...and it seems that this year many were out there in Bonn desperately trying to have their 15 minutes of fame. Or should I say, 15 minutes of shame?
Because that's what Craig's panels have been: a shame.

Don't get me wrong - Craig himself was awesome. Funny and witty as ever, gracious, kind, entertaining.
However I couldn't believe the nerve of some of his so-called fans. That's why this rant goes out to you (you'll know who you are)!

As I've said before, the panels would have been a complete catastrophe had Craig not been able to preserve some of the fun through his jokes and come-backs.
There were people telling him that he's fat, one fan trying to get him to strip, another repeating one of last year's awful questions: "Are you bound to someone?" and similar stupid things. I sat in these panels wondering what in the world was going on in these people's heads. Did you think you were being terribly funny or clever?
Let me assure you: you were not. You were downright direspectful and rude - to both Craig and those of his fans that actually have manners.

Now I know many of you wanted to show Craig you hadn't forgotten his birthday and had brought presents. I also know that not everyone was lucky enough to meet him off-stage somewhere, so I understood that some presents were given to him during the panels.
But again some people didn't know where to draw the line: coming to the stage to give Craig two tiny packages of sweets that you accidentally carried around just to get a hug and a kiss is wasting everyone's precious time that could have been used for interesting questions during the Q & A.

To the mother and daughter who thought it hilarious to tell Craig he is fat: I was appalled. That comment was uncalled for, unjust and simply showed you have no manners at all. How would you feel if someone told you that in front of hundreds of people? Wouldn't you feel insecure, offended and disrespected? I know I would, and am afraid Craig did so as well. At that moment I was embarrassed to count myself among his fans because I do not want to be associated with people like you.

To the person who tried to get him to strip: didn't the stupid boxers-or-briefs question from last year teach you anything? If not, I hope it has become clear to everyone that Craig is not the type of guy that will let his trousers down just because you would like see that. Again a fan with no respect.

To the person who just had to intrude on his privacy and ask if he is currently single or not: you're just as wise as last year, aren't you? It's none of your business who or if he dates. Learn to live with it.

I'm sorry I had to go on such a rant and you might think I'm a §"&%$! for saying it, but I was more than disappointed with what I had to witness this past weekend.
Craig is a human being with feelings like each and everyone of us. And even though he is lovely to everyone he meets, doesn't mean that that makes him some kind of pal or friend or whatever. He is still a stranger to us, and we should treat him with as much respect as the next person. He doesn't owe us anything and yet gives so much. I just wish people would be content with what he's willing to share, but some obviously never get enough.
If we keep seeing such an attitude among his fans at conventions, I'm afraid that it's been the longest time we have seen him be this open, gracious and wonderful. Instead he will withdraw to protect himself and his privacy (even more than he does anyway). The entertainer Craig Parker is all we'll get then - and I couldn't blame him one bit. I wouldn't want to share my world with people who intrude on my privacy and feelings with no respect whatsoever, either.

I'm happy to know that there are others out there, who feel just like we at Craig-Parker.com do and who are grateful to Craig that he dedicates so much of his time to meeting us and brightening our days.
Let's show him his fandom is mature enough to appreciate both the small and big things he willingly gives and respects the line he decides to draw himself.
We don't try to make our mark on his behalf. We are Craig Parker fans, supporters and admirers. Let's stand united against disrespect towards "our man".

Stepping off the soap-box,
Flannery