[Originally published on a now defunct web magazine in 2002]
On Saturday, August 17 (2002), a friend and I drove to Santa Barbara, California for an autograph session with Christian Kane ("Lindsey McDonald" on the television series Angel) and Mercedes McNab ("Harmony Kendall" on Buffy the Vampire Slayer).
Metro Entertainment is a comic store that specializes in authentic autographed items, mostly by actors in genre shows; they guarantee autograph authenticity and have periodic public and private signings. You can even arrange to mail something to Metro and have it signed; you receive the item back along with a picture of the star signing your item. (Check their web site for details.)
Although we waited in line ticket order outside the shop for quite awhile because our ticket numbers were fairly high (as passers-by in cars and on foot gawked at the funny fans and wondered what was up), things went quickly when it was our turn. The Metro staff were obviously comfortable and experienced with autograph lines; they took people into the store in small batches by line number, and we weren't rushed or crowded as we got our autographs and Polaroids. I talked to both actors and shook Christian's hand, and my friend had a Polaroid taken with him as well. (I didn't opt for the Polaroids because I'm shy. And broke.)
Christian Kane's acting credits include Crossfire Trail, EdTV, Broken Hearts Club, the MTV original movie Love Song, Summer Catch, Dawson's Creek, and his two-year stint as the villainous lawyer Lindsey McDonald on Angel. Many fans are clamoring for his return to Angel; in my opinion, the evil law firm of Wolfram & Hart just hasn't been the same without him.
Kane couldn't confirm whether or not he would be returning to Angel ("No, you'll have to ask Joss," he said, laughing), but he did say that he recently finished work on two films (my guess -- Life, or Something Like It and Just Married). He has also been occupied with making music with his band Kane, a still unsigned duo known for its "outlaw" country music. Their CD is available only in L.A. (see the website), but my friend was able to buy a copy right there at Metro and get it autographed. [Note from later: I don't have the link any more, but here's one to Christian Kane's site.]
Mercedes McNab has been appearing as Harmony Kendall on Buffy the Vampire Slayer since 1997 – for the first three years as a ditsy and shallow high school student, and for the last three as a ditsy and shallow vampire. Her other TV and movie appearances include The Fantastic Four, Savage Land, Addams Family, Addams Family Values, Harry and the Hendersons, and Touched by an Angel.
McNab was very friendly and looked quite lovely in a pink sweater; not at all like her onscreen Buffy persona (well, of course! what did I expect?). After hearing earlier that her character would be back in the upcoming seventh season of Buffy, I asked Mercedes if she had started filming Buffy yet. Her reply was no, that there were still things to be worked out. I didn't have a chance to ask her more, unfortunately.
Metro's was probably the most efficiently organized autograph line I've ever cooled my heels in. One thing I advise you to do if you go, though, is Take Money. Everything has a price – line tickets, autographs, 8x10s, Polaroids, and so on, and I found the pricing structure to be a bit confusing. But all things considered, the drive and the price tag were definitely worth it. I had a good time.
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Billie Doux loves good television and spends way too much time writing about it.
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