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Last month I took a trip to New York City, it was my first time visiting NYC and the main reason was to see Ricky Gervais at Madison Square Garden. Over the 4 days I managed to meet and see quite a handful of celebrities, some encounters were more successful than others.

Day 1
After I arrived and had checked into my hostel I decided to go for a walk down Broadway and around Times Square. As it was almost 10:00 I thought maybe I would try getting an autograph so I began looking at the Broadway marquees for someone I'd like to meet. I came across La Cage aux Folles starring Kelsey Grammer and Douglas Hodge. They were just setting up the barrier on the sidewalk so I stood there and waited, after a few minutes people began coming out of the theatre doors and some waited with me by the gates. I kept trying to think back to what I had read about Kelsey Grammer's signing habits but couldn't remember whether he was usually friendly or not but was hoping for the best. First a few of the minor actors came out and soon after so did Kelsey and I was pleasantly surprised and impressed by his demeanor. Very friendly, chatting with people, signing anything people wanted him to, and posing for photos he stood outside for at least 20 minutes and it was very cold too. When he got to me he signed my piece of photo paper and posed for a picture but unfortunately my camera wasn't working properly, surprisingly he told me that when I got it working to call him and he would come back so I could get a photo which he did. Douglas Hodge also came out and signed my paper and can also be seen in the photo. As I was leaving I heard a voice I recognized and looked over and saw Veanne Cox, I knew her and recognized her from the episode of Seinfeld in which she played Elaine's coworker and Kramer's girlfriend Toby who heckles Jerry so he goes to her office to heckle her she has also been in a number of TV shows and Broadway productions. I stopped and asked her to sign the paper as well and took a photo with her. We walked and chatted for about 5 minutes and when we parted ways she gave me a hug goodbye.


Kelsey Grammer signing autographs and posing for pictures


Me with Kelsey Grammer


Me with Veanne Cox


Autographs of Kelsey Grammer, Douglas Hodge, and Veanne Cox

Day 2
I woke up early and headed to the Today Show. While I was waiting for the show to start Mr. 6, the Six Flags guy arrived along with a new advertising character Little 6. I asked one of the people with him if he was the real one from TV and they said yes, he is the guy. I got my picture with them and got an autograph as well. When we were let in, Al Roker quickly came around and I got to shake his hand but I wasn`t prepared so I didn`t get an autograph. I did however get Meredith Vieira to sign a piece of photo paper for me and she posed for a picture. Aaron Kelly from American Idol was one of the guests and he also signed a piece of photo paper for me.


with Mr. 6 and Little 6


Mr. 6's autograph


Meredith Vieira Greeting Fans


Me With Meredith


Meredith's Autograph


Aaron Kelly Greeting Fans


Aaron's Autograph

Afterwards I went to NBC Studios and was approached by someone asking if I would be interested in being part of a small group that Jimmy Fallon could test his monologue for that night's show. A very neat experience.
I was really kicking myself at the end of the day because I also had missed 2 great opportunities for autographs. I went to take a picture of the Ed Sullivan Theatre where David Letterman shoots his show; after I did I went into the Hello Deli next door and was actually served by Rupert Jee who makes occasional appearances on Letterman. Just as I was walking out I turned and looked down the street, as I was looking in the other direction, I completely missed David letterman getting out of his vehicle and walking into the office part of the theatre. I saw him as I turned around but it was too late. That night I also went and stood outside the stage door of A Little Night Music hoping for an autograph. There was another bomb scare in Times Square and so the security told us the stars would be leaving from another exit. I walked up the street a bit and looked at the commotion in Times Square. Again I had my back turned at the wrong moment, I heard someone come out of the theatre and say, “That was a Great Show”, I turned around in time to see that it was Bette Midler who had said it but she was already getting into her car.

Day 3
The next day was another early morning as I was going to see Good Morning America. Spike Lee was a guest so I got to see him but he wasn’t signing autographs. After the show, you could line up to get your picture with Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos which I did. As there was a long line I didn’t ask for an autograph. After I left GMA I walked down Broadway then back up again, as I was walking past the GMA studios again I saw through the window Dara Torres, the Olympic swimmer was just wrapping up an interview. I stood by the door and when she came out she signed a piece of photo paper for me.


Spike Lee at Good Morning America


Me with Robin and George


Dara Torres' Autograph

Day 3 Continued in Next Post.

Day 3 continued.
After some more touring and such I went to the Ed Sullivan theatre because I had tickets for the Late Show, as I was walking past the Broadway Theatre where Promises, Promises was playing Kristin Chenowith was just getting out of her vehicle. The security guard with her immediately announced that she wouldn’t be signing autographs until after the show.
I went in and watched the Late Show with David Letterman. A great experience as I watch it on TV almost every night. His guests were Michael Keaton from Batman and Jenna Fischer from The Office. After the show I went outside and someone told me Jenna had just left, I was disappointed I didn’t get to see her again because I am a huge fan and absolutely love The Office. I started walking down the street and cut between 2 vehicles waiting at a red light, as I did I saw about 5 people standing next to one of the SUVs and I quickly realized it was Jenna Fischer. The light was just changing but I managed to get close to her and just say “Hi Jenna” to which she looked up and smiled.
That evening I went to Madison Square Garden to see Ricky Gervais: Out of England 2. I got there early so I could walk around the building to see if the stage door was accessible (I found out it isn’t, they drive right into the building). When I saw that you couldn’t get any autograph at the stage door I turned to go but waited as an SUV was turning in, there were quite a few people waiting for this vehicle to arrive and I noticed most were wearing Ricky Gervais personnel tags and so I made the deduction this was probably Ricky’s vehicle. As it went past I could make out Ricky sitting in the backseat and so I waved and was pretty excited when he waved back. The show was an absolute riot, I don’t think I’ve ever laughed that much in my life and it was so cool to see one of my favourite comedians in person. After the show had ended and the crowd was shuffling out I turned around for one last look at the theatre, much to my surprise standing just a few feet behind me was Chris Rock and my other favourite comedian Jerry Seinfeld, I quickly pulled out a piece of photo paper and asked Jerry for an autograph. He said “Sure” and signed it, I told him I was a huge fan and he thanked me. I wasn’t able to get Chris though as he had quite a bit of security around him.


Ricky Gervais Tour Sign


Jerry Seinfeld Autograph

After I left MSG I walked back up Broadway and after looking at my watch, saw I might still have time to go back to A Little Night Music. I got there just as the show was ending and positioned myself next to the stage door. Soon a bigger crowd had arrived and after a few minutes Catherine Zeta Jones came out, she signed everyone’s items including my pamphlet advertising the show. Unfortunately Angela Lansbury didn’t come out that door but I already have her TTM so I wasn’t too disapointed. I was really glad to get Catherine though because I never got a response when I had sent to her.


Catherine Zeta Jones Signing Autographs


Catherine Zeta Jones Signed Pamphlet

Day 4
After touring around all morning and for a good part of the afternoon I went to Carnegie Hall where I knew a Rainforest Concert was going on. As I stood by the stage door I recognized a man walking down the street but couldn’t put my finger on how I knew him. As he got closer I heard what he was saying to the woman (I assume his wife) walking with him. What he said triggered my memory and remembered it was Robert Osborne, the actor and film historian who hosts Turner Classic Movies; I stopped him and asked if he would mind signing an autograph which he said he would be glad to.


Robert Osborne Autograph

After the concert had ended the stars began coming out, unfortunately no one was stopping to sign or greet the fans. I saw Mary J. Blige, Deborah Harry, Dame Shirley Bassey, Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Lady Bunny, Vanessa Redgrave, Kate Hudson, Goldie Hawn, and Sir Elton John. The last one to come out was Lady Gaga and you have to give her credit; she is good to her fans. She signed autographs and posed for a few pictures but it soon got to be too much because of all the people so she put the pen away and just sort of greeted people along the rail. I didn’t get an autograph unfortunately but I’m still glad I got to meet her.


Lady Gaga Greeting Fans

For my first trip to NYC and with no planning for obtaining autographs ahead of time, I think I was pretty successful. I definitely had a blast while I was there and certainly plan to go back.

Awesome stuff! These are the successes I love to read about! Pictures and a nice story to go along with it

Awesome--great successes!!! I really want to vacation to NYC and hit up a bunch of places (Today, Letterman, Broadway) and see what's what. Again, many congrats!

Congrats! What a story. I would love to meet CZJ

Congrats Mark

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