This is a letter I've just sent to foxinc.com, hoping it'll reach its intended destination:
Dear Mr. Groening,It was several years ago, when my wife and I visited Los Angeles, California, hoping to rub elbows with the entertainment elite. Halfway through the trip, we descended upon the most ridiculous club -- the "Key Club" I believe, on Sunset -- to catch up with an old college roomate of my wife's who happened to be playing in a band called "Beer For Dolphins".
More to the point -- I remember two things about this night. This club. 1) A Heineken was $12. And 2) I got to shake the hand of the man who created the best damn program that the world of televised entertainment has to offer. Umm, The Simpsons I think it's called.
I have regrets. I'm sure I said something cliche, and utterly forgettable. Something like "your show is awesome".
The reason for my letter? I watched in pathetic envy as someone else asked for an autograph, and you proceded to draw her a custom character on one of your business cards. I daydreamed for a moment of bringing home such a trophy -- proof, vindication of an east coast guy who, for a fleeting 10 seconds, was hob-nobbing with a genius. I'd put it on the wall at home - frame it even (probably not professionally. Getting something framed professionally is incredibly expensive. I could just measure the business card and then buy a suitable frame from the frame shop -- or Target even. No, definitely wouldn't have it framed professionally). I would show it off to friends and they would leave saying to themselves "wow, that Simpson's guy is so nice. I really enjoy that show, and now I like it even better. I may even be more inclined to buy Simpson's merchandise or recommend Simpson's-related items to friends and relatives".
But alas. I chickened out. I settled for the "Hi, I like you show", and that was that. So, what I'm asking is if you send such cards or autographs or pieces of paper with writing of yours on it to fans that take to the time to write (long and strange) letters?
That's what I thought. But thanks for reading regardless.
Keep up the good work.
Sincerely,
Dan Cederholm