eddiecutlass - June 3rd, 2008

So, I've been wanting to write about this for weeks now and I finally have the gumption to do so. Earlier this month, I went to the Chiller Theatre Expo in NJ which is one of the largest horror/sci-fi film expos on the east coast. I have wanted to try and get to one of these in the past, due to the constant urgings of a former MTVNetworks co-worker, but never really had the opportunity or the money or the lack of laziness...anyway, I went and I dragged Jay with me. Now, I also dragged Jay to the Turnbuckle show last summer so I definitely see a trend of me dragging Jay to autographs shows, but I can promise that the moment we don't have a good story to tell because of it will be the last time I drag Jay to one of them. And to say we a had a good time doesn't ever scratch the surface.

Now, I'm new to all this type of stuff so I don't go to these shows with any materialistic agenda. What I mean by that is I don't go with a ton of swag and get it signed for the purpose of selling on Ebay or whatever. My purpose is to meet these performers on an even level, talk to them about their craft, thank them for their influence on my life, ask a few questions that may have been bouncing around in my head regarding their career and then get an autograph (and hopefully a picture with them) to mark the meeting. I try not to get starstruck, but unfortunately that happens and can spoil things...but more on that later.

So Jay and I got pre-show tickets which meant that we could go into the show an hour earlier than the "real" start time. If and when I attend another Chiller show I can guarantee I'd do it that way again. By going in early, we had the opportunity to get the lay of the land, hit a few attendees who had set up early without waiting and then hop on the line for the main floor before it gets too long...which it eventually did...sprawling down a long hallway and out the back door of the Hotel! Anyway we worked that first hour to its fullest. We met Lou Ferrigno, Richard Keil and Cindy Morgan all before we got in line. Then, when we got on the main signing floor (dubbed the pit) we met Barry Bostwick, Armin Shimmerman, Gregory Itzin, Robert Picardo, Stephen and Daniel Baldwin and had great meetings with all of them. I got to ask Shimmerman about working on two shows simultaneously and Picardo about his perfomance in INNERSPACE among other things. This is also where the cool stories begin.

Story 1: One thing that people don't know about me is that Frank Stallone has had quite an influence on my performing life. I've seen Staying Alive over 100 times and can pretty much quote the movie to you if asked. That movie, coupled with Jesus Christ Superstar, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Xanadu are responsible for my interest and love of musical theatre. The first 45" record I ever bought was FAR FROM OVER (the second was Ghostbusters, but I don't have that anymore) and I still have it. Also, growing up in the 80's, I watched A LOT of "B" movies. If it was hosted my Joe Bob Briggs, Gilbert Godfried or Rhonda Shearer I watched it and found something to enjoy about almost all of them...even if it was a naked girl...c'mon, I was a 10-16, what do you expect? :-) Anyway, he appeared in a one of the best of the worst called THE PINK CHIQUITAS and when we were teens, my friends and I loved it. We loved it so much that I attained a copy on VHS and have had that for almost 20 years. So, knowing he would be at the show, I found both objects and they came along with me. Upon meeting him, I didn't know what to expect, but he was probably the most geniune and gracious guy I ever met. He was totally down to earth and seemed touched by the sentiment upon my revealing the above information to him (and I don't think he thought I was too weird or a stalker which is cool). He signed my 45 and we talked about his music. I then took a picture with him holding the VHS tape. Then he told me that the movie has come out on DVD, which I didn't know, and he THREW me a copy...on the house!!! How cool is that?!?! If I wasn't a fan before...well, you know the rest. He was a real class act and I can guarantee that if I see him at another show, I'll get the CD we were talking about. The only thing that sucked was that because of my nerves and the overwhelmingness of the people signing, I felt like I had to move on quickly so there were questions I had that I forgot to ask. In fact, that was the theme of the day so I think when I go back, I'm going to write down a few things so I don't forget to ask them.

Story 2: We meander over to where Mick Foley is signing. We chat a bit about his connection to the Center where Alice works and how she met him last year, but when it came down to getting an autograph or picture, his prices were a little high. And this was still early so I thought I would run out of money. So I comment about that and he says "Well who have you spent your money on so far?"...or something like that. I run though a little list and when I get to Cindy Morgan (who I met and got a TRON picture autographed...really classy lady), he responds with "Lacy Underall from Caddyshack is here? I talked to her on the phone, but we've never met. You don't have any money so I'm sending you on note passing duty." And with that, he gets a piece of cardboard from his handler and writes a note on it. Jay and I then leave the pit and take the note to Cindy who responds with the same "talked on the phone, didn't know he was here" line. She then starts signing a picture for him and tells us that she wants a picture from him...not just a note. So we take it back to Mick, but now the line for the pit is HUGE so Jay sneaks through the line (as we assure people we're not cutting) and give the pic to Mick, retrieves one for Cindy and off we go again. She says thanks and gives me another autograph for the trouble which she didn't have to do, as I had bought one from her earlier, but come on...how generous! So I accepted graciously and quickly. I was hoping for something from Mick, but he wasn't as forthcoming...even as I met up with him later and asked if they had met. I was a little let down because of that...especially due to the fact that we left the pit to play messenger. In doing so, we missed Ernest Borgnine, Joe Pantaliano, Bridgitte Neilsen and Ami Dolenz among others, but, it is still a cool story and I learned a lesson...don't leave the pit until you get all the meets that you want. Next time, I will do just that.

Story 3: Since we couldn't get back into the pit, we went down this side hallway and in one room we found Brian O'Hollaran, Marilyn Ghigliotti and Jason Mewes...all from Clerks. Jay had a Clerks X DVD and got it signed by O'Halloran and we talked a bit about community theatre acting and stuff since that's where he got his start, then we made our way over to Mewes. All his prices were posted and Jay had two DVDs he wanted signed. The guy taking the money said go for the Clerks X so Jay paid for the one autograph. While waiting in line, a guy walked up and asked Mewes how he was doing and Mewes replied with "I'm doing alright man, I've got my Hot Dog lighter and my friend here..." which Jay and I immediately jumped on and asked the friend what it's like to play second fiddle to a hot dog lighter (this will come back later on) and the joke went well as they both laughed. Then it was Jay's turn in line so he asked Mewes which DVD he'd like to sign and Mewes said, "F*CK it, I'll sign both of 'em"...cool in itself, but then I asked to take a picture of him to prove that I met him as my brother is a big fan and he took a picture WITH me. And I didn't pay for that!! If I didn't think Mewes was cool before...nah forget that, I always thought he was cool...but now he's F*cking cool! And this also brings up an interesting point...let's say that I were to do something theatrical that brought me international fame and I'm at an autograph show. Doing little things like this with the fans I feel makes you MORE beloved by the fans in the future. There were many people who had prices of $20 for an autographed picture, $10 dollar for a picture with them, but free with the purchase of an autograph. I like that! It's not too much money, it creates value, but beyond that...it makes you feel like you're getting that extra something. Like the people who would let Jay and I in a picture for the price of one. It's just a little thing, but it creates great feeling and positive reactions.

Story 4: This is a short and simple story, but one of the coolest. We met Staci Keanan of TV's MY TWO DADS and STEP BY STEP. I commented that MY TWO DADS was my favorite sit-com (along with Night Court) and I could even sing the theme song. We chatted about the show and other things, took some pictures (which she was VERY generous with) and were about the leave when jay, sh!t-stirrer that he is, reminded her that I could sing the theme song. So, she asked to hear it and even though I was a bit embarrassed, I am a ham and can't turn down a request. From what Jay told me after the fact, she seemed genuinely impressed...or at least surprised. That was enough for me. :-)

There were a couple of downers, but I've already written WAY too much so lets just chalk them up to my nerves getting the better of me so let's just say that if I ever meet Nora Greenwald or William Forsythe again, I guarantee they'll have a better impression of me. And if I don't...well it's their loss. :-)

I can just end with this: The Chiller people put on a great show and I will return to another of their shows in a heartbeat...if the stars align again...and if I'm lucky enough...I'll be dragging Jay right behind!