Coming up are the two days a year I dread most. They did not happen in 2020 due to virus, instead a largely virtual event took place in mid 2021. But the 2021 event did take place as scheduled, and it was sadly poisoned with masks and other bad luck. Despite this I managed to get solid coin. One positive is for most of them I didn't need the photo op. So that helped lessen the blow.
First off, before the event I had flights on director Cameron Crowe and singer Brandi Carlile. Sadly the Brandi flight would no longer be valid. So it was just Crowe. He directed Almost Famous, wrote Fast Times at Ridgemont High, among other things.
He was nice as can be. Others got the mask shot then I asked him if he could pull down mask which he did (then others mimicked me). He signed no issue.
First official day of the event.
Ellie Goulding did no mask shots. But that was only an improvement for my previous shot in NYC. And even then that would be worthless as I would get two much better shots the next day. She also signed and even liked the one photo I had her sign of her pregnant. She was probably the nicest celeb of all.
Justino Diaz did no mask photo ops. I got one.
Beanie Feldstein signed but wouldn't remove mask. So I focused on getting my 8x10s done.
Berry Gordy signed but I couldn't get a good shot with him (handler was screaming for masks).
Nora Jones signed but she kept the mask on.
Letterman signed and I got an auto. Didn't need a photo op.
Debbie Allen was there but had the mask on. Since I have her with a face shield I didn't bother.
Got autos from Kevin Nealon, Kenan Thompson, Pete Davidson. Out of those 3 I wanted a Pete upgrade but I don't think my shot is an upgrade. While he removed the mask he had a hoddie. Was not able to get a better shot the next day. Was not able to get Lorne Micahels autos.
Day 2! The worst but not unexpected part of the day, both Paul Simon and Steve Martin did nothing for no one the entire time. Scarlet Johansson did nothing the whole time but I didn't need her. Others I didn't need that completely blanked, Smokey Robinson (even the prior day) and Michael Che. Billy Porter did mask ops but I didn't bother.
Dan Levy signed one each personalized. Saw Cameron Crowe and got him to sign some blanks.
Got another Colin Just photo op. It may be a slight upgrade from my previous shot.
Stevie Wonder did mask shots. I didn't bother. We did send ins for autographs. Later that evening they came to us asking for our address. I don't anticipate we ever see these.
Got Jimmy Fallon and Seth Myers to sign. Also got another Jimmy op since he ended up doing no mask shots in the evening.
Barbara Hershey barely stopped but I managed to score an auto. Thankfully have the op form Chiller. Saw Debbie Allen no mask or anything and pleaded for the op she just blew me a kiss.
Bette Midler also blew me a kiss and declined as I showcased her my Ruthless People vinyl signed by Danny DeVito.
Got nice upgrades with Andra Day and Ellie Goulding.
Towards the end I also finally got Melissa Manchester to sign for me after many declines. She commended me waiting so long. She declined an op though thankfully I have one from before.
During the day I barely got Goldie Hawn to sign as she didn't stop very much. Then I managed to end the evening with a combo from her. Pleaded and managed to get an 8x10 plus an upgrade photo op. A Goldie Hawn upgrade would end up being my last photo op for 2021, as after that I tried to plead Barry Gordy to no avail.
Goldie Hawn (Flashback to 2016 when I first met her)
Now let us showcase autographs obtained:
Goldie Hawn autographs (day 2) and Bette Midler autograph (day 1)
