Attention Deficit Delirium

Host Rick Sanchez explains to Grover that he needs to keep his speech short.
(Photo © 2010 by Bryan Reesman.)

Last night’s ceremony for Twitter’s second annual Shorty Awards at the Times Center was the type of show that many people wish was the norm. Host and CNN news anchor Rick Sanchez rifled through 28 categories in about 90 minutes with humor and aplomb. All winners — those present in real-time, through video clips or via tweeted responses shown on a large video screen — were encouraged to keep their speeches short. In an animated segment, Mrs. Stephen Fry kept “hers” literally to 140 characters…and cut herself off.

The irreverence that marked the Shorty Awards — which celebrate excellence in short, real-time content, and which really embraced a wide range of winners — made for a spontaneously fun night. Grover made a speech for Sesame Street‘s Brand Shorty Award (shared with fellow winner Whole Foods) and inappropriately brought a laundry list of people to thank. A short mockumentary called “Twitter Cops” called out people who abuse the 140-character domain, such as a man busted for tweeting during a dinner date. (“It’s not illegal, it’s disrespectful!”) There was William Shatner reading excerpts (via video) from the very un-PC shitmydadsays, which is being turned into a television series by CBS. And David McDonald, a nominee in the Weird category, pulled a Kanye when he did not win (he lost to TheLlama), jumping around on stage, hogging the mic, yelling and even pouring water on himself. Some of us thought it was staged — the unflappable, good-humored Sanchez joked that it took them hours to practice that — but reportedly it was real.

Special Shorty Award winner Carel Pedre, who tweets from Haiti.
(Photo © 2010 by Bryan Reesman.)

The night was not all about jokes and pranks. Many of the award winners showed that the rapidly growing social media site really can be used for a higher purpose. Dr. Rachel Dunlop and Space Shuttle technician Jen Scheer won the Health and Science Shorty Awards, respectively, for using the site to discuss science-based medicine and space travel. Entrepreneur Janis Krums won a Shorty Award for Real-Time Photo of the Year for his shot of the “Miracle On The Hudson“. American soldier Mark Watson (aka SoldierKnowsBest) won the Tech Shorty Award for his tweeting about computers and technology. Through donations from his tweet peeps, Twitchhiker (and Travel Shorty Award winner) Paul Smith traveled from the UK to New Zealand and raised money for charity. And Carel Pedre won a Special Shorty Award for tweeting about the humanitarian crisis in his home country of Haiti. Seeing Grover was cool; meeting Pedre was cooler.

Check out the full list of the 2010 Shorty Award winners here.

Following is a photo gallery from the event.

Inside the Times Center.
(Photo © 2010 by Bryan Reesman.)

The throng grows.
(Photo © 2010 by Bryan Reesman.)

Design nominee Crosby Romberger (aka Clock Work Cros) strikes a pose before the ceremony.
(Photo © 2010 by Bryan Reesman.)

Opening comments from Greg Galant, co-founder of Sawhorse Media, which created and produces the Shorty Awards.
(Photo © 2010 by Bryan Reesman.)

Host Rick Sanchez warms up the crowd.

"Twitter Cops": Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?

These Twitter Cops look pissed. Watch out, tweeple!

Grover evidently had many people to thank.
(Photo © 2010 by Bryan Reesman.)

ComcastBonnie accepting her Customer Service Shorty Award.
Love the hair!
(Photo © 2010 by Bryan Reesman.)

Government Shorty Award winner, Newark, NJ Mayor Cory Booker, seems to have had his speech onhand in his Blackberry.
(Photo © 2010 by Bryan Reesman.)

Humor Shorty Award co-winner Mrs. Stephen Fry's self-imposed character limit gave her no time to thank anyone.
(Photo © 2010 by Bryan Reesman.)

Grammy-award winning Brazilian singer Ivete Sangalo co-won the Music Shorty Award and tweets entirely in Portuguese. Her acceptance video clip was in English.
(Photo © 2010 by Bryan Reesman.)

Someone was pissed that they didn't win in the Weird category...
(Photo © 2010 by Bryan Reesman.)

The irreverent Reduced Shakespeare Company were part of a three-way tie for Cultural Institution Shorty Award, and they performed a rap version of "Othello" in under 140 seconds.
(Photo © 2010 by Bryan Reesman.)

Mark Watson (aka SoldierKnowsBest) in civilian attire, with a pretty civilian and his Tech Shorty Award.
(Photo © 2010 by Bryan Reesman.)

Two of the Shorty Award judges: Dina Kaplan, co-founder of blip.tv, and Jimmy Wales, co-founder of Wikipedia. Both are members of the Real-Time Academy of Short Form Arts & Sciences.
(Photo © 2010 by Bryan Reesman.)

Janis Krums with his Shorty Award for Real-Time Photo of the Year.
(Photo © 2010 by Bryan Reesman.)

Party time.
(Photo © 2010 by Bryan Reesman.)

Yes, it's an actual Shorty Award.
(Photo © 2010 by Bryan Reesman.)

Comic book heaven, this way. (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

I have been a lifelong comic book fan, so whenever a major event rolls into town I show up, all cash blazing. And with the economic downturn, conventions now offer great bargains for comics fans seeking back issues, toys and other merchandise. I love diving into the dollar bins to seek out classic horror and superhero comics from the Seventies, not to mention perusing the trade paperback and graphic novel collections that are 50% off. The deals work out better for the buyers than the sellers these days, so it’s best to take advantage of the sales while they happen.

Held at Pier 94 on Manhattan’s west side, this year’s Big Apple Comic Con — the first to be run by their new owners Wizard Entertainment and in a larger venue than years past (with an admittedly much higher entry fee) — certainly provided plenty of purchasing pandemonium and also featured celebrity appearances, comic artist tables, panel discussions and video game stations. I got plenty of shopping done, had my portrait sketched by famed Hulk artist Herb Trimpe and managed to chat with a few of the celebrities in attendance (photos below). While William Shatner, Kate Mulgrew and Linda Hamilton were there, I did not have any luck in spotting them. There was an impressive mix of sci-fi, TV, adult movie and comic book celebs on hand, from both old and new BSG stars to members to multiple Star Trek generations to famous faces from movies like Star Wars, Terminator, Flash Gordon and Supergirl. While the celebs were there selling autographed memorabilia and photo ops (something I find awkward often times when I just want to say something fan-like), the ones I approached for shots in ADD were cool about chatting and being photographed.

This was my first Big Apple Comic Con, and I enjoyed the spacious yet packed event. However, the distressing news I have learned is that next year Big Apple Comic Con is going head-to-head with New York Comic Con on the same weekend (October 7-10, 2010), which to me and many others is a ridiculous idea. Having two massive comic book conventions duke it out at the same time will not only test vendor loyalties but also make it difficult for fans to choose which to attend. Why not separate them out? There is easily room for two large conventions during the year.

Let’s not worry about that for now and take a look at my personal highlights from Big Apple Comic Con 2009.

The X-Men were on hand, along with a security detail. As if they needed one. (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

Hellboy and Predator, together at last! (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

It's Number Six times three! (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

Adrianne Curry as Wonder Woman. (Photo ©2009 by Luigi Novi.)

Cobra's still in business. (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

Brent Spiner was on hand to chat with fans, conveniently located right at the entrance to the Con. (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

Look, it's Will Ferrell as Green Lantern! (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

The charming and lovely Melody Anderson from "Flash Gordon". (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

Eric Michael Maruscak draws an impressive chalk portrait of Spider-Man and Batman. (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

TV's original Incredible Hulk, Lou Ferrigno, who is still in great shape. (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

Artist Dirk Strangely acting, well, strangely. (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

I'm glad someone spotted "Terminator" warrior Linda Hamilton for me. (Photo ©2009 by Luigi Novi.)

Supergirl herself, Helen Slater, is as fetching as ever. (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

Artist Greg Horn and his colorful calling cards. (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

The affable John Schneider from "Dukes Of Hazzard," who helped make my childhood enjoyable. (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

The master Hulk artist Herb Trimpe at work.

The famous DeLorean from "Back To The Future". The Batmobile was nearby as well. (Photo ©2009 by Luigi Novi.)

The bustling Artists Alley. That's Jim Cheung seated in the foreground. (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

Mike A. and his spookerific skateboards and merch. (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

Thomas Hall (l) and Daniel Bradford (r), the men behind the new series "R13". (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

Stylin' t-shirts galore. (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

Now this is what I'm talking about. (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)

I love the look and smell of vintage comic books. (Photo ©2009 by Bryan Reesman.)