"Hollywood" Characters at MGM? Seen them?

[MsLeFever]

I have heard tell of "face" Hollywood 40s style characters on the streets of MGM but never seen any. I'd be interested in hearing about any sightings and what they were like!

Thanks!

 

[WDSearcher]

They're not characters, per se -- that is, they're not famous celebrity look-alikes or anything like that. Those you can occasionally find at Universal (Betty Boop, Marilyn Monroe, etc.). At MGM, you'll find generic "residents of Hollywood" -- the famous director, the starlet, the agent, the girl-off-the-bus, that kind of thing. They are called "Streetmosphere" and they do performances on Hollywood Blvd throughout the day.

 

[Simba's Mom]

And they are fantastically funny! I was fortunate enough to encounter them on my last 2 trips. One morning they were the local tourists, sitting in folding chairs while everyone walked by, carrying their plastic bag, camera, and of course, Birnbaum's Guide. Then I went back to see the starlet auditioning for a new bodyguard-there were "applicants" from the audience, making it especially funny. Last trip there was the person sitting on the floor in Sid Cahuenga's showing off her pictures. And once agian, she gets the audience involved. To me, they are the best "attraction" in MGM, after the Osborne Lights.

 

[Bill From PA]

I've seen and filmed them a few times. On the main street leading to the Hat, they often set up as though they're filming an old silent movie complete with hand cranked camera and director's chair, the director wielding a megaphone. It's worth the time to stop and enjoy.

Bill From PA

 

[goofy4wdw2]

are the time/locations for the streetmosphere performers listed in the park map guide for the current week? or do you just have to keep your eyes and ears open?

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I guess it was that group doing "improv" at MGM a few days ago. They did the 99 skit...99 objects (the objects were suggested by different people in the crowd) walked into a bar, the bartender said "we don't serve _____ here" and the object then had a comeback, made up by the various people in the skit. Each person had a different personality and it was hilarious! Hard to explain with words, but worth watching for sure.

T&B

 

[hezreck]

You have to check out the 'Glee Club' street performers at MGM, they are so funny. We watched their whole show and laughed the whole time!!

 

[llij]

We saw them last month doing a spin on the "12 Days of Christmas". They were so funny and I'm so glad that we got to see them!

 

[Crazy Kanga]

We encountered the "Tacky Tourists", as we called them, when we were there in October. It was fun. They walked up to us and started asking questions and we played along with them. The lady kept calling me Anne Klein, because I had on an AK shirt. It was so funny, because afterward, my ds who is 8 said, "Mom, how did you know those people and why was she calling you Anne Klein?" He did't get it until after we explained that they were actors that worked there. Luckily we got it on video.

 

[Simba's Mom]

are the time/locations for the streetmosphere performers listed in the park map guide for the current week? or do you just have to keep your eyes and ears open?

Unfortunately I haven't been able to find any schedule of their times/locations posted anywhere. So it does seem to be "just the luckof the draw", which is kind of too bad-I'd love to go to MGM just to see them perform if I knew when.

 

[tinkerbee]

I think they are so funny we stop and watch them when ever they are out. I don't think they had a certain time that they come out. But if you do see them stop and watch their show it is great.

 

[debbiedoo]

We have encountered the 99 skit twice. It was right in fron of the villian, it was something to see. I do not think that there is a time schedule. We walked up upon them around 4/5 right when people are getting ready for the gates to fantistmic to open.

 

[scoutsmom99]

I just got back yesterday and they were out all of the time when I was at MGM it seemed! I saw them last Wed (1/19) around 2:00 or so outside the Beverly Sunset...they also come out and entertain the crowds before the Stars and Motorcars parade. I also saw them in the am outside of the shops on Hollywood Blvd. (aka Main Street of MGM). They were a hoot. I jsut looked at a times guide for last week and one for this week that I brought home and they were not listed on the sheet. My guess is that you could ask at Guest Relations when they will be out just like you can at MK to see if a specfic Chrachter will be out.

 

[daisylove]

Is the director still a Big guy. Dark hair 40's? If so that is my husband's friend Mike. We went one day when he was there and he did not even break character for us. At different times he has played Henry the 8th at rennaissance fairs. Great guy, Very funny.

 

[MsLeFever]

Great info - thanks so much!

 

[QuickGold]

These characters are referred to as "Streetmosphere characters". They usually portray 40's & 50's characters and may or may not resemble famous celebrities.

 

[DonnaL]

The Streetmosphere characters are certainly hilarious.......a few years ago my son was about 12 or 13 and one of the "starlets" approached him and let everyone within earshot know she had him singled out as her "next" boyfriend....she asked how old he was and then proceeded to tell everyone she was going to "wait" for him until he was "just a little older" She then proceeded to try and convince him she was "only" 15!!! It was the highlight of his day!! We still chuckle about it.

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

They often appear right before the parade. On our honeymoon this year we were wearing the wedding ears and they stopped the little car they were driving about in and did a whole 'honeymoon' interview with us, which was broadcast over speakers in the park. I though it was hysterical but my new DH was a touch embarrassed.

 

[vellamint]

These are my FAVORITE thing about MGM and this next trip I think I am going to plant myself on a bench and wait for them.....we've seen a "Bellhop" dropping bags off his cart....boy did he have a good time with one of our daughters.....I have it on tape..

Also - Rosie something or other who had really red lipstick and kissed my hubbys cheeks.........hard explaining that to the kids who were angry with her the rest of the day...LOL.

 

[Simba's Mom]

These are my FAVORITE thing about MGM and this next trip I think I am going to plant myself on a bench and wait for them ...LOL.

I agree, great idea! I'll bring the popcorn!