# What celebrities are complete bastards? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 18, 2009, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-celebrities-are-complete-bastards/481827 "2009-01-18T04:38:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![oliversarmy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/eb8c5e/32.png) [@oliversarmy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oliversarmy)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-celebrities-are-complete-bastards/481827/261 "2009-01-25T06:56:55Z")
**HelloNinja** said: \*Lyle Lovett: My dad does backstage work at various venues in Seattle. Once, the stool provided for Lyle to sit on on-stage wasn’t up to his liking and he threw a huge hissy fit and made everyone leave the theater to stand out in the alley. In the rain. \* I’m a bit surprised by this. I knew Lyle in college and he was always a nice guy. We weren’t friends, but my roommates and I often went to his shows when he was performing back then (late '70s). Sometimes we were the only people in the audience. We met his parents, very nice people from Klein, Texas. We worked together briefly on the college newspaper and I even sat next to him at graduation and we had a great time. What I remember about Lyle was he was soft-spoken and all the girls loved him. I never could figure out why, except he was very charming and nice. I haven’t spoken to him in almost 30 years, but I do know a friend that ran into him on a plane and said he was the same-old Lyle. For what it’s worth. ---
**Author:** ![Rattlehead02](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rattlehead02/32/3944_2.png) [@Rattlehead02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rattlehead02)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-celebrities-are-complete-bastards/481827/262 "2009-01-25T14:13:41Z")
Johnny Bench (HoF, I think, catcher for the Reds) is notorious here in Cincy for being a real dick. When my brother was a kid he was at some celebrity golf outing that Bench was also at. He tried to get an autograph and Bench wouldn’t give one and was apparently a shithead about it. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-celebrities-are-complete-bastards/481827/263 "2009-01-25T15:52:20Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Y’know, Skippy’s kid is Dr Taub on _House._ And NOW I know what that guy has seemed so familiar to me. He kinda looks like his dad–not the hair, but the expression. IMO, Jacobson always looked like Alfred E. Newman of MAD fame. ---
**Author:** ![Ponderoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponderoid/32/19221_2.png) [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-celebrities-are-complete-bastards/481827/264 "2009-01-25T18:06:40Z")
> [@InvisibleWombat](#): > > I’ve never had anyone do that in my store (at least, not that I know of). It would annoy me, because I enjoy meeting other writers, and I always like to put “Autographed Copy” stickers on the signed books. I was with [P.N. Elrod](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._N._Elrod) a few years ago when she went into a bookstore and signed all the copies of her books they had on the shelf. She came prepared with her own roll of stickers. After doing her little stealth signing, she let the employees know she’d been there. \*\*\* Ponder ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-celebrities-are-complete-bastards/481827/265 "2009-01-25T18:45:30Z")
When Goosebumps was at its height, RL Stine used a lot of ghost authors who signed “I will not in any way reveal that I ever wrote for this series” and of course they were completely uncredited. A couple of name authors who have become famous since have admitted to writing for the series without naming names, just “a children’s horror author who produced several books per month at one time”. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-celebrities-are-complete-bastards/481827/266 "2009-01-25T18:49:18Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Sorry, but the laughter is understandable, and the others weren’t uncomfortable for Stine, but you. Stine sounds like the asshole in that story. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-celebrities-are-complete-bastards/481827/267 "2009-01-25T18:55:59Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > When Goosebumps was at its height, RL Stine used a lot of ghost authors who signed “I will not in any way reveal that I ever wrote for this series” and of course they were completely uncredited. I had no idea. He should start getting Thomas Kinkade to do his cover art. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-celebrities-are-complete-bastards/481827/268 "2009-01-25T19:01:43Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > When Goosebumps was at its height, RL Stine used a lot of ghost authors who signed “I will not in any way reveal that I ever wrote for this series” and of course they were completely uncredited. A couple of name authors who have become famous since have admitted to writing for the series without naming names, just “a children’s horror author who produced several books per month at one time”. One of my professors from library school (who’s apparently heavily involved in the children’s publishing world) said that Stine is the only book-a-month author that actually writes them all himself. Where did you read he didn’t do all the writing himself? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-celebrities-are-complete-bastards/481827/269 "2009-01-25T19:05:44Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Stine sounds like the asshole in that story. (shrug) He’s a writer who spends much of his time alone. Good social skills are not part of the job description. I assume he was caught off-guard by **IW** ’s request. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-celebrities-are-complete-bastards/481827/270 "2009-01-25T19:13:35Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > One of my professors from library school (who’s apparently heavily involved in the children’s publishing world) said that Stine is the only book-a-month author that actually writes them all himself. It’s not unprecedented. Walter B Gibson wrote nearly all of “The Shadow” novels, sometimes two of them a month. And it’s not like Stine was punching out “War and Peace” every month. I suppose writing to a formula makes it easy. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-celebrities-are-complete-bastards/481827/271 "2009-01-25T20:19:07Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > **Hunter S. Thompson** was quite a handful, I’ve heard. Please forgive me, but anybody who read his books & expected _anything else_ needs help. Much help. And strong chemicals. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-celebrities-are-complete-bastards/481827/272 "2009-01-25T20:47:47Z")
> [@GildedLily](#): > > Johnny Bench (HoF, I think, catcher for the Reds) is notorious here in Cincy for being a real dick. When my brother was a kid he was at some celebrity golf outing that Bench was also at. He tried to get an autograph and Bench wouldn’t give one and was apparently a shithead about it. I’ve read that Bench is a perfectly delightful fellow, unless you interrupt him on the golf course. I guess he takes his golf very seriously. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-celebrities-are-complete-bastards/481827/273 "2009-01-25T21:04:01Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > I’ve read that Bench is a perfectly delightful fellow, unless you interrupt him on the golf course. I guess he takes his golf very seriously. Makes sense, if golf is his primary form of R&R. I hate being interrupted during my downtime, too. ---
**Author:** ![drpepper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8baadc/32.png) [@drpepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drpepper)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-celebrities-are-complete-bastards/481827/274 "2009-01-25T21:18:55Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Unfortunately, book tours are as tightly planned as D-Day. You live in BFE and the very idea that his publisher would see enough sales to justify PAYING FOR A STOP IN FREAKIN’ MONTANA is hilarious. Sorry, but the laughter is understandable, and the others weren’t uncomfortable for Stine, but you. Oh, please. The laughter is not “understandable”; if the incident happened as related here, it’s fucking rude. If a stop in a sparsely populated area is not in the cards, there are ten thousand more polite ways to respond. If he chose not to give a polite response, that makes him a fucking ass. And I don’t buy your last comment either. ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-celebrities-are-complete-bastards/481827/275 "2009-01-25T22:29:23Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Stine sounds like the asshole in that story. Seconded. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-celebrities-are-complete-bastards/481827/276 "2009-01-25T23:14:15Z")
Sampiro writes: \> When Goosebumps was at its height, RL Stine used a lot of ghost authors who \> signed “I will not in any way reveal that I ever wrote for this series” and of \> course they were completely uncredited. A couple of name authors who have \> become famous since have admitted to writing for the series without naming \> names, just “a children’s horror author who produced several books per month \> at one time”. So is that why some websites claim that Garry Wills co-wrote one of the _Goosebumps_ books? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-celebrities-are-complete-bastards/481827/277 "2009-01-25T23:22:06Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Makes sense, if golf is his primary form of R&R. I hate being interrupted during my downtime, too. He’s retired; what is golf giving him a break from? It can’t be laying around – that’s his job. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-celebrities-are-complete-bastards/481827/278 "2009-01-25T23:57:45Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > He’s retired; what is golf giving him a break from? Public relations events, making commercials, business ventures… ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-celebrities-are-complete-bastards/481827/279 "2009-01-26T00:23:54Z")
Hey **dropzone** be nice to Indy we have our fashion mall here that does sell very nice clothing and SHOES (I know it is there cuz it’s the place that charges me for looking at the doors) ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2009, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-celebrities-are-complete-bastards/481827/280 "2009-01-26T01:17:12Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > He’s retired; what is golf giving him a break from? It can’t be laying around – that’s his job. Whoops, my bad. Don’t know some of these folks, just making WAGs. 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-celebrities-are-complete-bastards/481827.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-celebrities-are-complete-bastards/481827.md?page=15)