Last week’s Big Issue was a heroes edition. They had famouses talk to other famouses in the pretext of interviewing them so they didn’t feel nervous and awkward about their desire to speak to another famous just because they were someone they admired.
The other day I went to see Richard Herring. I’m a bit of a fanboy of his. I have been a fan since
watching Fist of Fun and This Morning With Richard Not Judy (TMWRNJ) back when I was at school. I have seen him perform 4 or 5 times now, bought DVDs, listen to some of his many podcasts. I even got a bit excited when he emailed me back after I sent him an email about his Me 1 v Me 2 podcast where he plays himself at snooker.
I had an opportunity to meet him after the show. He was selling books and DVDs and chatting to fans. It wasn’t a long queue and wouldn’t have been too much of my time to queue up and meet him. The opportunity to meet my hero. And yet I didn’t want to do it.
Thinking about why I didn’t want to is a little odd. I know I’d want to say something clever or memorable. I also believe that I’d mess it up and say something stupid. I’m also not sure what I’d gain from a very short interaction with him.
When I was at university, I used to work for the local newspaper and I got to interview the big bands that came to town. I especially remember interviewing Stove, the bass player from Mansun who were (and still are) one of my favourite bands. If there was ever a time to be nervous and say something stupid to a famous, that was the time. However, I think I did fine – or at least as fine as any 18 year old can do when in that sort of situation.
Not wanting to meet my heroes is not a new thing. I support West Ham United and they came down to play against Folkestone in a pre-season friendly many years ago. My family when to the bar and meet the players and staff – including my 12 year old brother being offered a pint by Harry Redknapp – while I was sat in the stand with my friend. However, missing that experience isn’t something I have ever regretted.
You’re told that celebrities are just nice normal people like you or I (or at least you’re told that some of them are). I think maybe that’s the problem. I don’t want them to be like me. I want them to have some sort of mystique. Something other worldly. Something that makes them more interesting than just a regular human.
And also, I think I’d want to say something cool but I know I’d just say something ridiculously embarrassing like squeaking out “You were a joy to watch.”