So, now I feel like I am at a point that I can write about the camera crew without saying something I’ll regret.

It all started on Friday evening. Just before I left work to meet Ted and Tina at the hotel I received an e-mail from a producer of the Penn and Teller show on Showtime. He said that they were going to have a camera crew filming at the Carolina Ren Faire and that they had been told that it might be “Invasion” weekend. He got my e-mail addy from doing research through google. I know what you are thinking, but it is very likely that he did since my e-mail has been plastered all over the boards because of the Invasion dinner. Anyway, they were looking for real Ren Faire “fans” to film and interview. I told him that I couldn’t speak for the group, but if he wanted he could stop by the shop and ask for Ted and he would be able to point them in the direction of the guild members. Everyone checks in at the shop at some point during the day. He thanked me and said they would do that.

I printed out his e-mail and my response and showed it to everyone when I got to the hotel. We were all somewhat  curious especially since P&T got their start at MDRF.

Saturday, I had to work. Just before I left work I got a phone call from Tina telling me that the camera crew would be at the Invasion dinner. I was not extremely happy about this, but I figured that the Local had agreed to it. I found out later that poor Ted was pretty much badgered into saying yes by someone that I will not name (we still have to play nice.)

The camera crew arrived before many of the guests did and my mood went from excited to see everyone to I need another drink. They were rude, and for lack of a better word commandeered our dinner.  I have never been so happy to see someone leave as I was to see them leave. 

After they left those of us who were still there (more than half of the dinner guests left) had a great time.

Yesterday, with the help of many of my friends I sent the producer (he was not on site or at the dinner) an e-mail expressing my disappointment in the behavior of the camera crew. He was very apologetic in his response.

That’s where we leave it. I am done. I will dwell on it no more.

Thanks to everyone who has quietly (and no so quietly) listened to my rants about this. I promise that dinner next year will not include ANY camera crews!

Later Taters