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Pictured: Charlie Day, Corinna Bellizzi, Rob McElhenney, Kaitlin Olson, Sarah Syed
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia… err… Park City -or-
My Shamelessness Just Made Greg’s Life
Location: Sundance 2009 at 350 Main (a restaurant) 350 Main St., Park City, UT.
Date: January 19, 2009
Sarah Syed (my sales coordinator at Nordic Naturals) and I had dinner plans with Scott of GBK productions at “350 Main” set for 9pm. 350 Main is a hot dining spot on the main drag where Sundance and Slamdance film festivals have a stronghold. Since the gifting suites we were working with GBK productions at 354 Main Street had shut down at 6pm and the last of the celebs who came through were already long gone we had some time to kill. Sarah and I decided to stay in town so as not to incur another $20 parking fee – they are stringent on their “no-in-and-out” policy during Sundance. A drummer (also named Scott) who used to play with the Gin Blossoms had come through our gifting suite earlier that day told us about an acoustic set he was playing at around 6pm, so we went down the street to the Wahsatch Inn for a beer and a little music. Around 8:30 I received a text from the other Scott (GBK) asking us to come to 350 Main a little early if we could. Sarah and I finished our conversation and our beer and walked down to 350 Main.
At 350 Main:
As soon as we got there, I went looking in the bar area for Scott, who I did not see. Who I DID SEE almost knocked me over. There, by the very crowded bar, standing in a tripod stance and facing one another were 3 of the primary stars of my newly found and favorite TV show – “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia”: Charlie Day (himself), “Sweet Dee” Reynolds (Kaitlin Olson), and Mac (Rob McElhenney). What was most surprising was how they LOOKED EXACTLY THE SAME – well, except Charlie had a bit more beard than on the show. I calmed myself down – quickly texted Scott that we were there, and walked up to Charlie.
In that moment, so many words swam around in my head. I had been anticipating meeting them and “The Waitress” played by Mary Elizabeth Ellis – because they were on the RSVP list for our gifting suite – but they had not come through – and we were already approaching our last day of the event with GBK. This could be my one chance to meet them – so I just calmly told Charlie, Kaitlin, and Rob that I was a huge fan of their show, and that I had been eagerly anticipating meeting them at the gifting suite with GBK. Kaitlin chimed in that they had been meaning to come by and just hadn’t had the time, with the premiere of the movie she was in and a slew of films they had wanted to see at the SLAMDANCE film festival. I informed them that the suites were still gifting the next day, but since they were flying out – they doubted they could make it by. I gave them each my card and let them know I’d be happy to send them some fish oils if they’d just shoot me an e-mail with their preference. Then, I asked if we could get a picture with them, and they obliged.
In the very next moment, Scott found us in the bar and told us our table was ready. I thanked Charlie, Kaitlin and Rob again, and we turned for our table. As we began to walk through the bar area towards the table, I stopped dead in my tracks. It very suddenly dawned on me that I had one more thing I had to do – and I wanted to slap myself for not thinking of this one thing first. It overshadowed any other reason I might ever want to meet the cast of “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia”.
Greg Melendy and I had been trading movies and tv shows back and forth for some time. He had turned me (and by proxy, my husband) on to this show, and I knew it was one of his absolute favorites. Greg is undergoing treatment for a kind of Leukemia that is of a type further complicated by a Philadelphia chromosome (I know, ironic huh?). He just had a bone marrow transplant on 1/13/09 and will be in relative isolation for quite some time as he undergoes treatment and rebuilds his immune system. I believe the initial projections leave him within a few moments of the hospital for the next 90 days or so. In short I am absolutely positive that it would make Greg’s day to have something gifted to him by these fabulous celebs. Anything. A signed photo? That was all I could think of. I had to get something for Greg.
I turned on my heels, saying over my shoulder to Sarah and Scott that I had something I just had to do, and walked through the bar to Charlie, Kaitlin, and Rob who still stood where we had left them at the bar, though now they had been joined by Mary Elizabeth Ellis (The Waitress). I started by saying that this was not something I would do under any other circumstance, but the same very dear friend, Greg Melendy, who had introduced me to their show is in the hospital undergoing treatment for Leukemia, including a bone marrow transplant. I explained that he was currently in relative isolation for close to 90 more days and that it would mean the world to him if they might send a signed photo or something of that effect to him. Kaitlin said they would gladly send something and asked “Does he have the 3rd season on DVD”. When I replied that he didn’t, only season’s 1 & 2 – she said “I’ll send it to you, signed by all of us for Greg – to the address on your card if that’s okay”. Of course I agreed – then Charlie tapped me and said – “why don’t we call him?” I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of that. I pulled out my phone, and suddenly, shaking, and forgetting how my stupid iPhone worked – had some trouble pulling up his number – but it came to me, and I dialed.
It rang a few times. Looking at them, I heard myself say “If he’s not feeling well, he won’t answer.”
It went to voicemail… and I began to leave a message, saying I was at Sundance and had a surprise for him… and… (Kaitlin – or should I say “Dee” was motioning to me for the phone). “Well, here…” I handed Kaitlin the phone.
She covered her mouth as she said a few words that I couldn’t hear and then uncovered her mouth – launching straight into character and leaving a message for Greg – then the phone went to Mac (Rob McElhenney) who left his message in character too. It was like they had planned the whole thing without ever saying anything about it to one another… then to The Waitress – who said she didn’t know why all these people were bugging her in the bar (also in character) and then to Charlie – who studdered in just the way of his character. Charlie gave the phone to me and I said my goodbyes to Greg. I thanked them all profusely and said how much I knew Greg would appreciate the message. That it would surely bring up his spirits.
Feeling satisfied and beaming with glee I went to sit down at our table. A few moments later, Charlie, Kaitlin, Rob, and Mary Elizabeth were seated at the table right next to me, directly in my line of sight. I would be sitting next to them beaming about it through the whole of dinner!!!
Then I looked at my phone. Through the loudness of the bar and restaurant, I had not heard either of my two phones ringing and ringing and ringing. Greg had been calling me back.
Greg meets the gang
I never use my cell phone in restaurants – but today had to be an exception. I asked Scott & Sarah if they minded and both of them shook their heads vigorously. I picked up my personal cell and called Greg. He answered on the 3rd ring.
“Did you get my message Greg?”
“I didn’t even finish listening to it, I just called back right away!”
“You’ll never believe this Greg, but they just got seated at the table right next to me. Hold on a sec. I’ll wait for the waiter to leave their table and ask them to talk to you – Hold on Okay?”.
“You got it.”
And I walked over to them. I told Charlie that Greg had been blowing up both my cell phones trying to call back, and that I had him on the phone now if he would be so kind as to talk to him. He picked up the phone and started to chat. I walked back to my table. A few seconds went by and they motioned me back over. Charlie was having a hard time hearing and they wanted to see if I could turn the phone up. It was at it’s loudest so I told Greg that they were having a hard time hearing him and he would have to speak up if he could. He said he would. I gave the phone back to Charlie and returned to my table.
A few moments passed – and Charlie got up – and took the phone outside. He didn’t return for something like 30 minutes. When he came back, he walked straight over to Kaitlin & Rob at their side of the table, and they got up to talk to him too – leaving the table for 20 minutes. They came back, gave the phone to Mary who spoke with him for a bit at the table, and then the phone was back to Charlie. Charlie walked over to our table as he said goodbye to Greg and traded phone numbers. He gave the phone back to me saying “I gave him my number, and I’m going to call him too – A LOT!”. I beamed a smile and said thank you again, and got my turn with Greg.
“Merry Christmas Greg! How’s that for a gift?!”
“Christmas? You don’t have to get me anything for any Christmas or Birthday ever again!”
“Was that unbelievable or what?! I can’t believe how great they all were. It was hard to go over to them once, and now 3 times! I can’t believe I interrupted their dinner!”
“Your shamelessness just made my life!”
“I’m going to have to quote you on that Greg”
“That’s – just fine.”
and so it went…
When I was done with dinner, and they with theirs, I walked over to their table one last time, and said, “Before you leave, or we do, I just wanted to say once more how great it was of all of you to allow your dinner to be interrupted like this and to do something so selfless for Greg. When I got a chance to speak to him after all of you he said to me ‘Your shamelessness just made my life!’ – and you did that – all of you. Thank you!”
They all said how glad they were to have the chance to talk to him. I smiled and exited, back to my table.
They left first, and as they left, Charlie came back over to me. “How do you know this kid?” he asked.
“I lost a friend last year to Leukemia AND Lymphoma, so I made the decision to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society with Team in Training – and train to run marathons. He is one of our honorees, and we became fast friends as soon as we met.”
“Well, I’ve got his number, and I’m going to call him – A LOT.”
“Thank you Charlie! You’ve been amazing – all of you!”
And then they left…
I have had quite some time now to think over it all. So often, people are too skeptical of one another – not taking people for face value – not trusting them. None of that happened here. What is so surprising to me is that these four celebrities – all 4 of them – treated this situation as I would. They willingly went out of their way to help bring some joy to another person’s life that they don’t even know – because they could. They valued the impact they would have on the life of a fan. Now, having spoken to Greg and having given of themselves – they too feel great about having been there. I could tell that they enjoyed the opportunity, that they were genuinely pleased to get Greg on the phone, and that they did not feel put out in the least by me – even though I interrupted their lives, their cocktails, and their dinner 4 times. Why? Because I was trying to do something for someone else, someone special – for Greg.
Greg tells me they want him to come down and see the show filmed in LA when he’s out of the hospital. I think I might just be his ride down there. Now THAT would make MY life!!!
I hope reading this provides each of you with a little inspiration and motivation.
Please consider making a donation to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through this convenient and secure website. Every little bit helps, no matter how small the contribution: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/nikesf09/corinna
Having overcome hodgkins, this was good to see. Thank you for this.