TO EVERYONE PLEASE READ

[Gerard]

Yes, that poor soul obviously has emotional/psychological problems.  It's how we treat people like him that marks the level of our civility.

It appears that TLATKLS - from the report - did handle the situation with class and calm (and David Selby must have done the same).  I imagine that, being celebrities, they are rather use to such encounters (whether from such individuals, or just from overly-excited fans - my best friend has a tendency to fall to pieces when he sees persons of fame and it can get rather embarrassing; don't ask me about the incident with the soap stars in a Ventura Boulevard restaurant) and know how to deal with them in a positive manner.  Undoubtedly, it comes with the territory.

Gerard

[scout75]

I imagine that, being celebrities, they are rather use to such encounters...whether from such individuals, or just from overly-excited fans...

Especially a show as beloved as DS.

I'm just glad everything turned out okay--but I do believe that this young man does need some sort of supervision if he is to ever attend another DS convention. For no other reason, just to keep this sort of awkward, spirit-dampening incident from happening again.

[Nancy]

Yes, that poor soul obviously has emotional/psychological problems.  It's how we treat people like him that marks the level of our civility.

It appears that TLATKLS - from the report - did handle the situation with class and calm (and David Selby must have done the same).  I imagine that, being celebrities, they are rather use to such encounters (whether from such individuals, or just from overly-excited fans - my best friend has a tendency to fall to pieces when he sees persons of fame and it can get rather embarrassing; don't ask me about the incident with the soap stars in a Ventura Boulevard restaurant) and know how to deal with them in a positive manner.  Undoubtedly, it comes with the territory.

Gerard

I imagine you are right, Gerard.  A fan on the DS newsgroup who was there when the incident happened said that KLS did at some point leave the stage and Jim Pierson escorted the man off.  Certainly don't blame her for getting away from the scene in a quiet and "gentle" way so as not to antagonize the fan.  In looking at such an encounter from the standpoint of a celebrity: most fan are strangers to them.  They don't know each individual in the crowd or the fan who is over anxious and pushes his/her way to the stage or forward in an autograph line.   The celebrity can assume the fan is just eager but some celebrities paid for the assumption with their life or wound up being threatened.   We feel as if we know celebrities because we see them on TV or attend their frequent personal appearances.  But we don't know them and they certainly don't know us or our intentions.  Of course most fans only want a chance to say something and get an autograph, that's all.  The concern that one fan might go too far is constant worry with a celebrity.  Remember, all Mark Chapman wanted from John Lennon the night he was killed was an autograph.  He stood outside of Lennon's abode until the ex-Beatle returned home waiting for him.  Like you said, all of this does come with the territory, but it's horrible to have to keep in mind that you just never know who in the crowd thinks harming you would be in someone's best interest.   That's a fact of life for many of these people including the DS actors.  

There have been several "stalker" incidents with some of the DS actors at Festivals that isn't made general knowledge.  It was quickly and quietly dealt with, thank heavens

It's good for fans to realize the fears that celebrities must have in the back of their mind about being accessible and leaving themselves open to harm at the same time.   That kind of understanding shows a lot of respect for the celebrity in question.  I certainly wouldnt want to live like that!  

Nancy

[Dr. Eric Lang]

Ummm - Okay I'm trying to catch up. What exactly was this "incident" and where can I read about it? Thanks. ?!?

[scout75]

Chris_2:

Read the "DS Fan Fest 2002" thread and you'll catch up pretty quick...

Here to help.

[Midnite]

The descriptive words used hit below the belt.  Think--before you speak or post. You may be hurting someone next to you  

Well said, Carol!  And Annie, I commend you for speaking out.

Following the incident, KLS explained that she recognized the man from other DS events and since he hadn't created problems such as this before she tried to give him a chance to speak, and at one point she even handed the mike over to him.  It was a classy thing to do but from my vantage point also seemed foolish.  I don't think he should've been allowed to take the stage and once it happened that he was removed from it far beyond the point at which it was apparent (to me, anyway) that he could pose a threat.  KLS eventually put some space between herself and him, yet it wasn't until a fan in the audience hollered out to get him off the stage that Pierson made an effort to do it.  That delay (again, this is strictly my opinion) was way too long.

And to answer scout75's question, it was scary but because it turned out well it did not put a damper on the festivities, though I was very sorry to read here that Selby had a similar experience with the man.  I can't imagine that having it happen a 2nd time is anything but inexcusable.

KLS also stated that she didn't know why the man was upset, and because I'd describe him that night as both agitated and incoherent, I feel it doesn't make sense to try to figure out what the reason was behind his calling her a liar.

[sheenasma]

Thank you, Midnite.  I just commented on the other thread, I would hae here if I had seen this first.

Nancy

[Midnite]

It's no problem, Sheenasma.  Glad you made it home safely.

Annie, I'm letting you know that I took the "OT" out of your subject title.  Hope you don't mind.  

[Dawn]

Third time is the charm here (tried to post this twice before).  I'm sure this is my medical background coming to light, but I believe our disruptive fan was was a Down Syndrome person.   This may explain for many of you the deficiencies in speech and mental capacities.  
I am certain that his cognitive inabilities are mostly what contributed to the outburst.  Many Downs persons will not have their mind changed once they get hold of something.  In their minds, fact is what they first learn and are not often swayed.  I was concerned at the turn of events with KLS and thought she handled it well while I question the responses of fest organizers.  I still attest that he should have been stopped before he ever made it on stage.  Dawn