Pop Culture Event ‘The Hollywood Show’ Is More Than Just A Fan Meet-And-Greet

Linda Gray and Patrick Duffy from the cast of the television series "Dallas."

(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

"When I was young, I never thought I could actually meet someone that you watched on TV, someone that you think of as a hero, so actually getting to do that is really special."

This is Ed Kaminski, a supply chain manager from Chicago talking his experience attending The Hollywood Show.

Started in 1979, The Hollywood Show is a large pop culture event currently held four times a year in Los Angeles during which actors, writers, performers and various celebrities interact with fans while autographing merchandise and taking photos. The show also features memorabilia vendors who sell everything from posters to props, costumes. and more.

The events are run by husband and wife team David and Ester Elkouby.

David explains that, "I was a vendor at the shows for many years and it was great for a long time, but then the person who was running started struggling a bit. The problem was that he was bringing in the same people over and over and what happened was the audience started saying, 'We've met all of those people, so we don't need to go anymore.'"

To change this, the Elkoubys started coaxing new celebrities to attend and also focused on staging television series and movie cast reunions.

"We had a Back to the Future reunion that was really great. Michael J. Fox even showed up as a surprise guest, which everyone just loved," says David. "Not only were fans really shocked to see him, but it brought a lot of them to tears."

"We're really known for two things," says Ester, "We get classic celebrities, and nobody puts together more reunions than we do."

Recent memorabilia for sale at The Hollywood Show included a replica of the bottle used in "I Dream ... [+] of Genie."

Courtesy: The Hollywood Show.

David points to a recent reunion for the '80s hit series Dallas as an example of the success of these gatherings, saying. "We brought 20 cast members together, including Priscilla Presley, Linda Gray, Patrick Duffy, and Charlene Tilton."

Kaminski, who regularly attends Hollywood Show events, agrees that this reunion was very meaningful for fans, saying, "Meeting Patrick Duffy and seeing the whole cast together was really special for me. It's one of my favorite experiences from coming to The Show."

To attend the Dallas reunion, David says that people flew in from 21 countries, including Ireland and Australia.

Upcoming scheduled reunions include television series Baywatch, Beverly Hills 90210, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Star Trek, and Lost in Space.

Ester notes that one of their current initiatives is to bring the casts of more shows from the '80s and '90s together with fans. "We really want Gen X to be able to meet the stars of the shows that they grew up with."

In addition to on-camera television and movie stars, Ester says that the show is always looking to expand and hopes to add voiceover artists, reality stars, and sports celebrities, among other groups, to future events.

But, to be clear, the show is not just about having conversations with the celebrities, fans are also able to bring personal items to have signed and can even get professional photos taken with their favorites via an onsite portrait studio.

Props and Costumes from "The Six Million Dollar Man."

Courtesy: The Hollywood Show.

A recent event also included panel discussions with several casts, and a prop gallery from hit '70s series' The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman. "We work really hard to add news aspects to the show whenever we can," says David.

While the home base for The Hollywood Show is Los Angeles, there have been events in Las Vegas and Chicago, with David and Ester eyeing to possibly expand to other cities such as Atlanta and/or Nashville. The current shows draw between 2000 and 3000 fans, according to David.

To attend each show there is an entry fee, with add-ons available for purchase, such as the portrait studio and an early admission option, among others amenities. Each celebrity sets their cost for autographs and personal photos.

Ester is quick to point out that, "We don't charge for things like the panels and when we bring in a memorabilia gallery from a certain show, and, really, our admission tickets are very reasonably priced."

Above all, says Ester, "The cool and fun part of our shows is that they are really a great experience. In some other fan events, they rush you through, but we don't do that. Here, you have time to talk to your favorites, and let me tell you, they are so happy to talk with their fans. So, this is the place for a nice, laid back exchange between people who are showing great respect for each other, and who doesn't want to be part of that?"

For more information about 'The Hollywood Show,' please visit this site, and their Facebook page here.

Some photos from a recent Hollywood Show event:

Costumes and props from "The Six Million Dollar Man" and "The Bionic Woman."

Courtesy: The Hollywood Show.

Lindsay Wagner, star of "The Bionic Woman" talks with moderator Will Keck in one of the panel ... [+] discussions.

Courtesy: The Hollywood Show

A fan talks with Dinah Manoff from the cast of "Soap."

Courtesy: The Hollywood Show

Corey Feldman from "The Lost Boys" speaks with a fan and signs memorabilia.

Courtesy: The Hollywood Show