Report From The Hollywood Show

This past weekend The Hollywood Show was held at the Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel & Convention Center. The two day event was filled with many stars spanning 60 years of television and film. This was the first time I’ve ever attended an event like this, and travelled from Michigan to experience it first hand.

Several of the Krofft family was there, including Marty Krofft himself. For coverage of the Krofft portion of the show, go to KROFFT.NET.

The main attraction was the Happy Days cast. Everyone of the core cast was there except Ron Howard. Throughout the day there was a huge lineup to see get autographs and pictures with the cast. I spoke with Henry Winkler and Marion Ross. They were both amazing to talk to, and Marion hasn’t aged a day. The whole cast seemed to be enjoying there time at the show, especially Erin Moran. She was just as excited to see some of her celebrity friends as the fans were to see her.

As a big fan of The View Askewniverse, it was exciting to meet Jason Mewes (not to mention my wife’s infatuation with him. He was very genuine, and was the only celebrity to spend the entire day in front of his table. As I expected, he was very humble, and put on the “Jay” attitude for pictures. It was great (now if I had only remembered my Clerks DVD for him to sign. It already has Kevin Smith’s autograph). My wife took a picture with him and got a great autograph.

Along with The Brady Kids, Christopher Knight’s wife, and the first America’s Next Top Model, Adrianne Curry was there supporting Precious Paws. As I’ve mentioned before, I didn’t watch Top Model but first discovered Adrianne on The Surreal Life where she met her husband Chris. It was a joy meeting Adrianne in person. We arrived as they were setting up (the show was so unorganized) and had a chance to meet Adrianne and Chris before the crowds came. She was very down to earth (as was the whole Brady group) and very good to her fans. I only wish I had more time to talk with her as I do love to read her blog and would have enjoyed discussing some of her life philosophy in person.

From what I’ve heard, Lou Ferrigno is a sweetheart, but he is very intimidating to meet in person. The man is huge and solid. I had him autograph two pictures for my sons. I felt like a little kid when I shook his hand.

There were many other celebrities there, but the show itself was run horribly. The celebrities were told it opened at 10am, but they let us in at 9am (and 80% of them weren’t there, and the ones that were there were setting up). They had Marty Krofft in a corner next to Playboy Models no where near the other Krofft actors. They had Rosanna Arquette stuffed in the corner behind the Happy Days line where she couldn’t be seen. They had Jason Mewes next to the Munchkins from the Wizard of Oz. Not to mention Phil LaMarr and Billy West (Futurama) buried in the corner of the lobby next to a Psychic. But, would I got again…Yes.

Please leave you questions or your own experiences below in the comments.

A Weekend with Marty Krofft, The Brady Kids, Billie Hayes and Van Snowden

(Come back in a few days for the first KROFFT.NET podcast containing video of the event)

This past weekend in Burbank, The Hollywood Collector’s Show was held at the Burbank Airport Marriott. My wife and I traveled to California from Michigan to get a chance to see The Kroffts, The Bradys, Witchiepoo and Pufnstuf all under the same roof. The two day event was filled with many stars spanning at least 60 years of television and film, but we were there to meet some Krofft Alumni. I went as a casual fan, to get a few autographs, and to meet the people who’s acting I’ve admired through the years. I didn’t get any interviews (but I hope to in the near future), I didn’t try…I just wanted to enjoy meeting them.

Led by Susan Olsen, several of the stars of The Brady Bunch Variety Hour were on hand to sign autographs and meet fans in support of the Precious Paws organization. At the event was Susan Olsen (Cindy Brady), Mike Lookinland (Bobby Brady), Chris Knight (Peter Brady), and Barry Williams (Greg Brady). Also there to support Precious Paws was Christopher’s wife Adrianne Curry and Robbie Rist (Cousin Oliver from The Brady Bunch). All of them were very pleasant to talk to and all had some interesting stories to tell. I brought my Brady Hour DVD for them to sign. As I handed it to each of them they each had some clever remarks to make about the show. The best was Chris Knight who remarked immediately, “They actually sell these?” (also, thanks to Chris for reminding me to take the cover out of the plastic).

Marty Krofft was there for most of Saturday. Incredibly, he was stuffed in the corner behind he mob of Happy Days fans where you wouldn’t have found him if you weren’t looking for him. This was the first time I’ve met Mr. Krofft, and he was very nice to meet. Because of the noise and crowd, I didn’t get to spend much time with him, but I did enjoy the few moments I was able to talk to him. When I went back later in the day, he had already left. I had him sign my Pufnstuf DVD.

Van Snowden was also there. When I first saw him, he was standing in the line with us fans waiting to get in (the show was very unorganized), and I didn’t even recognize him. He was very pleasant, but not very talkative. The noise in the room didn’t make it easy to have a conversation with the soft spoken Mr. Snowden. I had him sign my Pufnstuf DVD.

The wonderful Billie Hayes was at the show in support of her long-time organization Pet Hope. I’ve ben an admirer of hers for many many years, and finally meeting her was a treat. She is the sweetest person I’ve ever met, and was genuinely excited to meet each and every one of her fans. I could have spent the entire day sitting there with her…she is amazing. She graciously signed my Pufnstuf DVD and posed with me in a picture. And yes, she still sounds like Witchiepoo.

In all it was a great show. It was billed as an autograph and collectors show, but to me it was a meet and greet with show business legends. The show itself was poorly organized. Why wasn’t Marty Krofft, Billie Hayes and Van Snowden even close to one another? They told the celebrities that it started at 10am, and let us in at 9am. (and there were other, non-Krofft related anomalies) The show was great, and I hope to get another chance to spend some time with these Krofft-alumni.

Please post your experiences in the comments if you attended, or ask any questions you may have.

Also, for non-Krofft related coverage of the show, go to META-TAINMENT.COM.

Land of the Lost Original Series Comic

If your looking to relive your Land of the Lost memories after the recent Will Ferrell comedy (good or bad), now here is your chance. A comic based on the original 70s TV series is coming:

By: Sean O’reilly, Tony Lee

Type: Comics
Genres: Action-Adventure
Series: Land of the Lost
Publisher: Arcana Studio
Pub. Date: June 24, 2009
Availability: Pre-Order
UPC: 89808400139209001

I’ve pre-ordered copy, but am a little concerned. It was supposed to be released on July 24th, and there is no cover art available. We’ll see when (if) I finally ships.

I’d expected more press for this comic (not even mentioned on the Krofft MySpace page) but only stumbled across it myself. Hopefully it’ll be release soon.

The Kroffts and Bradys in Burbank This Weekend

This weekend (July 18 & 19) at the Burbank Marriott in Burbank, CA The Hollywood Show will be hosting several Krofft alumni. They include:

Krofft Alumni
• Sid Krofft
• Marty Krofft
• Van Snowden
• Billie Hayes

From The Brady Bunch Variety Hour
• Susan Olsen (Cindy Brady)
• Christopher Knight (Peter Brady)
• Mike Lookinland (Bobby Brady)
• Barry Williams (Greg Brady)

There are many other stars in attendance also.

The Hollywood Show site is pretty sparse and assumes you’ve been to their shows before; offering little if no explanation of the show itself.
I’ve made several inquiries into the show to attempt to get more information for you, but no luck. If you’ve attended a show held by “The Hollywood Show”, please leave your observations in the comments below.

I plan on attending myself, so I hope to see you there!

New Witchiepoo Doll Available

For all you Krofft Kollectors out there, Huckleberry Toys just released a new Witchiepoo Toffeedoll. The doll is currently available, and will also be available at ComicCon 2009. Huckleberry Toys provided the following press release:

TOFFEE DOLLS make their debut at San Diego Comic Con

Los Angeles, CA (July 3, 2009) – Hailing from the Land of the Rising Sun and the fertile imagination of artist Riri Fukuju comes TOFFEE…a mix of both human and animal attributes in a being unto themselves. The inaugural limited edition series of TOFFEE dolls by Huckleberry are making their debut at the 2009 San Diego Comic Con.

Available at select fine retailers in August, the TOFFEE dolls are a plush, mixed medium doll that is meticulously hand-made with special attention to details in hand painting the facial expression, hand applying the hair, sewing the body and outfit. Each doll is articulated with 5 poseable joints (neck, legs and arms) and are hand numbered limited editions. The TOFFEE dolls also come with doll stands, certificates of authenticity and custom designed backdrop dioramas that can be displayed with the dolls.

In celebrating the inaugural series of TOFFEE dolls, Huckleberry has created three limited TOFFEE’s for summer conventions they are attending around the world. The first of these very limited dolls is HELLBOY™ FAN TOFFEE…a different twist on a much beloved character….taken from the inspiration of Mike Mignola’s comic artwork, HELLBOY™ FAN Toffee embodies something many a fan can relate to….dressing up in their own unique style to emulate a character they love. HELLBOY™ FAN TOFFEE is limited to 500 pcs.

The second summer convention exclusive is WITCHIEPOO TOFFEE. From the wildly fantastic and out of this world minds of Sid & Marty Krofft came the classic children’s television show H.R.PUFNSTUF in 1969. How can anyone forget that wicked laugh of Billie Haye’s Withciepoo and her quest to get her hands on Freddy the Flute from do-gooders Jimmy and Pufnstuf. WITCHIEPOO TOFFEE comes with a hand signed certificate of authenticity by creators Sid Krofft, Marty Krofft and actress Billie Hayes and is limited to 300 pcs.

The final summer convention exclusive is a TOFFEE original…JESSICA. JESSICA TOFFEE is limited to 300 pcs.

The inaugural series of TOFFEE dolls and summer convention exclusives will go on sale July 3, 2009 at www.huckleberrytoys.com while supplies last. TOFFEE creator Riri Fukuju will also be on hand to meet fans and sign dolls at the Huckleberry booth # 4449 during the San Diego Comic Con.

Huckleberry is a company dedicated to designing imaginative toys to foster fun, creative play for kids of all ages.

Honestly, this is the first time I’ve heard the term “Toffee doll”, but the doll does look cool. For the collectors out there, this would make a fine showpiece.