Monthly recap: Aug VS July

August wasn't a bad month, but I think I liked July better. Here's the monthly summary.

August 2006 autographs

Autographs received (real or believed to be): 9
Out of that number, the amount that were purchased: 0
Pre prints: 0
RTS: 2
Other: 0
Total sent out in August: 22


July 2006 autographs

Autographs received (real or believed to be): 12
Out of that number, the amount that were purchased: 1
Pre prints: 0
RTS: 0
Other: In Person: 1
Total sent out in July: 19

Also be on the watch for another "Flashback" to be posted very soon!

Major success

Wrapping up the month with an autograph worth six million dollars.

Lee Majors - Sent: 6/1/06 Received: 8/31/06. Star of "The Six Million Dollar Man" and "The Fall Guy" (and one time husband to Farrah Fawcett-Majors) today I received Lee Majors. He provided this vintage promo pic from "The Fall Guy". (Man that show had a great TV theme). "The Six Million Dollar Man" (and it's spin off "The Bionic Woman") were favorites of mine growing up although I don't remember the last time I've watched an episode of either. Neither show is available (yet) on DVD but when it is I'd be interested in checking it out to see if they hold up to the test of time.



Lee Majors (click to enlarge)

Crystal mail

If you remember the TV show "Wings" you probably remember Crystal Bernard who played "Helen" on the show.

Crystal Bernard - Sent: 8/16/06 Received: 8/30/06. I met Crystal several years ago when she opened a concert for Billy Dean. She was so nice and a lot of fun to meet. (Plus I really enjoyed her show much more than I thought it would). At that time I had her sign the insert for her first CD. It seems a good working address for Crystal was recently found and a lot of folks have been getting successes from it. I thought I would send my other CD insert and request a signed photo as well for my photo album. I did get a signed photo plus she did sign (and personalize) my CD insert. I've enclosed both scans plus my "In-Person" scan from years ago for you to compare signatures.


(above) CD insert & 8X10 pic obtained TTM. (Below) In-Person autograph from Crystal Bernard

Way to go Doogie

I recognized the signature before I did the face on today's success.

Neil Patrick Harris - Sent: 7/15/06 Received: 8/28/06. Neil Patrick Harris was performing "Amadeus" one night only at the Hollywood Bowl in CA on July 20th. I wrote to him at the venue sending a 8X10 photo of him as "Doogie Howser". When I opened the mail today I didn't recognize him for a second because I did not get back what I expected. He did not sign or send back my photo but instead sent his own (current) 5X7 photo personalized with a nice inscription. I'm not sure if he didn't sign or send back my photo because he liked it enough that he wanted to keep it or because he didn't want to sign a "younger" picture of himself. Even though I wish this was an 8X10 photo instead of a 5X7, I'm trying not to complain because he isn't easy to get. He usually uses the Studio Fan Mail company to reply to his mail with pre printed signature photos.



Once upon a time Neil Patrick Harris was "Doogie Howser" (click to enlarge)

Thursday's mail

A new success in today's mail brings some sunshine to clear up the dark skies outside.

Carol Potter - Sent: 8/7/06 Received: 8/24/06. Carol Potter is best remembered for playing "Cindy Walsh" the mother of "Brandon" and "Brenda" on the TV show "Beverly Hills 90210". If you've wondered where she's been since that show ended, besides occasional acting and voice over jobs she also opened her own counseling practice in California. "Brandon" and "Brenda" were always better off when they took her advice so I guess it makes sense. She provided the photo which is a current shot of herself.



Carol Potter from "90210" fame (click to enlarge)

Black magic

Today's success comes from a woman who is a great singer, fantastic actress and all around knock out.

Lisa Hartman Black - Sent: 7/6/06 Received: 8/22/06. I think 'inquired about' is a better word to describe this than 'sent' . The credit of this success all goes to my friend Heather who made this happen for me. Early last month I asked Heather if she could help me regarding a work project with country singer Clint Black. I also asked if there were any chances that I could get a personalized photo of Clint's wife Lisa for myself. I told her of my unsuccessful attempts to get one for myself. She had never dealt with a request for Lisa before but said she would ask. Obviously she did and she came though for me! "Knots Landing" was the first place I remember seeing Lisa (where she played two different characters "Ciji" and "Cathy" during the shows run) but she's also remembered for playing the title role in the "Bewitched" spin off "Tabitha". So special thanks to Heather once again for helping me get this success that I've wanted for a long time!



Lisa Hartman-Black (click to enlarge)

'Grease' is the word!

Today I won one and I lost one. Let's do the happy one first.

Barry Pearl - Sent: 8/9/06 Received: 8/21/06. Next month (9/19) a special "Rockin' Rydel" edition of the movie "Grease" is being released on DVD. I'm happy to see a new edition of this coming because the first DVD release was one of the worst transfers I've ever seen of a movie to DVD. A movie that is so fondly remembered by many deserved a better DVD treatment than what it originally received. I mention this because Barry Pearl is best known for playing the T-Bird "Doody" in the movie "Grease". Barry sent me a "Grease" promo head shot picture personalized to my name "Ryan- Grease is the word Barry Pearl" with drawn music notes. He also included a typed letter that touched on most of my original letter to him. Due to a contract I had to sign in advance to get the autograph I can not publicly post the scan for this success. This is the first time I ever had to sign a contract in order to get an autograph, but it was definitely worth it.


Meryl Streep - Sent: 8/7/06 Received: 8/21/06. RTS. I knew this was a long shot but I had to try. I wrote Meryl via the play she's doing in New York right now. My envelope came back with the address crossed out and "Return to sender" written with a black sharpie on the front. As Meryl said in "The Devil Wears Prada"..... "That's all".

Atta girl

I don't know if you've noticed (like I have) that the movie "9 to 5" seems to be re-running a lot on TV in the last few months. Today's success comes from a great supporting actress in the film.

Peggy Pope - Sent: 7/11/2006 Received: 8/11/06. Peggy Pope is a great character actress probably best remembered for playing Margaret Foster, the "ole lush" (as Mr. Hart referred to her) in the movie "9 to 5". Peggy has guest starred on many TV shows I've enjoyed including "Soap", "Golden Girls" and "Kate & Allie". The photo she sent is her current headshot which shows she still looks the same as she did 20 years ago!


Peggy Pope (click to enlarge)

Red Buttons 1919-2006

FLASHBACK - RED BUTTONS

As promised a tribute to Red Buttons who passed away last month (7/13/06 vascular disease) a success I achieved very early in my autograph collecting days.

Red Buttons - Sent: 9/22/04 Received: 9/28/04. My two favorite roles that Red Buttons played was "Ashley Norman" on the pilot episode of "Wonder Woman" and his two appearances on "Roseanne" playing "Jake". (I loved the line "Craftmatic adjustable Bev!"). I've never seen a picture from him from "Roseanne" but I did find this rare shot of him (although more in the background) from the "Wonder Woman" episode. It only took 8 days to get it back signed and personalized. RIP Red Buttons.

The one that I want!

While writing this post I was trying to think what song of Olivia Newton-John's was my favorite. I couldn't decide for sure but some of the songs that I was thinking about included "Don't Stop Believin", "Physical", "Magic", "Precious Love", "Suddenly", "Back With A Heart" and all the music from "Grease".

Olivia Newton-John - Sent: 11/15/05 Received: 8/5/06. I've seen Olivia Newton-John twice in concert and had the chance to meet her both times. She was friendly both times and put on an incredible concert, covering her country, pop and soundtrack hits plus covering traditional "standards" in her show. The first time I met her I had her sign a cd insert and the second time I had her sign a "Grease" collectible so I wanted to get a 8X10 photo of her signed for my photo album. I found this photo online ordered it and sent it out to a CA address back in November. My photo came back today with a signature on it that matches my "In Person" successes.


(above) Olivia Newton John TTM (below) one of my "In-Person" autographs from ONJ (2001)

Georgia on my mind

Look for a "Flashback" tribute to come on Red Buttons in the next few days on this blog. In the mean time I have my first success of the new month to share with you.

Georgia Engle - Sent: 4/21/06 Received: 8/3/06. I first became aware of Georgia Engle from The "Mary Tyler Moore" show where she played "Georgette". If you don't know her from there you might recognize her from her appearances on "Coach" and "Everybody Loves Raymond". I wrote to Georgia at a play she was doing and received this photo. She still looks the same as she did 30 years ago!



Georgia Engel (click to enlarge)

Judy Davis - Sent: 7/7/06 Received: 8/2/06. RTS. I really like Judy Davis' work. I hope I can find an address that will reach her someday.