Leading up to the Writers Guild of Canada awards on April 23, TV, eh? is posting a series of interviews with some of nominees. Evan Thaler Hickey was nominated in the Children & Youth category for the “Escape Artist” episode of Connor Undercover.

Can you describe the episode, and how it fit into the Connor Undercover season?

Let’s see if I can do this without being too spoiler-y! “Escape Artist” is one of the hinge episodes in Connor’s second season. Up to that point, Connor (our secret agent in training) and Gisela (his protectee) have been working to keep Gisela safe from a faceless adversary bent on capturing her (for what reason, no one knows!). But now, there’s a new player in town who knows who’s behind the entire conspiracy; and he’s playing a major game of cat and mouse with our two heroes as they try to capture him. Oh, and Connor and Gisela are handcuffed together the entire time. It’s a crazy thrill ride and it gives them a big clue into who the big bad of the series is.

What about this episode are you particularly proud of?

I think it’s the overall tone of the episode. Connor’s an action/adventure/comedy and the episodes sort of live or die on finding the right balance between those elements. It’s gotta be funny but not too jokey ’cause that kills the tension and the stakes have to be high but not life-threatening since it’s a kids’ show. I’d already worked on the first season of the series but writing this episode was the first time I felt I really got that. It felt good.

What does this recognition mean to you?

This is really big for me — not just because it’s the first industry award I’ve ever been nominated for but because this award’s all about writers judging writers on their writing. It’s not about what made it to the screen, it’s about the script you wrote and I think that makes it mean more than just about any other award out there. Plus, it’s made my mom really happy.

And finally (imagine my best Joan Rivers impression): what will you be wearing to the ceremony?

A look of anxiety and lots of deodorant.

Leading up to the Writers Guild of Canada awards on April 23, TV, eh? is posting a series of interviews with some of nominees. Ken Cuperus earned one of  three nominations for My Babysitter’s a Vampire in the Children and Youth category, for the “Blood Drive” episode.

Can you describe the episode, and how it fit into the My Babysitter’s a Vampire season?

“Blood Drive” takes place early in the season as Sarah struggles to keep herself from drinking blood, which would turn her from a fledgling into a full vampire. But temptation comes knocking in the form of a school blood drive, and Erica is piling on the peer pressure to get Sarah to drink. Everything gets more complicated when it is revealed that the two nurses who are running the blood drive are, in fact, vampires themselves… and the blood drive is a long-running scam to stock up on fresh blood. Rory and Erica try to steal the blood from the blood truck, but get captured by the vamp nurses — and Ethan, Benny and Sarah are forced to give chase, to rescue their pals. That’s where the title comes from. It’s a blood drive … but also they are driving in a blood truck. Forget the script, the title alone is award worthy, right? (crickets)

What about this episode are you particularly proud of?

Did I mention how clever the title is? I mean, it’s a blood drive, right? But also … there’s the driving of a truck that contains actual blood. Rarely is an episode as aptly titled as this one. Also, I managed to cram in a “Sarlacc Pit” reference, which will be mildly interesting to Star Wars fans and nobody else.

What does this recognition mean to you?

It’s really great to have my work recognized, and I love that I am up against some of my favourite people in the industry. I’ve been working alongside both Ben and Alice since my earliest days as a preschool writer, and I would be thrilled to see either one of them take home the award. I don’t know Evan, but I have no doubt he is equally deserving, and I’m rooting for him as well. Of course, if I do win, I will rub it in all of their faces mercilessly.

And finally (imagine my best Joan Rivers impression): what will you be wearing to the ceremony?

Probably the same outfit I wear to every single event ever. I mean, I own maybe three pairs of pants. And my “good” shirt has holes in the sleeves. I’m not what you’d call a sharp dresser. If it wasn’t for my wife, I’d probably just show up in my pajamas. I have serious issues.