Danielle Fishel at Wizard World Chicago 2018

Wizard World takes over Madison, Wisconsin from Friday, November 30 through Sunday, December 2. I'll be crossing the northern border to be "On the Beat." Over the next few days, I'll be recalling some of my memories from past Wizard World events.
I was a bit old to really have a crush on Danielle Fishel during her Boy Meets World years, but I was a fan. Seriously though, who didn't like Topanga? Fast forward 25 or so years and I got to meet Fishel at Wizard World Chicago.
Danielle has grown into a lovely woman and better yet, she was so very sweet. I met her the first day of Wizard World, because I knew there would be a huge line for her and I wanted to get it done when I had a chance. Up close, she really is as cute as can be and just a delightful person.
On a funny note, I actually saw her earlier on, when she was talking to fellow celebrity guest Mick Foley. Mick had made a guest appearance on Boy Meets World and the cast took a group photo with him.
I talked to Danielle about her iconic role and the love she still gets from it. She is ever grateful for all of it. She also seems to get along well with her former costars, Ben Savage, Rider Strong and Will Friedel, who were also appearing and had adjoining booths. The Boy Meets World area was extremely crowded all weekend.
The next day, I was wrapping up some coverage, when she recognized me from the previous day. She offered to take a selfie with me and I certainly glady accepted her offer. Below is the selfie that Danielle actually took.
Check out WizardWorld.com for more info and schedules. You can also check here for recurring coverage year round. You can also follow Danielle Fishel on twitter.

Danielle Fishel and me in Chicago, IL-August 2018.

Ben Savage at Wizard World Chicago 2018

Wizard World takes over Madison, Wisconsin from Friday, November 30 through Sunday, December 2. I'll be crossing the northern border to be "On the Beat." Over the next few days, I'll be recalling some of my memories from past Wizard World events.

Chicago-born actor Ben Savage rose to fame as the "boy" in Boy Meets World. Cory and Topanga were the teenage supercouple of the 1990's. I was a bit older than the core audience of the show, but it was a very good show, relying on strong, developed characters and solid storylines.

Savage has stayed active after Boy Meets World, sometimes even playing parts drastically different from his fresh-faced Cory character. He also reprised his Cory role for Girl Meets World from 2014-2017.

When Savage emerged from behind the curtain to take his place at his booth at Wizard World, the crowd erupted. He seemed almost embarrassed by the reception, bt very appreciative. He waved to the crowd and took pictures of it as well.

It's about 25 years after Boy Meets World debuted, but Savage looked just like he did back then. In fact him and his former costar  Danielle Fishel (more on her tomorrow) both looked like they have stopped time.

I didn't get to talk to Savage too long. The crowd of fans made his time very valuable. He was extremely nice though and mentioned coming back to Chicago and visiting some of his favorite food places, but he wouldn't name any for fear of leaving out some good ones. He was a true class aqct, even if I didn't get the scoop on his go-to place!

Check out WizardWorld.com for more info and schedules. You can also check here for recurring coverage year round.

Ben Savage and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2018.

Trevor Mueller at Wizard World Chicago 2017

Wizard World takes over Madison, Wisconsin from Friday, November 30 through Sunday, December 2. I'll be crossing the northern border to be "On the Beat." Over the next few days, I'll be recalling some of my memories from past Wizard World events.

Trevor Mueller is a writer, artist and creator of many comics. Based out of Chicago, Trevor is a regular stop of mine in Artist Alley at Wizard World.

One of his creations is Albert the Alien. Albert is just a regular kid from another planet, who becomes the first intergalactic foreign exchange student. With Gabriel "Gabo" Bautista as series artist, Mueller has produced years of entertainment featuring the Albert world.

Trevor is just one of many talented artists who will be at the upcoming Wizard World in Madison. It'll be great to see my artist friend and check out his latest works.

Check out WizardWorld.com for more info and schedules, as well as AlberttheAlien.com to get a glimpse into that creation.. You can also check here for recurring coverage year round.

Trevor Mueller and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.

On the Beat With James Azrael at Chicago Pop Culture Con 2018

At the recent Chicago Pop Culture Con, I interviewed James Azrael, a member of my convention family. James is not only a bud, he is a talented guy with an impressive and varied resume, including "It's Just a Game," his movie premiering December 1.

According to the Kickstarter page for "It's Just a Game," the movie is "twisted tale of teenage bullying, jealousy, angst, and a bizarre theatre cult intent on summoning the spirit of an ancient witch." James also gives his insight into the movie in our interview below. Written and directed by Daniel Emery Taylor, produced by my bud James, it stars Hannah Cohen-Lawlor, Leah Hudspeth, Alex Zuko and James, who plays brother Julius (or big guy with a beard, according to James). 

James invited me to the big event this Saturday, but unfortunately, other work prevents me from being there, but I'll be there in spirit and I'll live vicariously through many other friends going. I don't say this because James is a friend. This movie intrigues me.

At the many comic cons I attend, I see a lot of films being promoted. It takes something very special to stand out and "It's Just A Game" sounds very special to me. I also see the passion and excitement when I talked to James.
The Kickstarter program runs for another 9 days. There are several levels of pledging with awesome rewards on each level. In addition to the Blu-Ray, you can get autographed merchandise, limited edition pieces, and lots of other collector's items. Most importantly, you will be helping talented people and getting lots of entertainment, while being part of something special.

Go to the Kickstarter page for It's Just a Game" to get more info on that project, to secure your copy and to help the cause. For more info on James, check out James Azrael on Facebook. You can also follow the HSPPA on Facebook. Go to the It's Just a Game Facebook page for more news about the movie.
Thanks to James for his time and consideration. I wish my friend a lot of success with this project. Thank you also to Tim Zurko of Zurko Promotions for the hospitality all weekend at Chicago Pop Culture Con.

'

Friendly Encounters: Tomas Bunk and Tom Richmond

This is a weekly series featuring my friends who have met celebrities.

Wizard World takes over Madison, Wisconsin from Friday, November 30 through Sunday, December 2. I'll be crossing the northern border to be "On the Beat." Over the next few days, I'll be recalling some of my memories from past Wizard World events. Today, I feature Tom Richmond, one of my favorite artists, in a special Friendly Encounters Wizard World edition.

Born in Croatia, Tomas Bunk originally was a painter, but switched to cartooning.  Eventually, that led to working on Wacky Packages and Garbage Pail Kids for Topps.  In 1990, rhe became a regular cartoonist for Mad magazine.

Tom Richmond has been doing cartoons and caricatures since the early 1990's and joined Mad in 2000.  He is a 2x Caricaturist of the Year and he has been featured in other comic strips, including Beetle Bailey and Pearls Before Swine.

The two legends appeared at Wizard World Dallas in 2016.  Richmond presented Bunk with a caricature of him.  It was a very cool moment.

For fans of Mad magazine, seeing these two together is huge.  They are two of the best in the business.  Richmond's show of respect with the drawing was awesome and seeing them interact was great.

It's nice to see the people we admire, showing admiration for others.  Obviously, these two respect and like each other and they aren't too proud or selfish to show their affection.  Attendees of these comic cons aren't the only fans, as these two demonstrated.

I have met Richmond many times, but unfortunately I haven;t met Bunk.  I do have something in common with Bunk though.  Richmond did a caricature of the Johngy a few years ago.  It's one of the coolest things I have ever gotten from a Wizard World event.

Check out TomRichmond.com for more info on this talented artist. Check out WizardWorld.com for all of the info on the many great events they hold across the country.

Tomas Bunk and Tom Richmond in Dallas TX-November 2016.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #402 George Karl & Randy Johnson

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebs wearing sports jerseys.

Born in Penn Hills, PA, George Karl played 5 seasons with the San Antonio Spurs and coached for 27 seasons with several teams. He coached for 7 seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics (now Oklahoma City Thunder). He led the Sonics to the Western Conference Finals 3 times, although they never won the title under his reign. His Celebrity Jersey Card comes from raising the 12th Man flag, as so many other have done.

Randy Johnson was born in Walnut Creek, CA. The tall southpaw pitched for 22 seasons, including 10 with the Seattle Mariners. He won the Cy Young award 5 times on his way to a Hall of Fame enshrinement. His Celebrity Jersey Card also comes from the 12th Man flag raising ceremony.

Victori Belle and Rob Fury at Chicago Pop Culture Con 2017

The Chicago Pop Culture Convention starts today and runs through tomorrow in St. Charles, IL. There is still time to get in on the fun.

It's always good to see familiar, friendly faces at these events. Despite his growl in the picture below, Rob Fury is always a friendly face.

I first met Rob at RPro wrestling, where he showed his talents inside the ring. I soon learned he was a diehard cosplayer. In fact, I had probably seen Rob many times at conventions without realizing it. He is part of The Age of the Geeks, a top-notch cosplaying group which performs at various comic cons.

I caught up with Rob at TAotG booth, where he was surrounded by talented and awesome cosplayers. Truthfully, I recognized many of the characters, but couldn't really tell you the character names. Some were a bit obscure and my knowledge of such is limited as is. I enjoy the costues and appreciate the effort!

Rob is always cool, but always busy. He's usually zipping off to a panel or signing or other such event. It must be tiring at times, but he seems to have a ball.

He introduced me to his cosplaying mates, including the lovely Victori Belle. She is a dedicated cosplayer of over 8 years. Her goal is to always show the beauty of cosplaying. She's also a model, an actress and an all around interesting person.

You can check out Rob on Facebook, Victori on Facebook and The Age of the Geeks on Facebook. Of course, you should really try to see them in person. They are a lot of fun.

Go to ChicagoPopCultureCon.com to get more info and then come to this cool event. I'll be "On the Beat" as usual.

Victori Belle, Rob Fury and me in St. Charles, IL-November 2017.

Leigh Savage at Chicago Pop Culture Con 2017

The Chicago Pop Culture Convention starts this Saturday and runs through Sunday in St. Charles, IL. I'll be "On the Beat" as usual, looking for interesting celebrities, guests and friends.
Leigh Savage is an author, podcaster, actress and more. She is also a spokeswomen of the #EroticaSpeaks campaign that is trying to bring all forms of Erotica into a more positive and empowering light. She is quite the busy woman.
She was her usual busy self at last year's Chicago Pop Culture Con, too. With panels, signings etc, I kept missing my chance to get a picture with Leigh. I was about ready to leave, when Leigh turned a corner and I almost literally ran into her. I love happenstance.
You can find out more about Leigh's books at GoodReads. They aren't your average books and they will certainly entertain you. You can also follow Leigh on Facebook.
Go to ChicagoPopCultureCon.com for more info and schedules. I'll be "On the Beat" and hopefully, I'll see you there.

Leigh Savage and me in St. Charles, IL-November 2017.

Paul Popovich at Chicago Pop Culture Con 2017

The Chicago Pop Culture Con runs this Saturday and Sunday in St. Charles, IL. Last year, they had a cool mix of guest celebrities, including several ex-Chicago athletes.
Paul Popovich was a classic reserve middle infielder. He had two stints with the Chicago Cubs. In between, he played a season and a half with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He finished his career with two seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Faithful readers now I have a fascination with backup catchers, but that also extends to backup QB's, backup goalies and even backup middle infielders. In short, I have a soft spot for long time backups.
Popovich was blocked by Don Kessinger and Glenn Beckert in his efforts to gain more playing time. Still, he carved a nice 11 year career in the majors.
At the Chicago Pop Culture Convention last year, we talked a bit about his time with the Cubs. He played with Hall of Famers Ron Santo, Fergie Jenkins, Ernie Banks, Billy Williams and Hoyt Wilhelm. He was here for the second half of the infamous 1969 season. He saw the veteran greats leave and the team turn into a mediocre mess in the early 1970's.
Popovich had nothing but praise for his former mates, especially Kesinger and Beckert. He looked and sounded great, especially for a 78 year old.
Meeting Popovich was especially cool. Back in his playing days, there weren't many player appearances like there are now. Basically, we had television, baseball cards and baseball magazines to get to know a player. I look at the picture below and it blows my mind remembering opening a pack of 1973 baseball cards and finding Popovich and now I am standing next to him. It doesn't seem odd in 2018, but in 1973, it didn't happen.
I look forward to seeing the celebrity guests this year at Chicago Pop Culture Con. Go to ChicagoPopCultureCon.com for more info and schedules. I'll be "On the Beat" and hopefully, I'll see you there.

Paul Popovich and me in St. Charles, IL-November 2017.

Bobby Douglass at Chicago Pop Culture Con 2017

The Chicago Pop Culture Con runs November 24 and 25 in St. Charles, IL. Last year, they had a cool mix of guest celebrities, including several ex-Chicago athletes.

Bobby Douglass was the first quarterback I ever remember for the Chicago Bears. The big lefthander joined the Bears in 1969 and stayed with the team until mid-1975. He then played for San Diego, New Orleans and Green Bay. He also pitched in 4 games in the White Sox minor leagues in 1979.

Douglass was ahead of his time. He was a powerful runner with a strong, but often inaccurate, arm. In a more recent era, Douglass might have had a much better career.

At the Chicago Pop Culture Convention 2018, Douglass was another former Chicago athlete I was able to meet. He still looked big and strong, even at 70.

We talked about his career, including leaving the Bears just as Walter Payton was starting. I also poked him about playing for the hated Packers. Of course, a job in the NFL is better than sitting at home.

I am looking forward to this year's Chicago Pop Culture Con. Go to ChicagoPopCultureCon.com for more info and schedules. I'll be "On the Beat" and hopefully, I'll see you there.

Bobby Douglass and me in St. Charles, IL-November 2017.

Brian F. Colin at Chicago Pop Culture Con 2017

The Chicago Pop Culture Con runs November 24 and 25 in St. Charles, IL. Last year, they had a cool mix of guest celebrities, including several ex-Chicago athletes.
In doing my pre-con research, I saw Brian F. Colin was a celebrity guest. Brian is a video-game designer, artist and animator. He has worked on many video games, including the popular Rampage. Of course, I am a fan of Arch Rivals, a slightly lesser-known game, but one that I played frequently back in the day. My longtime bud Louie and I used to have quite the battles and I believe I hold the series edge by a game or two.
Arch Rivals was a basketball game, which featured a handful of court issues which could cause turnovers. Most importantly, the game had a punch feature which would allow your player to steal the ball from the opposition. It was so much fun, accept when you knew the punch was coming but you couldn't escape it.
Brian had some exciting news about Rampage, which he discussed in the interview we did. He also talked about Arch Rivals (as I stood in awe). My interview can be found at On the Beat With Brian F. Colin at Chicago Pop Culture Con.
Go to ChicagoPopCultureCon.com for more info and schedules. I'll be "On the Beat" and hopefully, I'll see you there.

Brian F. Colin and me in St. Charles, IL-November 2017.

Friendly Encounters: Natalie Hernandez and Kenzie Parker

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

Kenzie Parker is a young softball player and a huge fan of the Chicago Bandits. Her family lives in Michigan, but has made a few trips to Chicago for games.

Last season, I asked Kenzie if she wanted to be part of my interviews with the Bandits. Even though she couldn't be here in person, Kenzie gave me questions fo some of the players. It was always fun to get a different perspective on the questions and I know the players liked it, too.

Kenzie's favorite player is Natalie Hernandez. Natalie also happens to be the only remaining Bandit from my first year of covering the team. Kenzie and Nat have a special bond. Natalie always tries to make extra time for Kenzie when she is at a game. It's part of Natalie's nature. She is a great ambassador for the league.

The NPF is full of elite athletes who play for the love of the game, the fans and the growth of the sport. Players like Natalie are the main reason why I love covering the Bandits and the NPF. I see what Natalie means to Kenzie and so many other young fans and it is heartwarming.

You can check out all of my interviews with the Bandits over the last 5 seasons at the Johngy's Beat Chicago Bandits YouTube playlist. Kenzie's contributions can be found in many of the interviews from 2017 and 2018.

Natalie Hernandez and Kenzie Parker in Rosemont, IL-June 2018.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #401 Ellen DeGeneres & Carrot Top

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebs wearing sports jerseys.

Ellen DeGeneres has had a long and successful career. She recently celebrated her 15th year hosting The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Ellen is also a big fan of football, particularly the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers, but she once wore a #75 Cincinnati Bengals jersey to honor Leah Stills, daughter of Devon Stills. Lead has battled childhood cancer and is currently enjoying a normal kid life as the cancer is in remission. The gesture by DeGeneres was captured and is now featured on her Celebrity Jersey Card.

 Scott Thompson was born in Florida and grew to fame as Carrot Top. He is a fan of Philadelphia sports teams. For his Celebrity Jersey Card, I choose to use his given name, although it might have been interesting to see this one with "Carrot Top" on it. He wore #46, which was most famously worn by former defensive back Herm Edwards.

Alan Oppenheimer at Days of the Dead Indianapolis 2018

Today is the second day of Days of the Dead Chicago 2018. I am ensconced in horror greatness. While I collect new images and memories, I feature some of my old memories.

When I first saw that Alan Oppenheimer was going to appear at Days of the Dead Indianapolis 2018, I recognized his name from his many voiceover roles. He has done work on Mighty Mouse, The Transformers, He-Man and Masters of the Universe and many more animated shows. He is a legend in that industry.

In doing some research, I realized his acting career is just as impressive. He had recurring appearances on Hogan's Heroes, The Six Million Dollar Man and several others, along with random episodic appearances on shows like Welcome Back, Kotter. He also played Mickey Malph, Ralph's father, on an episode of Happy Days. I remembered those roles, but didn't make the connection that he was the voice actor in more recent years.

I also wanted to meet Oppenheimer for my friend Tommy Else. Tommy, a big fan of He-Man would have loved to meet Oppenheimer. At least this way, he did so vicariously through me.

For more info on DotD, check out DaysoftheDead.com. I hope to see you there.

Alan Oppenheimer and me in Indianapolis, IN-June 2018.

Kristi Ray at Days of the Dead 2015

I first met actress Kristi Ray at Days of the Dead, when she was promoting Pieces of Talent. I see a lot of people promoting projects at these events, but Kristi's passion and the trailer for Pieces of Talent really drew my interest.

Released in 2014, Pieces of Talent is a horror drama, but it is an engrossing psychological thriller. It lived up to the hype from the trailer and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I had the pleasure of interviewing Kristi at On the Beat With Kristi Ray.

I have seen Kristi a few times and she is simply adorable. She is very passionate about her work and she is very mature. As a young actress, she was front and center at the booth and she was happy to discuss all parts of the movie.

She even gave us a little scoop that there was a sequel in the works. Since it has been a few years, I really hope that project is still planned. I want tosee what happens to these characters. That is another sign of a great movie. I got invested in the characters (good and bad) and I really want to know what happens next.

Kristi has remained busy since I met her. I haven't seen her in a few years, but I keep hoping to see her at Days of the Dead again. The fans (especially me) want to see Kristi again!

Check out KristiRay.net and follow her at KristiRayActress on Facebook to learn more about "Carolina's Indy Darling" and to get updates and appearances listings.

Kristi Ray and me in Indianapolis, IN-June 2015.

Jake Busey at Days of the Dead Indianapolis 2018

Days of the Dead Chicago 2018 starts this Friday and runs through Sunday. Getting into the spirit, I am recalling some fun moments over the years.

I have always been fascinated by second generation stars. I have never met Gary Busey, but I have been a fan of his work for many years. In 1971, Gary and his wife welcomed son Jake into the world.

Jake actually made his film debut in 1978, in Straight Time, which starred his father and Dustin Hoffman. Young Jake appeared in a couple more movies over the next several years, before landing a role in Cruel Doubt in 1992 and acting steadily ever since.

At Days, Jake was a great guest. Spirited and lively, he greeted everyone and seemed to be having as much fun as the attendees. I didn't mention my fascination with second gen performers, but I did mention being a fan of his dad's and following his career from early on.

In 2018, Jake appeared on tv's Stranger Things and is working on other projects. A drummer like his father, Jake plays and sings for Sons of the Lawless. In 2016, Jake and his wife celebrated the birth of their daughter Autumn. I am waiting to see if she will become a third generation star! Maybe she'll appear at a future Days of the Dead.

Speaking of future DotD, check out DaysoftheDead.com for info on all future events. I'll be "On the Beat" starting tomorrow and I'll be having a blast.

Jake Busey and me in Indianapolis, IN-June 2018.

Skitz Jones at Days of the Dead Chicago 2017

Days of the Dead comes to Chicago (Schaumburg) November 16 -18. With Days of the Dead Chicago 2018 approaching, I am featuring memories from previous DotD events.

In addition to the great celebrities and activities at DotD, I always look forward to seeing old friends. Such was the case last year when I ran into Skitz Jones.

Skitz is a man of many talents. The former wrestler is a wrestling commentator, comedian, musician, master of ceremonies and more. He is a vocalist for Uncouth, a metal band from the Chicago area. You can get more info about Uncouth at UncouthChicago.bandcamp.com.

We talked a little wrestling. Although we both are involved in wrestling on some level in the same relative area, our paths rarely cross. It was great catching up with him about the latest squabbles and teenage drama in the business.

As I have previously written, Days of the Dead is as much about seeing old friends as it is meeting celebrities. It's always like a big reunion and I always look forward to it.

Go to DaysoftheDead.com for more info. I'll be "On the Beat" as always and I'll be having my usual awesome time. Maybe I'll even see Skitz again!

Skitz Jones and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2017.

Ted Raimi at Days fo the Dead Indianapolis 2018

Days of the Dead Chicago starts Friday, November 16 and runs through Sunday, November 18. Leading up to this DotD event, I am running some of my fun moments over the years at their conventions.

Ted Raimi is a director, actor, writer, comedian and just a fun guy. He's been in the Evil Dead franchise, Army of Darkness, the Spider-Man franchise and many more movies and tv series. He has been very active over his 40+ year career.

I met him a couple times prior to this DotD, but I had the chance to chat with him a little more than usual in Indianapolis. We talked a bit about Ash Vs. Evil Dead, which also features Dana DeLorenzo (another of my favorites). Raimi said he has had a blast doing that series. It's a lot of fun and really has caught on with the fans. I asked him about his regular role on Xena: Warrior Princess and single episodes of other shows. 

Raimi seems to really enjoy acting, especially in roles which are kind of under the radar. He's such a great actor who can pull off a wide variety of roles. You can get more info on Raimi at TedRaimi.com.

Check out DaysoftheDead.com to get all the info on the upcoming Chicago event. Once again it will feature a lot of great celebrities, including Clive Barker, Traci Lords, Trish Stratus, Lita and many other great names. Of course, I'll be there as usual.

Ted Raimi and me in Indianapolis, IN-June 2018.

Friendly Encounters: Jake Roberts and Troy Babbs

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

At the recent Days of the Dead Indianapolis, everyone was surprised to see wrestler Jake "The Snake" Roberts at the host hotel. Roberts was not there as part of the DotD lineup, but was there for his The Unspoken Word tour at a nearby location.
Unfortunately, I wasn't at the hotel yet, but many of my DotD friends got pictures with Roberts. From all reports, he was very cool. Judging by the many pictures I saw, he posed with a lot of people. How very cool of him.
DotD volunteer and my bud Troy Babbs got his picture with Roberts. He posted it on Facebook Troy did not list it as "literally the best day of the year," as he usually does, but probably only because so much great stuff was happening at DotD that he couldn't give that honor to just one picture.
Meeting Roberts might have been just luck, but it is also another example of the extra fun that can always be had at DotD. You never know what wil happen, but it is always a special few days.
Troy is also a great example of the fine people of the DotD crew. Troy works very hard at whatever assignment he has, but he also has a lot of fun with guests and attendees. Troy is a great guy who has helped me with pictures at a few events.
Roberts started the DotD weekend, but there was a lot more fun in the next few days. It was another great DotD. I already am looking forward to the next Days event in Chicago on November 16-18. Check DaysoftheDead.com for more info and check back here for recurring updates.

Troy Babbs and Jake Roberts in Indianapolis, IN-June 2018.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #400 Jenelle Moreno & Pilar Laster

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebs wearing sports jerseys. With baseball season finished and tv's Deal of No Deal back, we turn our attention to football DOND style.

Representing the Chicago Bears, Jenelle Moreno was briefcase model #17. She was discovered in high school and shot a spread for Teen magazine the next day. Rod Woodson of the Oakland Raiders joined Jenelle on her Celebrity Jersey Card. Richie Petitbon is probably the most successful #7 for the Bears, but Sean Payton also wore it during his brief stint with the team.

Pilar Laster was briefcase model #14. Like most opf the DORD models, Pilar has done modeling in addition to her work on the show. Hall of Fame running back Marcus Allen of the Oakland Raiders joined Laster on her Celebrity Jersey Card. Howie Mandel also makes a backwards appearance.

Natisha Hiedeman and the Marquette Golden Eagles

Last season, I really followed women's collegiate basketball for the first time. Previously, I watched some games and I always cheered for my DePaul Lady Blue Demons, but knowing I would be covering the Big East tournament led me to start watching other teams.

The Marquette Golden Eagles were my first other team to follow. The fact that Marquette was having a great season certainly helped.

The first player who really stuck out to me was junior guard Natisha Hiedeman. Natisha had quick hands and feet. I loved watching her play defense, even more than offense. She was always capable of stealing the ball at any time.

Prior to Marquette, Natisha was quite an athlete in high school. She scored more than 1,000 points, while also excelling in tennis and track and field. The Green Bay resident chose Marquette, staying in Wisconsin.

Natisha has improved each season. Last season, it was common for Natisha to score in double digits, while adding several assists, a few steals and a few rebounds. She was all over the court, contributing in all aspects of the game. She looks to have a great season to finish her collegiate career. Could the WNBA be in her future?

I'll be following and covering Marquette all season and into the Big East tournament. I'll be watching Natisha closely, too. 

Check GoMarquette.com to follow the Golden Eagles. You can also follow Natisha Hiedeman on twitter.

Natisha Hiedeman and me in Milwaukee, WI-October 2018.

Tori McCoy and the Marquette Golden Eagles

Tori McCoy played basketball her freshman year for Ohio State. She averaged 8.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, while playing in all 35 games, starting 10 of them.

She transferred to Marquette and redshirted last season. Tori was looking forward to playing for the Golden Eagles this season, but life threw her a curveball.

In December of last year, Tori was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure. She started getting dialysis treatments three times a week, while waiting for a transplant.

Hoping to raise awareness to organ donation, Tori went public with her battle. Tori released the following statement.

I had the pleasure of meeting Tori at the recent Marquette Media Day. Tori seemed in great shape and spoke positively about her future and the team. Her teammates, the Marquette staff and the other media folks all were bolstered by Tori's presence. Everyone is rallying around her and keeping her positive while spreading the word on organ donation.

Tori has a rough road ahead of her. Basketball is helping keep her active and in good spirits, but it is also secondary to her main focus right now.

We send prayers and positive thoughts to Tori, while we follow her progress. Check back here for updates on this tough young lady.

You can also follow the Marquette Golden Eagles women's basketball team and the rest of Marquette athletics at GoMarquette.com. You can also directly follow Tori McCoy on Facebook.

Tori McCoy and me in Milwaukee, WI-October 2018.

Lizzy Borden at Days of the Dead Chicago 2016

With Days of the Dead approaching soon, I am recalling some of the many great celebrity guests I have met there. See the fun I have had and come out and have your own fun!

At first glance at a Days of the Dead event, the Rock N Horror booth appears to be your average (but very interesting) horror con booth.  It is filled with cool merchandise, including apparel, accessories, pins and more.

Flying under the radar though are the two booth proprietors.  Mark Hall is a singer-songwriter and Lizzy Borden is a Scream Queen, model and former wrestler.  In late 2013, they met and formed Rock N Horror Apparel.  They describe Rock N Horror as not just a fashion company, but a lifestyle and they live up to that motto.

It's not hard to understand why the Rock N Horror Apparel booth is one of the most popular booths at Days of the Dead.  Their merchandise is perfect for the DotD crowd.  It wouldn't surprise me if some of it was made specifically for the DotD crowd.

Also, Lizzy and Mark are not absentee owners.  They are there on site, chatting with the fans.  It really is a fun booth and I always make sure to stop by multiple times.

Check out RockNHorror.com to see their merchandise line and to order from it.  You can also follow Rock N Horror Apparel on Facebook and @RockNHorrorx on twitter.

Also, be sure to check out DaysoftheDead.com to get the latest info on this great horror-related con. The next one is November 16-18 in Schaumburg (Chicago). I'll be there and I hope to see many of my friends there.

Lizzy Borden and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2016.

Rob Fury at Chicago Pop Culture Con 2017

I first really met Rob Fury at Resistance Pro Wrestling. I wrote "really," because I had actually seen him many times before without knowing him.

In addition to being a talented wrestler, Rob is a fantastic cosplayer. With the Age of the Geeks, Rob has appeared at many comic cons and other events. I have seen Rob in some elaborate costumes over the years, without knowing him. It was cool that we finally connected at RPro.

Unfortunately for Rob, he suffered a severe shoulder injury at RPro and has been sidelined from in ring action for a couple years. His injury hasn't slowed down his cosplay though! He is busier and better than ever.

At the Chicago Pop Culture Convention last year, I could barely get a picture with Rob. He was racing everywhere to panels, picture opportunities with kids and other stuff. Rob is a good guy and in demand at these events.

I love Rob's costumes, but I would love to see him as Aquaman (you know, I would love to see anyone as Aquaman). I have even "suggested" t to Rob, but somehow I don't think he will comply. Still, whatever costume he chooses, you know it will be awesome.

I'll be seeing Rob again at the Chicago Pop Culture Con in November in St. Charles, IL. I can't wait to see Rob's costume, as well as the rest of the Age of the Geeks.

I will also be seeing Rob finally back in the wrestling ring at The Resistance's "Silent Night, Deadly Night" on Saturday, December 1. After sustaining a bad shoulder injury about two years ago, Ron is healed and eager to get back in the action. Go to LiveDieResist.org for more info on that night.

You can follow The Age of the Geeks on Facebook to get info and updates on Rob and the cosplay group. You can also go to ChicagoPopCultureCon.com for info on this great event.

Rob Fury and me in St. Charles, IL-November 2017.

David Herro, Blizzard Brawl and House of Hardcore

The House of Hardcore is coming back to Waukesha, WI and #SuperFriend David Herro is right in the middle of it. Tommy Dreamer is coming to town with his awesome wrestling event.

The House of Hardcore Blizzard Brawl For It All, on Saturday, December 1, at the Waukesha County Expo. Already scheduled to appear are Dreamer, Herro, Al Snow, Abyss, MVP, Eugene, Hornswoggle, Sami Callihan and Dameon Nelson.

Dreamer started HOH in 2012 as a wrestling school and promotion in the spirit of ECW. To date, there have been 46 HOH shows.

I attended and covered many Great Lakes Championship Wrestling shows run by Herro and I was there when HOH debuted in Waukesha, taking obver for GLCW. HOH retained all of the action and intensity of GLCW and added a little extreme to it. The result is a fantastic night of wrestling.

One of the real fun parts of attending show sin Waukesha is seeing so many old friends, whether they are fans, other wrestlers in the crowd or actual in ring talent of that show. It's like a friend reunion, with Herro as the host.

In addition to Herro hosting and occasionally wrestling, he is simply a great guy. The #SuperFriend tag really fits him. He's a great guy who always delivers a fun show.

Check HouseofHardcore.net for more info on all of the HOH events. You can also buy your tickets in advance through the site.

David Herro and me in Chicago, IL-March 2016.

Friendly Encounters: Christian, Lita, Dallas Page and Michael Kingston

This is a weekly series featuring my friends who have met celebrities.

Michael Kingston is the creator of Headlocked, a cool wrestling comic, and gets to hang out with wrestling legends. How cool is that? Of course, Michael is also very hard-working. Any success he has has been well-earned.

Headlocked was created because Michael wasn't happy with the other comics that featured wrestling. Despite wrestling and comics having an overlapping fanbase, nobody had captured the wrestling world as it is. Headlocked is "an HBO-style drama chronicling an aspiring wrestler’s coming of age in the wrestling business."

Jerry "The King" Lawler jumped on board as the cover artist. Headlocked Kickstarter campaigns produced great results. Other wrestlers contributed content. It grew quickly in popularity.

Michael has worked very hard promoting, including several appearances at various comic cons. He is usually joined by several wrestlers at each appearance. One such occasion was at a comic con in New York last year, when Christian, Lita and Diamond Dallas Page were at his booth. That's a lot of star power.

It's more than just bringing in big names for appearances though. These wrestling legends are behind Headlocked. They believe in it and in Michael.

I've known Michael for several years, having met him at a comic con before Headlocked was an actual reality. I knew from his passion it would happen, just like I know it will continue to grow and become more successful.

One of the best parts is that Michael is a good guy. He puts a lot of effort into his work and into promoting it. He also spends time with eager writers like me. Michael has always had time for me and I appreciate and support his efforts.

One of my life goals is to appear in some way in Headlocked. I am sure I will get that chance with future Kickstarter projects.

I will keep providing updates on Michael's work here, but you can also check out HeadlockedComic.com for more info on Michael and the comic. You can also follow Headlocked Comic on Facebook.

Christian, Michael Kingston, Lita and Dallas Page in New York, NY-October 2017.

On the Beat With the Marquette Golden Eagles

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of covering the Big East Conference Women's Basketball Tournament in Chicago. The title game featured the DePaul Blue Demons defeating the Marquette Golden Eagles. I was so impressed with those teams and the tourney in general. I decided then to expand my coverage of the Big East.

That expanded coverage started last Monday, when I attended Media Day at Marquette. Held at the Al McGuire Center in Milwaukee, I joined many other media members in talking to the team and watching some of the practice.

Head Coach Carolyn Kieger opened the session by talking about high expectations for the team. She quickly added that "execution beats expectations." You can hear her opening statement in the video below.

I talked to Coach Kieger later, complimenting her on the team's play in the Bog East tourney. Of course, the ultimate outcome was not the desired one for the team, but with 2 consecutive title games, including winning the title the previous season, the Golden Eagles should be proud of their accomplishments.

She cautioned the team about resting on their laurels and I don't see that as a problem. This team is hungry and loaded with talent. With six returning seniors, including the 2018 Big East Player of the Year Allazia Blockton, this team has the experience (and the post-season experience, too) to have another run at the title.

Coach Kieger further impressed me when talking about the final season for the seniors. She talked about wanting them to leave their mark and to enjoy the journey. I am a big believer in soaking in the experience and took a moment to just absorb my surroundings.

I was actually standing on the court for Media Day with a major college basketball team. I was talking to a classy coach who is a former standout player during her days at Marquette. I was about to talk to some of the best athletes in the country.

Just a year ago, I couldn't name one of these women though. I am admittedly a newbie on the women's collegiate basketball scene, but my interest is ever-growing. Despite not garnering the coverage these women deserve, they do have a very loyal fanbase.

I thank Marquette University for their hospitality. I thank Assistant Director of Communications Megan O'Shea for facilitating all. I thank Coach Kieger and the team for their time and consideration.

I have several stories from Media Day which will appear here over the next few weeks. I will also have additional coverage as the season progresses.

You can read one of my recaps on the Patch at On the Beat at Marquette Women's Basketball Media Day. You can read my recap for Global Traveler at The Marquette Golden Eagles.

Check out Marquette Women's Basketball for more info on this team. Also, check out BigEast.com for more info on the conference. Of course, you can also check back here for my recurring coverage, including more stories from Media Day.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #399 Thomas Jane & Barry Peppers

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys. Today, we conclude our alphabetic journey through Major League Baseball.

A native of Baltimore, MD, Thomas Jane traded his Orioles cap for a full Yankees uniform, when he played Mickey Mantle in 61*. His Celebrity Jersey Card comes from 61* and was created by Lynn Phelps, a custom card master. Lynn is one of the most active, creative and talented members of Custom Baseball Cards on Facebook. I appreciate Lynn's efforts! I try to make my own cards, but sometimes the specific card design is beyond my abilities.

Born in Canada, Barry Peppers went on to play American baseball star Roger Maris in 61*, however his biggest role to date might have been in Saving Private Ryan. Either way, he has carved out an excellent 25+ years as an actor. Obviously, his Celebrity Jersey card comes from 61*.

Traci Lords at Days of the Dead

Days of the Dead returns to Chicago (Schaumburg) November 16-18. One of the featured guests is Traci Lords, an old favorite of mine.

I have followed Traci's career for 30+ years. One of her first roles was in Not of This Earth, which is a very underrated movie. (Our friend Kelli Maroney also appears in it.)  Traci also co-starred in Cry-Baby, and several other movies. She had regular roles on television shows, too, including Roseanne, Melrose Place, Profiler and First Wave. Her latest project is Swedish Dicks, a tv show about two Swedish detectives trying to make it in Los Angeles.

I first met Traci many years ago. Over the years, I have seen her many times. The last time I saw Traci was at Culture Shock, an offshoot of Days of the Dead, in 2015.

Jack and I were taking the elevator to the convention floor. When the elevator doors opened, we stepped in to see Traci and Malcolm McDowell. Jack was excited to run into McDowell, because he had been a fan for a long time. I was happy to see Traci and pleasantly surprised when Traci recognized me from previous conventions.

It's always a bit of a fine line seeing celebrities multiple times. I never want to appear to be too clingy, but I enjoy catching up with my favorites when I can. Fortunately, Traci always seems okay with me and I appreciate her kindness.

Traci is a great convention guest. She has plenty of different pictures for sale, which is always cool for fans. I usually pick up a new one every time I see her.

She is also awesome with her fans. Traci is one of the nicest celebrities I have met at conventions. As I wrote, I have seen her many times and I have always had great experiences. She is a true professional and a delight.

Check DaysoftheDead.com for more info and to get tickets. Also, check out TraciLords.com and follow @TraciLords on twitter.

Traci Lords and me in Indianapolis, IN-February 2015.

HeroTV 2018 Episode 11: Svengoolie Rich Koz

The newest episode of HeroTV is now on Comcast. HeroTV 2018 Episode 11: Svengoolie features th legendary horror host, Chicago icon and all-around great guy Rich Koz (aka Svengoolie).

Paul and I (and a small group of our HeroTV crew) met Rich at the WCIU studios in Chicago. Paul and I were both looking forward to interviewing Koz, especially on the famous set. This was about as cool as it gets.

Producer Jim Roche and Rich greeted us as we entered the sacred ground. I saw the iconic casket, the rubber chicken, signs for Berwyn and all of the other staples of the Svengoolie show. We chatted for a bit and then sat down for the interview I had anticipated for over a year.

Rich was as nice as could be, answering our questions with humor and insight. The 25 minutes flew by. At one point, I stumbled on my question, because I was a bit in awe of him and where I was. I have interviewed hundreds of celebrities and met even more. There have been very few times I have ever been tongue-tied, but this was one of those times.

Svengoolie goes beyond the horror fans. Rich and Sven have been doing this for 40 years. His fame goes well beyond Chicago, but he would certainly be on the Mt. Rushmore of Chicago television.

We'd like to thank Svengoolie Rich Koz for his time, consideration and friendship (not to mention years of entertainment). We also thank producer extraordinaire Jim Roche and the entire WCIU family for their hospitality.

You can check out the HeroTV YouTube channel for HeroTV 2018 Episode 11: Svengoolie Rich Koz. I hope you enjoy watching this one as much as we did filming it.

Paul Myers, Rich Koz and me in Chicago, IL-October 2018.