(Gemini Awards - Toronto) What happens when you put a little “Beverly Hills” into a Canadian Television awards show? You get drama.
When it was first announced that current and former Beverly Hills 90210 actors Shenae Grimes and Jason Priestley were both set to appear at this years Canadian Gemini Awards - any media that cared knew getting them to pose together would be the “money shot” on the night.
This one just didn’t make sense to us. Would Shenae really care about posing with Jason? The last thing this girl seems to be is publicity shy. Priestley is even going to be directing her in an upcoming 90210 episode and its generally not considered a very smart thing to be dissing your director BEFORE he actually directs you.
This drama had publicity people working their bullshit written all over it. HoundsTV spoke to a few people on the red carpet at the Geminis and we hear the story went down much more like this:
The entourage around Grimes wanted the Shenae/Jason money shot reserved for a few select photographers in the backstage area (and usually, its the semi-connected, self-important annoying photographers.)
Its no real big secret the “money shot” on the night would be the photo of Jason and Shenae together. If there was any chance of having the U.S. media picking up on a little known Canadian awards show - it would be with these shots - the whole “past and present of 90210″ spin on things.
No, this story was never about any diva-like behaviour. This story was always about celebrity photographer connections, publicity, and Hollywood control.
(Toronto) 90210 lead Shenae Grimes made an eagerly awaited return trip home to Toronto for the Geminis - Canada’s answer for television award celebrations (that curiously no major television networks in Canada can bother to cover.)
But what a difference a few numbers can make for the Toronto born actress. Grimes goes from the 416 to 90210 (and back again) and the numbers of celebrity photographers and autograph collectors goes up to. There were more than a few awaiting Ms. Grimes on her arrival in Toronto (and hats off to our bud TG for pulling a beautiful first shot.)
There certainly is buzz for Grimes return (which is impressive considering her show really is a distant #2 when it comes to quality teen angst dramas on the CW. (We thinks Grimes and her 90210 crew can’t hold a candle to these tv high school queens.)
We’re sure many more photos of Shenae from the Geminis will be online soon as the mainstream media catch up to the pretty lady (including the obligatory shot with fellow 90210 alumni actor Jason Priestley I can already hear the photogs screaming for backstage.)
It will be a media intense few days for Shenae as she enjoys her true hood (one that it looks like she may not be able to experience the same again for a while. But getting into details this revealing of Grimes first day back in Toronto maybe does get a little creepy.
It’s not just rock gods we cover here at HoundsTV. Sometimes there is a bit of “culture” to our autograph collecting. Operatic pop supergroup Il Divobreezed through Toronto on a worldwide tour to promote their new CD, The Promise. They appeared in front of excited fans at Indigo Books & Music on the same day their record reached #1 in many countries. It was a rare opportunity to meet the guys up close.
video: (Toronto, July-03) Brian Johnson talks about his experience asking legend Chuck Berry for an autograph in 1975. According to Johnson, the encounter with Berry did not go well. Grab the YouTube embed here.
AC/DC is top of the news these days with a sold-out world tour and new record BLACK ICE doing big business. We hear the group continues to be very cool with fans and sign lots of autographs for collectors.
The last time the group was in Toronto playing to a record size crowd - fans and collectors were swarming the hotel looking for any sightings of the group. Lead singer Brian Johnson thrilled the crowd when he spent time with fans and told the story of Johnson himself asking guitar legend Chuck Berry for an autograph - and the surprise reaction Berry gave the future AC/DC frontman. It obviously still bugs Johnson to this day. But it didn’t stop Brian’s first group Geordie and eventually AC/DC from still making many great Chuck Berry-inspired-chord rock and roll songs.
Times Online just published a very revealing article on Sir Paul McCartney. The Times journalist spent five months traveling with Macca this year and they managed to touch upon a wealth of subjects from Paul’s recent tour of the Holy Land, his new lady love Nancy Shevell, drugs, John Lennon, and yes, autographs (though the bit about Sir Paul signing autographs outside the Church of the Nativity seemed a little odd.) But we loved this diddy Times scribe Mark Edmonds uncovered about McCartney on a trip through Washington:
“Those who really know McCartney say there are those who are overawed by him, those who are intimidated by him, and those who just want a piece of him. When he visited Washington a few years ago, George Bush and Colin Powell were squabbling over a book McCartney had autographed for Powell. Staff were dispatched to obtain a second copy for the president.” - TIMESONLINE
We’ve got a soft spot for autograph stories like that at HoundsTV. We know how special that McCartney autograph can be for the collector. Our most watched episode of HoundsTV continues to be Brad’s famous encounter with the ex-Beatle.
When actor, wine entrepreneur and bluesman Dan Aykroyd was at a Roots store celebration with a new CD of music to sign - HoundsTV found some time to chat with Dan on the topic of autographs, the collectibles business, and celebrity obsession.
Give the gift of digital music this Christmas. They will appreciate it.
Music super producer David Foster (Celine Dion, Madonna, Streisand) was signing his new book and CD in Toronto. We hear Foster had plenty of interesting things to say about working with the likes of Madonna, Celine, and supergroup Chicago.
It is sad indeed to hear that the annual Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix held in Montreal won’t be on the schedule for 2009. The race is now officially dead after last minute Read more…
(HoundsTV - Toronto) Leave it to the autograph hounds to make sure they caught up with the Twilight cast Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart on their arrival to Toronto, Canada on the never-ending promotional tour for the hot vampire flick that is sure to shatter box office records when it finally opens up this weekend. After the recent troubles with in-person appearances of the Twilight Cast - including this near mall riot. The pro autograph collectors decided to greet the cast upon their low-key arrival at Toronto’s Pearson airport where they were happy to scribble a few signatures as they were rushed through the terminal.
Nice to see a little viral-ness with the AC/DC Brian Johnson clip. more than 25,000 watched the CB diss today. Go2008/11/25
Saw AC/DC again before the show. Glad to see they still are signing champs like the old days. Go2008/11/08
check the TORONTO SUN tomorrow (SAT NOV 8) - there might be a feature about our PRESIDENT'S AUTOGRAPH story Go2008/11/07
This Weeks Episode
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HoundsTV will continue to feature the latest in celebrity autograph news and video. HoundsTV.com is back with a fresh look and a new documentary cut of HOUNDS: What is the Price of Fame? - edited just for the web.
