Personal Encounters With Doctor Who: "It's Bigger On The Inside!"

[Lantern7]

This thread is for discussing real-life encounters with Doctors and other people associated with the show. DW conventions has been a thing since, like, forever, and every "Classic" Doctor from Patrick Trougton to Paul McGann has done that circuit at one point or another. In fact, Troughton passed away at a show in Columbus, GA. I know, morbid to mention, but it shows a degree of dedication.

As far as Doctor Who-centric shows, I've only been to one: Long Island Who in 2015. I live on Staten Island, so I stayed at a nearby hotel, as opposed to commuting back and forth. I had a good time. Not nearly as fun as the big cons I visit, but it was an experience. Ever see a Missy cosplayer get down to "Mickey"? It's an experience.

I have to bail, but in case you didn't see my post on the Media thread: Peter Capaldi and Pearl Mackie will be appearing at New York Comic Con in October.  They'll only be there on Thursday and Friday, and I don't know if I could afford to splurge for a pic and an autograph. Later, I'll talk about the various people I've met from the show. As it stands, I have met every classic Doctor save for Tom Baker.

[Sharpie66]

I am old school--my very first con ever was a DW one in Rosemont, IL in 1982. I met, and kissed on the cheek, Tom Baker. It was AWESOME!!!

it was my favorite celebrity encounter until I met Julie Andrews 19 years later. Sorry, but Mary Poppins beats the Doctor.

Edited August 11, 2017 by Sharpie66

[chitowngirl]

Mary Poppins and the Doctor have a connection-her carpetbag is bigger on the inside!

[Lantern7]

Trying to remember stuff as I go through my Flickr album . . .

Before Long Island Who, there was Who York, where old-school folks would pop up. Off the top of my head, I saw Louise Jameson. Frazer Hines, Ian McNeice (pictures lumped in with massive cosplay display at NYCC), Waris Hussein and Sylvester McCoy.

I met Colin Baker in San Diego and Peter Davison at NYCC. I got lucky with Davison . . . I noticed there was little activity on his line. I'm chalking that up to right place/right time.

Like I said, I've only been to the one Doctor Who-centered convention. I met Paul McGann, as well as Wendy Padbury, Janet Fielding and Carole Ann Ford. Oh,and I got hugged twice by Katy Mainning. She is a fan of the hug and kiss.

Oh, and I've met Daphne Ashcroft on a few occasions. She would pop in on the Doctor Who New York meetups, as would Tony Lee, the writer of IDW's Doctor Who series. And I interviewed Paul Cornell about his Third Doctor miniseries last year, along with artist Christopher Jones.

If you're going to a DW con, this is the place to post about it. Currently, I am not planning on attending Long Island Who in  November. It's small compared to the bigger shows in the States and the UK, but it's still stacked with past and present favorites.

PS: Do kids of Doctors count? I met Sean Pertwee last year at Heroes & Villains Fan Fest.

ETA: I attend a panel on Doctor Who at Comic-Con International in 2009, covering the swan songs of Russell T. Davies and David Tennant. Had to get there extra, extra early to get into Ballroom 20, so I'm counting that. Months later, I saw a promotion of the fifth season/series, headlined by Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Stephen Moffat.

[John Potts]

13 hours ago, Lantern7 said:

I have met every classic Doctor save for Tom Baker.

He's the only Doctor I've met! Back in the mists of time, I attended a book signing (or rather, my dad took me to it) and we got the Target novelisation of Destiny of the Daleks signed by the Doctor himself (I cannot recall if he signed it "Tom Baker" or "The Doctor") - he did the whole thing in character, although I knew he was "just" an actor. I always regretted choosing a novelisation of a story I had seen rather than one I hadn't and the fact that I didn't hang on to it (it was about 40 years ago!).

[Llywela]

I've never been to a Doctor Who convention, but living in Cardiff I have seen them filming the show many, many times over the years and have been a regular visitor to the Doctor Who Experience (which is closing next month! *sniff* I'm gonna miss that coffee shop!") We bumped into John Barrowman in the little Tesco in the Bay doing his shopping a bunch of times, when he used to live down there. And going right back to when the show first came back, I had driving lessons with a lovely little instructor whose wife is a good friend of my mum, and through a complex set of coincidences and good fortune, he'd got involved with the show as a prop maker when they were filming that first season. He'd always had a hobby of building and operating radio controlled cars and helicopters and whatnot - now all of a sudden he was building and operating Daleks! And I remember a particular day, when season two was filming, when I was in the car having a lesson and suddenly realised that there was a Dalek head rolling around under the seat - I commented on it to L, the instructor, and he pulled a handful of other Dalek bits out of his pocket! And at the time no one knew the Daleks were going to be back in season two - L hadn't realised it was supposed to be a secret! He's a lovely guy. He retired from driving instructing not long after - but 10 years later, he is still involved with Doctor Who, making props and operating Daleks!

[Sharpie66]

My second con was in Chicago in 1984. It was a Star Trek/Doctor Who one. I wasn't into Trek at the time, so I skipped the George Takei panel, but I did meet Mary Tamm.

[Chip]

A long time ago, there was some sort of one night convention in Atlanta and I think it was just Tom Baker and Colin Baker. I had a very brief interaction with Tom Baker when I asked him to autograph a print. When I told him my name his response was "Chip? Is that your *Christian* name?". I still have the print around here somewhere but I don't see it off hand.

I missed the con when Troughton died although it was near here. I've also seen whoever has been at Dragon Con over the years. I think Sylvestor McCoy puts on the best show. 

[Vikitty]

John Barrowman was at Fan Expo Vancouver a couple of years ago. I ran into him on the convention floor in Artist Alley and chatted with him for a minute or two. He was really friendly, had lots of great things to say about the city (he films Arrow here) and the con. I admitted I’d only seen him on Doctor Who/Torchwood but that I was a huge fan, and he thanked me sincerely. He made everyone who came up and talk to him feel super comfortable, he is really just a warm sort of person.

[Lantern7]

Saw him at Heroes Fan Fest last year. Seriously, even if you're a casual fan, you gotta check out his panel.

[Gulftastic]

Back in the day, probably 1981, Tom Baker came to my school, in full Doctor get up. I wish I could remember much of what he said, but I just remember being more excited than I'd ever been at that point.

[Arynm]

My daughter was at Dragon Con in Atlanta last weekend and she sent me a text that said, "Mom, the big blue box from Dr. Who is here! What is that called again?"

Sigh, so much wrong in that one text...I have failed as a mother.

[Lantern7]

For anybody heading to NYCC: the panel schedule has been announced, and Peter Capaldi will be the subject of a BBC America panel.

 If you're interested, here is the information on  photo ops and autographs. I like Peter and Pearl, but I don't know if I like them that much.

[SistaLadybug]

On 9/6/2017 at 9:50 AM, Arynm said:

My daughter was at Dragon Con in Atlanta last weekend and she sent me a text that said, "Mom, the big blue box from Dr. Who is here! What is that called again?"

Sigh, so much wrong in that one text...I have failed as a mother.

LOL! I was there and actually took a picture in the TARDIS (with my friend and co-host). We and my daughter got a picture with Matt Smith.

He's the only Doctor I've met besides David Tennant (I'm still swooning, years later).

[Sharpie66]

I would love to meet John Barrowman some day. We could talk about living in Joliet, IL, and knowing a teenaged Andy Dick, one of John's best friends at Joliet West High School and an acting class acquaintance for me.

[WAnglais1]

I've been lucky enough to meet all the living classic Doctors, and the newer once (who have had stories air) except Eccleston and Capaldi. One day, though.

[bloomlover]

John Barrowman was here for Salt Lake Comic Con a few weeks ago.  He was the queen of the con (he always is).  He is absolutely lovely and so nice. If you ever get a chance to see a panel DO It!  P.S. His panels are a little 16+, but so worth it.

[Lantern7]

I'm going to have a period where I would hit three comic shows in three weeks. It's only over five days, but I figured that I might be too burnt out to try and hit East Coast Comicon. What might win me over? Guests Sylvester McCoy (whom I've briefly met) and Sophie Aldred (whom I have not met). Problem is that their prices for autographs and/or pictures might drain my wallet like my sketch-getting habits. I know that I am way too poor to afford their Meet-and-Greet.

ETA: Bad news for anybody wanting to attend Long Island Who . . . they're taking a hiatus for 2018.

Edited March 3, 2018 by Lantern7

[bloomlover]

OMG!  OMG!  I finally got to meet David Tennant!  Sorry about the exclamation points.  I have never been so star-struck in my life.  It took every ounce of strength I had to not start squeal after my photo op.  He is so lovely. 

[Mabinogia]

23 minutes ago, bloomlover said:

OMG!  OMG!  I finally got to meet David Tennant!  Sorry about the exclamation points.  I have never been so star-struck in my life.  It took every ounce of strength I had to not start squeal after my photo op.  He is so lovely. 

I'm sorry bloomlover, but I am going to have to hate you now! I am soooooooo jealous. He is one of the few celebrities I would love to meet. 

[bloomlover]

1 minute ago, Mabinogia said:

I'm sorry bloomlover, but I am going to have to hate you now! I am soooooooo jealous. He is one of the few celebrities I would love to meet. 

It was a dream come true.  My favorite new who doctor is Matt (my favorite overall doctor is Troughton), but damn I seriously fangirled on him. He is just wonderful and so cheery.  He is probably also the only celebrity to actually show up on time at a convention.  That never happens.  

[Mabinogia]

19 minutes ago, bloomlover said:

He is just wonderful and so cheery.  He is probably also the only celebrity to actually show up on time at a convention.  That never happens.  

That makes me happy to hear. I imagined him being a good guy so it's always nice to hear confirmation. 

[Lantern7]

David, Matt and Alex will be coming to New York Comic Con. On that Friday night, they'll be doing a panel at Hammerstein Ballroom. Advance tickets for that are being sold . . . I don't now how much I'd want to spend, though.

On that note, the trio will be autographing and doing photo ops as well. As much as I'd like to meet one of them (or all three), I would be spending enough money as it is. Here are the autograph rates for Alex, David and Matt. They will be multiple signings . . . I think the rates are the same no matter when. And here are the general Photo Op rates. It's not too messed up that the fees would deter me, right? A lot of my money is dedicated to sketches.

ETA: How close did I get to Capaldi last year? Well, I don't think being in the audience at the Theater in MSG was too bad. And I wrote this article about it.

Edited September 10, 2018 by Lantern7

[Lantern7]

I went to the "TARDIS Time" panel/event . . . and I remember so little of it. I know that I had a fun time. I would have kept notes, but any pens I had were busted.

Earlier that day, I met Alex. And I felt like a goob. Then again, every time I meet someone remotely famous, that's usually my default reaction. And I brought River Song vinyl figures with me, which makes me more  of a dork. Seriously, though, which picture looks better? I can't look at myself.

[Vikitty]

Both are adorable and I’m so jealous!