The characters in Times Square

[blaxx]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 2:25pm

I truly don't mind the mall-ification of Times Square. At least the New York vibe along with all things Broadway are present.

But what's with the copyright infracting characters posing for pictures? They are SO tacky. The Disney ones stand practically in front of the legitimate store.

I know Disney has a fit if cast members take the characters heads off. What appears to be illegal immigrants, do it constantly because of the heat.

How can huge companies allow this? Can they just not be bothered? They obviously got permission from somebody to do this, I'm confused.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 2:42pm

"What appears to be illegal immigrants, do it constantly because of the heat."

Rilly?

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 2:43pm

It's a sad state of affairs. It happens out here on Hollywood Blvd all of the time. They are on public property so there is no laws being broken. They take full advantage of it, wearing the dirtiest costumes, having no real set of professional rules or behavior.

They are like homeless beggars, only wearing crappy costumes.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 3:00pm

The worst is when you see them in the subway changing out of those costumes and bathing themselves with bottled water and towels right there for everyone to see.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 3:05pm

If they have panhandler licenses and they aren't causing trouble, there probably isn't much that can be done. They used to stand out in front of the McGraw Hill building on 6th ave. I wonder if they were asked to move or decided to because Times Square is a larger walking area now.

And I totally know what you are talking about, TheaterDiva. I was in LA last year and some guy in a Jason from Friday the 13th costume came up to me while I was taking a picture of something and put his hand on my shoulder. It was creepy. I double checked my bag to make sure he didn't steal something from me.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 3:17pm

Yea, Darth Vader is not nearly as scary when you see that he's homeless and carries his life around with him...

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 4:58pm

He's not so much threatening anymore, just really sad.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 5:04pm

"He's not so much threatening anymore, just really sad."

It didn't take a homeless guy with a shopping cart to do that. George Lucas did a pretty good job at removing any menace from Darth Vader with those so-called "prequels."

[CapnHook]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 5:29pm

There is a documentary about the ones in LA, focusing on the superhero ones.

There is also stories about these costumed characters causing trouble. They curse out people who don't pay. They threaten to take their masks off and scare the kids. They photobomb people trying to take a picture in Times Square, then ask for money.

There's also the anti-Semetic Elmo...


http://youtu.be/GuouL4WnM9A

Updated On: 8/4/13 at 05:29 PM

[ArtMan]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 5:37pm

The characters in Times Square don't bother me and I don't find them aggressive or pushy. It's a hard way to make a buck especially in the heat. What I don't like is the tourists who can't even cough up a dollar when they take a picture. It's the same way in New Orleans, or anywhere a person dresses up,(full body make-up, etc.) People think they can snap a picture and run. These people are out there to earn a living. One thing I find funny in Times Square, is the Chicago girls. I was talking to an actress one day while sitting. I guess she was bored so we spoke about theatre for thirty minutes. Every couple of minutes, whether she was talking or not, she would strike a Chicago dancer pose. I don't know if this was because her boss maybe watching or just out of habit. But it was really hard for me to keep from laughing. She was really nice.

[winston89]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 5:38pm

I honestly feel that those folks in Times Square aren't homeless, just those with not a lot of money looking to make a quick buck off of tourists who don't know better.

I remember being on the NYC subway the other day, and there was an automated announcement saying that it's against the law for people to give money to those who are panhandling on the subway. I just read something that said that in New York City you can panhandle if you're not being disruptive physically touching someone. In other words, someone sitting quietly on the side of the street with a sign is okay but someone yelling for money or making a speech on the subway isn't. There have been plenty of stories going around of tourists who were unaware that they had to tip for a photo with the folks in costume. And, as a result, they are muscled around until they do. Considering that that falls into the kind of panhandling that is against the law, I am not sure why the cops aren't cracking down on this.

On another note, my father feels (and I agree) that this is like the next generation of the squeegee men.

[blaxx]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 5:48pm

I found this article from a few years ago. $3000 during Christmas doesn't sound too bad!

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204422404576595183900270512.html

[blaxx]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 5:52pm

If it really is not illegal, I'm amazed they are not all over the streets outside the Disney parks. It would seem like a logical move.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 7:03pm

I haven't been to the Disney parks, but I would assume that they are much like many other amusement parks where they are surrounded by acres of parking lots and the roads leading to those parking lots are not really pedestrian friendly, so there would be little point to being outside the parks. And of course step one toe into the parking lot, and thus their property, and then you hand yourself over to Disney justice.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 7:07pm

Exactly. Disney World property is huge. You can try to dress as a character on their property, but they'll kick you off in a heartbeat. There are several stories of professional Santa Clauses and teens dressing as Tinker Bell who get kicked off.

At Disneyland, it's a little easier since across the highway is no longer Disney property.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 9:30pm

Cptn,

I've seen that film and have met the guy who plays Superman. It's a very sad life they lead.

I just saw him last week and mentioned his new costume and he proceeded to follow me and blab on and on about the film and kryptonite...

Also, there is a Marilyn Monroe who is completely bat **** crazy and will chase you down if you try to take her picture without paying her. Here she is, writing home for money. And Charlie Chaplin, wondering where it all went wrong.

Updated On: 8/4/13 at 09:30 PM

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 9:49pm

These things terrify me. By no stretch of the imagination is the guy in red pants and Nikes and a mouse head that has a busted-in eye Mickey.

[jackieoh]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 10:22pm

Last year I saw Woody and Elmo exchange cash and they got stopped and questioned by the PD in Times Square. Also, one night I saw someone pay Hello Kitty and Minnie Mouse to pretend they were making out. I hate Times Square.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 10:48pm

I just realized I actually have a picture of Darth Vader and a Storm Trooper from LA. I didn't pay. I just took it behind their backs...

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/5/13 at 9:58am

The costumed characters in Las Vegas (who hang around the south end of the Strip) creep me out way more than the ones in Times Square and even Hollywood.

There used to be a Charlie Chaplin who'd walk around downtown SF, but I'm not sure if he was trying to get people to take pictures with him or what. Sometimes I'd see him on BART, exiting at my parents' burby station. Weird.

[morosco]

Posted: 8/5/13 at 10:16am

"Elmo" went on to say that the characters "make around $500 working Monday through Friday," and $300 on the weekend, which works out to be roughly $38K a year, presumably none of which goes to deodorant.
Are The Costumed Grifters Of Times Square Diluting Disney's Brand?