CHILLIN’ OUT AT CHILLER THEATRE

Halloween Weekend, 2010

By Jeannie Sister Maria

First of all the weather was just a perfect fall weekend, a bit chilly with lots of sunshine.   I got to the Hilton around 3:00 pm. I wasn't able to find a parking space close to the entrance.

Early admission wasn't until 5:00 PM.    I snuck into the room where the Dallas/IDOJ cast members were set up.   They had their own private room, one of the bigger rooms.   Because I had two hours to wait, I decided to leave and go wait in the main lobby where I could sit and watch who comes and goes.    I love people watching.  

Larry arrived around 4:00 on a hotel shuttle bus along with his entourage.

I got on line about five minutes to five - I was about 4th on line. Three guys Josh, ProdigalSon from Ultimate Dallas, Adam, and Marco from Germany and Ultimate Dallas (I met them at Dallas Fansource in Los Angeles and Dallas  30th anniversary event) arrived right after me.   Two really nice guys, we talked and hung out together.

Patrick Duffy arrived first, we were allowed in right away to see Patrick.   He turned out to be such a sweetie, nothing at all what I heard about how nasty he could be.    He charged $40.00 for both his autograph and two photos I took with him.   Turned out he was one of the cheapest of the night.

Than Larry arrived, I made my way to see him, I was second on line.  Larry was stationed by Linda Gray, across the room from Barbara.  Sad to say, Larry was not allowing photos to be taken of him without his permission. (This has been common with Larry in the past years, we are told, and that many other celebrities are doing this as well.)

I didn't go by Linda Gray, although she looked fantastic.   I made my way to Bill Daily.  He was sitting there with his security person, looking lonely.   I walked up to him, told him who I was.    I asked him how he was doing and feeling.  We exchanged some pleasantries. He signed my bottle, sang “I just met a girl named Maria.”  I love it when he does that.   Took two photos with him.   He's such a sweet soft spoken man.   His line wasn't as busy as Larry's or as Barbara, but he had many stopping by to have things signed.   His table was right next to Barbara's.  

Jerry Lewis's son was roaming around the room. He comes by me and introduced himself to me.  He walked up to me and said "no autographs please I'm a nobody".  I got so excited because is such a nice man.  I told him I have a friend who is a huge fan of his father Jerry.  He's such a great looking man.    

Barbara looked amazing, she looked really good.   This guy Paterson from the Chicago area was her assistant.   She is no longer with her promoter Scott Stander.  She was very expensive: $70.00 to have my bottle signed and to take a photo with her.   I paid it because who knows if I'll ever see her again either.   Barbara's line got long because I stopped to see Larry, Patrick and Bill first, but moved pretty fast.   There were a lot of fans waiting to get into that room especially on Saturday.   I would say 60% Dallas people and 40% IDOJ fans.  

I hung out in that room for a long time, then made my way to the main area in the hotel lobby.  I went by Kristy McNichol.   She has aged poorly.  I felt sad for her.. they said she suffered a nervous break down years ago that is why she left the business.  She was $30.00 for a picture with her.  I didn't want to pay that because my funds were low on Friday.   Well, I should have taken my photo then because by the time I got there Saturday afternoon she was going.   Leaf Garrett arrived on Saturday.   He looked pretty good considering what he went through.   John Astin was a great guy, he loved meeting his fans.  Patty Duke was just as nice.  If you didn't have enough money to pay for pictures she charged what you could afford.  So sweet.  I didn't meet either. 

Cherly Tiegs still is gorgeous, but didn't allow any photos if you didn't pay for them.  She held up her hand in her face to block photos.  So did Lesley Ann Warren.   

I walked the room, snuck photos of Tom Sizemore, Ralph Macchio and Linda Blair.  Then went back into the Dallas/IDOJ room. Hung in there for the rest of my Friday night.

Saturday I stayed for the costume contest and for the music.  I hung out with my Dallas friends from Germany and Boston that I met at both Fan Source and Dallas 30th anniversary.   I didn't return Sunday.