Tuesday, September 3, 2019

The GOAT director, a Somali pirate, Steve Urkle, and more in NYC

Last December Jaleel White AKA Steve Urkle did Steel City Con in Pittsburgh but I was unable to attend. So when I saw a chance to make up for it in NYC I jumped at the opportunity. After all his catch phrase "Did I Do That?" resonated the 90s. He was hosting some kind of music fest in Queens. I bought the lowest price ticket that covered both admission and a meet and greet with him.

After the Chris Tucker success I drove with Vanessa the Jersey Shore stalker to a Pauly D event in Jersey. They were also filming for Jersey Shore. So I stayed outside to see what I could get. Couldn't get Vinnie or Ronnie but I did get Angelina and her boyfriend Chris Larangeira. When Pauly D finally came out he took pictures with girls and despite my pleas I couldn't get a photo op.

Angelina

Chris Larangeira


After this, dropped Vanessa home, drove to Queens, then slept in the parking lot of the event. Woke up the next day and entered the event. It was originally supposed to be outdoors but due to the intense heat it was moved indoors. 

While waiting I picked up some valids that were out and about. I got rapper Mr Cheeks who was apparently in a group called Lost Boyz, a little girl named Samaya-Clark Gabriel (she's on wikipedia), and a really tall guy named Shagari Alleyne, apparently he was a Harlem Globetrotter. 

Finally it was time for the main event, Urkle himself! He was nice and friendly and I even managed to score autographs! With that I left the event. 

My next objective is Barkhad Abdi who is best known for playing the leader of the Somali pirates in the Tom Hanks movie Captain Phillips (which is based on a true story). Next to him was a spot for actress Kate del Castillo but I missed her by a few minutes (I would make that up another day).

So I wait for Abdi and as he goes in he says on the way out. We have a long wait as I'm joined by Vanessa and friend. Finally it lets out and he remembers me from earlier as he does ops and signs my 8x10s (I got one from Captain Phillips and one from Bladerunner 2049). Also get a photo op with the director.

Hit up the "easy" show spots for actress Samantha Barks and despite huge crowds and bad rail spot I manage to score a photo op. Good thing to cause that was her last day!

Jaleel White

Barkhad Abdi.

Full list of photo ops



Autographs


Next day I stop at a spot where anybody can show up to see what I can get. I see internet celebrity Logan Paul and get a photo op. Next up I see a woman being followed at the other side of the building. So I rush there and turns out it's Natasha Bedingfield who is best known for the song "Pocket Full of Sunshine". My plan was to try for her at an event later in the day but I managed to get her right here so that allowed me to scratch that later event from my list!

Next up, the band O-Town shows up. I grab a group shot but they are pure pokemon for me. Then I move to the next spot where I hope to score a first time shot with Danielle Macdonald and an upgrade with Jamie Bell (he is wearing shades in my shot). 

Enter the event and sit through the thing, then wait for them to leave and manage to score both Danielle and Jamie. Good thing I was there cause Jamie did nothing outside!

Last endeavor of the day was for actress Isabela Moner. Had an inbound train on her. I already had her but none of the crew in my car had her plus I could get autographs. We wait at the train station and she finally comes out with her family but completely blanks and refuses everything as she is dragging a suitcase in one hand and a dog leash on another.

Natasha Bedingfield

Jamie Bell

Full list of photo ops



Wake up and start the day with actor Billy Eichner from the new Lion King movie. While waiting I got Cynthia Erivo (update). Then I saw someone enter a car and people ask for combos. I thought it might have been Billy but turns out it's skateboarder Shaun White who I already have. Also grab a shot with country singer Tenille Townes. Sadly Billy comes out and is a complete dick. 

Move to another spot where everyone is waiting for Cary Elwes. You know your old when people know him from Stranger Things. Since I have him I chose not to mess with the chaos. From there I decide to embark on a white whale of mine. Someone who I've been failing to get a photo op with for the good part of the last decade: Steven Speilberg. 

Throughout the years I've seen him at various different events and spot. Sometimes even randomly. Every time I either score an autograph and he refuses to do ops, or he blanks completely. It came to a point where most of the time I don't even bother going for him as I know his habits at different settings.

I was very pessimistic going to the spot. But I had heard reports of him shutting down autographs and doing photo ops. So I was riding on that. I go to the spot via train, then walk around and scout till I find the quarters of Speilberg. From then on it's a waiting game. I wait and wait and see Speilberg approach with his security guard. His guard tries to stop me as I make it perfectly clear that I want a photo op and only a photo op. He agrees!! He poses with me! I couldn't believe that I managed to finally score this after so long. Even took multiple shots with me! 

From then on I decided to go to a spot for David Spade. The shot I have is a terrible over the table book signing shot so I needed an upgrade. While there I sadly missed Vanessa Carlton at another spot! In hindsight I could have done both so that was a PUNCH. 

Thankfully I get David Spade then move on to the next spot for actress Kate del Castillo (she is going to be in the new Bad Boys movie). She is nice as can be. 

Next up a spot for Emily Bett Rickards where I hear she has been doing photo ops. Down the street is another spot for Poppy Montgomery and Kyle Richards from the original Halloween! A productive street. So now I try to juggle both spots. 

I first run down the street for entries. I get Poppy. Then I am told Emily is coming out. Sadly she out flat denies all photo ops that day. Although other days she did no flash photo ops so I guess I didn't miss too much. Back down the street never see Kyle so she must have entered earlier. Then wait for exits in that spot and get Poppy again and Kyle. 


Full list of photo ops


Sleep and wake up the next day then walk to a spot where actor Eugenio Derbez (Overboard) and Fred Savage are supposed to be at. Fred leaves in the car, people chase the car, but thankfully I had no reason to do that. Then Eugenio leaves in the car. I chase him and he is nice as can be as he rolls down and does photo ops.

Now a celebrity enters this spot and no one knows who it is. The staff there isn't telling us. Upon investigation I find out it's Lucy Lawless. Great for the other 2 waiting with me, including NYC combo hunter Josh. Doesn't matter to me as she is now fatter so this photo op would be a downgrade from my shot years ago at NYCC. As I scout another spot she actually pops up and they get photo ops. With that I decided to end my time in NYC.

Eugenio Derbez

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