Not as nice in person as you would think
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LauraSpike — 19 years ago(November 07, 2006 07:27 AM)
Let's be honest - ANYONE would be pissed off at sitting for hours writing your own name hundreds of times. I'm sure he is quite ncie really, but he's knocking on in years and that sounds like a lot of stress that I'm sure he'd rather not have to bother with. You have to remember that just because you recognise him, he hasn't a damn clue who you are so it might still be weird for him to have to have a conversation with a hundred strangers a day. Some people never get used to talking to strangers. Don't worry, I'm sure he appreciates his fans really.
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donjohnson2 — 19 years ago(November 09, 2006 11:32 AM)
A similar experience happened to me after attending one of David Copperfield's shows (the magician). Rude, unfriendly guy. VERY different from his stage image where he's all smiles and joking with the audience.
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maatmouse-1 — 19 years ago(November 11, 2006 03:15 PM)
I doubt anyone could be 'nice' all the time and certainly, even Michael Palin can have and is allowed his 'off' days like anyone else. Why do ordinary people expect celebrities to be pleasant to them all the time? If I was a celebrity, I'd tell most people to bugger off and leave me to eat my dinner/drink my tea or enjoy a day out shopping.
I have met a couple of 'celebrities' in Cardiff. One was Mark Gatiss (of the League of Gentlemen and Doctor Who fame) who was really okay and the other was Bryn Terfil, the Welsh opera singer who was very polite and pleasant. I suppose the trick is to remember that these are ordinary human beings, like you and I and not to be too gushing and lovey with any of them. Just say how much you enjoyed their work and hope they have a good day, that's all. Then get on with your life. Anything else would annoy even the nicest of people. -
Lookmatey — 19 years ago(December 02, 2006 03:54 PM)
I haven't met himyet, but I have heard several negative experiences, just like yours.
I think maybe he has just been labelled nice because he's very nice with his close friends(that includes the Pythons), and the journalists.
Anyway, I also have read some statements like some of the bove in which he was alright.
I must say I agree that celebrities should be as nice as possible, especially if they're doing some kind of publicity event: like books signings, or performance appearances or whatever. These are the events in which fans most likely will want and be willing to spend some time with their heroes, or simply get a smile back. And it's true that if they don't they go back home somewhat dissapointed.
I really can't understand how someone should be grumpy in those occasions, especially if the person in question is Michael, but, oh well, maybe he's very tired of the label "nice" and just decided to completely change that forever.:-)
On the other hand, I can understand him not being nice on other occasions, like when he's socializing, walking to his offices or anything that has to do with his private life. Because that's the part where he's not obliged to satisfy anyone else but himself, IMHO. -
DjangoRob — 19 years ago(December 03, 2006 06:03 AM)
I don't know, I work at a book-shop where he did a book-signing recently, and he was very nice with both the people waiting for the book to be signed and with the employees of the shop. He signed all of the books we had reservations for, he came out about an hour earlier than expected to try and sign everyone's book, and waited until everyone's book was signed.
He seemed pretty nice to me :). -
thatcrazyredhead — 19 years ago(December 11, 2006 06:46 AM)
I once attended a book signing by theological writer Karen Armstrong and when it came my turn to present my book for signing, she seems a tad bit curt. But then I remembered - she'd just flown in from the UK, she also happens to be an epileptic and has to time her medications, it was late at night and she'd just given a long speech to a big crowd, she might have not had a lot of time for a decent meal, and all this just goes to show that there's a LOT of different things going on with people when they do book-signings.
Lack of rest from travel, any health problems the person might have that aren't immediately visible to the eye (like a headache or whatever), jet lag, etc might contribute to a person's attitude once they're sitting at that table signing books.
I'm sure it's happened to Mike at times too. -
laslopaniflex — 19 years ago(December 22, 2006 04:14 AM)
It's like the Richard Wilson episode of Father Ted, when Ted sees the One foot in the Grave actor a on holiday and says "you know what he'd love!" to Dougal before going over to him and screaming his catchphrase "I don't believe it!!!!" at him as if he's the first ever person to do so.
It must be very similar to someone like Michael PalinImagine that you're doing your shopping and people constantly come up to you saying the same catchphrase and asking for you to write your name on a scrap of paper (i've never worked out the obession of someone famous's scribble on a piece of paper being worth 111c£50 or whateverBut that's just me)
It must get rather annoying and it's the thing of 'you can't sign EVERYONE'S scrap of paper' Maybe Mr Palin signs ten people's autographs whilst out shoppingNumber eleven asks and he says 'Sorry i'm out shopping' and they get offended that they've been snubbed.
Some celebs don't even sign ANY autographs for that very reason.
If you were eating in a resturant with your family and some students kept saying 'The Knights who say Ni!' and laughing it would be very annoying. Celeb's have time off just the same as plumbers/shop assistants etc.
I live in Brighton and see Steve Coogan around town a fair bit, but never have i shouted "A-ha!" in an Alan Partridge voice because what would be the pointWould he say to me "Well done mate, no one's said that to me beforeHere, have a part on my new show!"? Of course not
Comedians don't (sadly) walk around cracking jokes all dayBuying petrol probably doesn't require you to be firing off zingers like it's open mike night at comedy central.
If a bunch of strangers came up to me talking rubbish i probably wouldn't be very enthusiatic about it and would be quite rude to thembut then they wouldn't be immediatley on the IMDB saying "Guess what laslopaniflex said to me!! What a bastard!"
(Well maybe they do)
Maybe if people didn't grandstand "celebs" so much (ala Heat magazine etc) they wouldn't get so upset when they were just normalwhoever reads this post can be nice, and can be grumpy as wellSo why can't Michael Palin, Boris Johnson, Hitler, Bodger (from Bodger and Badger fame!) Dame Judi Dench, David BowieWhoever!
"I'm taking Viagra and drinking prune juice - I don't know if I'm coming or going."