Where Does Ike Rank on the Intelligence Scale in TACOMA FD? Gabriel Hogan Ponders That Question as Season 2 Begins

By BILL HARRIS Special to The Lede Gabriel Hogan says the close-knit cast and creators of TACOMA FD regularly get together for video-conferencing calls, especially after new episodes air. “We all hop on it, and just connect with each other, and talk about how awesome we all are,” said the Canadian actor, with Season 2 of TACOMA FD set to make its Canadian debut, Thursday, April 9 at 10:30 p.m. ET on CTV Comedy Channel. “A lot of people are doing that now, there’s a lot of digital connection happening. In normal times, the cast actually hangs out a lot. Of all the shows I’ve done, we truly get along really well. So having not seen each other for a while, the calls are great.” TACOMA FD is a boisterous half-hour comedy set in a firehouse in one of America’s rainiest cities. The firefighters – including Hogan’s character, Ike Crystal – are good at their jobs, although some of the calls they’re asked to respond to are suitably ridiculous. And a lot of the comedy is based on how far they’ll go to entertain themselves while sitting around the station. When asked what changes fans of TACOMA FD can expect in Season 2, Hogan immediately pointed out that there are three more episodes – 13, versus 10 in Season 1 – so that’s “90 more minutes of TACOMA FD for everyone,” he said enthusiastically. But as funny and fun as Season 1 was, Hogan thinks Season 2 is a step up. “And I’m not just saying that because we want people to watch it – I think Season 2 is better,” Hogan said. “It’s faster. It’s a little clearer. I think it’s funnier. People are more secure in what we’re doing. The characters are crafted. We know who’s funny together. So I feel as if we’ve taken the knowledge of all the things that worked in the first season, and used that to make the second season. I’m really happy with the way it turned out.” In addition to Hogan, TACOMA FD stars Kevin Heffernan as Chief Terry McConky, Steve Lemme as Captain Eddie Penisi, Marcus Henderson as Granville “Granny” Smith, Eugene Cordero as Andy Myawani, and Hassie Harrison as Lucy McConky. But if Hogan is presented with the idea that his character, Ike Crystal, is perhaps the stupidest character on the show, would he take that as an insult or a compliment? “Listen, Bill, I don’t write this stuff, okay? I just play it,” Hogan said. “But yeah, you know, Ike fits that bill. He isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. He is a very competent firefighter, let’s make sure we say that. But he’s not the smartest guy, I don’t think I can argue.” Interestingly, though, while Ike might be the stupidest, he isn’t necessarily the most gullible. “That’s true, yeah – the most gullible character might be Lucy,” Hogan said. “But I would definitely say that Hassie Harrison, who plays Lucy, is the most gullible in real life. I mean, even on our call just the other night, Kevin Heffernan came in late, and he said, ‘Hey, what did I miss?’ And somebody said, ‘Well, Gabe lied twice already and Hassie believed him.’ ” Hogan has one last tease for Season 2 of TACOMA FD. “We actually meet some of Ike’s family later in the season, and I get to play some of my own family members,” Hogan said. “It’s a very interesting dynamic as we delve deep into the Crystal family.” So viewers will get to witness first-hand the odd and traumatic upbringing that created Ike’s unique personality? Hogan laughed hard and replied, “Actually … you’re not far off the mark on that!” billharristv@gmail.com @billharris_tv