When I was 10 years old, I had to go to bed at 8:00. This was particularly frustrating on Tuesday nights when I was missing “The Red Skelton Show.” I pleaded, begged, cajoled my mom into letting me stay up later on Tuesdays so I could watch him. Finally, she agreed, but I had to “go through the motions” of going to bed, as I have a younger sister who shared the same room, nay bed, with me! When Marsha fell asleep, I would slip out of bed and tip-toe downstairs, feeling very special that I had plotted this with my mom!
I loved watching his show. He was a master at comedy, improv and his opening monologue. He took such delight in telling anecdotes. And what I really noticed was that he thoroughly LOVED what he was doing. He even laughed at his own jokes. I thought that was pretty cool. He clearly loved his work and this made a huge impression on me.

My mom’s birthday was approaching and I decided that I wanted to get Red’s autograph for her. So I wrote him a letter. I told him that I was 10 years old and that I was the clown of my family too and then I shared a goofy joke with him. I told him that I would love two autographs, one for me and one for my mom. And then I waited….and waited….checking the mailbox everyday to see if the autographs arrived.

Finally, after about 2 months, a big manilla envelope arrived! It was from Red himself! I couldn’t believe it! I tore the thing open and not only did he send me the two autographs as requested, but they were signed in magic marker and slightly smeared! THIS WAS SO COOL! I really felt this was so personal! RED SKELTON SIGNED IT AND LOOK! –HE EVEN ACCIDENTALLY SMEARED IT!

That was one of the happiest days of my life.

I love that I have so many fans. I have been signing autographs as Bart for nearly 15 years now and I can’t help but be reminded of that day, eons ago, when the 8X10s from Red Skelton arrived at my door and how happy that made this 10-year-old feel.

One of the many “perks” of being a celebrity.

For the nonce,
Nancy