Dave, Tom Welling & Kristin Kreuk

In Manhattan, I'm known to the other autograph collectors as 'Super Dave', since I go around everywhere wearing my prized Superman hat. My name is David Minerva, a long time Superman fan, who has the fun hobby of meeting celebrities! A usual celeb I am a fan of, I go to try and get a picture with them and some autographs. It doesn't have to be Superman related, but that's what I'll talk about now. I've met Dean Cain and John Shea so many times, they both know me! I've also had great (and not-so-great) encounters with such other people as Teri Hatcher and Margot Kidder. Let's get to 'Smallville'!!

This past week in New York was the Upfronts, where every station announced their fall schedules, and they bring in the some stars of their returning shows and new shows for these announcements. This week alone I took over 120 photos with different celebrities. Many were stars of new shows (on ABC, NBC, CBS, WB & UPN) and some were returning people (like some cast members from 'Buffy'). There were even a few names thrown in, like John Travolta at his hotel, and Lex Luthor himself, Gene Hackman, who I happened to bump into on the street!!

Even with all these great people, there were two people I was looking forward to meeting the most, the 2 representatives the WB sent in for 'Smallville'...Kristin Kreuk & Tom Welling.

The night Kristin checked in to her hotel, a friend and I were awaiting her. She got out of the car and we stopped her before she made it to the door. She seemed a little surprised we knew who she was. I started off by saying something like "You're probably wondering how we know you, but as you can see by my attire (I was wearing a Superman hat and shirt), I know who you are!" I went on to talk about the KryptonSite and how it has been updating info. on the show before she probably even auditioned for it. She seemed impressed. I brought up 'Edgemont' and admitted to never have seen it. She responded "Good!!! Don't!!!" and laughed in some embarrassment. [Note: Kristin Kreuk has written in and clarified what she meant: Kristin thought "Edgemont" was a great show, she just didn't want Dave (or whoever) to base her acting talents on her first role. Of course, I think she was excellent in "Edgemont" -- Craig (from KryptonSite.com] Now I'm curious to see why she's some what ashamed of it. After taking a picture with me, we asked her to sign and she was confused what to write, never having really signed an autograph before. I told her she should get used to it! She signed a few things for me and thanked me over and over for being there for her. The next day at the event for the network, I saw her again (where I got another photo with her) and she remarked "How are you again!!?" and smiled.

Unfortunately I missed Tom when he checked in, so I got him leaving for the WB event Tuesday morning. He too was really great about it, but seemed more used to it than Kristin was. Thanks to Craig's site, I also had time to buy the 'Cable & Broadcasting' magazine he was on the cover of. He was impressed I had it and also told me I had a cool hat! (The 'S' of course). Again when I got went to the event and saw Kristin, I saw him again where I got him to sign the pictures of 'Smallville' from the press kit I swiped and he said "Hey, you get around!" Two days later, when I was waiting at that hotel again (this time for people from 'Survivor'), he went for a walk with some chick and took another photo with me. When I said I couldn't wait for the show, he said I should be impressed cause it's really great. :)
~DAVE