NationStates Jolt Archive

Okay, you're at an after-show party for a broadway show, and the writer/director is walking through the crowd, people are getting pictures with him, etc...

As he makes his way through the room, a fellow asks for a picture, the writer/director says "no, sorry, too many, too many", and as he turns to walk away,

another fellow says "You're a genius, though, Mr. xxxxxx".

Mr. xxxxxx turns, shakes the guys hand, says thanks, and turns and continues on.

My question: Was the fellow who said "You're a genius, though, Mr. xxxxxx" out of line? Is that a rude/weird thing to say to a celebrity?

I think it's a weird thing to say to a celebrity who's just shown himself up to be an arrogant asshole.

Only paying attention to people who kiss his taint is not a mark of a genius, imo.

I think it's a weird thing to say to a celebrity who's just shown himself up to be an arrogant asshole.

Only paying attention to people who kiss his taint is not a mark of a genius, imo.

To be fair, he spent quite a bit of time getting pictures with people (he particularly accomodated kids) but eventually he wanted to move on.

But the fanboy, was the statement itself, "You're a genius, though, Mr. xxxxxx", was that a putzy thing to blurt?

But the fanboy, was the statement itself, "You're a genius, though, Mr. xxxxxx", was that a putzy thing to blurt?

If it was sincere ? No.

Very putzy, but the kid who said could be as embarrassed as everyone else around him.
Sometimes meeting a celebrity who's work you admire can be such a shock, you're left speechless and just blurt out the first thing that comes to mind - only to groan when you realise just how putzy it sounds.


Years ago, when I was at Primary school, Prince Charles came to town. We went to watch him go on his little walkabout. A mate who was a real anglophile kept yelling out to Charley to come over. Charles actually did and asked my mate what he wanted. He just froze completely, cause Charley actually coming over to him was the last thing he expected. He eventually stammered out, "What's the time?". Charles, to his credit, laughed, told him and continued on his way.
My mate was so embarassed for weeks afterwards for having asked such a dumb thing.

If it was sincere ? No.

That's the worry...it might have unintentionally come off as insincere, like the guy just wanted a picture. I think afterward, after the writer was walking away, the guy even mumbled "we believe that".

Okay, I admit, said putz was me, and I consider the celebrit in quesiton to be the most gifted playwrite/filmmaker of my lifetime, and I'm worried I came off like a complete ass....

Very putzy, but the kid who said could be as embarrassed as everyone else around him.
Sometimes meeting a celebrity who's work you admire can be such a shock, you're left speechless and just blurt out the first thing that comes to mind - only to groan when you realise just how putzy it sounds.


Years ago, when I was at Primary school, Prince Charles came to town. We went to watch him go on his little walkabout. A mate who was a real anglophile kept yelling out to Charley to come over. Charles actually did and asked my mate what he wanted. He just froze completely, cause Charley actually coming over to him was the last thing he expected. He eventually stammered out, "What's the time?". Charles, to his credit, laughed, told him and continued on his way.
My mate was so embarassed for weeks afterwards for having asked such a dumb thing.

Wow...that's cool, though, that the Prince would walk over and speak with him.

Damn, so I was putzy....

if you can't treat everybody there like your next door neighbor or someone you work with every day, how the hell did you get invited and what the hell are you doing there?

i would think anyone who had just put on their oppening night would want to chill and not have to deal with psychofans. at least that's how i'd feel if i was one of them.

hell, isn't that why it's an unwritten but all but unbroken rule that everyone who performs in the public eye uses a stage name and not the one they sign their check with?

i suppose there are idiots who pull this kind of crap on both sides, but the hell with that, i doubt if i'd be there, unless it was at some kind of convention or something.

=^^=
.../\...

My mate was so embarassed for weeks afterwards for having asked such a dumb thing.

Why ? At least he was memorable.

Very putzy, but the kid who said could be as embarrassed as everyone else around him.
Sometimes meeting a celebrity who's work you admire can be such a shock, you're left speechless and just blurt out the first thing that comes to mind - only to groan when you realise just how putzy it sounds.


Years ago, when I was at Primary school, Prince Charles came to town. We went to watch him go on his little walkabout. A mate who was a real anglophile kept yelling out to Charley to come over. Charles actually did and asked my mate what he wanted. He just froze completely, cause Charley actually coming over to him was the last thing he expected. He eventually stammered out, "What's the time?". Charles, to his credit, laughed, told him and continued on his way.
My mate was so embarassed for weeks afterwards for having asked such a dumb thing.
I've talked to Ewen Chatfield outside of a Cricket match.:)
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OP
I guess it takes less time to shake someones hand than to have a photo taken.
So no i don't think the 'celeb' did much wrong really.

if you can't treat everybody there like your next door neighbor or someone you work with every day, how the hell did you get invited and what the hell are you doing there?

It was a big ballroom type party that everybody at the show could get in to. There were reserved tables for the cast, but at the time, the writer/director was crossing the room.


i would think anyone who had just put on their oppening night would want to chill and not have to deal with psychofans. at least that's how i'd feel if i was one of them.

Yeah, you've got me there. I should've just kept my mouth shut, but I didn't think I'd ever have the chance again to tell him I think he's cool beans.


hell, isn't that why it's an unwritten but all but unbroken rule that everyone who performs in the public eye uses a stage name and not the one they sign their check with?

i suppose there are idiots who pull this kind of crap on both sides, but the hell with that, i doubt if i'd be there, unless it was at some kind of convention or something.

=^^=
.../\...

Yeah...I feel like I was in that SNL skit where the Trekkers ask Shatner what the combination to Kirk's wallsafe is...

You were probably like the eighteenth person to say that to him. It's possible (I'll give benefit of the doubt and say probably) that he doesn't think of himself as a genius. He might think he's pretty good, and he was likely getting heady over the opening of his play...it honestly does feel pretty good to have a room full of people clamoring to tell you how cool what you did was, but you try to maintain some scope in your own head.

So I guess I'm saying, you overstated yourself but and he'd probably have respected a more reserved comment more, but it's not all that lame. Just a tad enthusiastic.

So who is it? It's a play...Tony Kushner?...Steve Martin?

You'd think I'd know what playwrights have new plays out right now, but I don't. So there.

You were probably like the eighteenth person to say that to him. It's possible (I'll give benefit of the doubt and say probably) that he doesn't think of himself as a genius. He might think he's pretty good, and he was likely getting heady over the opening of his play...it honestly does feel pretty good to have a room full of people clamoring to tell you how cool what you did was, but you try to maintain some scope in your own head.

I think he's declined being a genius, saying he's at best "a near genius, a short genius, but I'd rather be tall" or something like that.

He's said a genius is somebody like Tolstoy.


So I guess I'm saying, you overstated yourself but and he'd probably have respected a more reserved comment more, but it's not all that lame. Just a tad enthusiastic.

Thanks, that's really kind of you to say! :)


So who is it? It's a play...Tony Kushner?...Steve Martin?

You'd think I'd know what playwrights have new plays out right now, but I don't. So there.

It was Melvin Kaminksy, bills himself as "Mel Brooks".

I know not everybody is a fan, but I love him.