Yesterday, there was a 1-man convention in Deggendorf, Germany, with Robert Picardo aka Voyager's MHN
Mr Picardo was awfully nice and friendly. Very down-to-earth and refreshingly normal. No airs and graces at all, like so many of his colleagues.
Confessing to the audience that he's a big fan of German mustard immediately broke the ice. Within just a few minutes he had managed to create a relaxed and almost intimate atmosphere. The fact that this was truely a mini-convention with only about 100 fans from all over Germany might have added to this.
One of the many highlights of this evening was his version of the evergreen "I got you, babe" (big hit in the 70ies by Sonny and Cher) which he did with Heidi, one of his fans. His version is titled "I had you, baby" and is the musical quarrel of a freshly divorced couple of American celebrities. It's absoultely hilarious!
Of course there was the usual question and answer section and a little bit of gossip about his VOY crewmates. But I won't tell you anything about that - you have to meet Mr Picardo yourself and ask him - he can tell you in a much funnier and more interesting way.
Since there were so few people, everyone got a chance to get their picture taken with Mr Picardo. One could see that it was very straining for him. After all he had only just arrived from Italy and must have been terribly tired, but he wouldn't disappoint his fans and even took the time to chat a little with them while the photographer got everything ready for the next shot.
Apparently, the good mood infected even the photographer for at the end of the session he, too, asked for a photo of himself with Mr Picardo as did all the newspaper reporters and even the team of the local TV station.
After the photo session Mr Picardo signed photos and CDs which he sold at a remarkably moderate fee (25€ per item, 40€ for 2 - that's approx. $30 / $50).
Finally, after he had taken a short break to refresh himself, he even found the energy to join us in the bar for a private chat. The fans were so decent as to not take photographs of him there, so that he could relax a little bit. He retired early but nobody would have dreamt of complaining. Though he's an excellent actor, it was obvious that he was very exhausted. So the party ended early and we all went home very silently as to not disturb his sleep.
PS: It was not Mr Picardo's fault that so few fans attended the convention - the hotel simply doesn't offer more space. On the positive side that means an incredibly intimate atmosphere and a very personal contact to the celebrities. I can wholeheartedly recommend the cons in Deggendorf to any fan.
(If you're a Enterprise fan, come and meet Anthony Montgomery on Nov. 10th. You'll never again get that close to a Star Trek actor - unless you happen to be a camera man in LA
)
Mr Picardo was awfully nice and friendly. Very down-to-earth and refreshingly normal. No airs and graces at all, like so many of his colleagues.
Confessing to the audience that he's a big fan of German mustard immediately broke the ice. Within just a few minutes he had managed to create a relaxed and almost intimate atmosphere. The fact that this was truely a mini-convention with only about 100 fans from all over Germany might have added to this.
One of the many highlights of this evening was his version of the evergreen "I got you, babe" (big hit in the 70ies by Sonny and Cher) which he did with Heidi, one of his fans. His version is titled "I had you, baby" and is the musical quarrel of a freshly divorced couple of American celebrities. It's absoultely hilarious!
Of course there was the usual question and answer section and a little bit of gossip about his VOY crewmates. But I won't tell you anything about that - you have to meet Mr Picardo yourself and ask him - he can tell you in a much funnier and more interesting way.
Since there were so few people, everyone got a chance to get their picture taken with Mr Picardo. One could see that it was very straining for him. After all he had only just arrived from Italy and must have been terribly tired, but he wouldn't disappoint his fans and even took the time to chat a little with them while the photographer got everything ready for the next shot.
Apparently, the good mood infected even the photographer for at the end of the session he, too, asked for a photo of himself with Mr Picardo as did all the newspaper reporters and even the team of the local TV station.
After the photo session Mr Picardo signed photos and CDs which he sold at a remarkably moderate fee (25€ per item, 40€ for 2 - that's approx. $30 / $50).
Finally, after he had taken a short break to refresh himself, he even found the energy to join us in the bar for a private chat. The fans were so decent as to not take photographs of him there, so that he could relax a little bit. He retired early but nobody would have dreamt of complaining. Though he's an excellent actor, it was obvious that he was very exhausted. So the party ended early and we all went home very silently as to not disturb his sleep.
PS: It was not Mr Picardo's fault that so few fans attended the convention - the hotel simply doesn't offer more space. On the positive side that means an incredibly intimate atmosphere and a very personal contact to the celebrities. I can wholeheartedly recommend the cons in Deggendorf to any fan.
(If you're a Enterprise fan, come and meet Anthony Montgomery on Nov. 10th. You'll never again get that close to a Star Trek actor - unless you happen to be a camera man in LA
)
Thanks for the offer. But Deggendorf is too far away from Bielefeld. But it's kind of tempting I have to admit. Andrew Robinson is one of the best (see my sig). Be sure to let him know that German fans love him. 
He's so brilliant too!!!!! I read where he almost became a doctor before he became an actor. 
