I saw a couple of Youtube videos of Frid putting his hand in the cement.  He seemed less than pleased with the whole undertaking.  I actually felt bad for the guy who seemed to be in charge with the way Frid snapped his head off - metaphorically speaking, of course.   

I agree about the whole chemistry thing between Frid and Scott.  It played well when Frid first entered the show because all indications were that Barnabas was coveting something he should not have - that he was attracted to the innocence when he was so evil.  And it was a replay of his coveting his uncle's wife.  When they did the flashback and had them head over heels in love with one another, it just never clicked.  It made for a much more entertaining storyline, but Frid and Scott never clicked.  Frid and Parker, though, definitely clicked.

Hall and Frid had great chemistry together.  The lack of respect towards her, I believe, stems from two things.  First, with her decades of smoking she always sounded like she was gargling gravel.  And second she was, and I really mean no offense here, but she really was uglier than a bowling shoe - especially compared to every other actress on the show.  (Except, perhaps, Mrs. Johnson - but that is truly a close race.)  I have seen some photos of Grayson where there is a mild hint of attractiveness but overall - no.  Great actress though.

Sounds like those that made the trek had a decent time.  I considered going but am glad I decided to pass.   Sounds like much of what they did the last two years were repeated this year.  I do thank everyone for the reports and like the youtube videos showing some of the happenings.

Any announcement as to whether Jonathan is planning to head west next year?

I think the fact that he is old, plus his desire not to give info on his private life, is the reason people get worried when he does nothing on the website for awhile.

The first thought that pops in my mind is the possibility of a health issue.  He seems to have enjoyed good health throughout his life but once someone reaches their 80's, you never know what is going to rear its head and/or when.  (Of course being a doctor does play some part in that mindset for me.)  We have lost so many already and chances are great that most will be gone in the next 10 years or so - people just want to make sure he is okay.

Well the poll is finally done.  I didn't vote every hour, or every day but did put in quite a few over the last few months.

The site is down now as they put together final totals, etc.  It'll be interesting to see if DS did manage to eclipse Star Trek: Voyager.

Thanks, RayCheetah for all your dedication.  I doubt DS would have even been in the poll at all if not for your efforts.

I'd opt for Denny's in a heart-beat.

Yep.  $6.99 for breakfast at Denny's is much better than the $14.99 at the hotel... and it tasted just as good.

I didn't think you were trying to cause trouble, borgosi, and did not take it like that.  I've gotten a lifetime of pleasure from the DS actor's efforts as well.  I appreciate the talent and guts it takes to do what they do.  But bad reviews are not a bad thing.  How else will the fest know what they need to possibly improve upon to make future fests the best fests ever?

And all the actors are some of the nicest people I've met as well.  I have met none that come across as overly pretentious or the like.  When I critique, it is not for the purpose of sulking, it is for the purpose of future improvement.  I did make the comment in my review that Burbank was my second, and last, fest.  However, that would be true even if the Burbank fest had been a beginning to end orgasmic experience.  I've seen and met all I would travel to see and meet now.  If they held a fest in New Orleans, I might be there, but I don't see that one happening.  I've kicked myself for many years by not going to the "Lion in Winter," Frid's one and only directorial outing in Milledgeville, GA when I was younger and had the chance.  I had something else going on that day and figured I would catch him next time around - which there was no next time.  So these last two fests made up for that error.  I also got to visit two cities I had never been to before.  I will be going back to both cities, but for the purpose of site-seeing.  If I had it to do over again, I would still go to both Tarrytown and Burbank.  I just don't feel the desire to repeat them now that I have done them.

No hard feelings, borgosi.  I love a good debate and, after all, this would be a very dull board if we all agreed on everything

Borgosi,

I'm glad you enjoyed yourself at the fest and you have every right to say so.  I also have every right to say what I did, and did not, like about the fest.

Realize that most of the actors do get paid to be there by Jim, and get the money for the pictures they sell.  They also get to bask in the limelight and adoration of their adoring fans... something most actors and athletes miss once they are no longer on center stage.  I am not meaning to come across like I don't appreciate their efforts to be with us, I very much do, however, their reasons are not as noble overall as you are making it sound.  With few exceptions, the actors that do go haven't had tremendously successful careers since DS went off the air and many owe their current income from books, fest appearances (not just DS but all sci-fi conventions) to DS so by continuing the promotion of it, they continue to support their own income, lifestyle and ego. 

We all paid the fees to get into the fest and banquet, if applicable, and many of us paid for airfare to fly from one side of the country to the other, as well as the hotel stay.  So there is a reasonable expectation to receive benefit for all that expense, time and effort to attend.  And if I don't feel like I got my money's worth, I will always say so no matter what event it is I am attending.

With any performance, there will always be reviews... and not all reviews will be positive.  I pointed out the things I liked about Burbank, just like I did Tarrytwon.  And I pointed out those things I did not like about both.  And they were both fair and accurate from where I was sitting. 

Like I say, I'm glad you had a great time at the fest and4 I hope you enjoy any others you go to.  I just don't look at it like I should thank them for being willing to spend a weekend with the "llittle people."