Win tickets to see Kathy Griffin
UPDATE: Winners are Jonathan H., Christy, Matts Girl, Lena T and Alyssa. Thanks for playing everyone.
ORIGINAL POST: Feisty comic Kathy Griffin returns to Fresno’s Saroyan Theatre on Friday night for a performance that promises to be full of pop culture musings and celebrity stories.
I talked to Griffin last week — you can read the story here — and she assures me that we’ll be getting a bunch of fresh material, not what’s in her recent Bravo special “Gurrl Down.” You can buy tickets via Ticketmaster for $35-$75. Orrrrrrr … you can enter here and cross your fingers.
We’re giving away five — count ‘em, FIVE — pairs of tickets to Friday night’s show. To enter, all you have to do is channel your inner Kathy Griffin and tell us about a celebrity encounter (or near encounter) you’ve had. Deadline to enter is 3 p.m. Wednesday. We’ll draw five winners at random and notify them via e-mail, so please leave a valid e-mail address. Multiple entries not allowed. You’re ineligible if you’ve won something in the past 30 days. Full rules below.
[illustration: S. W. Parra / The Fresno Bee]
GIVEAWAY RULES
Only readers who submit a comment on this post are eligible. Winners will be picked at random. Recipients will be notified by e-mail at the end of each giveaway period. No substitutions or transfer of winners/prizes. Prizes are not redeemable for cash. Some prizes may have due dates for redemption/use. Employees and immediate family of The Fresno Bee, fresnobee.com and any/all of the participating giveaway sponsors, are not eligible to win. By accepting a giveaway, recipient consents to allow the use of his/her name and/or photograph for advertising or similar promotions without further compensation. Winner releases all sponsors of liability regarding use and enjoyment of the prizes. Tax liabilities and insurance, if any, are sole responsibility of the winner. No purchase necessary to win.
Responses to "Win tickets to see Kathy Griffin"
I could use a good laugh right about now.
Please baby jesus pick me!!!!
lol
I was hanging out at the Luxor in Vegas one night when Paris Hilton was hosting at LAX nightclub. Security ushered us around everywhere since they didn’t want a crowd as she walked through the casino. Well we somehow wound up pushed into her entourage and walked with her crowd through the casino while everyone was taking pics. It was pretty funny since someone asked us if we were part of her “glam squad”.
First time ever in New York (and a big Howard Stern fan) the friend I was with was tired and wanted to say in for the night, as I was leaving the room to head to Times Square I said I was going to “go find Artie” (Lange, Howard’s then co-host) as a joke. As I was walking down the street I noticed camera lights, I went towards them and there was Artie filming a scene with Joe Buck for HBO. I got to meet both guys and was an extra for the scene, and now the memorie lives forever on YouTube!
http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?v=BvkiOWVijxk
(at the end, pokerstars shirt)
Pick Me!!!!! (:
Meeting Jay Leno in Hollywood back in the day. His chin stabbed me in the eye. Sad, but true.
I met Danny DeVito at San Diego Comic Con last year. He was promoting his series of short horror films, The Blood Factory.
I gathered the guts to ask to for a photo with him. I squatted down to his height, I would make him feel better about his short stature. Unfortunately, the kind fella who borrowed my camera was having trouble taking the photo.
Those two minutes of squatting as impatient people yelled made my year!
Have a lovely day in Fresno!
Once while at universal studios I ran into “Kid” from kid and play and the lead singer of Digital Underground! At 8 yrs old I’m sure he wondered how the hell I knew who he was. Not to mention, why did my parents let me listen to that song it watch the kid n play movies.
I remember about 10 years ago, i was at Universal Studios, and i saw Danny Bonaduce. So right when i was going to go up to him and ask him for his autograph, he started spanking the hell out of one of his kids. O_O I immediately retreated. Very awkward if i went through with it anyways.
I was minding my own business and I met Alan Autry. He was our Mayor, played Bubba on In the Heat of the Night and one of my favorite shows Grace Under Fire. We talked at StarBucks at the Riverview shopping center. He is a really nice man.
I have been fortunate to meet some very down to earth and humble “celebrities� over the years. However, I cannot forget about the time I met “Screech� from the ever-popular Saved by the Bell. It was my first time ever visiting Universal Studios Hollywood (I must have been around the age of 8). I was with my family, and once they noticed him across one of the rides we were at, they immediately suggested that I ask him for an autograph (since I was such a huge fan of the show). “Screech� was with about five females at the time and looked “too busy�. Although, once I stirred up enough courage, I walked up to him and politely asked “Mr. Screech� for his signature. As I held out my pen and pad, he looked at me, then, looked at the girls…and just laughed in the most arrogant tone I have ever heard in my life!!! He told me that he didn’t have time for “stuff like that,� and turned his back. I noticed as I was sadly walking back to where my parents were at, a line was forming around him. And, from a distance, I could see gloomy facial expressions of other kids as they were being turned down for autographs. No love for the kids Screech…no love.
Back in the summer of 2001, I was on my way to a free concert in the park, in St.Louis, MO.
Joan Jett was performing so I decided I had to go. Needless to say, I got lost. I had no idea where I was at, I knew I was near the park, but all the one-way streets had me confused. I decided to just park the car and walk to the park, hoping I would find it in time.
My friend and I were walking along and this crazy looking limo pulled up and parked in front of us.
Amazingly Joan Jett gets out of the limo and walks along with us and a few other people. She was the sweetest woman you could ever meet. Very friendly and so cool of her to lead us to her show, (we were still lost). We talked with her for about 15 minutes until she had to go get ready for the show.
It was a great way to arrive to the show!
Back in 2008 when Katy Perry was headlining the Vans Warped Tour that rolled through town, a few of my friends and I were fortunate enough to go up on stage with her for her set under certain conditions. We had a friend who worked production for the tour and he was friends with her tour manager and he got us into the meet & greet. When we got up to meet her Katy says “So I hear you guys want up on stage. Buy me dinner?” I was flustered so I said “Anything!” and threw my wallet at her. We ended up ordering some pizzas (that ended up showing up after I had to leave for show call). Later, we did end up on stage with her and sang along, danced and jumped and screamed. If you look hard enough, you can see the top of my head bedhind the drummer in the press photos that ended up on the Beehive. At the end of the set she passed out cymbals and tambourines to us and had us keep time with “Hot & Cold”. She bowed before the rioting crowd and lead us off stage. We crowded around thanking her and I stepped forward and said “Thank you so much, your set was amazing! We sang along the whole time!” She laughed and said “I know. I heard.”
I met Debo from Friday in the Miami Airport…. In fact he stole my pen… this was the time when Next Friday just came out and i had him sign my CD Soundtrack… classic moment
I once shared an elevator with Susan Sarandon and Tim Robins. I just stared at them like a total loser. I also had the privilege of getting to see parts of the ABC version of “Annie” being filmed. I met Victor Garber as he was having his ears glued down (yes, you read correctly) because they were so big. Good times.
Before I moved to the Valley, I worked in Los Angeles for an entertainment TV show and was able to do some shoots outside the studio. I was chosen to work production at the Emmys and although it wasn’t professional to act like any of the celebrities were celebrities, I had my fingers crossed I would meet at least a couple. Unfortunately, I only saw them from the carpet or with their handlers backstage. We were packing up for the night, so I took our gear out the back door. As I opened it, I heard people screaming and shouting and Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner (big pregnant) walked right by me. The people were insane, and I got caught in a swarm of cameras/entourage/handlers/managers/crew as they were making their way to there car. Oddly, they just sat in their SUV making uncomfortable faces as they had their picture taken through the window. For a good 15 minutes. I couldn’t wait for a second chance, I had chairs to put away.
Oprah
Barbara
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Oh man this would awesome. My mom is coming to visit and she loves Kathy and I would love to surprise her!
I was at the Berverly Center in L.A. and saw a gaggle of young girls following someone. It turned out to be Chris Brown pre abuse a la Rhianna. He’s actually really tall. He had a posse about 8 strong. Don’t mess with Chris Brown, one of his goons might throw a chair at you.
I met Shaquille O’ Neal at the Rain nightclub in Vegas a couple of years ago. Very nice and charismatic man. First time I felt kind of short, even though I am 5’10 and wore some killer heels.:-) I would love to see Kathy live. She’s my favorite comedian.
I would love to see Kathy
Met Billy Idol while working as a cocktail waitress in SF back when he was filming The Doors movie. It was shortly after his accident, he was in a cast, and had a very large and intimidating body guard with him. But he was kind enough to give me his autograph once I brought him his drink (screwdriver).
pick me, pick me, pretty please, pretty please.
TRUTH! I met Screech at Disneyland and Magic Mountain! Also- Beyonce, Faith,Tim, Chely Wright, and John Mayer:)
I have never had a close encounter with a celebrity! But of course I never really have left Fresno. The closes I have come to seeing a celebrity is when I see local news anchors live from the Fresno Fair. I’m hoping to change this if I get to see Kathy Griffith! Love her!
Obvs don’t pick me. I just wanted to say how much I enjoy reading people’s celebrity encounters.
Since I have been allowed to work on Kathy’s shows and some appearances of hers, I can attest as to how wonderful and funny she is…one of my great joys is to make HER laugh.
But when it comes to super nice people, you can’t go wrong with her tour manager (and co-star) Tom. What always got to me was how bug-eyed he looks on ‘Life on The D List’ but he looks just normal and handsome in real life – and very tall. Very nice guy, VERY.
@jasonwada and I were waiting in line for the +44 concert a few years back and Mark Hoppus walked right by us and we didn’t notice until it was almost too late.
I met George Takei at Yosemite Falls Cafe here in Fresno.
Pick me..pick me!
I have been very fortunate to meet a lotta celebs esp in music. Carlos Santana and Jerry Garcia especially stand out. I once sat w George Carlin at a crowded Comedy Store watching young Sandra Bernhard and Jim Carrey do their thing. George was so nice. Would LOVE to see Kathy – she rocks!!!
I ran into that lawn guy from PBS at the Fresno Fair last year. I think I hurt his feelings when I didn’t immediately ask for an autograph.
I saw Travis Sheridan at the Grizzly Game and said hello! Also Parker
sat in front of us!!! #Fresnocelebs
My girlfriend made me go to the Too Short concert with her, I guess he’s somewhat of a celebrity? :/ Other than that, I have never seen a celebrity up close and personal. Hope to win these tickets! Winner Winner, chicken dinner!
I yelled, “You make awesome music Tom,” to Tom Morello from rage against the machine, a couple weeks ago as he was coming out of a U2 concert. He looked at me and smiled. Awesome
Ran into several members of the band Flogging Molly at Sequoia in tower last time the band played in Fresno.
I was recently on stage with Prince! It was amazing… Danced and sang right next to him! Wish I was able to hold a conversation with him, but that would have been hard to do while he was still performing on stage! Lol! I totally hope I win… I <3 Kathy!!!
This would be awesome!
Pick mee!
At the Visilia Convention Center in 1993 meeting with the staff – setting up an event we were planning on having there and after our meetings went to have a drink at the hotel bar. Sitting at the bar was none other then David Carradine. So we went and said “Hi” and ended up talking with him for about 40 minutes. Seems he was in town to see his daughter in play that she was in. Very nice man and was a pleasure to met him.
She is hilarious and I’d love to see her live.
ran into jay leno on the 405 freeway, we looked at each other and he waved at me, it was kinda surreal
then he just sped up and drove away into the sunset
In the early 90′s I worked at the Tower Theater. On the night that George Carlin was performing, my friend Erin and I were assigned the task of taking Mr. Carlin his dinner from the Daily Planet. He was very nice and polite, taking the time to ask our names and thanked us graciously for bringing his food. As we were leaving, he asked if we had walked to the theater that evening and when we said that we had, he said that he had seen us walking down Wishon as he arrived earlier.
I once met Cyrus from the Real World Boston, that’s pretty D-List.
I have needed a laugh…winning would be amazing
Quite a few years ago on one of our Santa Monica shopping trips – my older brother and I ran into Jay Thomas from Cheers. We didn’t want to bug him for an autograph
But he was very pleasant to the employees and as we were looking for something, he saw it and handed it to us 
Katy is very funny this would be exactly what my wife and I could
use right now. Thanks beehive for the oppurtunity
Here are my celeb encounters…
Edward James Olmos in Sacramento
Forest Whittaker at Disneyland
A couple kids from Road Rules on MTV back in the day.
Is it sad i was more excited over that encounter….SUPER D LIST!
I once made out with Carrot Top in the parking lot of a Circle K parking lot.
I met Mickey Mouse at Disneyland. It was magical, he’s such a sweetheart.
My celebrity encounters have all involved face time at autograph tables after their show. The most recent was when my boyfriend and I saw Lisa Lampanelli in Fresno a few years back. We were front row, so of course she zeroed in on us–or rather, my boyfriend. She called him out and said he looked like “Bon Jovi’s retarded cousin”! ;p My boyfriend had long hair at the time. After the show, we had our picture taken with her and she continued to make fun of his hair. Ah, good times were had by all!
Back in 1999 or early 2000 I was living in Santa Monica, CA and worked at the Gap on the 3rd Street Promenade. Working there, I would always hear about some celebrity walking down the promenade and every once in a while one would come into the store. One day as I was working in the Baby section, Leslie Bibb who played Brooke McQueen in the the T.V. show “Popular” came in with her friend. At that time, the show was- dare I say it- very POPULAR. Leslie looked just as she did on the show with her blonde, straight hair down. The only difference was that she was wearing a cowboy hat. That hat stood out and immediately brought my attention to who she was. I went over to help her and her friend and then told her that I knew Christopher Gorham who was in the show with her. I shared that my brother had been in Chris’s wedding, which had recently taken place, and that she may have met him. She looked at me shocked and with a little fear in her eyes asked, “How did you know it was me?” as if she thought the cowboy hat would be a decent disguise! Then she complained to her friend that I had recognized her and almost had a panic attack as she asked, “What if somebody else recognizes me?”
I met Forest Whitaker on a flight from LAX to Mexico City. Very nice guy. He even politely asked to borrow my pen to fill out the customs paperwork.
I missed her last time
I ran in to Janice Dickinson in Malibu. She consented to take a picture with me, with the warning “don’t touch.”
Regis Philbin, after a taping of his show in New York. Wished I’d met Kelly Ripa.
I was on trip to NYC and saw Brad Pitt and Gwyneth Paltrow walking down the street. Talked to them from across the street, videotaped them and sold the footage to Hard Copy.
I am not a football fan. I meet Joe Montana at the Four Seasons in Lake Tahoe. He seemed charmed that I had not a CLUE who he was as he explained football to me. I saw him later on a poster advertisement and recognized who my “teacher” was. Nice guy!
I saw Richard Dreyfus once crossing the street at Hollywood and Vine…I am a BIG fan but was SOOOO nervous and so afraid he’d tell me to get lost that I didn’t say anything. I must have a fear of the famous!
When I was in high school, my girlfriend went to some arts summer school in LA and one of her classmates was Zoey Jackson, daughter of Samuel L Jackson. They weren’t friends, but at the end of the semester the school passed out a list of contact info for all of the students, including Ms. Jackson. Naturally, my first instinct was to call up Sam – just to chat, but my girlfriend demanded that I didn’t. So I waited until she left the room, and then I called him. As the phone rang, my anticipation was palpable. After what seemed like an eternity, a smooth voice came through with, “Hello?”
I was briefly frozen, but managed to blurt out, “May I please speak to Samuel L Jackson?”
“Yeah, this is Sam, who’s this?” I was stunned. I was on the phone with the bad mother f***** himself. What was I to say? You can’t lie to Samuel L Jackson.
“Uhhh,” I stammered, “… E.J.”
“Oh, E.J.! Whats up man!” He replied. Deep down I knew that he had just mistaken me for an E.J. that he actually knew, but for a second there I let myself soak it in: This is what its like to be friends with Samuel L Jackson. I imagined what we would talk about, probably cool stuff. I imagined drinking beers and playing poker with him, Billy Dee Williams and Ving Rhames. It was awesome.
“Hello?” His smooth voice snapped me back into reality. I had to come up with something to say quick, something smooth, something cool.
“I’ve seem all of your movies…” already this wasn’t as smooth as I had hoped, “…and they’re bitchin!” I’m not making this up. I actually said ‘bitchin’.
There was a long awkward silence. FInally, it was broken by Sam. “Well alright E.J., you take it easy.” an then he hung up.
And that was it, my conversation with Samuel L Jackson. When I told people about it, they didn’t believe me. A week later I tried to call him again, this time with witnesses, but the number had been changed.
I learned a valuable lesson that day: When you get Samuel L Jacksons number and call it, he just might answer. And if he does, you should really have something prepared to say, otherwise you’ll just end up sounding like a jackass.
I was flying from JFK to LAX, as I got on the plane a man asked “is this your seat” I looked and it was Danny Devito, I asked if I could shake his hand, which he extended and greated me, then I waved to Rhea Pearlman in the seat next to Danny.
I have never met any celebs, but there is alway a first for me.
I would love to have tickets so I can go with my daughter. She works so very hard and this would be a great surprise for her. Thanks in advance
I went with some roommates to a concert in LA. We made a trip out of it and decided to attend a taping of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno before it had changed to Conan. Well as we walk in we get pulled aside from everyone else. It was to our own surprise that they selected us to sit in the very front row directly in front of where Leno does his guest interviews. So before the show, Jay comes out and is talking to the audience and asks if anybody has any questions. SO, my roommate raises her hand and he calls on her and she asks if we could take a picture with him. So the four of us walk on stage and he begins by talking to each one of us asking our names and what we do and joking around with us. He made one joke about my roommate’s cleavage and he was a really cool guy. Then during filming when he walks out we were to surround the stage and shake hands or high five him or whatever. Well he certainly remembered us as he shook all our hands again and winked at my roommate with the cleavage. Love that guy.
I had dinner in virginia with three redskins football players and had the chance to talk with them on live local television though of course no one would recognize me (since it was a vacation trip). I love stand ups they are hilarious. It would be awesome if I could go for free!
I once shared my Corn Nuts with larry King and hsi wife at a theater in Westwood.
I would love to see Kathy Griffin in person. She is a great comedian. Also, could use an overdue night out.
My sister and I were walking inside Fashion Fair Mall when I noticed Alice Cooper in full golf attire walking into The Gap. Ha ha. Too funny.
I saw Angie Dickenson at the Reno Airport, and Telly Salvas before he passed away. Oh, and talked to Donny Osmond at the Colorado State Fair.
Ran into Guns and Roses during a blizzard in CO at a gas station one night. Have talked to Wolfgang Puck on the phone.
I am looking for laughs in this turmoil called life!
I could use a good laugh! Kathy G. can make laugh!
I really enjoyed these stories. I’ve never seen a famous person outside of a concert they were performing at.
I was standing waiting for my wife when i heard a voice i heard before, it was Ray Charles and there was one girl asking for his autograph, when he told her no! She asked why. He replied “I’m blind” he laughed and gave her one. Good to see he could laugh about his blindness.
My husband and I would love to see her in concert!
hmmm… should I tell the story about when Rip Taylor flipped me off while driving because he thought I was going too slow? Or how about when America’s sweetheart Debbie Reynolds flashed me? Or when I rounded a corner and ran smack into DeForest Kelly (Bones from Star Trek) and nearly knocked him over onto the sidewalk? Or when a friend introduced his NY roommate to me as this is Gwynneth (as in Paltrow).
I do like the one where Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman pulled up next to me in a black Porsche screaming at each other in a huge knockdown fight. Or when i was talking to my other half in an antique store (who I thought was right behind me) except it was actually Julia Roberts. Or telling the LAPD that yes the man they had pulled over for questioning while standing outside the theatre was an actor in our show and probably NOT the suspect they were looking for (unless their suspect was named Samuel L. Jackson).
Maybe the best one was when I had to escort Elizabeth Taylor through the back hallways of the Bonaventure Hotel at a charity event to arrange a “chance” meeting with Stephen Segal after she indicated no interest in meeting him – and he only agreed to be there if he could meet her.
There’s a lot more, but maybe I’ll save them for my own act! Heck if Kathy Griffin can do it…
I think she’s an amazing funny lady!
Even REAL Diva’s pump their own gas… years ago while filling my car up near Palm Springs, who pulls up on the other side of the pumps but a black BMW wagon with dark tinted windows, no big deal! But who gets out of her Mpm’s wagon shakers her head, making her long black hair wave down her back, but Cher! She was in town visiting her Mom who was in the hospital and decided to fill her wagon up! Now you know were Chaz gets his butch side from!
I worked a Green Bay football game as security. In leaving we came across some players which included Reggie White. The security guard walking in front of me congratulated Reggie with a handshake. After Tiny passed Reggie then held his hand out to me for a handshake. However being the little mexican woman than I am, panicked, and walked past him leaving him without a handshake from yours truly. I still hear about it every now and then. The day I left Reggie White hanging.
I would love to win tickets to see Kathy Griffin.
I actually slapped Paula Abdul. Yes it was an accident haha. It was at a huge concert in LA and she was walking down the aisle in the crowd with huge bodyguards all around her. I reached my hand out and a bodyguard blocked my hand which ended up making me accidentally slap Paula haha. She didnt look too thrilled o.O Love Kathy!
I ran into America Ferrera at Fresno State while she was holding a campaign and support for Hillary Clinton. We had a small chat, she was really cool.
I saw Diane Keaton at Disneyland a few years ago. It was the middle of summer and she was wearing a long black winter coat with gloves. So strange!
I’ve been watching Kathy Griffin on TV for years, I would DIE to see her live!
i love her reality show “the d-list” and i would love to see her live!
Took my family to Universal Studios & Brendan Fraser was there to promote the new Mummy ride. He showed up 30 min late, left us all standing there in the sun. I was gonna walk away when he finally showed. He looked horrible. He looked drunk & his hair plugs where soooo noticeable. He came out telling some lame jokes & so out of it that I ended up leaving before he did. Very disappointed.
Years ago I was on a flight in first class & Barry Manilow was sitting in front of me. I listened to him all the time in junior high. I had a couple of martinis & was feeling fine so I leaned forward & sang “I Can’t Smile Without You” to him. He just smiled & shook his head.
It would definitely have to be eating next to Mr. Cowboy Curtis himself, Laurence Fishburne, at Providence Restaurant in LA.
Saw Natalie Portman at Tower Dogs. Awesome.
Ran into Comedians Jim Florentine and Reverend Bob Levy at “Brew it up” brewpub in downtown Sacramento. Ended up hanging out later that night drinking at a bar with comedians Shuli Agar, Sal Governale and Bettlejuice. All are known from the Howard Stern Show/
My hubby and I would love coupons to Kathy– our closest celebrity encounter? He went to high school with Matthew Morrison (Mr. Schu) and Jodi Sweeten (Stephanie Tanner).
My family met George Foreman in Reno, NV. He was there for a heavy weight championship fight. George Foreman told my daughter she was beautiful and told her to stay in school. He also told her not to say who he was (incognito). He gave her his beanie. That same night, my wife and I sat in the lounge and enjoyed Rod Stewart on stage. He was nice and greeted everyone.
The next day, my daughter and I were walking through Bally’s in Reno and saw Andre the Giant. He was sitting in the lounge area. My daughter said, “Hi.” Andre told her “Hi.” My daughter was so amazed how big he was.
Saw a taping of The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, and a taping of his new TBS show. That’s about it. :/ I would love to see Kathy live!
We are so excited. Less than 48 hours from now we, at Fresno Urban will be meeting Kathy Griffin. The amazing thing is that we decided to make a concerted effort to meet Kathy when she came to town, as soon as we learned that she was coming to Fresno.
Mike at Fresno Urban went Stalk-r-ati and took pictures of the Saroyan Theater the same days we bought our tickets.
In the immortal words of John “Hannibal” Smith, from the “A” Team, “I love it when a plan comes together” (this is going to date us)