Icky parts of fandom

[your_own_path]

I'm a huge Viggo fangirl, sometimes so much it embarrasses me to think of how much time I spend looking/hoping/craving him to do something so there will be fan sightings or pics etc. That said, I can't help reacting badly when I hear certain fan reports. Reports that on the surface sound all happy and glowy but then you realize just how stalkerish

Comments

[angiepen]

Nope, I agree with you. It's one thing to show up for photo ops and bring something to be signed if they're doing signings, but that sort of "persistence" makes me want to pull Harry's bat out of mothballs and impart some manners. :/

Something similar had happened recently just before I wrote "Meddle Not." Sometimes I'm really ashamed to be A Fan and I just had to show how I thought it should go. [sigh]

Angie

[your_own_path]

Another voice of reason!

I guess I don't understand the neediness of it, if you know what I mean.

What do these people want from him? That's what's so icky to me. Do they really think if they don't get an autograph or hell even see him in person that somehow life can't go on? I don't think I'll ever understand this.

What was your recent thing?

[angiepen]

It wasn't recently recently, it was recently as in shortly before I wrote "Meddle Not," which was a couple of years ago, and I don't even remember what it was now

[liars_dance]

Not at all! I completely agree with you. I'd like to see these people react to their own privacy being seriously violated - because that's what it is - a violation.

Like you, I adore Viggo - but as an actor. And I'm happy to keep my adoration at a serious distance. I have no desire to meet him - or any other celebrity for that matter.

[your_own_path]

Exactly, I mean really, he is a bit of a fantasy right?

And don't you hate when the same people try to rationalize with the 'he's paid jillions so this is the price to be paid?' - as if that excuses our own poor behavior.

I get that he inspires some people - his example motivates them to do whatever it might be (politics, art, etc.) - but that doesn't justify needing to 'touch'.

[angiepen]

No amount of money justifies the constant invasion of privacy. No one should have to feel like a prisoner in their own home just because of the job they've chosen to do, certainly not someone in the "luxury" businesses like entertainment and sports. No one "needs" access to people who perform for their entertainment, outside of the entertainment itself. If they're nice enough to sign autographs or pose for pics on some occasions then that's really cool but they don't owe it to anyone.

I know you know this, I'm just saying that yeah, I do hate it when people say that about the money, like it makes whatever they might feel like doing perfectly all right. :/

Angie

[nikkie222]

I agree totally! And that first woman also pushed her t-shirt to be signed THROUGH the closing door!

I'm with you; I soak up all these accounts of the advertised public appearances but bless his heart, outside of those, leave him alone!

[your_own_path]

I know! That detail alone raised my eyebrows.

I just couldn't post anything at the forum but I was rather dismayed that others thought it was okay - but then I bet more people thought it was bad and like me didn't feel comfortable posting something negative.

Overall I do like the forum the best since most of the members seem able to draw the line but there's always a few...

[nurseowens]

I think you're absolutely right

[your_own_path]

And remember the concern when Viggo told a reporter that he has to be quite stern with fans sometimes and say "not now!" and everyone was up in arms either on the side of 'how dare they!" to "what's wrong with him now"

I do think Angie has something on the desire to feel special - to be able to brag about it and get attention.

It is fun to see him especially in context of something he's worked on and feels proud of - you want to show him your support and appreciation. Trailing him around after an event is something else.

[makamu]

*groans* Not again!

Yes, I would probably be a little over-excited as well, if I ever were to meet the man (due to difficulties in getting there (we hateses the Atlantic Ocean..) but I fervently hope that my good sense would kick in before I did this. Yes, I really respect the man for what he does and admire him for it and probably have the same dream meeting as most people (cup of coffee and nice long discussion, get your mind out of the gutter, ladies ;)) but this won't happen and I would never dare to embarass him like that (let alone myself)

This was not Viggo-Works, was it? I really don't think this would be allowed there, but just to be safe...

[your_own_path]

Oh believe me, I'd love to chat with him like a real person not about movies so much but more to find out how he manages to do so much - I feel like a slug in comparison!

And yes it was V-W but I noticed quite a bit of silence from most of the reg. posters about the incident and the mods quite rightly expressed dismay that anyone would attend the poetry reading JUST to see Viggo.

Maybe I'm over interpreting this woman's post but I did have to shake my head when she commented to the other poster mentioned who missed the poetry reading something along the lines of 'yes we should respect his time with his son' when she had just done the exact same thing! And that was really the sad part, she obviously didn't see how her own behavior could be held up as 'bad', no indeed she was 'persistent'.

[makamu]

And yes it was V-W but I noticed quite a bit of silence from most of the reg. posters about the incident and the mods quite rightly expressed dismay that anyone would attend the poetry reading JUST to see Viggo.

Hmm, I probably would have stayed silent as well because this is not the kind of stuff I am going to VW for, you know. Besides, I fervently hope that if I ever get the chance to hear Henry that I will find something to connect to in his poetry as his poetry.

Yeah, most people have this inate need to justify their own faults and to separate themselves from other people morally. Going from there I understand her reaction, but I still think that an autograph gained in this manner would be worthless to me.

[your_own_path]

And hey you might have a few chances in the coming year, what with him attending the showing in London and most likely premiers for EP in the UK.