people ablaze.

Samba: That was very smooth. That was very smooth.

Kristian: That was smooth, was it? That was quite smooth, yeah.

Vico: You're good.

Kristian: Thank you. Oh, dear.

What is your character's love language? (23:22)

Audience member: All right. Oh, there we go. Hi, my name is Clare. I'm from Minnesota and I don't… [whoop from audience] Yay! I don't remember where I saw this or who brought it up, so credit to whoever pointed this out. Someone on the internet pointed out that one of Stede Bonnet's love languages appears to be sharing things, like he shares food and tea with Blackbeard and sharing stories with the crew and sharing feelings. So for anybody to answer, what do you think your character's love language is?

Vico: Ooh. Acts of service.

Samba: Well as a cook and a surgeon, I think it's sharing as well. Like you want to, you want to stay alive by being good at your job. And so yeah, feeding people. But I think if Roach wants to eat you, it's a big compliment.

Kristian: I think Wee John likes to mend things and fix things. Whether that's a net or a rope, or maybe it's a human relationship. [makes a face] Jerry Springer. Yeah, I think he's a fixer. I think he's a fixer, it's how he, it's how he communicates his love.

Samba: I like that, yeah. Because no one understands him when he speaks, so he just, you know, does the nets and stuff, I think that's how… [Kristian gives him the finger] 

Audience member: Thank you.

Samba: Thank you.

Vico: Oh my gosh. Yes.

What can you reveal about the levels of romance and drama in season two? (25:04)

Audience member: Hello, I'm Genevieve. First, just to Kristian really quick, I texted my mom a picture of the panel and she's like, Oh. My. God. Tell Hodor I love him, so.

Kristian: Thank you. 

Audience member: So this is for you, mom.

Kristian: Hodor says Hodor. He's not here right now, but he told me that he...

Audience member: I'll let her know, thank you so much, it means a lot. I just wanted to ask, without spoiling anything of season two, what can you reveal about the levels of romance and drama that's going to be there? Without spoiling, unless you want to.

Kristian: So how do we spoil season two without spoiling season two?

Samba: Oh, there's drama.

Kristian: Oh, there's drama.

Vico: So much drama.

Kristian: So much love.

Samba: So much love as well.

Vico: There is a lot of love.

Kristian: Lots of love.

Samba: But lots of drama.

Kristian: Lots of drama.

Host: Tons of love. Tons of drama.

Samba: It's loving drama. And heartbreak. I said heartbreak at one point and people lost their minds.

Kristian: And dramatic loving?

Samba: Yeah, no, but heartbreaking, heartbreaking in the most beautiful way that you'd expect this show to be. Beautifully heartbreaking.

Audience member: Thank you.

Kristian: Wow.

Samba: Everyone's traumatized right now.

Vico: Okay, beautifully heartbreaking, great, yeah. Prepare…

Samba: In the most beautiful way!

Vico: Have a tissue when you watch it. [laughs] Everyone's like noooo.

Samba: To clean up after, or..?

Vico: I'm gonna get a text from Jenkins.

Host: What is it?

Vico: Jenkins is gonna be like Vico, Vico…

Kristian: Speaking of tissues, they can be used in more than one way. Hashtag just saying.

Samba: Thanks. Hi.

Kristian: Definitely be real. Anyway, hi.

Vico: Save us, save us!

What would your character's drag name be? (27:02)

Audience member: Hello. My… My name is Tall Izzy. [cheering] That's my fans. So if your, if your character… This is for all of you, if your character had a drag name, what would it be? I have one, and all you gotta do is ask.

Vico: Oh, I mean, I want to hear yours.

Audience member: So I heard Jizzy go by, but I like Long Izzy.

Vico: Oh, nice. Nice, nice. If Jim had a drag name. It needs to be something to do with knives. I mean, yeah, the They-slash-them. I mean like. Slash away your clothes Zorro-style. You never know what's gonna happen with a slash.

Samba: I'd probably go with Orange Blossom or something like that.

Vico: Cute, oh my god.

Kristian: This is such a huge question. [shout from audience] I know, but I have so many drag names I would give myself. I don't know what Wee John would have. What would Wee John have? Help me. Help me. Maybe like the... Irish Courage, Irish Colleen… Colleen. Colleen. I'm really bad at this. Help me, Vico.

Vico: Me?

Kristian: Yeah!

Vico: With English? Oh god. But drag name, right. Okay, so Wee John. I mean, something to do with fire, something with pyrotechnics?

Kristian: Oh yeah.

Another audience member: Pyra?

Vico: Yes.

Audience member: Hello.

Kristian: Pyra Maniac. There you go.

Vico: Yes.

Kristian: Pyra. Maniac.

Vico: Pyra Maniac, voilà.

Kristian: There you go. Thank you.

Tall Izzy: I have a proposal. Flaming Sparkles.

Vico: Cute, yes. 

Kristian: Not so bad, not bad.

Vico: I love.

Samba: Thank you.

Vico: Also The Menace is also…

Vico, how did you get into drag? (29:10)

Samba: Hi, Calico Jack.

Vico: Yes!

Audience member: Hello. I'm Short Jack. No, my name is Jamie. And my question is for Vico. I did my first drag show last night and you were there.

Vico: Oh, yeah. I was gonna say, I think you were there, weren't you, yes.

Audience member: So I just wondered how you got into drag, and like how you started doing that?

Vico: Yes. Completely accidental. I had a friend who was doing a fundraiser for the AIDS Foundation. And it was the first time that she was producing a drag king show. And I am an actor. She's known me for a very long time. And she was like, Have you ever done drag? And I was like, what? No? No. And then she was like, you want to do it? And I was like, Sure. And at that time, I had only known about drag queens. I had never heard of drag kings before. Or drag in-betweens. And then when I said yes, I immediately went on YouTube and tried to look for something and I couldn't really find a whole lot. Now there's a lot more content, which I love. But then I was like, okay, cool. So drag queens, lip sync, they do the dress up, the makeup. And so I kept that pretty simple. I just did the one song by Ricky Martin. And I dressed up like Ricky Martin, I did a full impersonation of him.

And the second I got on stage and did the song, and like, I thought it was gonna be a one-off, I was like, I'll do it for the thing and then call it a day. And the second I got everything on, I got on stage, I performed and I left, I was like, Ooh, this is something I have to definitely do again. And then I went a little deeper in it and started really connecting the dots, because I was using drag not only to connect with my masculinity, but then also reclaim what does that mean to me, and as well as what femininity means to me, and then connect with my culture as well with that, so I was very, like, oh, I want to use Puerto Rican songs. And then connect to me, to who I am as a Caribbean person, as a trans person. And then I realized I was using a lot of songs from people, from guys who are gay, and I was like, oh yeah, I'm like, a little effeminate guy and I'm so here for it. So it just, it's, yeah, that's how I got into it. And now I'm obsessed. And it's been a wonderful tool. And you did incredible last night.

Audience member: Thank you so much.

Vico: So hells yeah. Congrats to you.

Vico, do you have any advice for a nonbinary actor? (31:37)

Audience member: And I'm Pink Jack.

Vico: Yes. Oh, my god. Yes.

Audience member: We've got a whole pink crew over there.

Vico: That's lovely, oh my god.

Audience member: So my question is specifically for Vico. I am also a nonbinary actor, and I wanted to know if you had any advice navigating that? I know a lot of people don't respect the identity right now. So it's kind of hard to make sure that you're seen.

Vico: Yes, okay, first of all, fuck yeah, absolutely. Carry on.

Audience member: Thank you.

Vico: Like, I want more of us in every single position I can possibly see. My advice is, this industry loves categorizing, and loves putting people in boxes. I remember when I first started off, and was out as a trans nonbinary person, I was only going out for cis men roles and cis women roles. And I was just, my, both my teams were really happy with sending me for anybody. And I was kind of a wildcard, right. I would go into a room filled with cis people, cishet people, and I would come in and read, and I was a very like, Oh, this is an interesting option, right? But then once… and that was kind of an advantage and also a downfall, because it's like, oh, that's a lot for this character. But then it was like, oh, no, we want that for this character.

But then what happens, right, is that now there's a lot more representation, and then now Hollywood is like, okay, so this is male, this is female, and this is what nonbinary looks like, right? So now they're, they have a look in mind for that. And we have to continue to be like, no, nonbinary can look like literally anything we fucking want. There is not one way to be nonbinary. There's not one way to be, right. And I'm part of this discord group with a bunch of trans actors. And we're all just like, "did you get this", and we're like, a bunch of people and we all look very different. We all have very different energies. And it's like, we're all going for the same role, because Hollywood is like, this is what this looks like, right?

And so my advice is, stay true to you. I know it's very cliché to say that but genuinely though, show up because it is you who they want to see, right. And still go out for the other roles. You know, I'm saying like, I need, you know, queer folks in every single position. So like, you know, take them all. But yeah, stay true to you. And please do not give up. It's a marathon, you know, it's a marathon, so there'll be some crazy ups and some crazy downs. But I mean, anytime that you show up, you show your face, and these casting offices, the more they're gonna be like, oh… So yes, abso-freaking-lutely carry on.

Audience member: Thank you so much.

Vico: Thank you.

What has working with David Jenkins on season two been like? (34:24)

Audience member: Hi, my name is Chippy. 

Samba: Hi Chippy.

Audience member: My question is, what's it been like working with David Jenkins, as the showrunner, creator, and also as a director in season two?

Samba: David, first of all he walks around with a giant boombox. And so we'd be in our trailers kind of getting dressed and all this, and suddenly you hear, [falsetto] "and if you don't love me now…" just kind of fading in the background, and he's just there, carrying his JBL speaker. And so, as a director on set, he really sets the mood with the music that he plays. And he lets us play. So he would just, [impression] "okay and just, that was really good, just, just do another one, just do another one, just…" You know, he would be very casual about it. Until he'd get like a, because he's a writer, he'd suddenly get a line or whatever, he's like, Oh, no, no, no, say this instead, or, or say something like this instead. So it was really fun to have the creator, who has the vision of the show, also direct, because he knows exactly what he wants. And he directed… It's not a spoiler. He directed two episodes this season. So yeah, it's gonna be good.

Kristian: He did really well. I really liked working with him as a director as well. David has a knack… I did livestreams every Wednesday, over the last couple of months.

Samba: This guy. Wee John Wednesdays. Thank you.

Kristian: Thanks for watching. Oh my god.

[shout from audience]

Kristian: No, thank you. Thank you. But the last one I did was with David and David is, he's an unusual character, I'd say the unusual nature of the show very much comes from David. It's his baby. And David as a person… I found it quite hard to be in New Zealand, because it's so far from home, so far away from my family, as it is for everybody. I ended up loving it there. But at first… And David is a very kind person, he has a really good knack of knowing when you're down, or you're struggling with something. And he just knows what to say. I have so much respect for David as a person and as a creator. So yeah, he's really great to work with. So if you ever get a chance I would recommend it.

Vico: Yeah, literally, when I saw that he was directing, I was like, Oh my gosh, yes, yes, yes. Yes. And then when we got to work together, I felt, it's, he's truly so wonderful. Yeah, he loves playing and then he just like will feed something at the, on the other end, like Oh, say this! And be like, you can, you can hear him in a corner just like [snickers]

Samba: Yeah, he's always like [snickers]

Vico: It's so sweet. It's so wonderful. Also like lowkey fashion icon. I just was like, David, I wear what you wear. I love this.

Samba: Styling. Showed up to set one day in a suit. I was like, Who are you? Who are you? Wonderful.

Vico: I love.

Samba: Thank you, Chippy.

What would your character's favorite animal be? (37:14)

Audience member: Hello. My name is Alex. I'm from St. Louis. My question was, if your character had to have a favorite animal, what would it be?

Samba: [gestures at his shirt with a picture of a roach on it] Yeah. It'd be weird if he's like, I like horses. I don't think that makes sense.

Kristian: I mean, if I as a person wasn't so morbidly allergic to them, I would say Wee John would be, he likes cats. I mean, he does like to be one occasionally.

Samba: Your Black Cat of Death was a beautiful costume.

Vico: Oh my goodness. I feel like I'm trying not to get my favorite animal, I guess, into the mix. Jim, I think, would love to have a snake. Yeah, here for it. It was a toss up between a snake or a gecko. But I think snake, snake is the one. Yeah. 

Samba: Jimenezzzzz.

Audience member: Thank you.

Samba: Thank you.

Kristian: Thank you.

What were your favourite moments from Wee John Wednesdays? (38:32)

Audience member: Hi.

Samba: Hi!

Audience member: My name is Michelle. I live around here, in the suburbs. So you mentioned Wee John Wednesdays a minute ago, Kristian. I'm just wondering, what were some of your favorite moments from that? Like your most memorable moments or funniest moments? And honestly, you guys, too, because I'm sure you watch them because you're fans.

Vico: Oh, yes.

Samba: I was sneaking up on all the comments and stuff like that. Yeah, I was watching every single one of them.

Kristian: You commented on everything.

Samba: I did.

Kristian: Everything. Thank you. Thank you for your input.

Samba: Thank you.

Kristian: It's very much appreciated. Favorite… Honestly, you guys were all equally awesome in different ways. My favorite part was the technical problems every single fucking week. I enjoyed doing it from a prostitute-filled sewer in the he back of Belfast backstreets with a rat under my car. See what I do for you guys? See what I do for you guys? But honestly, it kind of felt like… I really loved doing yours, Vico, you're such an animated and positive person to speak to, and it's, yours was amazing. I really enjoyed doing yours. Samba…

Samba: Finally.

Kristian: You are not that. No, Samba, you're awesome as well. How can I pick a favorite? I will pick a favorite though.

Samba: Please do.

Vico: Yes.

Kristian: And it's David.

Samba: Yeah.

Kristian: It was David. Simply because it felt like we were sort of ramping up towards that.

Samba: It was insightful, yeah.

Kristian: Yeah, it's just yeah. He is a great person to talk to. And what about you guys? What was your favorite of my livestreams?

Vico: I was gonna say, segue question. How stressful was it to have Wee John Wednesdays without people saying spoilers?

Kristian: [overlapping, exuding stress] With Leslie?

Vico: With Leslie.

Kristian: With Leslie. 

Vico: Just like, spoilers.

Kristian: Leslie… How shall we put this? Leslie is an amazing personality, a huge personality…

Samba: With no filter. Like, beautiful with no filter, and…

Kristian: No filter. And I love that about her. I mean, oh my god, the best thing in the world. But…

Samba: But when you're trying to avoid spoilers…

Kristian: Spoilers!

Samba: That's a very tricky guest to have.

Kristian: I've never said… Obviously Nathan was on that as well, and Nathan's like a bloody… He talks like a lawnmower. Which I love about Nathan. [makes a face] No, of course I do! Nathan was my BFF on set. Well, you're all my BFFs, I couldn't choose someone I love more than anybody else. But. I think Nathan was the first person that I bonded with, over being two big queens. But… What was the question?

Samba: You were stressed about Leslie.

Kristian: Leslie, yeah. I was just watching, I can see she's going in a certain direction. And I would try to jump in and go [panicked noise] It was very stressful.

Samba: Hang up.

Kristian: Very, very stressful. But also awesome, because she's such a large personality, you know? I look forward to doing them again sometime.

Samba: Yes please.

Host: I was gonna say, will we get more?

Kristian: Yeah, probably for season two. I imagine I'll do them again. 

Samba: Yeah, please, please.

Kristian: [fake crying]

Audience member: Thank you.

Kristian: No, I love them. Thank you.

Any tidbits the internet doesn't know about your character? (41:38)

Audience member: Hi, my name is Mike, aka the funsize Izzy. And, so, watching season one, I got my friend into it. And he allowed me to scour the internet for little facts and tidbits about the show to share with him. And my question is, is there any facts or tidbits about your character from season one or something that was there from the beginning of the show, that maybe the internet doesn't know or hasn't found out yet?

Samba: Just the fact about the show that I found out the other day, which was like wow, and it's also thanks to you guys, is that it was in the top 0.2% of most watched shows in America. [audience cheers] It unseated Marvel shows. For seven weeks. 

Host: Wow.

Samba: So thank you.

Vico: Okay, because there are like, behind the scenes of like, season one deleted scene moments. So when me and Leslie were doing our little bar scene, talking it out, post the fight and stuff, I started improvising with her that… Because apparently, the way that Jim looks with the beard and the nose is Leslie's type. And then when you look at, you know, Alfeo de la Vaca, with the hair and the hat and all that stuff. I started improvising with her and being like, I mean, I dressed up like your fave so that you would be interested in me and like, make me be one of your spouses. You can spill some information about where the rest of the, you know, these dogs are at and all that stuff. And we just kept going on in that direction. And long story short, the wig that I use when Jim has the beard and the nose is the hair that Alfeo de la Vaca uses when, in the flashbacks. So a little background, you know, is that like, you know, yeah, Jim dressed up like Alfeo to get closer to Jackie.

Samba: I didn't know that, that's so cool.

Kristian: I'm sure this is pretty widely known. But maybe some people don't know just how much of what you're seeing on screen was improvised. Because there was a lot. I mean, my acting background, whatever, I was not, I'm not, I wouldn't classify myself as a great improviser. I'm definitely better now, after two seasons, because it's just completely improvised. There are things that have become canon about the characters, like for example, with like, when I pulled the thing over my head and talked about making dresses for my mother. That was completely tripe coming out of my mouth. That has become canon. I think we all have had moments like that, we all have sort of created a different narrative for a character just by having to improvise. And that's really scary. But yeah, that's one thing maybe not everyone knows.

Samba: That's good. 

Audience member: Thank you.

What is your karaoke song and what would your character's be? (44:55)

Audience member: Hi, my name is Nicole. I'm from Chicago. I just wanted to say, thank you for coming here and ask- answering all these questions. My question is, what is your go-to karaoke song versus what your character's go-to karaoke song would be?

Vico: Oh, that's good. So my go-to karaoke song, as Vico, is No Me Ames, the duet with JLo and Marc Anthony, and I do both voices. So I go like, I go low with Marc Anthony and then I go up with JLo, and I just have fun, just playing around with that.

Host: Preview?

Vico: Say, a preview? 

Host: A preview?

Vico: Let me see, um… Okay. [sings in a low voice] No me ames, que estaremos juntos uno con el otro... And then she goes like, [sings in a high voice] No me ames…

So it's like, go back and forth. Jim's though, I think. I think Jim would… Would I have Jim singing a song or Jim would be like, more in the background, you know, singing vocals for somebody? I think that they'll be like, I want to do this but not be in the spotlight. But I want to do this.

Samba: That's a tricky question. I don't really have a go-to karaoke song. I think… One time I did karaoke that was really memorable was in Malaysia in the middle of nowhere, and the song came on, Hello by Lionel Richie. I started singing it to the point where all the local Asians who were, Malaysians who were in the room started crying. And I don't know if it was because I was terrible or because they enjoyed what I was doing. But that became then my go-to karaoke song. No one cries in America, I can tell you that, when I sing it. So that. And I think Roach's karaoke song would just be like Cucaracha. Why not? It's easy. Not many words.

Kristian: When we were filming Season One in LA, Nathan and I would take road trips just to various places to go and do lunch, as girls do. We'd go, we'd take our handbags and go for lunch in different places around California. And we always would be singing the whole way up and down the highway. And we have this little fantasy that one day we're going to perform Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville: Don't Know Much. Obviously, he's gonna be Linda Ronstadt, and I'm gonna be Aaron Neville. I'm not gonna do a demonstration.

Samba: [singing] Don't know much…

Kristian: Yeah, yeah. So you may look forward to that sometime in the future. Feel free to ask, put a request in with Nathan. Yeah. Wee John… I mean, something to do with fire again. I'm so lazy. I'm just gonna say something about fire.

Samba: Just say Firestarter.

Kristian: No, it's not Firestarter. Something with fire.

Samba: [singing] Relight my fire…

Vico: [singing] Come on baby, light my fire… There we go.

Kristian: We'll do Relight My Fire. 

Samba: Or, [singing] This girl is on fire…

Vico: Yes!

Kristian: I'm gonna cry. That's my last fire reference, I promise.

Audience member: Thank you.

Samba: Thank you.

When did Jim fall in love or realize they were in love with Olu? (48:22)

Audience member: Hi, my name is Jax. I was wondering what you think the first moment that Jim fell in love or realized that they were in love in season one was?

Vico: There's a moment in episode, I believe it's 4, when Jim and Olu are watching the, I forget if it's a sunset or the sunrise, but there is some sort of sun action happening. And it's like, Olu is like, well, we get to, you know, we live to see another day. And it's like, Jim is like, I guess so, whatever. But there's a couple of takes in that one where I was like, looking at him very tenderly, because I am happy that like, we got to live another day and I get to be another day with you. And I think that's when they realize like, oh, I actually do want to live and I do want to, you know, continue life and get to know this person. So I think that was their moment. Yeah.

Samba: It was sunrise. I remember that because me and the Swede were in the back creeping and listening to your conversation. I remember that.

Vico, how does it feel to be queer Latine representation for us? (49:29)

Audience member: Hi. A question for Vico directly. Growing up Latine, there was not a lot of representation of any sort, you said previously novelas, any shows that I watched with my mom, with my parents, nothing. I never saw myself or any of my friends who were queer in any sort. Question is, how does it feel to be that for us now? Because I used you as an example. I use you as an example to my mom to explain… my childhood essentially, growing up, trying to fit either the male role the female role, nothing. How does it feel to be that for me and so many other people now?

Vico: I'm gonna cry. Thank you for sharing that. It feels… I'm so deeply grateful that I can be a vessel of conversation or a vessel of communication to either mend or create and connect bridges, right? Because it's all about that, right. Oftentimes there is a desire of wanting to know but then not knowing where to start and then like, if Jim is that ignition, beautiful. If I'm that ignition, beautiful. And I use Jim, too, as a way to start conversations and it's like, look at Jim, you know.

And I guess I just, I'm so deeply grateful and know that I am honored, and I… I am also, I also want more, you know. I want to be looking around and be like I'm not the… I know that I'm not the only one, but I know that I want more of us, specifically Latine people, like on stage, on TV, on film, you know. And I know that Latin America and the Caribbean are pretty behind in a lot of representation. I feel like now is when they're starting to be like, doing the coming out stories and only for sexuality, so they haven't even tackled a lot of stuff yet that we're in another realm now, right. So, but yeah, I just, I'm deeply grateful and so honored. And if it weren't for y'all I also wouldn't be here, you know, it's a two way street. I know that there's a community of all of us that we have each other and I wouldn't have the strength to do what I'm doing if I didn't know that I had y'all with me. [audience cheers]

How much of your character is like you? (52:02)

Audience member: Hi. First of all, I'd like to thank all three of you for using your platform to represent the Latine community, people of color and queer community. Kristian, you have helped me a lot with coming out. I appreciate you so much. You're a huge role model for me. So. Thank you so much. So. About…

Kristian: One of my best friends, ladies and gentlemen. We met in Warcraft about 12 years ago.

Audience member: Yes. We did it a long time ago.

Kristian: Yeah. How things have changed since then.

Audience member: I know. Crazy.

Kristian: Ah, so cool. I'm very proud of you as well. I'm proud of the journey you've been on, oh my god.

Audience member: Thank you, thank you. Okay, so. We were texting like a couple years ago about Wee John. And you said, Wee John is me but an arsonist. And I… and then when I was watching the scene where y'all were sewing flags. And your, the quote you said where you're… thank you, I used to sew dresses for my mother, or something along the lines of that. I was like, That is Kristian, that's not even Wee John. So I was wondering, for all three of you, how much of your character is like you?

Kristian: Well, the weird thing is, it's actually a flip because my mom used to make dresses for me. I was a drag artist. That's how my, that's how my showbiz career started. My mom and I, my mom and I used to fight over miniskirts, because I'd be like, I want shorter. And she'd be like, Kristian, you look like a slut. My mom's very cool. She's a very cool lady. And I'd be like, Mom, I'm just gonna pull it up. So you might as well make it short. She used to… my mom wasn't even a seamstress, and she'd be making these PVC strap tops and everything. My poor mother. Such a cool person. But yeah, that whole line was just flipped from reality. Like, I've never made a dress for my mother. And my mother doesn't wear dresses. So. But yeah, that really was just me. [audience: aww]

Samba: I mean, Roach, I mean, I'm a baker, I cook, and so that's very much how I am like my character. To the point where, I remember a scene where we're in the dinghy with Fred Armisen and Rhys and we're all kind of rowing to the Spanish ship. And and they deleted this, but if you look at that episode real quickly, you see me turn at the end of that scene, you know, because Fred Armisen goes, "Yeah, I know what tapas are", and then you see me turn and look at him and they cut it just there. But that was the moment I was listing up all these tapas I had made, like 20 of them, and then they're just, they're standing there and I'm going, "I made chicharrones and I made some da-da-da, and I made some da-da-da…" So, moments like that, I was happy to, you know, put into my character.

Vico: I love that. So Jim and I are very similar, where we have similar skill sets, I just, I just have them but I don't actively use them. Whereas Jim actually will stab people. So there's a meme of like, a goth house and a very colorful house right next to each other. And I think that's like, I'm the colorful house and Jim is the emo one. Because I'm very chatty, and then Jim is not, so it's like, oftentimes, I want to improvise and go crazy and be like, wait hold up, Jim is not me, Vico. But there are moments that are a little bit unhinged, like the bit where I let go of the glass, or like, the very cat-like, just like, take the glass down. The way my hand went with it. I was like, it was me. I was like, get out, you know, I gotta go. And then be serious and like, [gravelly voice] "Alfeo de la Vaca, dónde está?", you know? So yeah. That's kind of what the difference is.

Audience member: Thank you.

Vico: Thank you.

Kristian: I love you, Alex.

Audience member: I love you.

What does it mean for you to be a part of a show with such queer representation and openly queer fan base? (56:22)

Host: Real quick, we only have time for one more question. But, but, this is such a lovely room full of fans. Could we take a picture with them after this question?

Vico: Yes, oh my gosh.

Samba: I also have a raffle thing to hand out to whoever entered the raffle for an OFMD sweatshirt. So we'll do that too. Yeah. And then we'll take a photo. BTS!

Audience member: Hi.

Samba: No pressure on the last question.

Audience member: A lot of pressure. This is kind of a sappy question. But I was just wondering what it meant for each of you to be a part of a show with such supportive queer representation with a fan base that is so openly queer?

Vico: Everything and then some, honestly, I just was so excited. I mean, I come from that same like, I read someth- I read the script and I was like, wow, this is really gay. And then it kept getting gayer, and then I was like, I'm reading it, so I'm like, I'm not making this up. I'm actually reading these words, right? And then like, and then I see it being shot. And I'm like, Oh my gosh, they're actually shooting it, no one's deleting anything. And then, you know, then we're done, we're done filming and then the editing happens and I have no idea what's happening. And then I don't know for sure for sure they're actually going to make it what I think is going to happen, until I actually see it on TV. So when I saw that they actually went there and did not panic last minute or cut a scene or whatever, they really went in there. I just, I feel, it's everything to me. It's everything to know that there is such a support among my castmates, like the crew, you know. Like literally, it's everything and then some.

Kristian: Yeah. It's just so important to me as well that not only is it a gay, queer thing, it shows we come in all different shapes and sizes, and we look different. We're not in any one stereotype. We come all different colors and creeds. And I just love the fact that that's a mainstream TV program now, and it's gonna educate people, and it's so important. I didn't imagine in my wildest dreams I'd be a part of something like that.

Samba: Vico is the first nonbinary person I have met since moving to Los Angeles. And when we met, you were very open about who you are and what pronouns you used. And I've been so educated since then about, you know, the nonbinary community and the they/them pronouns, and I've integrated that in my vocabulary because of you. And to have, you know, a fan base that supports all kinds of people with all kinds of backgrounds… You know, I'm an outsider, I'm multicultural, I've never really fit in anywhere... But to have a community that embraces you for who you are, and to have a community that feels seen through the show is something I think none of us expected to take off so much. And it's such a moving blessing every day, just to have those interactions online and with you guys, just to feel seen and feel appreciated and it's all love, so thank you for that. Yeah.

outro (59:30)

Vico: Raffle time!

Samba: This is gonna take a very quick second. So this is the OMD t-shirt I'm raffling off today for people who entered the raffle. One of a kind. Thanks for participating. I have all these tickets here. Just tell me when to stop raffling and I'll pick a ticket.

Audience: Stop!

Samba: It's a blue ticket. [groans from audience] And the number is 030045.

Vico: Who's got it? Anyone?

Samba: No-one? 030045.

Audience: Go again!

Samba: Nope? All right, go again. Tell me when, tell me when, tell me when.

Audience: Now!

Samba: It's orange. Number 335621. Did everybody just leave? 335621? 

Audience member: 721?

Samba: You got it, is that you?

Audience member: No, I have 721.

Samba: Oh no, that doesn't count. No one, really? Oh my god. All right, one more time.

Vico: Let's do it.

Samba: Another orange ticket. 335843. I just hear sighs of disappointment.

Vico: Oh no.

Samba: Does no one have this ticket? 335843.

Host: Anyone?

Samba: Should I just toss this into the audience?

Vico: Oh god. That's terrifying.

[various shouts from the audience, Samba tosses the shirt, clamoring, etc]

Vico: Okay, okay, I was like, ahh, ahh.

Samba: Congratulations!

Host: Selfie?

Vico: Let's do it. Abso-freaking-lutely.

Voiceover: Alright, we're gonna require everybody to stand up, come in close. And on the count of three, we're gonna toss our hands in the air, we're gonna yell, clap, scream, go crazy. All right, here we go, get ready. Everybody over...