We're an eBay affiliate and may be compensated on purchases made through clicks. 

My wife gets on me so much for calling people "idiots." So, I'm going to make sure she doesn't see this blog post.

The first time I "met" Spelling, as at a show in Los Angeles. I was with Steve Cyrkin, who had a booth set up at an autograph show. He was trying to drum up some subscriptions to Autograph magazine, and I happened to be in town because I was going to a George Martin tribute concert (where I met Martin, but he refused to sign my Sgt. Pepper record). I also got to talk to Joe Walsh, who I had met before, and I even talked Tom Jones into calling my mom on my cell phone. It was hysterical, and I can't believe how nice a guy he was to do that.

But, back to the idiot. At this "autograph show" these celebs all have tables set up, and they charge $25 an autograph. That seems a bit pricey to me, but there are a lot of fans that pay that. So, there are three cast members of "Welcome Back Kotter" and...you give each of them $25, you get 3 signatures (think about that; $75 for 3 cast members, and neither are John  Travolta or Gabe Kaplan).

I tried to make a joke with Lou Ferrigno (Incredible Hulk) but he was having none of it.

I had a few people that read our magazine ask for my autograph, which I gladly gave them. One even offered to give me $25, like everyone else was charging. I refused it (but it's still one of the greatest thrills of my life -- to think that a person would hand me $25 for my signature).

Anyway, I saw Tori Spelling and her husband, signing autographs and books. I started to take a picture, and her reality show co-star/husband, started putting his hand over her face. I laughed, thinking he was doing this to mess with me. And as I shot a second photo, he started screaming at me. He said I wasn't allowed to take a picture unless I paid $10 (I later found out from Steve that, when you're in public, you can take a photo of anybody you want and don't have to pay a dime). But hey...if they didn't want the press, I wouldn't give it to them. I told the guy off and walked away.

Well, Spelling still doesn't get it. During this time of quanratines, she online said that she would do a "virtual meet-and-greet" for 20 fans, and that you should sign up right away. Fans rushed to do this (I know, it surprised me that she even had 20 fans), and as they filled out the online form, with their chance to chat with Spelling, they were told it would be $95. Needless to say, they were upset with that.

I once wrote a story on here about bands that do meet-and-greets, and how expensive they are (and how some bands even do this, without you getting anything signed). But this one takes the cake.

Views: 805

Tags: Gabe Kaplan, Incredible Hulk, Joe Walsh, Lou Ferrigno, Steve Cyrkin, Tom Jones, Tori Spelling, Welcome Back Kotter

Comment by Josh Board on April 10, 2020 at 10:05am

Dave B -- my wife brought up a great point. She said...being "out in public" is different than being at a convention, so...perhaps you're right. Because, if you go to a concert, you can be told "not to take pictures" and that is "public." So...I think Steve may have been wrong on this one.

Comment by Josh Board on April 10, 2020 at 10:07am

Give us the details on Loretta Swit!!!

Comment by Rich on April 10, 2020 at 12:13pm

I've seen a number of artists I'm a fan of calling their fans via Instagram the past few weeks, genuinely enjoying it and not charging a dime (I had an opportunity for one, but I passed as I am never, ever comfortable on any sort of webcam type thing).

That being said, the whole video message for cash thing is clearly picking up steam, based on how fast the Cameo website has grown. Some of the pricing is straight up funny, with has beens or never weres charging absurd prices.

Comment by Josh Board on April 10, 2020 at 12:17pm

I'm glad you said that, Rich. I had been meaning to check that site, when I read a story in the paper saying Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was charging $500 a message, and some no-namers were charging $75. Just for kicks, I wanted to see who was charging what. One thing I think is a good idea. There's some local sports show on the radio, and they paid a few of those for messages, because you're getting some Hall of Fame athlete saying, "Bob and Carol are the best morning team in the world. I love these two" or whatever. But...back from my days in radio, we would interview the artists, and after the interview, we'd ask them to say that, and usually they did (although Country Joe MacDonald yelled at me and refused to do one; long story)

Comment by Rich on April 10, 2020 at 12:32pm

Some deals aren't too bad at all - the band Echosmith will do a message together for $50. Meanwhile, Mandy Moore is charging $300, though hers is for charity.

I laughed out loud when I saw Packers second round bust Josh Jones charging $200 for one a few months back.

Comment by Josh Board on April 10, 2020 at 12:40pm

I think if you're going to spend $300 for Mandy Moore, you'd have her say something crazy. My friend was dating Mandy Moore, and then moved in with her. It was around the time of my 20 year high school reunion, and I asked him to ask her, if she would go with me. Just because I thought it would impress my classmates. I told him she'd only have to stay for 15 minutes, and I'd pay for a limo, that would then take her and she could meet up with him. He didn't want to ask her, though.

Comment by BC on April 10, 2020 at 10:30pm

For $100 you can get a Cameo from Tori.

Comment by Jason Strecker on April 11, 2020 at 5:51am

Josh, the Loretta Swit story was a slightly nastier version of the Tori's husband story. My friend Todd, who I believe has attended every HCS for 20 years or longer, went to Loretta's table. He started taking pictures without having asked her. She immediately went off on him and demanded she see him take the film out. This was years before digital cameras. I'm not sure if Todd himself, or others, went to the owners of the show but Loretta was banned from the show that day for her general behavior. She did a HCS many years later though that I think was under the new ownership. She also did a Baltimore based convention last year and although she was much gentler in her manners she also scolded anyone taking her photo without her permission. She would pose for pictures if someone had bought something. She also has done jewelry shows and I wonder how she was at that those shows.

Mickey Rooney and Robert Blake were also banned from HCS though Mickey eventually came back under the original owners. Mickey wasn't particularly nasty to any one person but his behavior throughout the show was reason for banning. Blake I believe had demanded a private room, which he got, but at some point something set him off and in a "chicken or egg" situation he was either banned and left or he left and was banned. I recall reading that when he was outside he started signing free autographs for fans.

You don't hear these stories about HCS anymore mostly because it is a lot of lower level celebrities who know not to rock the boat. Whenever Todd posts the HCS list for upcoming shows I just cringe seeing most of the names. There are a few stars but it's mostly "extras" who someone can get a customer to but their signed photos.

Comment by Sidney Fields on April 11, 2020 at 7:30am

The big Tori Spelling question is why is she even doing this?

What happened to all of Aaron Spelling's money?

Comment by Josh Board on April 11, 2020 at 7:50am

Jason -- those were great stories, thanks. I suppose on could be happy that Blake didn't kill them, like he did his wife (allegedly!)

Sidney -- that's a great point.

Comment

You need to be a member of Autograph Live to add comments!

Join Autograph Live

Photos

  • Add Photos
  • View All

Videos

  • Add Videos
  • View All

© 2024   Created by Steve Cyrkin, Admin.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Service