Plan 9 For Conrad Brooks
Sunday, July 24th, 2011
What an odd way to get famous. Come to Hollywood to pursue a career in acting. Wind up with the worst director on the planet. Star in a handful of the worst films ever made. Take a break from acting for 25 years. End up starring in another 70 movies, all of which have titles as captivating as Fart: The Movie, Test Tube Teens From the Year 2000, Hell Comes To Frogtown III, and Zeppo: Sinners from Beyond the Moon! I could go on. Then amidst all of this, make appearances at celebrity shows selling your autograph. It’s like Conrad Brooks had a plan. Let’s call it “Plan 8”. Read the rest of this entry »
No particular reason, but I didn’t envision Erik Estrada being as nice of a guy as he was. When I first approached his table at the Hollywood Show on Saturday, April 2, 2011, he was away chatting with someone else. I sighed, wondering how long I would have to wait. Out of nowhere, Erik Estrada came rushing back to the table toward me, not to arrest me, but to give me a giant hug. Hmmm… he never did that to the criminals on the semi-classic 70’s TV cop show CHiPs. 
Besides having seen it from the sky as I’ve flown over it, I had never been to the Grand Canyon. And as Bob and I were traveling through Arizona on Wednesday, March 30, 2011, this was my golden opportunity. Bob had been there before but he gladly added it to our itinerary at my request. I’ve heard some stories about how when people arrive there, they say things like “yep, that’s a big hole.” So I don’t want sound quite that trite, but there is no doubt about it: it was a big hole. 
Tommy Morrison should have a book written about his life. I don’t know if I’d read it, but it should probably be written. His nickname in the boxing ring is The Duke. And even this aspect of his life isn’t without controversy. The name comes from the disputed claims that he is the grandnephew of cowboy star John Wayne. I haven’t researched it so I couldn’t say. Then there’s the HIV issue. Morrison, who has an impressive record as a heavyweight boxer with 49 wins, 3 losses, was suspended from boxing when it was revealed that he tested positive for HIV. Whereas, some dispute his connection to John Wayne, Morrison disputes that he has HIV.