Why isn't RDA attending?

[Jolonar]

Question to All,
Why does Richard Dean Anderson attend Gatecon? He is one of the most import characters and contributors to the show.:rolly2:

 

[Rowan]

RDA

Mr. Anderson has never been that much of a fan of cons. I believe one MacGyver con he attended years ago was an unpleasent experience - reason unknown. My personal guess [and that's all it is is a guess] is between that, his family and the many other things he wants to do with his life [environmental interests, travel, etc]not that he's in his 50's, going to conventions doesn't fit in.

And I don't begrudge him that in the least. I admit it would be nice to hear him speak in a panel, but he has well paid his dues and deserves his time.

rowan

 

[Gatecon]

Yes, lately it is a family thing.

With his new daughter (well, 3 years old or so now), living in LA, as soon as he finnishes work on a friday evening, he's on the first flight to LA, and doesn't return till Sunday night.

I'm a firm believer in "Family comes first", and I would never hold anything agins Richard for putting his family before conventions.

Although one day, I would love to see him at a Gatecon, even if it means flying his family up here for the weekend..... One Day... I can keep hoping

 

[Anni]

I think you'd perhaps better not hold your breath Allan. And although the family aspect is obviously and naturally very important to him perhaps he is just one of these people who shies away from events like that. No offence meant to yours and or anyone else's convention or the attendees.

Personally I don't blame him. There are many who really don't enjoy being put in the spotlight to the extent that a con appearance would, despite being in the public eye a great deal.

If it was a smaller event, like they used to be in the old days pre all the hype and hysteria which has surrounded conventions in relatively recent years, perhaps you might persuade him. But in all honesty, I can relate to how he feels. I didn't like the hyper and suffocating atmosphere of the cons I went to and I wasn't standing up there on stage. I could walk around freely.

Some actors aren't ebullient like Amanda, Teryl, Don, JR Bourne and Colin Cunningham. They don't switch on and perform as soon as the fridge light comes on. I've noticed some of the actors standing back fairly quietly and sometimes looking a bit uncomfortable, not because they're boring or uninteresting people, but because some folk have a natural reserve and don't want to go charging around as if they're trying to earn the title of 'Party Animal of the 21st Century'.

Perhaps RDA has a fulfilling life and doesn't need the instant gratification from appearing in front of an enthusiastic and perhaps a teensy bit obsessive audience that the other actors appear to crave.

<shrug> I have to respect him for that.

 

[Rowan Green]

I actually think Rick might enjoy himself at a convention. I hear he loves telling stories... And I've heard a few vague rumblings that he might possibly, maybe, one day do a convention... but don't hold your breath yet.

The subject actually came up at 'An evening with Christopher Judge' a couple of weeks ago in London. Chris basically said that these days Rick is pretty much a homebody: (as someone's already said), his daughter comes before absolutely everything. I think Chris thought there was a chance once Wylie's old enough to travel...

He finished by saying every kid should be loved that much. Can't disagree with that.

 

[pamie]

Plus I would have though the amount of people that would want to attend a con with RDA in it would be alot.....Im not sure there would be a place big enough....

 

[Anni]

No......you're dead right, there wouldn't be. But to tell the truth, in all of the interviews that he has done, he has never indicated that he would attend or wanted to attend a convention. I sincerely doubt whether Chris Judge would actually know whether RDA wanted to attend a convention, unless of course they actually discussed it with each other.

I think RDA is just wrapped up with his family and his life and has no overwhelming need to attend something like a con. He has all the adulation he requires from a little four year old daughter, and having a four year old grandson myself, I know how delightful that sort of adulation can be. Why would he need to have the adulation of a roomful of strangers? Even if they are fans.

He simply may not feel that he needs it, or that it is necessary in his life. I don't like RDA as an actor particularly, but as I man I have to admire and respect his dedication as a father in trying to provide a stable environment for her to grow up in.

 

[Rowan Green]

You say Chris wouldn't know, then you agree with him... glad we got that sorted out!

As for never having said anything about cons... I did see a chat where someone asked him and (can't remember the exact words), he did say something that indicated he was considering doing it... Sorry I don't have the link. I've also heard a few vague suggestions through the grapevine...

I don't think anyone should be holding their breath. But everything I've heard about Rick makes me think he's a nice guy and does care about his fans. I don't find it impossible to believe that he might one day want to make his fans very happy... as long as it doesn't get in the way of things that are very important to him.

As to the chaos that might follow an announcement that he's going to be at a con... Yep. I wouldn't be surprised if, if he ever does do a con, it's as a surprise guest.

 

[Rowan]

Chats

That's right. There was the Lycos chat back in 2000 right after the first GateCon when he mentioned that the folks from the set who had gone had come back saying they had some much fun he was considering going himself.

I had forgotten about that. thanks for the trip down memory lane.

Rowan

 

[Anni]

I have absolutely no reason to doubt what you are saying. I never read that particular chat/interview. I also have no doubt that on occasions, when the others have come back raving about having a good time, RDA may have idly thought, and said, that he might consider going. However, I think that he has a lot going on in his life and attending a convention is way down the bottom of the list, if not off the list entirely. And that's the way it should be. Attending cons around the world shouldn't be the 'be all and end all' of existence. But for many it becomes almost exactly that. For both guests and attendees!

I am not saying that everyone is like that, but enough are for conventions to have become big business almost. I know of at least a dozen fans, for instance, who just travel from con to con. It's almost like a way of life to them and has actually become their entire social life. I don't know where they find the time. I can just about squeeze extra stuff in between my work, real friends and my family!

I just feel that RDA has his priorities in the right order and attending a con is not one of them!

 

[pfalcon]

You must also keep in mind that RDA has had the worst problems of all the cast re: Stalkers (and other general wierdo elements). Since becoming a father, this hyper fanatical element of the fan base has only served to drive him away from public appearances of any sort.

Couple that with his obvious devotion to his child, and you have a recipe for him never accepting a convention invitation.

At conventions his fellow cast members have remarked on the problems Rick has had in this area. Evidently most of the cast have had the same problems from time to time, but nothing as serious.

Of course, it still nice to hope against hope...

 

[Jolonar]

I understand

For the most part I agree with everyone's posts, but would hope he'd reconsider.

As for the past experiences Rick may have experienced from past conventions, that's ashame. I am figuring that he may also not like to attend these things because he's not a spotlight seeker and likes to observe from a distance because he's such a private person. Plus the fact it took him so long to find someone to have a child with. I can totally understand where his priorities are.

If other cast members have brought up his lack of attendance, is is because they think he's shirking his responsibilities for attending and he's better than them to not attend? or are they understanding?

Honestly, I think some of the cast members are more comfortable being in a convention environment and RDA isn't. That's not a bad thing.

For selvish reasons I guess, I, like other people that enjoy him as an actor would like to meet him once in our lives and hear his thoughts about things in person.

 

[Anni]

I can't actually think of a reason why becoming a father would make him shy away from conventions. It really isn't terribly relevant. However, the more fanatical element of fandom is actually larger than you might think.....consider this - the word 'fan' is derived from the word 'fanatic'. So in reality a group of fans are people who are fanatical about the object of their interest, whatever, whoever that might be. I can't actually think of why anyone would want to stalk RDA, except that there are people out there.....in his case probably female.....who cannot control their interest and keep it to an admiration, and who are pushed beyond the normal limits to get the attention of their object of desire. They tend to become stalkers.

People like this generally see themselves as the one person in the world that their desired object wants to see or be with, to the extent that it pushes out all normal life and/or relationships. They actually feel that the actor/actress/whoever personally knows them, what they are thinking, what they are feeling and what they want. And they are also convinced that they know what their object desire is thinking, or wants. So when they actually go out of their way to meet their desire, they are often insulted and angered when this object of desire rejects them. That's when things get nasty. I imagine an actor/actress put in that situation would feel totally bewildered and who could blame them?

In my short time in online fandom, I have encountered many who teeter on the brink between admirer and diehard fanatic. In fact I'd say that a good half of online fandom walk a very thin line. You have only to read the constant postings of people who will continually say that they have met this actor and that actor. They'll often infer that they know these people well and have had many conversations with them. They will usually drop casual references into conversations with other fans, hinting that they are in the know about personal matters.

I know many fans have met some of the actors from shows at cons.....some people may have had the good fortune to hold lengthy conversations, but I think they may be few and far between. Mostly what people get is a five minute conversation whilst in an autograph queue, or perhaps a few more minutes at a cocktail party.

I could say I met Tony Amendola - for all of five minutes outside a hotel in Heathrow. He gave me a kiss and cuddle and remembered me the next day in the autograph line - but I don't KNOW him. I met Anthony Hopkins while working in Beverly Hills and we had a conversation which lasted over an hour, but I doubt if he would remember who I was now and I don't profess to KNOW him. On the other hand, when I was doing Session singing in recording studios a few years ago, I did do some all night sessions with Stevie Wonder who was doing some producing on the tracks. There were a few of us there, but the situation and length of time it took us to lay backing tracks (three days) meant that we did actually sort of get to know him. I still wouldn't say I knew him personally.

Online fandom, indeed any kind of fandom is a scary place and if you were the perceived object of desire, and already had a taste of some fanatical female stalking your every move and demanding your attention as though there was a personal relationship going, wouldn't you hesitate to put your head in the lion's mouth? Damn sure I would.

 

[Jolonar]

Psycho Fans

Anni,
I totally agree with your point of view. There are alot of psycho fans out there and those are the people that ruin for all the legit fans out there.

When I said that I would like to see him once in person or have the chance to hear him speak, I am simply talking about hearing his points of view, i.e. on the concept of Stargate, the environmental issues and concerns he is currently working on, etc.

In so far as the psychological aspect, you are so right on the money. There are alot of people and unfortunely ALOT of woman out there that are exactly what you described. Throw an actor's name around even if they met them once, act like they know everything about them as though they personally know them. I see this particulary rampant among Soap Opera fans. I have also met girls (and that all they are, are girls) in years past that were totally obsessive with RDA when MacGyver was running on primetime and syndicate TV.

In my personal opinion if RDA said he didn't want to attend the CON because of this issue, he should be honest and advise this. I can guarantee the true fans of his work, as well as, supporters of him would understand.

Has there ever been any dialogue from the other actors on their feelings about why he's not attending. Are they postive and negative or both?

 

[Rowan Green]

If you look further up the post you'll find I've already put what Chris Judge said about it. It was in response to a question from the audience, and I got no sense that Chris was critical in any sense.

Seems to me that if you believe the posts here the stars can't win. If they go to cons they're 'performing seals', and if they don't they're 'shirking their duty'. Can't we just accept their decisions, be glad for the good things they do, and make the best of it?

Rick may not do cons, but he does do interviews, chats, answers fan mail when he can. Not to mention working hard on the show, loving his daughter, and his enviromental and charity work. Give him a break.

 

[Anni]

Rowan, I don't think anyone was dissing RDA for not going to a con, in fact we were all pointing out the valid reasons as to *why* he was unlikely to attend. Perhaps you should read through the posts a little more carefully!

I quite admire him for sticking to his guns about attending. I know it's a disappointment for the many genuine RDA fans who would like an opportunity to see him in the flesh, but the other 'peforming seals' more than make up for the lack of his presence!

I personally do think that the actors who attend conventions are very little more than a troupe of performing animals and have said so openly on many occasions, but that's my opinion and no one has to agree with it.

We were in fact giving him more than a 'break', we were understanding perfectly why he would not wish to attend a convention at the moment. He may well change his mind in the future, who knows?