College Television Awards at the Renaissance

3/10/2010: The 31st Annual College Television Awards were held in Hollywood at the Renaissance Hotel. I missed arrivals but I was around for departures. Not wanting to get kicked off the hotel property by security, I was hesitant in approaching "The Big Bang Theory's" Jim Parsons as he was the first to leave. I waited until he got into his vehicle and was hoping he would stop and roll down his window. However, this did not happen as there was a green light and his vehicle pulled away quickly. I also spotted Kerr Smith but did not approach him either. Unfortunately, it did not take long at all before security kicked us off the hotel's property. We moved out to the sidewalk where we called over to people, asking them to please sign.

Busy Philipps got her start on "Freak and Geeks" and later on as a cast regular on "Dawson's Creek" and currently is on "Cougar Town." I also know her to be quite an accomodating signer, as my sister had met Busy and obtained multiple autographs from her in the fall of 2009. It was no surprise then when Busy walked over to us, signing away. However, she kept skipping over the racier photos that collectors had for her to sign, gravitating towards the more demure photographs. She mentioned, "I don't like those slutty shots. Those were something that I did a long time ago, when I was 24." Another collectors explained that these pictures were all she had, so Busy began signing these provocative photographs as well. I was able to secure 5 autographed photos from Philips so these are a nice addition to the collection.

Community's Yvette Nicole Brown also responded to our calls, coming over and signing for the four of us waiting. When collectors flipped a second photo for her, Brown repsonded, "I only want to do one each." I never have a problem with anyone who signs just as one, as it is the celebrity's perogative whether to even sign or not. There is no obligation to sign autographs for us and it is nice when they do. Of course collectors are fans and consumers as well - we watch their television shows, buy tickets to their movies and purchase tickets for their concerts so when they do sign, it is for people who are potential consumers of their products.

Amanda Righetti was on "The O.C." and also starred in last year's reboot of the horror franchise "Friday the 13th." We've met her a few times previously and you're never quite sure what you will get with Righetti. She does usually sign but sometimes declines to sign certain photographs. The same thing happened this evening with a fellow collector and Righetti asked, "Do you have another photo? I don't like that one." Righetti signed a photo for me that is one of the sexier shots of her out there and also a still from "Friday the 13th." Usually collectors are getting her on the sexy or bikini photographs so the "Friday the 13th" photo got her attention right away and she autographed it. Presenting a celebrity with unique items or photographs that they don't usually see is a good tip in securing more autographs for your collection.