It's a sunny Saturday in Atlantic City, NJ. The boardwalk and beach are crowded with people, but where am I? I'm at the Showboat Hotel attending the inaugural Classic Rewind Weekend convention!
Created by Ryan Scott Weber, the mind behind NJ Horror Con & Film Festival, PA Horror Con and Horror Sideshow Market, Classic Rewind Weekend marks a departure from Weber's usual type of fan convention. Instead of personalities typically associated with horror and sci-fi, I was presented with an array of TV and Film stars from the 80's and 90's, which honestly, was very refreshing! I've been going to horror conventions for more than 20 years, and horror will always be my first love, but having the chance to meet some of the stars I grew up with was a welcome departure!
Created by Ryan Scott Weber, the mind behind NJ Horror Con & Film Festival, PA Horror Con and Horror Sideshow Market, Classic Rewind Weekend marks a departure from Weber's usual type of fan convention. Instead of personalities typically associated with horror and sci-fi, I was presented with an array of TV and Film stars from the 80's and 90's, which honestly, was very refreshing! I've been going to horror conventions for more than 20 years, and horror will always be my first love, but having the chance to meet some of the stars I grew up with was a welcome departure!
Let's jump right into the good stuff......the guest list!! Ryan and his team managed to assemble an excellent mix of guests. One of the highlights for me personally was Tracey Gold, who played Carol Seaver on "Growing Pains". I definitely had a fan boy moment when I met her, and she was charming and gracious during our interview. Another highlight for me was MacKenzie Phillips ("One Day at a Time", "American Graffiti"). MacKenzie was such a nice person, and was very open and forthright about her struggles with substance abuse, and how she survived to go on to help other people who are facing the same struggles. I also had a great time speaking with Tara Reid ("American Pie", "Josie and the Pussycats"). I had met her before, but never had a chance to interview her and speak to her in detail until CRW, and she and her two little dogs were awesome!
Another extreme fan boy moment came when I sat down with Aileen Quinn, who played Annie on Broadway and in the movie musical with Albert Finney and Carol Burnett. Aileen and her mom were so sweet and funny! It was great hearing about Aileen's experiences with the film and how her career unfolded after that. It was great to hear that she's still making films and entertaining crowds with her band Aileen Quinn and the Leaping Lizards!
Some other fantastic meet and greets for me were Burton Gilliam ("Blazing Saddles") and Julie McCullough ("Growing Pains", "Sharknado"). Julie was the first person ever to just walk off camera during our interview, but I had to let it go when I realized she was running over the meet Burton! They are two of the nicest people you will ever meet.
Some other fantastic meet and greets for me were Burton Gilliam ("Blazing Saddles") and Julie McCullough ("Growing Pains", "Sharknado"). Julie was the first person ever to just walk off camera during our interview, but I had to let it go when I realized she was running over the meet Burton! They are two of the nicest people you will ever meet.
There were some many fantastic guests at this convention and, as I said, it was such a fun time meeting and interacting with "non-horror" guests. Erin Murphy ("Bewitched"), Kate Flannery ("The Office"), Judith Hoag ("Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles") and D.B. Sweeney ("Spawn", "Fire in the Sky") are just a few more of the guests that were at the show.
Of course though, I have to mention three very special people who never fail to make me smile. First is Diane Franklin ("Better Off Dead", "The Last American Virgin"). I have had a chance to interview Diane many times over the years, and I am proud to say that she had become a good friend to me and my daughter Olivia, who happens to have the same name as Diane's lovely daughter. I never miss a chance to see Diane when she is in town and she is one of the friendliest people you'll ever know.
Another convention mainstay and personal friend is the lovely Felissa Rose ("Sleepaway Camp"). If left to her own devices, Felissa will chat the day away with every fan, and she is just the sweetest person.
Finally, I have to mention Dave Sheridan, another fan favorite who always goes out of this way to make sure every person who meets him walks away from the table knowing they just had a great experience.
Of course though, I have to mention three very special people who never fail to make me smile. First is Diane Franklin ("Better Off Dead", "The Last American Virgin"). I have had a chance to interview Diane many times over the years, and I am proud to say that she had become a good friend to me and my daughter Olivia, who happens to have the same name as Diane's lovely daughter. I never miss a chance to see Diane when she is in town and she is one of the friendliest people you'll ever know.
Another convention mainstay and personal friend is the lovely Felissa Rose ("Sleepaway Camp"). If left to her own devices, Felissa will chat the day away with every fan, and she is just the sweetest person.
Finally, I have to mention Dave Sheridan, another fan favorite who always goes out of this way to make sure every person who meets him walks away from the table knowing they just had a great experience.
Beyond the guest list, there was a pretty cool selection of vendors and artists on hand with all sorts of merchandise available for sale. There was also a great schedule of Q&A panels with various guests, and some awesome photos ops such as a group photo op with the cast of "The Mighty Ducks" and an in-costume photo op with Larry "The Soup Nazi" Thomas.
All in all, Classic Rewind Weekend was a fun time. It really was a trip down memory lane. As a child of the 80s, I quite literally grew up with a lot of these guests, so it was a thrill to meet them and in many cases, to sit down with them for an interview. I always make such great memories at one of Ryan Scott Weber's shows!
A few final notes that bear mentioning. With all the changes going on at the Showboat, the convention had to take place on the second floor of the hotel. There's absolutely nothing Ryan and his staff can do about that, so they found a way to make it work. For some people, it might have been a little challenging to find their way upstairs, but that's a nitpick. Overall, the show was well run and the staff and volunteers were great. Then again, having been to just about every one of Ryan's shows since the beginning, I have come to expect nothing less, and I am sure that any challenges they faced will be addressed for future shows.
Classic Rewind Weekend was a great time, and I truly hope that Ryan Scott Weber and team do another one!
Visit www.classicrewindweekend.com to keep up with future shows!
A few final notes that bear mentioning. With all the changes going on at the Showboat, the convention had to take place on the second floor of the hotel. There's absolutely nothing Ryan and his staff can do about that, so they found a way to make it work. For some people, it might have been a little challenging to find their way upstairs, but that's a nitpick. Overall, the show was well run and the staff and volunteers were great. Then again, having been to just about every one of Ryan's shows since the beginning, I have come to expect nothing less, and I am sure that any challenges they faced will be addressed for future shows.
Classic Rewind Weekend was a great time, and I truly hope that Ryan Scott Weber and team do another one!
Visit www.classicrewindweekend.com to keep up with future shows!
RSS Feed