Friends have teased me over the years about some of the pictures I’ve had the opportunity to take with some rather well-known faces. Believe me, it was chance and circumstance that lead to most of these. As for the rest? I’ll admit that being in the right place at the right time takes a bit of skill, but it’s so worthwhile! No, I’m not an opportunist. There’s just some pretty awesome people out there who should get to know me…I mean who I should get to know. Yeah…that’s my story and I’m sticking with it.
I met my first television personality back in 1979, Michael Young, the host of Kids Are People, Too. The question I asked–and I worked on this question for quite some time leading up to the moment–was whether or not he was going to have more Battlestar Galactica people on. I remember he’d hosted a show with Noah Hathaway as a guest and possibly Richard Hatch, but maybe not. It was important to me that he definitely get in touch with these people, especially because I had a HUGE crush on Noah. I didn’t mention that part to him, though.
Me and Garrett Wang.
Things really kicked into gear about a decade ago when Miss Jenn-Jenn and I attended the MotorCity Comicon in Novi so I could look for a bootleg soundtrack. We happened to bump into Dirk Benedict, Herb Jefferson Jr. (both from Battlestar Galactica), Lou Ferrigno (the Incredible Hulk), Jenette Goldstein (Near Dark and Aliens), plus Claudia Christian and Richard Biggs (both from Babylon 5). To this day, one of my biggest regrets is not going up to Richard Biggs, introducing myself and telling him how much I enjoyed his work on the show. Miss Jenn-Jenn and I had run out of money–we hadn’t brought much with us because we had NO idea who was going to be there–so I felt awkward about approaching him without buying something. That was very foolish on my part.
As for some of the folks I’ve met since, the overwhelming majority of them have incredible! I had the chance to meet Peter Weller (Robocop and The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai) last year and he didn’t disappoint. I’ve even the pleasure to chat with Noel Neill (who played Lois Lane in The Adventures of Superman with George Reeves) and Julie Newmar, who’s an absolute hoot, too! A favorite moment I had a few years ago is when Star Trek: Voyager cast member Garrett Wang attended the MotorCity Comicon–I’d interviewed him for a website, which is reprinted here–and after I stopped by to say hello, he suggested “Pop a squat and let’s talk.” We did for 45 minutes.
The fabulous Robin Curtis and moi.
Okay, one last little fun bit is when actress Robin Curtis (Star Trek III and Star Trek IV and who I’d also interviewed) invited me to join her for lunch, which I did. During the conversation, Robert Picardo stopped by the table to say hello. How cool is that? I know…I know…total fanboy, right? Not then, though. I can pretty much geek out about it now, but back then I played it cool…mostly because I didn’t realize it was Bob Picardo when it happened.
So, who’s out there I’d still like to meet? I look forward to the day when I might get to say hello to Rutger Hauer, Chevy Chase, Barret Oliver (D.A.R.Y.L. and the Neverending Story), Roger Corman, Gina Torres (the only cast member of Firefly I haven’t had the opportunity to meet yet), Amanda Pays (Leviathan), Peter Strauss, Molly Ringwald, Ellen Degeneres, Stephen King, Daniel Wu, Jett Li, Kathy Griffin, Sylvester Stallone, Peter O’Toole, Christine Baranski, Michael Douglass, Kathleen Turner, Cybill Shepherd, Bruce Willis and that’s just for starters. It’ll never happen!
It is fun to dream, though.
Okay, time for you to spill! I’ve gone against my rule about not sounding like a fanboy, so now you get to do the fanboy and fangirl thing. Let’s dish. Who’s a favorite person you’ve met and who would you like to meet? And don’t worry. It’ll just be between you and me…and anybody else who reads the page. =)
Cheers,
Kage
Fear the Shat and Nimoy!
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Kage Alan is the Megaforce watching, Paul Van Dyk listening author of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to My Sexual Orientation,” “Andy Stevenson Vs. the Lord of the Loins” and the first book in a separate series, “Gaylias: Operation Thunderspell.” Honestly, he’s going to get in trouble for this blog post because his certified stalker, Patricia Logan, has threatened to come after him if he ever professes to want to meet anybody but her. Can someone recommend a solid institution for her? Preferably one with very thick bars.
Ah, the adventures of a young man with his head in the clouds and stars in his eyes. I envy you.
I suppose it’s better than having my head up my bum, which I’ve been accused of before.
Wait…. wait…. I’m a celebrity! I am! I am! And you met me! I don’t even get an honorable mention or a ribbon? *slinks away*
Tell you what. You come to OutlantaCon with me next year and I’ll introduce you around. I can make you famous! lol
.The person I would love to talk to would be Oprah. I know it sounds like the raging queerboy I am, but a simple handshake wouldn’t do. I would love to pick her brain.