Celebrity jerks?
- Thread starter Frosteon
- Start date
Solo4114
Master Member
It can, though. That's the thing.
I mean, ok, for a dude like Chris Pratt or someone who's actively getting paid millions of dollars to do this or that show or film or whathaveyou, it's not about the money. But for the folks who work the con circuit, it is. They get paid to sign stuff. So every time they sign something and don't get paid...
These guys, their job, their income, is at least in some significant sense about selling widgets. Those widgets take the form of an autograph. I mean, realistically, do you think someone like Lou Ferigno is getting a lot of acting gigs or even endorsement deals anymore? I think the last thing I saw him on was an infomercial some ten years ago. Occasionally they'll get a cameo on some TV show making a pop-culture reference, but otherwise, the cons are where they're bringing in money. So, when someone says "Hey man, can you sign my poster?" it's like saying "Hey man, gimme a widget. No. For free. Just gimme one."
If they're working at a con, and they've partnered up with some distributor to only sign that distributor's stuff, then they're getting a cut from that or have been paid to do so. In a way, that's worse than saying "gimme something for free." It's like saying "Take something from your employer and give it to me for free."
Now, none of this necessitates them being rude in their denial of such a request, but I can also understand why they might get a little irritated after the umpteenth request.
That is about them not signing anything at all due to competition with their own autograph sales.
I'm talking about the attitude from those who just on principle don't want anyone selling their autograph later.
And seriously, no one considering a Lou autograph at a con says to themselves "nah, I'll just check eBay". Either they want one from him in person or they don't.
I'm talking about the attitude from those who just on principle don't want anyone selling their autograph later.
And seriously, no one considering a Lou autograph at a con says to themselves "nah, I'll just check eBay". Either they want one from him in person or they don't.
Cephus
Master Member
There are lots of people who can't go to a convention who might want an autograph, people collect autographs, not just the ones that they personally witness being signed.
Solo4114
Master Member
I mean, basically, it's profiting off of their fame. Someone gets a free autograph and sells it, that person (A) isn't really a fan, and (B) is profiting off of the celeb's fame and work.
It'd be like giving a homeless guy a sandwich because he says he's hungry, and then he turns around, cuts the sandwich in half, and sells the sandwich to two other guys near him for $5 a half. That wouldn't **** you off?
Unfortunately, they're missing the entire point of getting an autograph (at least, my opinion on what an autograph is supposed to be).
An autograph is, to me, a memento of that time you met a certain celebrity. There are very few celebrities whom I would bother for an autograph, mainly because very few celebrities actually "matter" (for lack of a better word) to me. Only a few celebs stick out in my mind as people whom I would want a lifelong memento of meeting, and that has less to do with their body of work and more to do with who they are as people outside of their celebrity.
I don't know if I'm making sense here...
Cephus
Master Member
Not in their opinion, of course, and since it's their collection, that's really all that matters.
Yet there are thousands of autograph collectors who collect things that famous people have signed, even people who have been dead longer than the collector has been alive. Otherwise, there would be no market for Shoeless Joe Jackson autographs since he died in 1951.
Well, I did say "to me" as in "this is my opinion on the matter" not "my opinion is fact and you must accept it as so."
I recognize that people have different thoughts on collecting autographs. Every one of them is valid as it pertains to them.
The sandwich cost me something.
- - - Updated - - -
Of course. So the refusal to sign for an ebay guy hurts these people, and does not benefit the celebrity at the venue itself because those people aren't there to buy one themselves anyway.
Cephus
Master Member
You asked why some celebrities aren't as happy to sign autographs, that's why. Whether you understand it or like it is irrelevant. That's their reason.
The reason you give makes no sense, so if that is indeed the reasoning of the celebrities, my original post stands that I do not "get" it. I never said my getting it is required for them to do or not do what they wish.
It's like, some people when they put something out on the curb for the garbage man that looks like it might look tempting, they destroy it on purpose to prevent "someone from profiting on it". Again, if someone did, it wouldn't harm anybody. Same kind of thing here.
It's like, some people when they put something out on the curb for the garbage man that looks like it might look tempting, they destroy it on purpose to prevent "someone from profiting on it". Again, if someone did, it wouldn't harm anybody. Same kind of thing here.
SmilingOtter
Master Member
Nice bit of PR by Robert Downey Jr. And the kid takes it entirely in stride:
https://www.yahoo.com/movies/robert-downey-jr-bionic-iron-man-arm-for-little-113436954617.html
https://www.yahoo.com/movies/robert-downey-jr-bionic-iron-man-arm-for-little-113436954617.html
Last edited by a moderator:
iKillGiants
New Member
Billy D Williams was the worst i ever met. i saw a guy wait 3 hours at my 1st Con to have a Schlitz sign autographed, Billy came in, didnt talk or look at anyone, ignored everyone, and had like 6 huge bodyguards like id expect to see around a boxer in vegas. guy almost ruined it for me. i didnt wanna bother with anyone after that. so glad i didnt. most people at these conventions love the fans, and know its them who they have to thank for working. Billy D Williams is not one of those people.
Cephus
Master Member
If it's your job to make sure there is, then yes.
Father
Sr Member
Not sure this qualifies for celebrity jerk. But I really think there should be a "amazing celebrity heroes" thread just for this and what Star Lord and Captain America have done recently.
RDJ is amazing.
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