"Ghost Hunters" Alcatraz Live Event & 100th Episode Celebration
(Photos Included & Also HQ versions placed in Gallery HERE)
New York City - March 3rd 2010
Being the "DT" fan ambassador, I have to be ready at a moment's notice when news pops up that can connect my fellow fans of a chance to meet Josh. When I heard that the 100th episode special of "Ghost Hunters" included a live audience, I worked for over a week solid to get people involved. It drew closer and closer to the air date, the plans were made, and my second whirlwind trip to New York City began at 5 in the morning. The next few hours consisted of a train to Boston, retrieving a lost iPod a friend found for me downtown, catching a 9:30 a.m. bus to NYC, finally making it into the city, and after a few hours, making it through the cold drizzly weather to Rockefeller Center.
When I got to the building, I met up with three other devoted "DT" fans (there were more, but they showed up later that I did and never tracked them down, unfortunately). The three very cool people were Sarah, Phllip and Jeff, along with a devoted "Ghost Hunters" fan Linda, who got there at 10:30 a.m.! We went to Subway to grab something to eat (yes, Subway in New York, very cliche) and discussed everything from "DT" to other paranormal themed shows to how I got started in my fan work. I shared with them my highs and lows in being the "DT" fan ambassador and I loved just being able to tell my story.
When I got to the building, I met up with three other devoted "DT" fans (there were more, but they showed up later that I did and never tracked them down, unfortunately). The three very cool people were Sarah, Phllip and Jeff, along with a devoted "Ghost Hunters" fan Linda, who got there at 10:30 a.m.! We went to Subway to grab something to eat (yes, Subway in New York, very cliche) and discussed everything from "DT" to other paranormal themed shows to how I got started in my fan work. I shared with them my highs and lows in being the "DT" fan ambassador and I loved just being able to tell my story.
(From the Left): Linda, Jeff, Phillip & Sarah
Once it hit 5 p.m., Linda suggested that we head up to the waiting area in the Mezzanine. Turns out, it was great thinking to add Linda to our group, even though she's never seen "DT." She not only made for hilarious conversation, but her instincts got us to be the first five people in line! Well, we spent a few hours in line standing (we were yelled at for sitting) and just spoke more about "DT," talked with "GH" fans about our beloved TV show host, and complained about how darn hot it was in the Mezzanine!
While waiting, I spotted a familiar face - Maureen from the PR department of Syfy. We shared a friendly and nostalgic hello, and she told me that Josh would try and meet with us if he had free time before the event. I was iffy, but we were all just glad to be there, to be honest. Some pages came around, especially one enthusiastic man named Jessie, who was taking question submissions for fans to ask live on air. As luck would have it, his pen was dead even before using it. I lent him my "DT Fan" pen, which I didn't know would be my last time seeing it ever again. We all submitted questions and the pages seemed enthusiastic about those which myself, Jeff and Sarah submitted and it was almost time to be let it.
We were herded through security, then to the elevator that brought us to Studio 8H. We waited in the epic hallway with photos of SNL greats on the wall when we saw two familiar faces - Tango and Britt from "GH"! They greeted fans waiting in line and we were shortly let in. Once seated and waiting for filming to commence, I was so happy to find out that Sarah and Jeff were selected to ask questions on air! Then, it was the time period just before filming and Josh came out in a dapper suit. He talked briefly about the history of "GH" and said he was excited we were all there. He then ran back again and it was nearly time to go on air.
While waiting, I spotted a familiar face - Maureen from the PR department of Syfy. We shared a friendly and nostalgic hello, and she told me that Josh would try and meet with us if he had free time before the event. I was iffy, but we were all just glad to be there, to be honest. Some pages came around, especially one enthusiastic man named Jessie, who was taking question submissions for fans to ask live on air. As luck would have it, his pen was dead even before using it. I lent him my "DT Fan" pen, which I didn't know would be my last time seeing it ever again. We all submitted questions and the pages seemed enthusiastic about those which myself, Jeff and Sarah submitted and it was almost time to be let it.
We were herded through security, then to the elevator that brought us to Studio 8H. We waited in the epic hallway with photos of SNL greats on the wall when we saw two familiar faces - Tango and Britt from "GH"! They greeted fans waiting in line and we were shortly let in. Once seated and waiting for filming to commence, I was so happy to find out that Sarah and Jeff were selected to ask questions on air! Then, it was the time period just before filming and Josh came out in a dapper suit. He talked briefly about the history of "GH" and said he was excited we were all there. He then ran back again and it was nearly time to go on air.
"GH" Live Admission Bracelets - Linda, Amanda & Phillip
The "GH" Alcatraz Live Special started with a lot of energy and continued with great one-liners by Josh, awesome interaction between the cast and audience, and it was priceless to see fans interact with the cast members from the audience by shouting out questions to them. Some people were even giving Dustin (from "GHI") a hard time about his hair, asking him what product was in it this time or if he was cast into the next season of "Jersey Shore." I myself even asked Jay at one point what he got at the Providence RI Apple Store a while back (via a post on his Twitter account), to which he laughed and said not a lot because everything there is too expensive. The audience also got to watch the same stuff that everyone at home did because there were two monitors behind the cast's seating area. It was great when the audience cracked up at funny things on screen and to see the cast razzing each other over what was being aired.
Anyway, not to disrespect "GH" but let's get to the subject of Josh. Maureen told me that Josh knew I was there, and he also emailed me a few days prior, so I was trying to think of a way to get his attention without making a fool of myself. I could even see him combing out over the audience with his eyes a few times and figured, on the off chance, maybe he was trying to spot me. Once it reached around the half hour mark, Josh stood in front of the audience on stage with a nervous smile and said "This is nerve wracking!" I took the opportunity and yelled back "you're doing great!" He said "Thanks, who said-" looked around, spotted me, pointed and smiled. I was happy to get his attention and hoped he would have time to talk at some point in between filming, but didn't expect it.
At some point, I heard someone ask for a pen and I reached for my "DT Fan" pen. It was too my dismay that I remembered I lent my pen to Jessie so that fans could use it. I kept trying to get his attention to see if I could get my pen back, and by the time he notched me and came over, he reacted with shock and said he was embarrassed, but thought he either gave it away or someone took it. I joked around that I was very sad about this and would never see my beloved pen again, so he asked if there was something he could do for his screw up. I was totally joking, but I asked if he could get me a signature from Josh (yes, I do the "DT" fan promo work, but the one thing I've NEVER asked from Josh was an autograph - very silly, I know). He said he would do something, and after I answered a question on air and the "GHI" guys joked that they should "give that girl a T-shirt," Jessie came over later with an unfortunately oversized "GH" T-Shirt. I was grateful, but I would have preferred an autograph and was just shocked that they wanted to make it up to me for them losing my pen! I was happy to think that I could end up giving the shirt to a coworker who loved "GH" and couldn't make it to the live event (update: she flipped out when I gave her the shirt and wouldn't stop thanking me all day when I gave it to her).
Anyway, not to disrespect "GH" but let's get to the subject of Josh. Maureen told me that Josh knew I was there, and he also emailed me a few days prior, so I was trying to think of a way to get his attention without making a fool of myself. I could even see him combing out over the audience with his eyes a few times and figured, on the off chance, maybe he was trying to spot me. Once it reached around the half hour mark, Josh stood in front of the audience on stage with a nervous smile and said "This is nerve wracking!" I took the opportunity and yelled back "you're doing great!" He said "Thanks, who said-" looked around, spotted me, pointed and smiled. I was happy to get his attention and hoped he would have time to talk at some point in between filming, but didn't expect it.
At some point, I heard someone ask for a pen and I reached for my "DT Fan" pen. It was too my dismay that I remembered I lent my pen to Jessie so that fans could use it. I kept trying to get his attention to see if I could get my pen back, and by the time he notched me and came over, he reacted with shock and said he was embarrassed, but thought he either gave it away or someone took it. I joked around that I was very sad about this and would never see my beloved pen again, so he asked if there was something he could do for his screw up. I was totally joking, but I asked if he could get me a signature from Josh (yes, I do the "DT" fan promo work, but the one thing I've NEVER asked from Josh was an autograph - very silly, I know). He said he would do something, and after I answered a question on air and the "GHI" guys joked that they should "give that girl a T-shirt," Jessie came over later with an unfortunately oversized "GH" T-Shirt. I was grateful, but I would have preferred an autograph and was just shocked that they wanted to make it up to me for them losing my pen! I was happy to think that I could end up giving the shirt to a coworker who loved "GH" and couldn't make it to the live event (update: she flipped out when I gave her the shirt and wouldn't stop thanking me all day when I gave it to her).
My very happy co-worker Cheryl with the "GH" shirt I decided to give to her
Once a lot of time had gone by, it was getting to be Sarah's turn to ask a question live on the air (if you watched, she asked the question about what the "GH" crew would do differently with the knowledge they have now after 100 episodes) and she was very nervous. Not because she would be on TV in front of millions, but because she was going to get to shake hands with and speak to Josh when they set up the microphone between takes. She finally got up to the microphone and Josh approached her, smiling and shook her hand. They went over the question with her and minutes later, she got to ask her question and I was so proud of and happy for her!
When it got to be nearly 20 minutes to the end of the special (and 35 minutes to the end of the entire program when regarding the live web broadcast), Josh came over to talk to the last fan who got to ask a question on air, which unfortunately was not Jeff because they were running out of time. After talking to the other fan, he looked over at me with a huge smile on his face, shuffled over and greeted me very warmly. He said he was so happy I was here and felt horrible he couldn't make time earlier. I said it was totally fine and gave him a hug. I asked him if he could sign Sarah's question card and he gladly did so. Not to pat myself on the back, but if I were a selfish fan leader, I would have just asked for one myself, but I always put my fellow fans before myself, when possible.
While he signed, I gave Sarah a hard time by telling Josh that she was nervous and after meeting him briefly, that she thought his hand was "sooo soft." Josh had a good laugh and even though I apologized to Sarah for making that embarrassing comment, she said she thought it was funny and wasn't offended. I asked Josh if he'd have time after the show to meet with us and his face lit up when he replied "Absolutely! I just need to finish the extra 15 minute broadcast thing and I'll find you."
Josh went back to fulfill the rest of his hosting duties and soon the regular show drew to a close, followed quickly by the end of the webcast. The casts of "GH", "GHI", "GHA" and Josh all gladly spoke with fans and signed autographs, and I waited patiently and chatted with some "GH" favorites (Steve, Britt and Barry, to be specific). I gathered the troops together, including a fellow fangirl who had a shirt on during the broadcast that read "Josh Gates is my hero" on it.
When it got to be nearly 20 minutes to the end of the special (and 35 minutes to the end of the entire program when regarding the live web broadcast), Josh came over to talk to the last fan who got to ask a question on air, which unfortunately was not Jeff because they were running out of time. After talking to the other fan, he looked over at me with a huge smile on his face, shuffled over and greeted me very warmly. He said he was so happy I was here and felt horrible he couldn't make time earlier. I said it was totally fine and gave him a hug. I asked him if he could sign Sarah's question card and he gladly did so. Not to pat myself on the back, but if I were a selfish fan leader, I would have just asked for one myself, but I always put my fellow fans before myself, when possible.
While he signed, I gave Sarah a hard time by telling Josh that she was nervous and after meeting him briefly, that she thought his hand was "sooo soft." Josh had a good laugh and even though I apologized to Sarah for making that embarrassing comment, she said she thought it was funny and wasn't offended. I asked Josh if he'd have time after the show to meet with us and his face lit up when he replied "Absolutely! I just need to finish the extra 15 minute broadcast thing and I'll find you."
Josh went back to fulfill the rest of his hosting duties and soon the regular show drew to a close, followed quickly by the end of the webcast. The casts of "GH", "GHI", "GHA" and Josh all gladly spoke with fans and signed autographs, and I waited patiently and chatted with some "GH" favorites (Steve, Britt and Barry, to be specific). I gathered the troops together, including a fellow fangirl who had a shirt on during the broadcast that read "Josh Gates is my hero" on it.
I finally got to Josh and he frowned. He said "I'm so sorry, but I have to run to something in a few minutes." I replied that I understood, but wondered if we could all get a group photo together. A relieved smile crossed his face and he said he could totally do that. We all gathered up and took, what I think to be, a very beautiful group photo together. Josh exchanged quick hellos with Phillip and Jeff, and turned to me. He thanked me again and said I really didn't know how much it meant to him that I support him and showed up to these events ("GH" live and the Syfy relaunch, to be specific). I told him he was very welcome and I would talk to him about the upcoming radio special soon. He said absolutely, pulled me into a crushing hug and thanked me again.
Fan Group Photo with Josh (I'm in the brown Newsboy hat)
I bid Josh farewell with a very giddy Sarah and a very appreciative Phillip and Jeff in tow. On the way out, I thanked Maureen again, and noticed she was talking to Grant, who I nervously greeted "hi" and then ran away like an idiot. From there, we all parted ways and went back to where we came from. For me, I had to take a 1:30 a.m. bus out of NYC and then a 6:25 a.m. train from Boston to get back to my real job (that's right - back to work the next day with very little sleep), but I knew that though hectic, this was another Syfy themed trip that was worth it. My fellow awesome fans, who I can now call my friends, thanked me all day for letting them know about the event, but after they saw how Josh and I got along, and got to meet him for themselves, I truly felt fulfilled that my promo work actually provides my fellow fans with great opportunities. And it all started with one little site :)
