Obtaining Autographs and/or Photos

[Dbacksfan12]

In the past, I've sent requests to various shows and what not requesting photos; usually one that's autographed.  I've had the most luck with syndicated properties--I have a few photos from TV judges.

When it comes to network shows, what's the best route?  Contact the production company as well?  Or is the network itself better?  Snail mail/email?  Also, do these studios care about postage, or is it proper to send them a SASE (which I guess eliminates email as a possibility).

Opinions/experiences?

[MikeK]

[quote name=\'Modor\' post=\'244713\' date=\'Jul 22 2010, 10:36 AM\']When it comes to network shows, what's the best route?  Contact the production company as well?  Or is the network itself better?  Snail mail/email?  Also, do these studios care about postage, or is it proper to send them a SASE (which I guess eliminates email as a possibility).[/quote]
Snail mail, for sure.  Who says the show reads their e-mails?

Send requests to the person c/o the show where they tape, like Drew Carey c/o The Price is Right, 7800 Beverly Blvd., LA, CA 90036  The exception is if you were writing to a production company, if you wanted to write to Monty Hall, for example.

Sound sincere in the letter.  Write it by hand, to give it some authenticity.  Definitely submit an envelope and enough postage for whatever you're sending--index cards, photos, etc.

Obviously send something you can afford to not get back.

[geno57]

Timing being what it is, I sent a SASE to Gene Rayburn ... via his agent ... about a week before Gene died.  That didn't work out so well.  Let the living legends know how much you love them, while they're still here.

[Jimmy Owen]

Best way is to check when the stars will be near you and get autographs in person.  We have a casino in town where many game show hosts have appeared over the years.  Donny Osmond will be here in a couple weeks.  They've had Regis, Jeff Foxworthy, Jon Bauman, etc.  I met Ray Combs at a department store opening in Toledo.

[MikeK]

[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'244761\' date=\'Jul 22 2010, 07:25 PM\']Best way is to check when the stars will be near you and get autographs in person.[/quote]
This too, for convenience and authenticity purposes.  I met Mike Greenberg at a book signing several months ago, where I got part of my sig.  John Davidson was in town last fall at a Croatian club (?!) a few miles away, but I couldn't justify calling off two weeks into the school year.  Vicki Lawrence is on the road quite a bit.  She did her one-woman show in this area about this time last year, and she's returning in late 2010/early 2011.

The Congresses were a great way as well, between the hosts, the celebrities at the Sunday luncheon, and the participants at the various goings-on--Teresa Ganzel as hostess of WML? Live at the Congress in '06, the Wednesday night WML? Live shows in '05 and '06, the autograph show that coincided with the Congress, etc.

[Matt Ottinger]

[quote name=\'MikeK\' post=\'244773\' date=\'Jul 22 2010, 09:38 PM\']I met Mike Greenberg at a book signing several months ago, where I got part of my sig.[/quote]
I've loved that line in your sig, but I had no idea he said it to you.  I figured it was something you caught on the radio or something.  Even cooler.

[SRIV94]

[quote name=\'MikeK\' post=\'244773\' date=\'Jul 22 2010, 08:38 PM\'][quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'244761\' date=\'Jul 22 2010, 07:25 PM\']Best way is to check when the stars will be near you and get autographs in person.[/quote]
This too, for convenience and authenticity purposes.  I met Mike Greenberg at a book signing several months ago, where I got part of my sig.[/quote]
Also met Greeny at a couple of similar signings (I had met him once before, just before he took the gig at ESPN).  Book signings are a tremendous way to press a little flesh and get an autograph to boot.

One of my favorite sites to visit about upcoming signings is this one.

[Otm Shank]

[quote name=\'MikeK\' post=\'244773\' date=\'Jul 22 2010, 09:38 PM\']I met Mike Greenberg at a book signing several months ago, where I got part of my sig.[/quote]
I heard that quote on the radio in 2008 right after the ill-advised roast of Greenberg and his ESPN co-host Mike Golic in Atlantic City. It was originally attributed to roastmaster Jeff Ross (and sounds like something he'd say), but it the article seems to indicate it was Nick Bakay.

http://web.archive.org/web/20080116081602/...p-7429056c.html

Whoever said it first, it wasn't Greenberg.

[Ian Wallis]

It's too bad Duel didn't have a better fate.  I actually liked the show - I guess I must have been only the third person to actually watch it!