Logan's Celebrity Encounters

John McCain & Curt Schilling (December 5, 2007 - Manchester, NH)

2007-12-06T15:37:00.001-08:00

I attended a town hall meeting in Manchester, New Hampshire with Senator John McCain and Red Sox Pitcher Curt Schilling. Senator McCain is running for President. I got there about a half hour early and we got pretty good seats. They handed out many things from bumperstickers to energy saving lightbulbs. After starting about 20 minutes late, the meeting finally began.

The meeting was going to be hosted Charlie Shumer. A short video was shown, and then Senator McCain and Curt Schilling both came out. After Senator McCain spoke for about 10 minutes, the Q&A began. People asked questions from "What are you gonna do about Iran" to "What is your stance on Global Warming" to even "Can you sign my book?". The Q&A went about another hour, and then the event ended.

Fans began to swarm towards the front to meet both the men. I tried to wave my card out in front of Curt's face but he did not take it. Then both men left the room, and about the half crowd went to their cars to leave. I was not done yet!

I went outside to a door I saw open. It turned out to be the press room and Senator McCain and Curt were speaking to many news stations. I watched that until they finished. Then guards began to look like they were coming out that door when in all reality they came out the other door. I quickly made my way to the other door.I originally tried to give my card to Curt Schilling, but again fans got ahead of me and he signed a few more, got in his limo and left. Then Senator McCain came near with security and he gladly signed my card they handed it. My sharpie was dieing so the sharpie writing is in and out and does not seem very neat. I still love it. It ended up being a very good time.

"25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" Cast (November 11, 2007 - New York, NY)

2007-11-12T13:38:00.000-08:00

I arrived in New York's JFK Airport about 4:00pm. I was in the cab with my dad when I heard the terrible news. Broadway had went on strike! We had tickets to see two of the broadway shows that had gone on strike, so at first we were clueless on what to do.

We arrived at the hotel, and immediately asked the attendant what to do. They said 8 shows we're not on strike, and still going on. They named the shows, and we choose to see "Young Frankenstein" that night, and "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" the next day. We went to our rooms to get ready. I grabbed my sharpie, and camera hoping to get the the stage doors after.

We went to see "Young Frankenstein", and it was amazing. Megan Mullally, who played Karen on "Will & Grace", was one of the stars. Andrea Martin, who was the mother on "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", was also one of the stars. Once the show completed, my dad and I ran out to find the stage door. We found it, and found there was a big line. I knew since it was already 11:30pm, I could not stay out too late. I met two very nice people who I let use my sharpie as the stars came down. I only got to meet 4 of the stars, as they took so long to come out. I had Fred Applegate, Christopher Fitzgerald (who I found out grew up here in Maine), Heather Ayers, and Andrea Martin sign my playbill. Andrea I also found out went to the same High School I am now!! I then went back to my hotel.

We arrived early afternoon the next day to see "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." No big stars in this one, so we were hear to enjoy the show. The show was great, and very funny. Once the show ended, we rushed out to the stage door to find it not half as full. The cast came out much quicker, and I got the whole cast including some ensemble to sign my playbill. Once we finished, we headed back to the hotel.

It was great fun, and got some good autographs. Some notes below before I show the pictures

*At "Young Frankenstein", I sat next to Mel Brooks, the producer of the show.
*At one of the restaurants I went to before "Spelling Bee", our table was next to Jessica Alba's, but I did not want to interupt her.
*I have heard it took Megan Mullally another hour to come out to sign. I was glad I didn't wait though I wanted hers!

Andrea Martin/"Young Frankenstein" Cast (November 10, 2007 - New York, NY)

2007-11-12T13:30:00.000-08:00

It was great fun, and got some good autographs. Some notes below before I show the pictures

*At "Young Frankenstein", I sat next to Mel Brooks, the producer of the show.

*At one of the restaurants I went to before "Spelling Bee", our table was next to Jessica Alba's, but I did not want to interupt her.

*I have heard it took Megan Mullally another hour to come out to sign. I was glad I didn't wait though I wanted hers!

Barack Obama (September 25, 2007 - Portland, ME)

2007-09-25T15:52:00.000-07:00

My mother's doctors appointment ran late, so we rushed across the street to the Portland Expo where we barely got a seat. I have previously seen Democrat front-runner Hillary Clinton, and Republican front-runner Rudy Giuliani, so it was interested to hear another front-runner. I have also previously gotten his autograph, so I was here to hear him speak.

He had already begun a little, but continued with a great speech. He mentioned about every issue that came to mind, except Global Warming which is common to have been forgotten. Though I believe it should be addressed. He also ended his speech very well with a story about a woman who had a catch phrase that the crowd chanted. Then he said goodbye and left the stage.

I saw him start to go around and greet people. I made my way up to him, and shook his hand but when I handed him a pen and my ticket, he discouraged it saying books only. I noticed a huge pile of books, so I assume he was only signing books which was fine with me. I shook his hand and heard him, which was why I was here.

My mother and I then left the arena and noticed a car parked out back. I figured that was the car he'd be leaving in, and I was right. They made us back away but I saw the car leave and he waved to a select few of us who were out there. I was happy to have met such an awesome man, and he has definitely moved up in my book.

Kelly Ripa/George Lopez + Guests (June 11, 2007 - New York, NY)

2007-09-23T11:15:00.000-07:00

Once again, I took a trip to my favorite city--New York! It was a shorter trip this time, as our main purpose of coming down was to see the Tony Awards. But before we left on that Monday morning, we decided to attend a live taping of Live with Regis and Kelly. We got there two hours early to find the line already pretty long.

The line moved very slow, and we got to talk to people in line which was fun. We had tickets we had gotten in the mail previous, which I was hoping to keep, but they took them away. We got the bad news in line that Regis Phiblin was not here today, meaning George Lopez was his replacement. Though I would have loved to seen Regis, George was not a bad person to see either.

We finally got in the studio, which was much smaller than I had anticipated before, and got pretty good seats. The show began and out came Kelly Ripa and George Lopez. There were very funny and it was a great show. The guests on the show that day were Matt Dallas, of the TV show "Kyle XY" and Bill Paxton, of the TV show "Big Love". There were both great guests. During the commercials, Kelly would come and interact with the audience. I asked Kelly a question, and she answered it.

Though after the show ended, all the hosts and guests left to go back stage. It disappointed me but I had one last chance to try to meet them. My aunt and I went to the front of the studios, where the guard said they sometimes exit from. After ten minutes of nothing, we left empty handed. It was still a great show and I can't wait to see it again someday!

"Good Morning America" hosts (June 28, 2006 - New York, NY)

2007-09-23T06:46:00.001-07:00

My aunt and two friends of mine had set out on a week long trip to New York City. I have always loved the city so it was a blast just being there. Though I knew this would be a great oppertunity to meet a few celebrities. We had reserved tickets before-hand to watch "Good Morning America" in person.

We got up at 5:30am, which was super early for me, so we could get good seats in the filming studio. We got to the studio, which is in Times Square, to find the line was pretty long already. We waited for about an hour, and then they began to let people in. Suddenly after letting tons of people in, they stopped with the two people in front of us, and told us to face the other way. Would this mean we weren't getting in?

The weatherman, Mike Barz, came out and did a first live weather broadcast outside. We were part of the audience and then the best came true. They let the rest of us in. Though we were in the back so it was hard to see. I made my way through to the front, along with one of my friends.

Once the show was over, the hosts began to go around and meet with the crowd. I quickly took out a piece of paper, and handed it to Diane Sawyer. She signed it, as did Robin Roberts, Mike Barz and Charles Gibsons, who's last day at GMA was today. If I wanted to wait about an hour, I could have gotten a picture with Mr. Gibson but we just left.

It was a great time, and I got some great autographs!

President Bill Clinton/Senator Hillary Clinton (July 13, 2007 - Manchester, NH)

2007-09-22T15:16:00.001-07:00

My father and I traveled around an hour and forty minutes to attend a rally featuring Former President Bill Clinton and Senator Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton is a 2008 President Candidate so she was trying to rally people up about her running. My father and I gathered our things and walked a little ways to Veteran Park where the rally was going to be held.

Once we got to our place in the park, which was towards the back, I took my digital camera and quickly made my way through the crowd to get towards the front. At this place I was still a little ways back. I noticed there was hundreds of members of the press all lined up ready to film this big event. Another announced came out to welcome us.

The Mayor of Stratham came out, and spoke for a few moments, as did his wife who had more to say than he did. Then the crowd screamed as Bill Clinton came out. Bill spoke for nearly an hour, telling us what he had been up to briefly and then why he thought Hillary should be America's next president. It was great to hear him speak, though from my distance, I couldn't get any good pictures I have. I got one, but it turned out not good. Then Hillary Clinton came out to speak.

Hillary Clinton had been a possible pick for President for a while, so it was great to hear what she had to say. I took many more pictures of her than Bill, and moved my way up a little in the crowd to get one or two great pictures. She spoke for about an hour, and then finished it off. The crowd then began to move up to meet the Clintons.

After refusing to sign my photos for unknown reasons, I gave up getting their autographs, disappointed but it was great to hear them and see them up in person. I hope to attend another event for both of them someday so I can hear them again and possibly get an autograph and picture with them.

Mayor Rudy Giuliani (August 25, 2007 - Stratham, NH)

2007-09-22T15:09:00.000-07:00

After planning the trip for weeks, my parents and I got in the car to drive to New Hampshire to see Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Rudy is a 2008 Presidential Candidate so he was doing a campaign stop in Stratham. The drive was going to be about an hour and ten minutes, but I was too excited to care about the drive.

After driving for a little more than anticipated, we came upon the location. The details had said a home and garden, so we we're surprised to see a hardware store on a small farm. Especially surprised a presidential candidate would make a stop at such a place. We walked a ways to get to the entrance and saw a pile of people surrounded in one area. Then I saw Rudy Giuliani, speaking to some news reporters.

At first, I was nervous as I had never had a chance to get so close to a political figure like him before. After getting pushed by my mom, I took a brochure they were handing out and asked Mr. Giuliani to sign it. “Sure, I'd love to”, Mr. Giuliani said. He signed it and gave it back to me. Then I backed away and watched him sign others and take pictures with people. I wanted a picture with him, but would ask in a minute.

My mom asked “How do you like the surprising warm weather.” He said he loved it, and said that though his day may seem long, it was not even close as long as other campaign days have been. Just before he was about to leave, I asked him if I could have a picture with him. He gladly took a picture with me, and then I stepped away and out of the store. I show him then go behind to talk to reporters again, so I was glad I got my time with him.

It was a great trip, and I was happy to drive to get an experience to meet him. Maybe he will become our next President, and I can say I met him! He'd be a great president.