Shatner, Takei and Nichols coming to a con: Should I get their autographs?

[Earth 2 Chris]

So, first off, I'm not much of an autograph hound. I have tons of comic creator-signed books, but those guys are free, and usually more approachable.

As far as actors, I have only 5 I can think of off the top of my head: Adam West, Frank Gorshin, Jackson Bostwick, David Prowse, and Gerard Christopher. All were very nice and accommodating. Yes, even David Prowse, who I played gofer for when he was the guest at a comic shop I worked at during college.

I've avoided others, because, basically I'm cheap. I have a hard time swallowing paying someone that kind of money just to get their John Hancock, especially since I get them personalized and never plan to sell them. And I HATE long lines.

3 of the 5 remaining classic Trek bridge crew is coming to Lexington Comic Con next month, and I'm wondering if I should bite the bullet and get their autographs.

I realize these guys are not going to be around much longer and this may be my last chance to meet them.

I'm concerned about two things: One, the cost. How much do these guys charge, normally?

And two, are they going to destroy my childhood by being rude and unlikable?

I'm figuring my biggest hurdle with both is Shatner. I know he's going to ask for the most money, and, based on stories from his co-workers, and despite his very entertaining and honest "Trek Memories" books, I'm a little concerned he's going to tarnish the image of my childhood hero.

I'm figuring, based on the past two Lexington Cons, their lines will be long, as Power Ranger lead actors were fairly swamped all day.

On the flip side of that, I remember being at a con in either Detroit or Pittsburgh about 13 or so years ago, and Walter Koenig was sitting lonely at his booth. It was kind of depressing, and I regret not approaching him, but I was strapped for cash by that point, and couldn't afford a Chekov for sure.

So, what do you think? Any advice and past experience with these three would be appreciated.

Chris

[huedell]

If your ego is as sensitive as I'm sensing from your post, I'd recommend definitely not risking anything. And if I was anyone else posting here who actually went through an autograph experience w/those actors, I can't see why I wouldn't give the same response, as, who would want to be responsible if they told you different "Hey, don't worry about them three actors. They're angels."), and you had a bad experience anyway?

[JediJaida]

Nichelle is actually pretty nice. I got an autograph for my mom from her years ago, and it was only $10.

Of course, she might charge more now, but nowhere as much as Shatner.

[johnnystorm]

As an auto collector, I won't pay crazy money for con autographs. $20-30 is my tops for somebody I really like. Shatner & Nichols charge about $70 for a signed photo on their websites. So I say buy if you really want them, pay what you would as if you were buying a toy you really wanted.
You can try through the mail as well, I received a few Trek autos free that way including Koenig, Jonathan Frakes, Jeri Ryan, Kate Mulgrew.

[YoungOnce]

If your ego is as sensitive as I'm sensing from your post, I'd recommend definitely not risking anything. And if I was anyone else posting here who actually went through an autograph experience w/those actors, I can't see why I wouldn't give the same response, as, who would want to be responsible if they told you different "Hey, don't worry about them three actors. They're angels."), and you had a bad experience anyway?

I don't think it has anything to do with having a sensitive ego. It's about trading your positive memories of these beloved characters for bad ones if the encounter is a negative experience. A person who is collecting autographs for monetary gain and for resell could probably care less, but if you have no interest in that and you are getting an autograph only because you loved the actor's character, you risk tarnishing that memory.

How much fun would it be to look at the autograph if it only reminds you of a bad experience.

[Drzsmith]

Takei and Nichols are super nice,they probably charge 25 to 30 dollars now,Im guessing Shatner charges around 50.

[scifiguy94]

Last I went, Shatner was $75 at Dragoncon in ATL.

[rchatlin]

can't comment on the autograph charges, but Shatner is awesome to listen to, and gives a great speech/performance when I saw him a few years ago at a con, and in his one man show. Definitely worth waiting to see him.

r
o
b

[huedell]

I don't think it has anything to do with having a sensitive ego. It's about trading your positive memories of these beloved characters for bad ones if the encounter is a negative experience. A person who is collecting autographs for monetary gain and for resell could probably care less, but if you have no interest in that and you are getting an autograph only because you loved the actor's character, you risk tarnishing that memory.

How much fun would it be to look at the autograph if it only reminds you of a bad experience.

It only will remind you of a bad experience if you have a sensitive ego.

Someone goes to get an autograph from an actor, because they've enjoyed the actor's work... not because they collect merely scribbled ink on paper.

I was correct with what I said. If your sense of self is strong, then a bad experience with an actor will not compromise your memories of the creative projects they were/are a part of, projects that you've always loved and enjoyed.

There's really no debating over it.

[MEMEGO]

I saw shatner a few yrs back at a con in NJ. His speech was awesome, and fun. When I met him, it was a bit rushed, but that was not due to him, it was due to the con organisers wanting to move the fine fast, so, they told us, to limit our talk time with him to a few words cause he needed to sign all the autographs. I also paid for a professionaly taken picture with him, I had a chance to talk a tiny bit more with him, it seemed like he wanted to talk, but when we really got into it, the picture was taken and the photo people went on to the next person in line, which was huge about 2 rooms full.

All in all worth it. I say go for it, and remember, sometimes it is not the stars fault, but the organisers and photo peoples fault. Don't deprive yourself from seeing someone you want. I remember, yrs ago, liberace came to Radio City every yr, every yr I said he will be back next yr, I will see him next yr, guess what, the next yr never came, cause he passed away, I regret not seeing him to this day.
So , dont do this to yourself.

[Gorn Captain]

Shatner is too expensive for me, though I'd love to have my childhood hero's autograph.
He's not always in the best of moods, though....

http://www.bigwaste.com/shatner/

[Earth 2 Chris]

I don't think it has anything to do with having a sensitive ego. It's about trading your positive memories of these beloved characters for bad ones if the encounter is a negative experience. A person who is collecting autographs for monetary gain and for resell could probably care less, but if you have no interest in that and you are getting an autograph only because you loved the actor's character, you risk tarnishing that memory.

How much fun would it be to look at the autograph if it only reminds you of a bad experience.

Thank you. Very well said.

I saw shather a few yrs back at a coninnj. His speech was awesome, and fun. When i met him it was a bit rushed, but that was not due to him, it was due to the con organisers wanting to move the fine fast , so they told us to limit our talk time with him to a few words cause he needed to sign all the autographs. I also paid for a professionaly taken picture with him, i had a chance to talk a tiny bit more with him, it seemed like he wanted to talk, but when we really got into it, the picture was taken and the photo people went on to the next person in line, which was huge about 2 room full.
All in all worth it. I say go for it, and remember sometimes it is not the stars fault, but the organisers and photo people fault. But dont deprive your self from seeing someone you want. I remeber, yrs ago liberace came to radio city every yr, every yr i said he will be back next yr, i will see him next yr, guess what, the next yr never came cause he passes away, i regret not seeing him to this day.
So , dont do this to yourself.

Good points. I know all about organizers, or worse, "star handlers". My experience with West and Gorshin was only slightly marred by their "people". Gorshin's chastised him for not charging me his full autograph/picture fee since I had him sign a reprint of the movie poster I bought from West.

Chris

[megozilla13]

I saw Koening sitting at a table by himself too at a show in NYC. Went over and talked to him for about 15 minutes. He was very nice, I never even bought anything.

mikej

[huedell]

Thank you. Very well said.

Okay... very well, Chris.

Then I totally retract what I said above.

If "tarnished memories of fictional Star Trek episodes resulting from a real life autograph signing" has nothing to do with "a fan's personal sensitivity", yet it would still affect your real life enjoyment of the fictional episode actor's autograph, and yet I'm still incorrect with my assessment, then I concede that apparently my assessment was wrong.

In fact, I was probably entirely wrong, in that my autograph seeking advice was wrong too, so I'll give the opposite advice than what I gave above...

I like what MEMEGO said anyways:

...dont deprive your self from seeing someone you want. I remeber, yrs ago liberace came to radio city every yr, every yr i said he will be back next yr, i will see him next yr, guess what, the next yr never came cause he passes away, i regret not seeing him to this day.
So , dont do this to yourself...

Yes, it's no good living with regrets... and from the vibe I'm getting, it sounds like you might have 'em if you don't pursue these autographs.

[Gorn Captain]

I've only had two "bad experiences" with celebrity autographs.
One was with Peter Mayhew. He signed a photo at a session ($50), and even though I had handed him a piece of paper with my name on it (in capital letters), he spelled it wrong.
No harm, I thought, he'll just give me another one.
Instead, he started correcting the mistake on the photo (big smudge), and wanted to give me that. I asked for another, which he did, but reluctantly. For $50, I'm sure he could spare one reprint, right?
I guess he was just having a bad day, because most people say he's a cool guy.

The other was David Carradine, again at a convention.
Me: "Hello. I just wanted to say what an inspiration you were to me in my childhood, in Kung Fu. It taught me a lot about being understanding towards others and doing the right things in life."

Carradine: "Hmmm. " Scribbles on photo and slides it to me without looking at me or speaking.

That was so inspiring.
When I learned about his death, I couldn't help but express my deepest sentiments. "Hmmm."