I Made Kramer Chuckle

Nov 6, 2002, 7:55 PM ET21 posts by 8 posters
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Poster describes encountering Michael Richards at a London book fair in 1996 and making him chuckle with a casual remark before asking for an autograph.

21 posts
Mark Wilden

My brush with greatness occurred in early 1996. I was at the monthly book fair at the Russell Hotel in London. I collect C.S. Forester and was in the middle of campervanning around Britain for a year, looking for deals.

So there's this guy who looks a lot like Michael Richards, just browsing. No one was paying any attention to him (I don't even know if Seinfeld was showing in Britain at the time) and he was apparently alone. He was a lot shorter than he seems on TV (OK, I'm 6'6") and there was quite a bit of grey in his hair, but I was practically positive it was him. And lucky me, I remembered his name.

So I sidle up and say "Hey, did anyone ever tell you you look like Michael Richards?" That's when Kramer chuckled. :) He was probably happy not to be accosted with "Kramer!" for once.

And that was the highlight. Instead of a) just leaving him alone, or b) actually treating him like a normal person and asking what he was looking for (who woulda known that Kramer was a rare book collector??), all I could do was ask for an autograph. I am such a moron.

He said "Quickly," and somehow I managed to find a pen while he stood there impatiently. He signed a pretty elaborate autograph, something like "Greetings from Michael Richards, Kramer from TV's Seinfeld", but it wasn't personalized. And then he left.

I decided afterwards that he wasn't one of your "nice" celebrities, and I didn't even hang on to the autograph. But I've got one on the rest on you--I made a member of "Seinfeld" laugh, instead of the other way around. :)

Craig GordonMark Wilden

"Mark Wilden" wrote in message news:[email]...

the

No

grey

could

there

wasn't

you--I

I share Seinfeld's exact (same year and date) birthday-- and I personally know 9 actors who appeared on the show (OK OK, I admit only 2 of them had major roles--- but still), So there!

Mark WildenCraig Gordon

"Craig Gordon" wrote in message news:c0ky9.18647$sP2.6576@sccrnsc02...

Cool! But--didja ever make one of them laugh? :)

Craig GordonMark Wilden

"Mark Wilden" wrote in message news:[email]...

personally

had

Sure- I used to be at Second City and thats where I know them from- whole point was to make one another laff!

Mark WildenCraig Gordon

"Craig Gordon" wrote in message news:bkky9.38338$ar4.114939@sccrnsc03...

Point taken! :)

Ty WebbMark Wilden

In article , "Mark says...

I'm sure that Michael Richards and the rest of the gang from "Seinfeld" really enjoy the constant autograph requests and people shouting "Can'tstandja!" while you're eating dinner with your wife (a buddy of mine witnessed this happen to Jason Alexander a few years back). Of course, a large part of the desire to get into entertainment stems from *wanting* the adulation of people. But, people forget that these people are just like you and me, in that they have days in which they walk around with a piercing headache or fight with their spouses and, amazingly, don't care to be "Kramer" that day! And then, they become "not one of your nice celebrities".

Derek TagliarinoTy Webb

Although celebrities may not always a enjoy constantly being recognized, they get the big checks for a reason. A celebrity could just as easily step out of the limelight and become an unknown salesman. Now, of course, everyone should exercise some tact when approaching a celebrity. If you do it in some type of a creative way, you can probably get a decent response.

My brushes with greatness have mainly come with seeing the St. Louis Cardinals while they were in Spring training. I saw Mark McGwire in a restaurant once, but since he seemed to be with his wife, I opted not to go up to him (although, he deserved it if I did decided to bother him, because he was wearing his baseball cap in a formal restaurant). I also saw Rick Ankiel by himself on the street when he was going to be the next big star (remember that?!). I made some small joke to him, got his autograph, and then wished him luck during the season (so much for that)...then I went on my way.

Point being, it's okay if it's the right place and the right time. Mark, I commend you for making Richards laugh.

"Work smarter, not harder." -- Scrooge McDuck "He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth." -- Luke 11:23 "Once I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got into my pajamas I'll
unknownDerek Tagliarino

On Thu, 7 Nov 2002 01:16:45 -0500, "Derek Tagliarino" wrote:

Was it an Orioles cap?

+ The News Guy(Mike) - Seinfeld Lists + + http://www.geocities.com/tnguym + + All things Seinfeld; scripts, trivia, lists, +
Ty WebbDerek Tagliarino

In article , "Derek says...

Don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying it's always wrong or inappropriate to ask a celebrity for their autography. Mark had said he didn't feel Michael Richards was one of your "nice" celebrities. However, if you expect "nice"ness 100% of the time you're being unreasonable. People--whether they play a character on TV, are an architect, or just pretend to be an architect--have good days and bad.

Mark WildenTy Webb

"Ty Webb" wrote in message news:[email]...

to ask

Richards

Well, are you disagreeing with me or not?? I based my opinion on my experience with the man. I've had experiences with a lot of people. You learn to distinguish nice from not-so-nice.

A celebrity is always on stage. A celebrity's attitude toward his public is part of his job.

unreasonable.

I wasn't expecting nice, so I guess I'm innocent of the charge. :) Remember, I didn't say he was a jerk, or rude, or anything. Just that he wasn't "nice."

and

He didn't seem to be having a bad day (hence the chuckle).

Ty WebbMark Wilden

In article , "Mark says...

Hey, my intent is not to slam you personally. Your post just got me off on a rant on the general idea of fans expectations of celebs.

Maybe Michael Richards (to continue to use this example) IS not the nice guy we see on TV, but I tire of everyone expecting these people to be "on" 100% of the time just because they're celebs--and then, if they're not, turning around and criticizing them for it. If you would have encountered me this morning and asked me for an autograph ("Hey...aren't you Ty Webb!?! Big fan!") I would have been not so nice. And, I'm a supernice guy most of the time, but I was in a pissy mood this morning. Then you'd tell your friends about what a dick Ty Webb is. Ah...this is one of the reasons why I have the no-autography policy! :-)

I agree to a point that entertainers owe their fans a certain degree of civility, as they are living privileged lives because we buy tickets to their movie/sporting event or watch their show. I had the privilege of meeting two of the members of one of my favorite bands a few years back and they couldn't have been nicer. It was a real treat to chat with these guys for about 15-20 minutes, though I realize that it's simply not possible for every celeb to do this for every fan. On the other hand, there's no excuse for celebs like Barry Bonds who would seem to have contempt for the public.

Okay, no problem.

Mark WildenTy Webb

"Ty Webb" wrote in message news:[email]...

on a

OK--cool. :)
JLoverHTy Webb

Ty Webb wrote:

Who the hell is Barry Bonds?

Any relation to Billy Bonds?

James Bond?

John Barry?

Michael Barry?

Ty WebbJLoverH

In article , JLoverH says...

A man with a gigantic head who hits baseballs into McCovey Cove.

Gareth OwenTy Webb

Ty Webb writes:

Nah. Bonds has contempt for sports journalists, thats a different (and wholly more reasonable) viewpoint.

Gareth Owen Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle ... Costanza?
Mark WildenDerek Tagliarino

"Derek Tagliarino" wrote in message news:aqd0gh$puu$[email]...

do

I still feel like a complete schmuck for asking for his autograph instead of trying to find out what antiquarian books he collected. It coulda been the start of a beautiful friendship!

I

:)
Mark WildenTy Webb

"Ty Webb" wrote in message news:[email]...

one

I don't think you read my message very carefully. I didn't even call him Kramer!

Ty WebbMark Wilden

In article , "Mark says...

No, I read your message carefully, and I understood that you at least had the sense not to yell "Kramer" or "Cosmo" at him--in contrast to the guy who was yelling "Can'tstandja!" at Jason Alexander to get his attention.

Mark WildenTy Webb

"Ty Webb" wrote in message news:[email]...

I think I'm still being insulted, even if I'm not sure why. :)

Don CooperMark Wilden

Mark Wilden wrote:

Don't worry. You still have one on the rest of us.

Don

Don CooperMark Wilden

Mark Wilden wrote:

Yup. You've got one on the rest of us.

Don