Ansamcw

CG did you read the account of the person taking notes or only the account of the person that got upset. I also think it makes a difference what you read first.

Personally...just the fact that the person started taking notes...I already got upset for Clay. This is not an interview...they are there as guests. How would you feel if someone you invited started writing down everything that was told because she was going to report on it. Just because he knows that happens still does not excuse such rude behavior. Yes Clay was pissy but I thought he had reason to be. I also thought he asked the person to give it to Jaime...I didn't think Jaime had to confiscate it. Clay just got upset when she started taking notes AFTER he asked her not to...but in the end she kinda understood and didn't feel bad...so why are other people feeling bad for her??? Its his M&G...he does not have to justify not wanting people taking down what he says.

I have to take personalities here into consideration...I think I know Clay more than a fan I never heard of so I give him the benefit of the doubt.

Wanted to comment the latest m&g snafu.. since I wasn't there I just am not going to get all emotional about one person's account. And hell maybe she walked out of there pissed off as is her right. But my reaction could have been the complete opposite. I remember people being VERY upset at his comments in Raleigh about stealing the seats from the locals. I just laughed and raised my hand and said damn straight I was in the afternoon and evening show. All I know is that I'd rather have this format for the meet and greet than the old method. And although mine went very well, there used to be WAY more reports from people whose expectations weren't met. In a way I feel that they have changed a bit. Was it only the summer when these reports felt like so much fun. Now people are taking in lists of questions like it's an interview and taking notes of the experience while it's happening so that they can tell the fandom every single word that happened rather than just enjoying the moment. Is this even about Clay anymore?

WORD!!!

I am getting a feeling that the people peeved at Clay about the m&gs have other issues...I suspect some are just getting a bit jealous they haven;t gotten a chance to talk to him...some are upset their stories weren't chosen...some are upset cos Clay is not following their time frame for their Make Clay a Rock God agenda....some are upset because he is not perfect...

I have to say Muski's and 00lsee's posts this afternoon were very apt....

Fans always seem to want to get to know Clay...but at times they cannot handle the reality of his humanity.

Karen eh...great pix!!!!

sigh...I wuv him!!!

he is such a big kid and such a man at the same time.

KF and ldyJ...ITA about these latest glasses pictures...yes on the surface he looks like young Clayton...but there is a confidence and a strength, maturity that was not in young Clayton. sigh...

I am not a big glasses fan either but with this hairstyle...it totally works!!!

I wonder what happened to his eye? The hair...I think he is simply growing it out...

Ok - I am going to ask a simple question and I hope someone has a simple answer.

If one were tagging their pictures and made a typo but didn't notice until they had saved everything, how would one go back and correct it?

Case in point - this picture where I made a typo on the word "Poughkeepsie"

hmmmm never had to do that before. what is your photo editor? How did you put the tags? I would suggest checking if you have tag editing.Did you put the tags through your camera? If so maybe you can just do that again before downloading. I never took pictures and tagged them before but those are some of the things that comes logically to me.

BTW...your pictures are inspiring me to do some banners.....great job.

wow those are gorgeous CG...great job!!!

thanks for sharing!!!

Clay's always been cool in my book!

Cotton, I like B&W pics, and when the subject is our boyfriend, they can't help but be good pics! Thanks for sharing.

Hey, ldyj, do I remember correctly that you play in a bell choir? Someone sent me this link to the 'Raleigh Ringers' playing 'Carol of the Bells', and it's pretty amazing. I thought you might enjoy it:

Carol of the Bells

Wow that was great!!! pretty energetic show...thanks for the clip.

Time for Banner swap....

This weeks banner was created by ChaChaTrusty!!!

thanks so much...love your inclusion of Jesse....

Just got here...

OCOCE...

reception is coming in and out

heartfelt applause or ovation for a great performance...great

Noisy catcalls and screaming to attract Clay's attention or to make sure he knows he has fans in the audience...hope not!!!

Only time I was in Broadway was in 1988...I was in New York for a month getting my student visa for Canada...and I would go to every show, matinee or night performance that I could find discount tickets for...I ended up going to 7 shows and mostly those that have been there forever like Chorus line and Cats. Most of the audience were tourists by this time and I noticed that most people attending shows were a bit in awe of being at a Broadway show...I know I was and people were always mindful of how to act. But most of the the people were there to see the whole show...the only show I saw with a "celebrity" owas Joan Rivers in a Neil Simon play...she wasn't really exceptional but she got a polite bigger applause in the end. I believet the cast and audience would expect a different response to Clay by the audience since he is a celebrity. I do think this casting may attract people that have seen the show before purely for curiosity sake.

ldyJ...not really very worried about the audience reaction affecting Clay's career. I think at most it could be embarrassing for him and make him feel a bit uncomfortable specially if he is pretty conscious about the uneven amount of attention being given to him. I just want this experience to be really great for him and if we can help in some way by cooperating with the no clack call and being respectful and considerate for the audience and the whole cast...then it would make the whole experience smoother.

I may need my prescription for rose-coloured glasses adjusted, but I think this worry is a little extreme. Other than one or two I LOVE YOU!!!'s when he takes the stage this tour, people are enjoying the concert for the production it is. There's no way I see fans shrieking out during the middle of a play. The audience, while certainly boosted by 'us' is not going to be a concentration of Clay fans. Seems like the clack worry he's had is being extrapolated into something bigger than it is. JMO of course.

ETA: cha cha, I think the third reader is LynninNJ (of the Clayboard)

You may be right...but I don't think he is only worried about the clack because all it takes is one I love you Clay...or fans standing up for him after his big number or just a group of fans that end up talking a bit too excitedly...to create negative impression with the audience or the cast. I am sure most fans will know how to behave, but at times, when people are in groups and are pretty excited, its very possible for individuals to be less inhibited. If people are just more aware of the possible pit falls...then there will be less problems. I think, based on this fandoms almost 5 year history...its reasonable to worry a bit.

The phrase "Big Girl Panties" reminds me of "Bridget Jones' Diary" - - -

Check out the part around 1:14

Under the category of "nobody reads my posts" I said a couple pages back that this run is going to get a lot media coverage, so we won't be totally clackless!! Thank God! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

As soon as I saw that Spamalot flyer in Albany, I said that the marketing & publicity for Clay is going to be very interesting, and probably all over the place. As good as the Spamalot run has been, it was nearing the end. Sales had been very sluggish. That's why they were bringing in a new "celebrity". I'm hoping they are getting all they wished for with Clay. They are certainly making the marketing campaign all about him. Now if he can bring in enough sales and raise enough excitement to keep the show going, only time will tell. It'll be great if he can and no matter how his fans act (within reason, of course) they are butts in the seats!

The statement I bolded makes me a bit nervous... The fact that Clay fans are paying customers really just affect the producers of the show. If those "paying customers" behave in ways that become distracting to the actors on stage and the other theater goers...it will still affect Clay's working relationship and even his acceptance by the New York theater community. I think we should look at it this way...its like we are attending a function at our hubby's boss' house. You want to act really good to reflect well on hubby...at home you can be as relaxed as you can be...but in this setting, better watch your behavior.

So nobody cares that there is a tv commercial for Clay in Spamalot?

*oh the times, they are a-changin*

oh its an honest to goodness ad??? or just the flyer then announcement???

I think its great of course...hee

CG...I think I have two major disagreements with your previous post...

first...I do not think its a tactical mistake, I think its great timing actually. I think its good that we know the no clack policy this early on so that the fandom can get all the angsts out of the way. It will give the clack gatherers time to decide on what to do and adjust to the thought of simply enjoying the show instead of having the pressure of bringing the clack in. It gives the vault owners the chance to get the policies in place. I think if he waited to say something about this after Christmas...there will be more anger and people will wonder why he didn't say anything sooner.

I also think the way he said...through the m&g is less harsh and difficult for Clay. The fact that there are 6 people in M&Gs to report the incident assures Clay that the reporting will be as accurate as possible cos the people present will correct each other. I think no matter how Clay says it...this news will still elicit the same reaction we are seeing all over. If Clay mentioned this in a blog first I would be afraid of the comments he would get. This way...we can all talk about it amongst ourselves and get it out of our system and the direct reaction to Clay will be less.

I also think its good that we knew about this while the tour is still in progress. We are still distracted by the shows and it gives the fans something fun to look forward to as we contemplate the reality that some of us may not see this performance at all. Also, with the other m&g's coming up, there is an opportunity for people to get clarification...to keep some dialog open.

I do agree...he would need to blog about this before the actual show and that it would be good if there are rieminders about it on OFC.

Second...I disagree that it was a mistake for Clay to answer the question honestly. Clay should be able to give us his honest reactions to things without having to constantly worry about the boards blowing up...we are adults that should be able to handle our own emotions and reactions. We should be able to accept Clay's reaction to our actions and just deal with that . When people go to OFC and post their honest opinions on his shows, fans say Clay needs to hear the good and the bad...that goes to the fans too. It can;t all be...oh you guys are great I love you... If we are doing things that bother him...he should say it...and we should sit back, think about it and then react accordingly. I am not saying we should just follow what he wants, but we should at least consider it and not just get into a snit and say...he is not the boss of me...

It seems like an important distinction to me to make that from all accounts I've read, Clay was not pissy at the M&G. According to Donnamom,s account he was personable and fun and simply answered questions that were asked of him. I think that there is some projecting going on. He stated that he would be hurt, and or pissed off and or embarrassed, depending on which account you read, but I never read he was pissy about it. JMO

Yes I was listening to the cellcert and Donnamom made sure that people knew he was in a good mood and was not pissy or mad at the fans at all.

Ansamcw I believe that I caused the disconnect due to my inability to equate clack to drug addiction/withdrawal.

I regret ever posting my thoughts on this subject.

Having said that, I believe that you will get your Spamalot clack and I hope you enjoy it.

lmf...if you regret posting because I disagreed with you or Couchie did ...please don't. You have made your points very well. I cannot disagree with your own reaction to clack ...since that is yours. I just have very different POV in general.

Look I am not arguing for people to get Clack. I have said that I hope the clack gatherers don;t feel pressure to take it and that they simply enjoy their experience and watch. BUT...I know you are right...someone might get it...and if I get a chance to see it I know I will enjoy it. Since I do not plan to put it up on you tube I will not worry about it.

lmf...I think we are all very much aware of the huge difference between the two. But the fandom is pretty much used to the drug analogy when it comes to clack, that is how it got its name after all.

I know how you feel about clack and that you have only seen 5 clack as you said. But a lot of us do rely on Clack a lot. So I personally know that it will be very difficult to think that I may not see or even hear this performance so I do take it seriously and I understand why the reaction can be so strong in some circles.

But you appear to be assuming that I have had the opportunity to attend a concert of every single tour which is not the case and I most likely won't have the opportunity to hit Spamalot. I would love for every single fan to have the opportunity to see Clay live and on Broadway, but it isn't going to happen. It just isn't. It isn't going to happen for me and it isn't going to happen for others.

And perhaps you have been fortunate at the concerts that you have attended that your experience wasn't disrupted by clack gatherers. And I understand now that when I purchase a concert ticket and take a guest to enjoy an evening with Clay Aiken, that I risk having unruly, unlawful individuals sitting three rows in front of me create an uncomfortable situation that is impossible to ignore when venue security has to drag them out of their seats and out of the venue. So, when I read about the great sacrifices that these godesses make for the fandom, I am reminded that they impacted my experience, that of my guest, and those in my section in a negative fashion who paid to witness Clay in concert. And I am a fan also.

I am feeling a disconnect with your response. I am not assuming anything about you except what you already stated that you dislike clack and think that it should be stopped. I totally respect your feelings about Clack and will not question your reasons for feelings so...but not everybody feels as you do so let us just accept that there is a huge difference in opinion here. All I am saying is that my phrasing in the original admin note may not be appropriate to you,...but I do believe it was appropriate to the situation and the larger audience.

I am totally on the fence about this because personally I have had both reactions.

As someone who has mostly relied on Clack for most of the Clay tours, (only been to one JBT and 4 DCAT) I agree with CG that it has helped sustain my interest in Clay. If there is no Clack would I drifted away? I am not sure...cos there is the internet and the Clay community and his appearances on TV. I wonder how it is for fans of other artist that does not have as much video on their artists?

However...I also know that part of the reason why I do not work as hard to see a show is the reliance to clack. I have gotten used to hearing the show through the cellstream...I have gotten used to seeing the show through clack that I don;t have as much NEED to see it physically. At first the overriding motivation I have to go to New York was to have fun with my friends...Now I want to go to see Clay!!

I don't want to have a complete stop of Clack. I appreciate the clack we all have and the clack gatherers...but I see both sides of the problem and right now the best thing I can see is for the fans to simply cooperate with Clay when he asks us...

One more picture and then I must get to bed.

I just get a kick out of his duck lips!!

AWWW what a cute picture!!!!

lmf...I think we are all very much aware of the huge difference between the two. But the fandom is pretty much used to the drug analogy when it comes to clack, that is how it got its name after all.

I know how you feel about clack and that you have only seen 5 clack as you said. But a lot of us do rely on Clack a lot. So I personally know that it will be very difficult to think that I may not see or even hear this performance so I do take it seriously and I understand why the reaction can be so strong in some circles.

oops...

Cindi I meant to tell you...love those wallpaper and thanks soooo much for the Christmas Banner. I was actually thinking of doins something similar...blue with snowflakes, you read my mind, hee...Will put your banner up next week...

anymore Christmas banners??? we can go up to January with them...

OK going to put on my admin hat for a sec....

I think this discussion will really go smoother if EVERBODY avoids emotionally charged words. The issue is very hot because this is clack we are talking about...its like telling a bunch of junkies...they will be cut off. That will never be pretty...

so please try to understand each others POV and discuss the topic and not each other....choose your words carefully.

BTW...I think it will be better if we move this discussion to main...

ah ya'll are going to make me read that article aren't you. nahhhhhhhh. heee

Anyway, wish me luck..interview tomorrow. I really really want it..but it will be very competitive.

good luck...

I think Clay made a pretty good distinction in the M&G. The concerts are HIS shows...Spamalot and the skating show were not.

HIS concerts...he only has to answer to himself, if the orchestra gets upset because of the flash, if his ticket sales get lower....he ultimately takes on the responsibility since he does allow the clack gathering. Lets face it...Jerome probably knows each and every clack gatherer and could have them taken out of any show if Clay really wanted a crackdown. But Clay lets the Clack flow for his shows because he knows the fans love it.

Spamalot, he is just one of the hired performers...and I don;t know how anyone can be so sure how the producers will react. IF there is a high traffic of you tube videos they keep having to take out...if the audience starts to complain about the clack gathering activity...then who will they go to?

Personally...

I do hope that the clack gatherers just go to the show and enjoy themselves. I hope they do not feel the pressure to take any clack. I don't think the public vaults should put it up.

I think the only discreet clack that can be taken is audio...so thats the only thing I am hoping for. IF people do get Clack I hope they wait to release it or they pass it on privately.

If I do get offered clack...I will not lie...I will probably take it.

But I do totally agree that the fandom will have to do something about limiting or even stopping this..and we will have to be ready for absolutely no clack at all.

But that is the role of fans...going to see the ones they love even if they read the phone book...that is not exclusive to clay fans. I don;t have a problem with that...its the suggestion that Clay is being lazy with this production...that is whats amazing to me.

Even his comment on his singing...just tonight I was listening to how many songs he sang that was using all of his range...OCOCE, AIW, OHN, DSIAFCD, MDYK...most of his songs are difficult to sing...SO how can he say that only Quiana and Angela showed off their voices...I just gotta strongly disagree with that too.

As I mentioned before...the problem is ...this will not remain discreet.

I do believe the Spamalot clack was on you tube for quite sometime...I know there is one set of the full show and ones that were taken at various times like the Tony's ...but there was never really a huge enough traffic to draw attention to the videos until the Clay fans started to search....and sure enough...it was taken off You Tube.

Clay performance on Broadway will attract more attention and traffic from fans and haters alike and it will be so obvious that it is Clay;s fans that are at fault...the last you tube videos...was put up by a fan of the show...the producers cannot point to one performer. With Clack...Clay will be the one responsible.

Clay also did not release some sort of law to the fans...he did say he will be embarrassed and that will be upsetting for him. No artist will ever condone such a behavior because the rights of the producers and other performers will be violated so he truly is obligated to try and control this from the beginning.