Chris Richardson from “American Idol” visits West Seattle

| West Seattle news | West Seattle video | WS culture/arts

Yes, we know, this is the moment you’ve been waiting for all day: The arrival of last year’s “American Idol” finalist Chris Richardson at Roxbury Safeway this afternoon to promote ice cream and sign autographs. Our video clip captures the full magic of his SUV arrival, entry into the store, and initial autograph-signing, in a compact 1:15 of video goodness. (A few dozen fans were there to greet him, in case you were wondering; he’s supposed to be there till 5:30.) If you prefer YouTube video, we put this clip there too.

JenV March 19, 2008 (4:18 pm)

poor guy. how humiliating!

Bob Loblaw March 19, 2008 (4:31 pm)

who?

Jiggers March 19, 2008 (4:36 pm)

Safeway appearances. LMAO!! Get a real job.

JumboJim March 19, 2008 (4:56 pm)

The guy’s just trying to make a living. Cool down y’all. There are worse things a young guy could be doing with his life.

Rick March 19, 2008 (5:07 pm)

WooHoo! All the way from American Idol to West White Center. Think maybe I could get some of that ice cream signed? Just kiddin’, y’all!

flipjack March 19, 2008 (5:50 pm)

I hope he made extremely good money doing that.

GenHillOne March 19, 2008 (7:32 pm)

Well, thank god, Steph from Jersey (with the curly blond hair) sent her friend to say hi. Now everyone can rest easy!

MrJT March 19, 2008 (7:34 pm)

GenHillOne, Is that Stephanie Plum ?

TheHouse March 19, 2008 (7:43 pm)

I don’t fault him for signing autographs at a Safeway to promote ice cream and American Idol…he’s getting paid.

You do have to question whether the few dozen people waiting in line have enough common sense to realize that their life hit rock bottom today.

miws March 19, 2008 (8:43 pm)

No offense to Chris Richardson(I’m sure he’s a nice guy) his fans, or any reality show fans for what I’m about to say.

I don’t care much for the thought of what I call manufactured Idols, or manufactured survivors. I have been through much in my life, and many others have as well, and have had it worse than I have. If a person can get through very tough and traumatic life situations, and keep a sensible head and not turn to a life of crime or otherwise hurting others, they are true survivors. In one extreme, Holocoust victims come to mind.

As far as Idols. One that I have, and no matter how many times I’ve seeen him, I still get a thrill, is turning 80 April 1st. That would be JP Patches (Chris Wedes) who was mentioned on WSB last month. He was truly “there” for kids throughout the decades of the ’60’s and ’70’s and a couple years on each end. He didn’t know, and still is humbly amazed at the positive impact that he had. Latchkey kids could count on him to be there to see them off to school in the mornings, and to see them come home in the afternoons.

Another Idol, as well as a Survivor, is his sidekick Bob Newman, who played most of the characters that appeared with JP. He has dealt with MS for probably around 40 years now. For all but maybe the first decade of the program. He has the attitude of it being what life has dealt him, and he, in turn, will deal with the MS. I wasn’t even aware of this until recent years.

Yet another “Idol” of mine is Pat Cashman, of Almost Live, talk radio, Evening Magazine substitute host, Taco Time and other commercials fame.

I had the privelege of meeting Pat in person for the first time, I believe over 15 years ago now. I’ve seen him in person many more times over the years. He is another amazingly humble person. He has always graciously appreciated the support that his listeners gave him on his radio shows, and is an all around nice, regular guy.

Not surprisingly, really, is the fact that Pat and JP have a deep mutual respect and admiration for each other, even though Pat grew up in Bend Oregon, had a career stint in Boise Idaho, before moving to this area, well into adulthood, and did not get to experience JP’s show as a kid. They have each had the same positive impact on their respective fans, and I am one of many that are big fans of both. They are both class acts!

Okay, I’ll step down from my soapbox now. Thanks for “listening”.

YOU CAN ALL WAKE UP NOW!! :P

Mike

JT March 19, 2008 (9:11 pm)

Mike, just saying the name Pat Cashman makes me laugh. I don’t even have to hear him to feel better. Just thinking of him does the trick. He got me through a lot of pain and I agree with your whole post. Climb on your box anytime.

miws March 20, 2008 (12:19 am)

Thanks, JT!

I try not to climb up there too often, climbing anything gets harder all the time, Y’know! ;)

But, I’ll gladly climb up there anytime for those that I mentioned!

Mike

Den March 20, 2008 (5:25 am)

Nothing wrong with making money while getting your face out there, and pleasing anxious fans.

Thank God for AI! Now I know who he is and buy his music. He is a big talent-listen for yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcDNjjNT23g

Chesbay March 20, 2008 (5:43 am)

Hey ya’ll, give the guy a break. He and Melinda Doolittle were chosen by Dreyer’s/Edy’s to promote their ice cream on the internet, and appear in grocery stores (that’s where the ice cream is sold… makes sense!) across the country to sign autographs and promote… you guessed it, Edy’s ice cream, and at each stop across the country, he will give a personal little concert in some lucky winner’s living room for people who entered to win on the Edy’s website. When you buy Edy’s ice cream, you get a free CD with some of the past Idol’s songs on it, including Chris Rich’s original song that he wrote called “All Alone”, which will appear on his album. So please don’t feel sorry for Chris, since before the Idol tour finished last year, he’s been in the studio completing his album with Ivan Coralliza (Ill Factor) who is a HUGE record producer out of Miami. According to Chris, his album will be out at the end of the summer or at least by the fall. Chris has a huge following; check out the site TheRichness.net or Idolforums and many other fan sites. He’s a song writer and has written songs not only for himself, but for Blake Lewis, Jordin Sparks, and others. Don’t pity Chris… he’s on his way. This Edy’s gig was a way for him to get his first single off of his album, “All Alone” out to the public on a free CD paid for by Edy’s and it is now on Itunes for the public to purchase and is about to be played on top radio stations across the country. Pretty smart and talented guy I’d say. Thanks for letting me share. Now I have to go… Need to go vote on Edy’s so I can get that personal concert in my living room in April…

changingtimes March 20, 2008 (8:26 am)

why are you all so jelouse! just because you cant get paid to market some ice cream, i was there with kids and they think its just really cool that someone so “hollywood” would take the time out of there day to come to “our ghetto” and be nice with them and take pictures and sign autographs, yes to all us old folks (and yes im still in my 20’s) its alot of hoopla but to see the smiles on my kids faces when Chris was talking with them about there day at school, and making funny faces to the camara, it ment a lot to them. its horrible to come on this website and see you guys complain about the “next generation” having no role models and then when one comes to town you guys shoot him down, I remember him telling each of my kids to always remember to dream big and shoot for the stars. you guys are a bunch of hypocrites.

hiss March 20, 2008 (9:16 am)

I’m very jelouse.

JenV March 20, 2008 (10:37 am)

American Idol is contributing to the dumbing down and mediocre expectations of this country. Please, tell me what to like, what to listen to, what to eat. I am obviously too stupid to think for myself…I might as well just give up thinking at all….war? what war? didn’t they kick someone off American Idol last night?

Jiggers March 20, 2008 (10:52 am)

American Idol has destroyed music single handidly in my opinion. Who actually buys that junk unless your a teenager or a car soccer driving mom. Its sad today because music is all corporate now and radio stations are being paid by record companie’s to play that junk. Its like with TV, its all geared to a womens audience. To any of you who think music from American Idol is good, you have no clue what good music is. People who have real talent don’t need to throw themselves up in front a bunch of yaaayhoos who criticize you and tell you if your good enough or not. I like cheeze on my nachos but not with my music.

barmargia March 20, 2008 (5:19 pm)

I am by no means an American Idol fan, I find it to be terribly boring, but damn guys…bitter much? If you don’t like it, don’t watch it, hit that button on your remote that says “channel” and switch it, that’s what I do.