On the evening of Tuesday, October 7, 2008, Jimmy and I had worked our way back to the Pantages Theatre in the hopes of catching David Garrison on his way out of the evening performance of Wicked. I had brought along my It’s Your Move photo that I had had Adam Sadowsky sign the day before, but in the excitement and anticipation of meeting him, I plum forgot to bring along the cast photo of Taxi that I had found at the Hollywood Collectors Show a couple of days before. From that sad fact alone, I should have known that the evening would be jinxed.
Don’t get me wrong. It had been a great day and I had had four great days in a row, more enjoyment than any one human deserved, and was looking forward to several great more. But I had had my heart set on meeting David Garrison, who had starred as Norman Lamb in my all-time favorite sitcom It’s Your Move. We had missed the opportunity two nights earlier when he didn’t come out the back of the Pantages like all the other actors and we had been informed by a nice theatre employee that he always just ambles out the front door.
Jimmy and I waited out front, but admittedly had our guard down somewhat as the big crowds streamed out. Eventually, most everyone had left the building, so we though that the two celebrities who we had missed before, David Garrison and Carol Kane, would be coming out at any time.
Carol Kane was the actress who played Simka Dahblitz-Gravas, the girlfriend to Andy Kaufman’s Latka Gravas on the TV series Taxi. I have seen some of the episodes of the series, but was not a huge fan of the show. I had also seen Ms. Kane in the late 70’s thriller When a Stranger Calls and its ridiculous sequel. But the role that always sticks out in my mind was her cameo appearance in The Muppet Movie (as seen at the top of the posting). Everytime Kermit attempts to enunciate the word myth (“myth! myth!”), Carol Kane who first appeared in the movie as a barmaid at the El Sleezo Cafe would step out of nowhere and respond “Yeth”.
Eventually Carol Kane did indeed come out. Walking with a friend and toting her own suitcase, she was kind enough to stop and pose for a photo with me. I resisted the urge to address her with myth, and instead went with the more formal Ms. Kane. I was irritated with myself that I had forgotten the photo to have her sign.
But nothing could top my irritation when I found out that David Garrison had already left the building. The same kind gentlemen that had informed us of his exit routine, told us that he had already seen him leave and that he generally just strolls out with the crowd. This could not have disappointed me more, to not only miss him once, but twice!
Tried as I did to have Bob bring me back after the next day’s adventures, it just wasn’t meant to be. I don’t know if I’ll ever get a chance to meet David Garrison, but I know that there is no one on earth who has wanted it more and has unsuccessfully tried harder than I have. It was so disheartening to have an opportunity like this and completely myth it.
Things, of course, would look up the next day…
For the record, Bob offered his car and directions to the the theater after the next day’s adventure as he had to be at work at 6:30 am. But the offer was politely declined with the words, “That’s too much trouble”. So it goes….
Bob
February 9th, 2009
David Garrison? I thought we were looking for Garrett Morris!
Jimmy
February 15th, 2009
CAROL;you are such a natural.the last time i sawyou on t,v. was an episode of two &1/2 men,,,,,,,carol that was ”the funniest” episode to date !! because of ”you”!! was it good for you ??
ken
July 4th, 2013