Kato Kaelin Appreciation

I am pretty sure most people know Kato Kaelin's story. I don't need or want to rehash history here. I want to present the Kato who I know. (The mere fact that I "know" Kato blows my mind a bit.)

I first encountered Kato at Wizard World Chicago 2017. As the official host of Wizard World, Kato entertained and welcomed people in the lobby area. I had no idea what to expect, but he impressed me that first night.

Kato was engaging and endearing. He joked with people, asked fun trivia questions and schmoozed young and old, as he worked the crowd. The next day I saw more of the same. All weekend, I saw Kato delight the crowd. I was impressed, but I figured this was a one time deal.

I have seen Kato a few times since then and he has kept up the same energy level. He works a room like few others I have ever seen. He is "on" all weekend and he works tirelessly, although seemingly effortlessly.

He has pulled me into some of his bits and I am sort of an unofficial sidekick of his. While I lack the charisma and aura of Kato, we work well together and I am good with occasionally joining him.

One true test of his impact is when friends join me at Wizard World. They all have some sort of preconceived (good or bad) view of Kato, but they all walk away very impressed with Kato 2019.

I think Wizard World caught lightning in a bottle with Kato. I think they got a lot more than anticipated. It speaks volumes on what he has brought to the convention that they keep asking him back. It also speaks to Wizard World's commitment to the overall experience. Kato doesn't really bring in more attendees, but he certainly entertains those people.

There are still several more Wizard World events this year, although Kato will not be at all of them. Check WizardWorld.com for all of the info and if you see Kato, give him my best.

Kato Kaelin and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2019.

Kato Kaelin Loves Johngy's Beat

This was the second year I did some work with Kato Kaelin at Wizard World. Kato performed the duties of convention host and I occasionally was part of his act.

Last year, I was blown away by Kato's performance as host at Wizard World. He was charismatic, entertaining and upbeat the entire weekend.

Was that a one hit wonder? Would Kato come back and would he be just as good?

Kato did come back and he was even better. I saw him sing and conduct karaoke, do slight of hand magic, ask trivia off the top of his head and generally entertain young and old every day. I have never seen anything like it.
After joining him for a bit in the lobby area, I asked Kato for a Johngy's Beat promo. Again, he went above and beyond. He owed me nothing. He didn't have to do anything. Yet he did.

I applaud Wizard World for bring in Kato. I applaud Kato for being incredible. For more info on future shows, check WizardWorld.com. You never know when Kato might appear again. 

Friendly Encounters: Kato Kaelin and Jack Keenan

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

Keenan and Kaelin sounds like it could be a wacky television sitcom.  The picture below would be the perfect ad for it, too.  Actually, both of them are characters in life.  This could be a real sitcom, just following their adventures together and apart.

When we were entering Wizard World Chicago last year, Jack spotted Kaelin near the entrance.  The con hadn't even officially started and Kaelin was there entertaining the masses in his role as "Convention Host."  That began a weekend of our paths crossing and intertwining.

I have previously written several times about how great Kaelin was at Wizard World.  The Convention Host can be a symbolic title, but Kaelin dove into the role and was a major hit every day.  I honestly do not remember seeing him not working.  He was amazing.

Equally amazing in his own right was Jack, who often helps me as a photographer.  He earned the nickname "Sniper" from Luke Perry and he truly lives up to that monicker.  Jack rarely misses a picture and often times gets me shots I would have missed completely, like with Kaelin.

It was a lot of fun working with these two and I hope to do it again this summer.  I know Jack is in.  Now, we just have to get Kaelin back on board!

Jack Keenan and Kato Kaelin in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.

Kato Kaelin at Wizard World Chicago 2017 (and Madison 2017!)

At Wizard World Chicago 2017, the Celebrity Host was Kato Kaelin.  I wrote about the whole experience on Patch.com at On the Beat at Wizard World Chicago 2017.  In short, Kato stole the show with his banter and bits all weekend.

You could not have expected what you got from Kato.  He was engaging, funny, informative and everything you'd want in any host or ambassador.  It was much more than I figured it would be.

I have seen "Celebrity Hosts" of all sorts in the past and Kato far succeeded all that I can remember.  The guy worked it all weekend.  He was energetic, positive and fun without being overbearing, sugary or crazy wild.

Next Friday through Sunday (September 22-24), Wizard World is descending on Madison, WI and Kato is scheduled to be there!  I previewed this event in my debut on the Madison Patch at Wizard World is Coming to Madison!

There will be the usual array of celebrities (how about the legendary Stan Lee of Marvel Comics?)   There will also be the usual vast array of creative folks (How about Victor Dandridge, Guy Gilchrist, Genese Davis, Tom Cook and more?).  Of course, there will also be vendors, cosplayers, panels, Q&A's and much more.  It is a pop culture extravaganza and I always have a blast.

I'm not the only one having a blast either.  Thousands of fans joined me in the fun.  Besides working it, I am certain Kato also had a blast.  I've communicated with him since then and he confirmed this, along with his desire to make return appearances.  This is great news for Wizard World and the fans.the fine people behind

Just when I thought Wizard World could not get better, in came Kato.  Congrats to Wizard World for thinking a bit out of the box and bringing in Kato.  Thanks to Wizard World and Kato for not making this a shallow figurehead thing.  Kato was the real deal and he's coming to Madison!

Kato Kaelin and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.

Friendly Encounters: Kato Kaelin and Gabe Baron

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

Wizard World is always a great comic con for meeting celebrities.  It's also a great place for spending fun time with friends.  Today's Friendly Encounters is a little of both.
I actually met Gabe Baron several years ago at Wizard World, when he was promoting the debut of Resistance Pro Wrestling, a new independent wrestling company he started with his brother Jacques.  Over the years, I have had many laughs with Gabe, as we discussed 1970's television sitcoms, sushi, wrestling and any other similar serious nonsense.  I'm proud to know Gabe and even prouder to be his friend.  He's just a really good person.
This year, Gabe was once again at Wizard World with Jacques.  They were running their booth full of all sorts of pop culture items (movie posters, figures, etc.)  Of course, I spent some quality time hanging around that booth.
This year, Kato Kaelin was the Celebrity "Host" of Wizard World and it wasn't just an honorary position.  Kaelin worked it all weekend and the crowd loved him.
While talking to Gabe, he mentioned he had not seen Kaelin.  That was all I needed to hear.  I dragged him out to the lobby, but Kaelin was on break.  Gabe went back to his booth and I went about my business, too.  A little while later, I saw Kaelin back in action so I beelined back to grab Gabe.
Once we got out in the lobby, the fun really began.  Kaelin, who was familiar with me from earlier interactions, posed for the pic with Gabe, but then chided me repeatedly for not using the flash for Gabe's picture.  Finally, he took my phone and set up the flash himself!  I took the pic and everyone was happy, especially Kaelin (although I have to say, in my defense, the pictures with or without the flash weren't much different).  Either way, the encounter was extra fun.
My coverage of Wizard World will continue here tomorrow.  The next Wizard World will be in Madison, WI.  Check WizardWorld.com for all of the details and for a full listing of all of their events.

Gabe Baron and Kato Kaelin in Rosemont, IL-August 2017.