What to say to a deranged millionare?
November 7, 2011 5:36 AM Subscribe
What should I say to John Hodgman at an upcoming book signing?
I'm not usually one for celebrity sightings, but John Hodgman is coming through town for his THAT IS ALL tour and my wife and I, along with some close friends, got tickets. As a Metafilter user, Hodgman reader, and regular listener to MaxFun podcasts and Stuff You Should Know, I feel strangely connected to this man. I don't want to clam up, though, and end up saying something like, "I like your humor and Metafilter and big gavel and Josh and Chuck."
What fun and funny thing should I say to the Judge when I see him on Wednesday?
Addenda:
1) I will happily cite you as part of the joke (e.g. "Metafilter user XXX asks:").
2) Our friends will be slightly ahead of us in the signing line, and might be willing to participate in a hilarious 1-2 set up.
Thank you!
I'm not usually one for celebrity sightings, but John Hodgman is coming through town for his THAT IS ALL tour and my wife and I, along with some close friends, got tickets. As a Metafilter user, Hodgman reader, and regular listener to MaxFun podcasts and Stuff You Should Know, I feel strangely connected to this man. I don't want to clam up, though, and end up saying something like, "I like your humor and Metafilter and big gavel and Josh and Chuck."
What fun and funny thing should I say to the Judge when I see him on Wednesday?
Addenda:
1) I will happily cite you as part of the joke (e.g. "Metafilter user XXX asks:").
2) Our friends will be slightly ahead of us in the signing line, and might be willing to participate in a hilarious 1-2 set up.
Thank you!
"I'm a big fan of your work. Please sign it to 'farishta'. Thank you."
posted by empath at 5:56 AM on November 7, 2011 [6 favorites]
posted by empath at 5:56 AM on November 7, 2011 [6 favorites]
Yeah, John Hodgman is a really funny, nice guy. Our paths have crossed at MaxFunCons past (and future) and the advice above is stellar. Just be yourself, don't force the funny. Show your appreciation for his work by briefly telling him what it means to you. That's something that can be hard for a writer/podcaster to gauge from his audience that I'm sure he'll appreciate it.
Also, listen to this episode of the Judge John Hodgman podcast for real-life "meeting famous people" tips and tricks from the man himself.
posted by inturnaround at 5:58 AM on November 7, 2011 [2 favorites]
Also, listen to this episode of the Judge John Hodgman podcast for real-life "meeting famous people" tips and tricks from the man himself.
posted by inturnaround at 5:58 AM on November 7, 2011 [2 favorites]
You could turn the tables and bring a fake book with you, and ask him "sooo... who should I make this out to?"
posted by pwally at 6:41 AM on November 7, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by pwally at 6:41 AM on November 7, 2011 [2 favorites]
I agree with The Deej that if you're nice and just let him ask you questions, he'll say something funny, which is what you really want.
(When my partner and I went to the THAT IS ALL signing, we gave him our first copy and said, "Can you make this out to both of us? We got engaged recently."
Hodgman: "What, just now?"
me: "No, but dammit, that would have been awesome."
Hodgman: Okay. *writes "GOOD LUCK WITH MARRIAGE!"*
me: "Thanks, and can you make out this second book to our friend L.? She really wanted to be here but she was out of town."
Hodgman: "Hmm. You need to help her make better decisions."
me: "I knoooow."
Hodgman: *writes "TO OUR FRIEND L. JOHN HODGMAN"*
This may not translate well, but in context it was pretty great.)
posted by synchronia at 7:43 AM on November 7, 2011
(When my partner and I went to the THAT IS ALL signing, we gave him our first copy and said, "Can you make this out to both of us? We got engaged recently."
Hodgman: "What, just now?"
me: "No, but dammit, that would have been awesome."
Hodgman: Okay. *writes "GOOD LUCK WITH MARRIAGE!"*
me: "Thanks, and can you make out this second book to our friend L.? She really wanted to be here but she was out of town."
Hodgman: "Hmm. You need to help her make better decisions."
me: "I knoooow."
Hodgman: *writes "TO OUR FRIEND L. JOHN HODGMAN"*
This may not translate well, but in context it was pretty great.)
posted by synchronia at 7:43 AM on November 7, 2011
I gave him a little Areas of My Expertise-inspired pamphlet I did up of the local Granary Burying Ground. He signed it "Loved every page of it, except page 14" - a quote I will use on the cover of whatever I ever end up publishing.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 7:51 AM on November 7, 2011
posted by robocop is bleeding at 7:51 AM on November 7, 2011
Just make sure to address him as "Your Succulence" after the most recent episode of the podcast.
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 7:55 AM on November 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 7:55 AM on November 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
> Hi, I like your books. I'm on MetaFilter - could you sign it 'to farishita'?
posted by KokuRyu at 8:02 AM on November 7, 2011
posted by KokuRyu at 8:02 AM on November 7, 2011
Are you a Best Show on WFMU listener? Say, "I'd like a discount please". (Note: Friends of Tom card may be required - but you could probably get away without it - I have no idea where mine is).
If you're not a Best Show listener, check out the archives - Hodgman has been on 3 of the last 5 episodes.
posted by Gortuk at 8:57 AM on November 7, 2011
If you're not a Best Show listener, check out the archives - Hodgman has been on 3 of the last 5 episodes.
posted by Gortuk at 8:57 AM on November 7, 2011
FYI: You can do what Gortuk suggested, but Hodgman specifically asked that that request not be spread around to non-Best Show listeners. So maybe listen to those episodes before attending.
posted by one_bean at 9:09 AM on November 7, 2011
posted by one_bean at 9:09 AM on November 7, 2011
"I was so nervous about what to say to you, I even asked Metafilter!"
posted by yellowbinder at 9:51 AM on November 7, 2011 [8 favorites]
posted by yellowbinder at 9:51 AM on November 7, 2011 [8 favorites]
I once went up to David Sedaris, while he was signing books, with a copy of Atlas Shrugged for him to sign. A very slight, wry smile, was my only reward for what I felt, going in, was pure brilliance on my part.
He's doing this almost every night and he's probably seen it all, so, yeah, just be yourself.
posted by Danf at 10:39 AM on November 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
He's doing this almost every night and he's probably seen it all, so, yeah, just be yourself.
posted by Danf at 10:39 AM on November 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks so much for the great feedback everyone! It's calming to be reminded that he is a normal and nice guy. Maybe I'll wear my Mefi t-shirt and see if it gets a reaction!
I'll post here if anything interesting happens on Wednesday!
posted by farishta at 4:22 PM on November 7, 2011
I'll post here if anything interesting happens on Wednesday!
posted by farishta at 4:22 PM on November 7, 2011
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Trying to be "funny" in a 30 second meeting with a celebrity comedian can be painful for all involved.
I'd just be polite, tell him you enjoy his work, and it's nice to meet him. Mentioning that you are a fellow Metafilter member is ok too. Thank him for signing your book and be on your way.
He may very well engage you in conversation, ask you some questions, and you might both have a laugh, but let it happen organically. Trying to set something up is just trying too hard, and it will come across as such. And then you will probably feel like this.
posted by The Deej at 5:52 AM on November 7, 2011 [18 favorites]