I met Valerie Harper tonight!!!!!

[Ed Viveiros]

Hello all!

I've just got to share this with everyone! Pardon me if this is a little lengthy, but I want to write down EVERYTHING that happened 'cuz otherwise I may forget some of it. Anyway...

Tonight in Boston MA I got to meet THE Valerie Harper! I happened to notice on Val's official website this past Sunday (by accident I might add!) that she was appearing in Boston for a book signing on April 18. I thought that I should try to attend, but didn't know if I would be able to since it's over an hour away from where I live and I was scheduled to work. Luckily the fates were kind. Oooh I am in hog heaven!

She's the first celebrity that I've met and let me tell you that she truly is a gracious human being. She was so warm and chatty and answered questions from people. I asked her if there were plans for a "Mary & Rhoda" sequel, to which she replied that there weren't any, but that she'd love to do it. I'm not sure if I puzzled her for a sec, 'cuz let me tell you I was completely starstruck yet was trying so hard not to be, and as a result I think I came across as a little odd. LOL! It was very surreal, to say the least.

Anyway, I got in line and got 2 copies of her book signed. One was for me and the other was for my mom for Mother's Day (I can just hear all of you saying "Awwwww..." LOL!). I was totally beside myself. I also had some pics taken with her with a disposable camera (the best I could do on such short notice). They'll DEFINITELY be up on my site when they're developed, rest assured. I just hope that they didn't come out wrong or blurred (please God!). She remarked at how young I was and I told her I knew her mostly from "Valerie". She said that doing that show was a lot of fun. I then mentioned Jason Bateman and she said "Yes, my son from all those years ago. I loved working with him." I told her she should guest-star on Jason's new show as his mom (wouldn't that be a hoot?). She replied "That'd be fun." I then moved out of the line and waited for it to clear since she had asked earlier that anyone with memorabilia to please wait until those people with books had them signed first. Another 15 minutes or so went by, and it was a real treat watching her interact with everyone. She even signed someone's book with the wrong name but insisted on replacing it, even though the woman was quite happy to take the "mistaken" inscription.

When the line cleared, I was able to get her to sign for me 2 promo pics: one from "Valerie" and the other from "City". She replied that she loved doing "City" and that Lu Ann Ponce really looked like she could be her daughter. She pointed to Todd Susman (who played Roger on "City") and said that she loved him too.

When she signed my "Valerie" promo pic, she pointed to Jason and asked if I had checked out his new show (it's nice of her to try to bring attention to his new show, isn't it?) and I told her, again, that she should guest-star on it as his mother. She then quickly remembered that we had discussed this when I had my books signed earlier (hey, the woman talks to millions of people everyday, you know? Totally understandable that she forgot!) and apologized for making me wait. I told her it was no problem and asked if she minded signing these pics. My exact words were "Your hand falling off yet?" but she was gracious as ever, saying "no, it's a pleasure to do this". She remarked that since they're personalized autographs she was delighted to sign them since some people do try to sell pics with her signature. She also signed for me two "Valerie" promo pics for a friend of mine in England named Chris. Chris is a cool guy who has sent me various magazine pics of the cast of "Valerie"/"The Hogan Family", so out of appreciation to him I offered to at least try to get 2 pics of Valerie autographed for him. I'm glad to say I succeeded.

I was about done when the agent person who was with Val gestured to me and the other fans behind me that Val would soon have to be leaving but before doing so, she had to sign books for the people who worked at the store where this was all taking place. She (not Valerie) seemed to be a bit stern and serious, and I was about to leave when someone in back of me said aloud that I had been hoping for another pic with Val. A professional photographer was at the book signing, and I asked her ahead of time to take one pic of me just in case the pics I had taken didn't come out right for some reason. Val, inspite of her uptight agent, was more than willing to do this, and for this one she even stood up. I then went on my merry way to the T station out of Boston.

Thanks to everyone who've read this far. Sorry if I've bored you.


------------------
Edward Viveiros, Jr.

[Madness]

Wow, Ed. That's awesome! Congratulations on meeting her. And thanks for suggesting that she make a guest appearance on Some of My Best Friends. Thanks for sharing your story with us here. And again, congrats!

Adam

[dannyyell]

Alright!!!!! That's so cool!! She DOES seem to have a great personality and I'm glad you got a chance to meet her Ed!!! And I can't wait to see those pics!

Danielle

[Ed Viveiros]

Originally posted by Madness:
Wow, Ed. That's awesome! Congratulations on meeting her. And thanks for suggesting that she make a guest appearance on Some of My Best Friends. Thanks for sharing your story with us here. And again, congrats!

Adam

Thanks for the congrats Adam. Yeah, it was great meeting her. I swear, seeing her come out of the side door at the store that she was appearing at was so surreal to me. It was like: "Oh my God, it's her," and she was chatting with everyone like they were all of her girlfriends. It was so fabulous.

And yeah, I had to mention Jason's new show to her, but the second time around, she forgot that I mentioned it and was asking whether I had checked it out, so I think that was nice of her to do that.

Glad you liked the story. She is on a book tour so if you ever get a chance to go see her, I recommend it. In fact, if any of you know ahead of time that you're going to see her, we can make arrangements for me to send you some of my Hogan pics for her to sign and for you to keep. Let me know, OK? I'd love to read some of your encounters with her...




------------------
Edward Viveiros, Jr.

[Ed Viveiros]

Originally posted by dannyyell:
Alright!!!!! That's so cool!! She DOES seem to have a great personality and I'm glad you got a chance to meet her Ed!!! And I can't wait to see those pics!

Danielle

Thanks Danielle. Yeah, I can't wait to see them either. I'm just praying they came out OK (Please God!).

Yeah, she does have a great personality. Just so you know, she is on a book tour so if you ever get a chance to go see her, I recommend it. Again, if any of you know ahead of time that you're going to see her, we can arrange for me to send copies of my Hogan pics for her to sign and for you to keep. Keep me posted, OK?


------------------
Edward Viveiros, Jr.

[dannyyell]

That would be great!! I'll check out her website and see where she's going on the tour. I'll keep you posted!

Danielle

[Madness]

Hey, thanks a lot Ed! I'll keep you posted.

[Kristen]

Originally posted by Ed Viveiros:
Hello all!

I've just got to share this with everyone! Pardon me if this is a little lengthy, but I want to write down EVERYTHING that happened 'cuz otherwise I may forget some of it. Anyway...

Tonight in Boston MA I got to meet THE Valerie Harper! I happened to notice on Val's official website this past Sunday (by accident I might add!) that she was appearing in Boston for a book signing on April 18. I thought that I should try to attend, but didn't know if I would be able to since it's over an hour away from where I live and I was scheduled to work. Luckily the fates were kind. Oooh I am in hog heaven!

She's the first celebrity that I've met and let me tell you that she truly is a gracious human being. She was so warm and chatty and answered questions from people. I asked her if there were plans for a "Mary & Rhoda" sequel, to which she replied that there weren't any, but that she'd love to do it. I'm not sure if I puzzled her for a sec, 'cuz let me tell you I was completely starstruck yet was trying so hard not to be, and as a result I think I came across as a little odd. LOL! It was very surreal, to say the least.

Anyway, I got in line and got 2 copies of her book signed. One was for me and the other was for my mom for Mother's Day (I can just hear all of you saying "Awwwww..." LOL!). I was totally beside myself. I also had some pics taken with her with a disposable camera (the best I could do on such short notice). They'll DEFINITELY be up on my site when they're developed, rest assured. I just hope that they didn't come out wrong or blurred (please God!). She remarked at how young I was and I told her I knew her mostly from "Valerie". She said that doing that show was a lot of fun. I then mentioned Jason Bateman and she said "Yes, my son from all those years ago. I loved working with him." I told her she should guest-star on Jason's new show as his mom (wouldn't that be a hoot?). She replied "That'd be fun." I then moved out of the line and waited for it to clear since she had asked earlier that anyone with memorabilia to please wait until those people with books had them signed first. Another 15 minutes or so went by, and it was a real treat watching her interact with everyone. She even signed someone's book with the wrong name but insisted on replacing it, even though the woman was quite happy to take the "mistaken" inscription.

When the line cleared, I was able to get her to sign for me 2 promo pics: one from "Valerie" and the other from "City". She replied that she loved doing "City" and that Lu Ann Ponce really looked like she could be her daughter. She pointed to Todd Susman (who played Roger on "City") and said that she loved him too.

When she signed my "Valerie" promo pic, she pointed to Jason and asked if I had checked out his new show (it's nice of her to try to bring attention to his new show, isn't it?) and I told her, again, that she should guest-star on it as his mother. She then quickly remembered that we had discussed this when I had my books signed earlier (hey, the woman talks to millions of people everyday, you know? Totally understandable that she forgot!) and apologized for making me wait. I told her it was no problem and asked if she minded signing these pics. My exact words were "Your hand falling off yet?" but she was gracious as ever, saying "no, it's a pleasure to do this". She remarked that since they're personalized autographs she was delighted to sign them since some people do try to sell pics with her signature. She also signed for me two "Valerie" promo pics for a friend of mine in England named Chris. Chris is a cool guy who has sent me various magazine pics of the cast of "Valerie"/"The Hogan Family", so out of appreciation to him I offered to at least try to get 2 pics of Valerie autographed for him. I'm glad to say I succeeded.

I was about done when the agent person who was with Val gestured to me and the other fans behind me that Val would soon have to be leaving but before doing so, she had to sign books for the people who worked at the store where this was all taking place. She (not Valerie) seemed to be a bit stern and serious, and I was about to leave when someone in back of me said aloud that I had been hoping for another pic with Val. A professional photographer was at the book signing, and I asked her ahead of time to take one pic of me just in case the pics I had taken didn't come out right for some reason. Val, inspite of her uptight agent, was more than willing to do this, and for this one she even stood up. I then went on my merry way to the T station out of Boston.

Thanks to everyone who've read this far. Sorry if I've bored you.

I met Valerie too!!! Isn't she the sweetest?? :-) My story isn't as long as the one above, but it's just as cool, IMO! Sorry I'm only now sharing this, but I know Valerie better for her portrayal of Rhoda. Anyway, when I approached her, I was like, "OMG, that's her!" But she just gave off such a warm vibe that right away, I was put at ease. My mom said to her, "My daughter loves you!" I was embarassed, but Valerie took it all very well. She signed my book and wrote, "Dear Kristen, What a pleasure to meet you! Love Valerie Harper" I even got to hug her!! I remember during the Q&A she had before she signed the books, someone said they remembered her from The Hogan Family, and they said, "I cried when you died on that show" and Valerie's response was "I cried when I died too!" That got a laugh! You can see scans of the pics, they are at http://www.geocities.com/tv_person/Valerie.html . E-mail me at MaryRichardsFan@aol.com if you have comments!

Kristen


------------------
(After Mary's famous job interview)
Lou Grant:You know what? You've got spunk!
Mary Richards:Well, yes.
Lou Grant:I HATE SPUNK!!!
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Visit www.mtmshow.cjb.net

[dannyyell]

Cool!! I checked out your picture, you both look great! She looks like a very down to earth person, her smile just brightens up the whole room. =)

[Madness]

Thanks for sharing the picture and autograph Kristen.

[Ed Viveiros]

Originally posted by Kristen:
I met Valerie too!!! Isn't she the sweetest?? :-) My story isn't as long as the one above, but it's just as cool, IMO! Sorry I'm only now sharing this, but I know Valerie better for her portrayal of Rhoda. Anyway, when I approached her, I was like, "OMG, that's her!" But she just gave off such a warm vibe that right away, I was put at ease. My mom said to her, "My daughter loves you!" I was embarassed, but Valerie took it all very well. She signed my book and wrote, "Dear Kristen, What a pleasure to meet you! Love Valerie Harper" I even got to hug her!!

Yeah, she's EXTREMELY personable, even to those who come off as a little star-struck as I did (LOL!). I think she has a true appreciation for her fans and has none of the hangups like some stars are rumored to have. Truly a class act!

Originally posted by Kristen:

I remember during the Q&A she had before she signed the books, someone said they remembered her from The Hogan Family, and they said, "I cried when you died on that show" and Valerie's response was "I cried when I died too!" That got a laugh!

That's so cool that she can laugh about it! Man, my respect for her grows more and more.

Originally posted by Kristen:

You can see scans of the pics, they are at http://www.geocities.com/tv_person/Valerie.html .

The pic is wonderful Kristen. You two look absolutely radiant. And is it me or does Valerie seem to be defying time the more she ages? LOL! Thanks for sharing the pic and inscription. Glad to see I'm not the only one who did this. I wonder just how many pics with Val and inscriptions are out there?
We can't be the only 2 fanatics! LOL!

Take care!




------------------
Edward Viveiros, Jr.

[Kristen]

Thanks everybody for the great response to my pictures! I'm impressed at the reaction I've gotten w/ them. As for the question about there being more inscrpitions and pics online, there are. There's a yahoo fanclub for Valerie in which several of the members have met her. Pics have been posted. Let me know if you'd like me to post the address here.

Kristen

------------------
(After Mary's famous job interview)
Lou Grant:You know what? You've got spunk!
Mary Richards:Well, yes.
Lou Grant:I HATE SPUNK!!!
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Visit www.mtmshow.cjb.net