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ARMAGEDDON EXPO NEW ZEALAND
October 24-27, 2014

RDA at Armageddon Expo

Richard visited New Zealand for the very first time when he appeared as one of the guests for the Armageddon Expo at the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland, New Zealand.

He arrived a few days before the convention began, giving him the opportunity to enjoy some of the sites of the host city, and to participate in the media blitz that preceeded the main event.

During the convention, he participated in question and answer panels as well as a brunch with fans and fellow "System Lords" Cliff Simon (Ba'al), Peter Williams (Apophis), Jacqueline Samuda (Nirrti), and Suanne Braun (Hathor). He also signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans.

Below are some photos and media appearances from Richard's visit to New Zealand.

October 23, 2014 - Sea Shepherd
On Thursday, after completing several pre-recorded interviews, Richard had the opportunity to visit the Sea Shepherd anti-whaling vessel "Sam Simon," after she docked in Auckland.

On the Sea Shepherd ship Sam Simon On the Sea Shepherd ship Sam Simon On the Sea Shepherd ship Sam Simon

October 23, 2014 - 3 News: "Campbell Live"
On the evening talk show, Richard chatted with David Farrier for both a brief written interview and an extended video chat for "Campbell Live".

Richard on Campbell Live with David Farrier Campbell Live - October 23, 2014
Video of both full and edited versions of the interview is available in the Video Gallery c/o Campbell Live.


Richard with David Farrier Richard with David Farrier Richard with David Farrier

3 News
By David Farrier
October 23, 2014

Armageddon Welcomes MacGyver to Auckland

Richard Dean Anderson is in Auckland for the Armageddon pop culture expo this Labour weekend.

Some may know him better simply as MacGyver, or maybe his other role in the hugely popular television show Stargate SG-1.

But thanks to MacGyver, Anderson's had a pretty good career that just comes with just one small regret.

"It might have been wiser to start earlier," says Anderson. "I was such a vagabond, hopping freights, I rode a bike to Alaska and back, just things like that - hitchhiking - living life in the late 1960s, early 1970s."

The 64-year-old starred on shows like General Hospital - but it was MacGyver where he hit it big and it's MacGyver he still loves.

"More or less he was a sort of a science guy who knew how to do things," says Anderson. "Aside from being clever, there was also the concept that you didn't need a gun to solve a problem - in the mid-1980s that was a unique concept."

Only when he got the role in another hit show in Stargate SG-1, he got flak from his colleagues for finally picking up a gun.

Much like the characters he plays it seems Anderson's always gone with the flow - stumbling into acting because his dad sometimes directed school plays.

"I'd go to his rehearsals and just see, and during rehearsals they'd have Twinkies - you know any job where I could get free Twinkies, I am in."

He says that it is all about the catering, but also to have fun when you're still young.

"I have a daughter and she just turned 16," says Anderson. "I started telling her when she was 12 that if you're in the house by the time you're 15 or 16, something will be wrong".

His daughter is starting to act now, too.

October 24, 2014 - 1 News: "Breakfast"
On the morning show, Richard chatted with Alison Pugh about his memories from his days as MacGyver.

October 24, 2014 - TV3: "Jono and Ben at Ten"
With the addition of a rope prop, Richard chatted briefly with Guy Williams from the evening talk show Jono and Ben.

October 24, 2014 - ZM online: "Fletch, Vaughan & Megan"
Richard joined Fletch and Vaughan from the online audio podcast to talk about MacGyver and Sea Shepherd.

October 24, 2014 - Stuff.co.nz
Richard talked about MacGyver for both a written interview and a video chat for the entertainment segment of Stuff.co.nz.


Stuff
By Jess McAllen
October 24, 2014

What MacGyver Star Does With His Swiss Army Knife

Richard Dean Anderson is a dab-hand at using pocket knives: "The best thing you can do with a Swiss army knife is cut your nose hairs. In fact I may have done it recently."

The 64-year-old, best known for his role the as innovative MacGyver, is in Auckland for the Armageddon pop culture expo this weekend.

Also known as Jack O'Neill from Stargate - "he was a little bit more fun to play because I could be a smart ass" - Anderson is something of a pop culture icon, so what do fans have to look forward to when they make the trip to see him?

"I'm not sure what I am doing. Talk to people, have pictures taken... Why do you know something I don't know?"

The role that kick-started the fame, the glory and the selfies begun with the decision to don glasses at an audition.

"My own personality was not so vain, it was humble enough to be able to wear glasses during an interview. They all looked at each other and said 'that's the quality we want'.

"My hair was also blowing all over the place, it was long and I had a leather jacket. I had just gotten off my motorcycle and raced over for the auditions so all the stars aligned that fateful day in 1985."

Now, however, he is more self conscious: "as the years go on I become less and less recognisable as MacGyver because that's time marching on and gravity having its effect on skin and fat and such things as people acquire during the aging process."

MacGyver's refusal to use guns was seen as a brave move in America at the time but Anderson says the crew hadn't anticipated the reaction.

"Instead of using a gun he had a science background and the whole concept was based on his knowledge of things. The science of things.

"That concept caught on with the younger audience initially and then the families, the mums and dads realised their kids were looking at something wholesome-ish."

As for those famous garage-door-rolls that created a generation of kids with cuts and bruises from attempting to "MacGyver it"?

"Came to me like that. I used to do it in real life. My parents would lock me out and the only place I could sleep was the garage. They'd close it on me and I'd have to roll under because that's where my sleeping bag was."

He's joking.

"But it sounds good."

October 24, 2014 - Media
Richard participated in a number of audio, video, and print interviews before the convention began.

Richard with Alison Pugh Richard with Guy Williams Richard with Guy Williams Richard with Paul Blomfield c/o Paul Blomfield Richard with Vaughan Smith c/o ZM online posted by Vaughan Smith Richard with Vaughan and Fletch c/o ZM online posted by Vaughan Smith

October 24, 2014 - Note From Rick
On Friday evening, Richard returned to his room and attempted once more to make contact through the internet. First came a brief message:

October 24, 2014

I have been trying to get my iPad to work, and my iPhone. If you receive this message you will be the first. ~ Rick

Shortly afterward, his series of "partially obscured traveller" selfies resumed.

Richard's selfie in Hobbiton

October 24, 2014 - Hobbiton
Richard's selfie, (as yet uncaptioned), was taken at Hobbiton, the movie set used in the "Lord of the Rings" movies. The Hobbit village at Matamata, near Auckland, is open to visitors, and the organizers of Armageddon Expo arranged for a visit there.

Richard's selfie in Hobbiton Taking a selfie in Hobbiton
Hobbiton Hobbiton Hobbiton Hobbiton Hobbiton Hobbiton

October 25, 2014 - Note From Rick
On Saturday evening, Richard finally succeeded in getting his iPad to work, and he shared his impressions of New Zealand.

October 25, 2014

I now have an iPad, and thus, a far less frustrating way to communicate.

The convention is very, very well attended (see: crowded!).

NZers are so polite, and appreciative, with apparently grand, good hearts.

Nearly a 3 hour trek to visit Hobbit Town (Ville, City, etc.) -- very worth the bus ride. Little Hobbit stuff everywhere! BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE!!! Exquisite countryside! I want that countryside!!! (Paleese).

Looooooong flight to get here.

I hear it's longer going back.

More to come.

RA

October 26, 2014 - Armageddon Expo Sunday Panel
On Sunday, Richard participated in a Question and Answer Panel at Armageddon Expo.

Armageddon Expo Sunday Panel Armageddon Expo Sunday Panel - October 26, 2014
Video is available in the Video Gallery c/o Anime New Zealand.

October 27, 2014 - Armageddon Expo VIP Panel
On Monday, Richard participated in an additional Question and Answer Panel for VIP guests.

Armageddon Expo VIP Panel Armageddon Expo VIP Panel - October 27, 2014
Video is available in the Video Gallery c/o Andrew Purvis.

October 24-27 2014 - Armageddon Expo
Throughout the weekend, Richard participated in panels and meetings with fans, signed autographs, and posed for pictures.

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