God... DAMN it, Archer!

June 3, 2015 3:58 PM

What do I do to get Aisha Tyler to sign a still from Archer?

My brother *loves* Archer. There is a specific shot in one episode of Lana standing in front of a map of the New Orleans area. I'd like to get a signed copy of this for him. I had thought I could do something like print out a still and send it to her publicist with simple request and a SASE...does that sound right? at least as an attempt?

posted by j_curiouser to Media & Arts (13 answers total)

That's probably your best bet, unless you know someone going to Ubisoft's E3 press conference on June 15th.
posted by Etrigan at 4:12 PM on June 3, 2015

I don't know Aisha Tyler's view on these things, but I will say (as someone who routinely deals behind-the-scenes with famous actor types) that the photo-and-SASE option is looked upon with some suspicion, because a non-trivial number of those "fan requests" mysteriously end up on eBay. At various times, I've delivered a fair number of these requests to the actors by hand, but the response has not been encouraging. But you may luck out, and if it's worth losing a few bucks for your (clearly beloved) brother, why let it stop you, but as Etrigan suggests, you're much better off waiting for an opportunity to ask her in-person at a fan event of some kind.
posted by mykescipark at 4:31 PM on June 3, 2015

I had thought I could do something like print out a still and send it to her publicist with simple request and a SASE...does that sound right?

Yes, that's the best way to do it. It works for most athletes, at least.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 4:34 PM on June 3, 2015

Just wondering if you would be more likely to get a response if you requested a message that was more personal (and therefore less valuable if sold) Like "To J's Bro, Happy Birthday, Aisha Taylor"
posted by metahawk at 4:40 PM on June 3, 2015 [9 favorites]

Here's her few tour dates this year.
posted by jenfullmoon at 5:38 PM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]

Definitely explain the story and make the message personal as metahawk suggests. Make your letter quite brief, nobody likes to read an essay. Good luck, it sounds like an awesome gift.
posted by Youremyworld at 5:56 PM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]

Aisha's pretty awesome from having seen her live show and how she took time to literally chat with everyone, so I think SASE may work with seeing her on tour as a backup. She's hilarious, so no waste there.
posted by disillusioned at 5:56 PM on June 3, 2015

If I were doing this, and I was serious about a gift for my brother, I would find out what her celebrity charity is and make a donation to that cause. Then I would include the receipt for the donation with the autograph request, and a very very brief note explaining what the gift is for and why you have donated to the charity. That shows you respect the actress and you respect her time and will probably mean that her publicist will forward the request on to her instead of throwing it in the trash. It's not guaranteed to work, but it gives you a better chance and at the very least you will have donated to a worthy charity.
posted by seasparrow at 6:25 PM on June 3, 2015 [9 favorites]

Yeah, regarding charities:

aisha is deeply dedicated to charity and volunteerism, serving on the board of planned parenthood, directing a film to benefit returning wounded warriors, acting as spokesperson for the american red cross, consulting with the trust for public land’s parks for people project, and fund-raising for doctors without borders, futures without violence, and the international rescue committee.

posted by aydeejones at 6:32 PM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]

(and then your brother also gets to vicariously feel like the charity donation was sort of in his name too)
posted by aydeejones at 6:34 PM on June 3, 2015

If worst comes to worst you may be able to buy just her autograph online and you could frame it with the still. If time is limited to hunt down one directly
posted by wwax at 5:10 AM on June 4, 2015

> Just wondering if you would be more likely to get a response if you requested a message that was more personal (and therefore less valuable if sold) Like "To J's Bro, Happy Birthday, Aisha Taylor"

Yes, definitely. I work with a Famous Person (though not an actor) and we get loads of autograph requests. Ones that say "My dad would love a signed photo, can you please write 'Happy 60th, Billy!' on it?" go to the top of the queue. Generic requests to sign something are almost always still processed, but usually much more slowly.
posted by schroedingersgirl at 5:43 AM on June 4, 2015 [1 favorite]

If you can't happen upon her during her stand up dates, watch for Archer's cast to tour. We met her (last summer? two summers ago?) and almost the entire rest of the cast after one of those shows.

except Chris Parnell who left before everyone else, argh!
posted by getawaysticks at 9:11 AM on June 4, 2015