Should We Pay to See One Actor? - by Jonathan Howe

Throughout the years many famous actors and actresses have gone to conventions to promote whatever project they are working on, and to meet the fans that have followed them for their entire career. It didn’t matter how big of a character they played and for how long, people lined up outside and inside buildings just to meet their favorite actors from their favorite movies or TV shows. (There's always a booth at Comic-con for the Stormtrooper who said "Look sir, Droids!" -Ed) However, there is always that random actor/actress that just didn’t want to go to conventions and deal with the people that are less than calm when in the presence of someone they idolize. In the Power Ranger fandom, there is that one person, Amy Jo Johnson.

2013 marked the 20^th anniversary of the Power Rangers Franchise and, as such, many conventions are celebrating. Many past Ranger actors have gone from convention to convention to talk with fans It’s always been known in the Power Ranger fandom that Amy Jo never wanted to show up for a convention. It was never clear why, though many speculated that it might be because she regretted her time as a Ranger. This news was somewhat upheld by Amy Jo herself when, during a recent interview, she stated that she had nightmares while doing stage shows for Power Rangers. It’s not clear if these were a contributing factor of her not going to conventions, but anything is possible.

However, everything changes next March as Amy Jo is scheduled to show up to Lexington Comic & Toy Convention. The ticket website has her doing “a private function with limited admissions”. It’s not clear how many seats are available and the price, per ticket is $100. Now, this doesn’t seem that bad, considering Jason David Frank, a co-star of Amy Jo’s from Power Rangers and long standing convention goer, is holding two private “functions” himself with each ticket at $75. One thing is for sure though, many con-goers will be upset as Amy Jo will not be having a booth on the con floor or walking around the convention. She is showing up for her special two hour function where the attendees will watch her two new movies “Bent” and “Lines”, listen to her sing songs from her new album “Never Broken” and then a moderated one hour Q&A session. Needless to say, fans will be upset if they can’t afford the $100 price tag to see one of the most beloved Rangers ever.

It’s been twenty years since she dawned the pink helmet and spandex and many people were looking forward to her coming out of the dark and into the light for everyone to see the first Pink Ranger. There will be people that are sympathetic to her that knows what can happen at conventions but, to make it so you need to pay that much money just to spend half the time watching a movie and a concert just doesn’t seem right. Amy Jo Johnson is a good singer and actor and I’m sure some are looking forward to listening to her sing and watch her movies but, not walking the convention or having a booth of your own? Why does it seem more like this isn’t so she can meet fans and more of just to sell her CD’s and movies? Is this nothing more than a publicity stunt? The truth will be revealed on March 11^th, 2014.