Saturday Breakfast Buzz: Famous duo in N.D.?

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/07/2010 (5803 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

By Tyler Glen

On Thursday morning, a Facebook friend sent me a message saying “There’s a rumour that Fergie and Josh were here last weekend … at Metigoshe.” Or as the Yanks say it “Metigoshee.”

Now while she couldn’t confirm the sighting, the thought of these stars “hob-nobbing” so close to Brandon had social media buzzing. Thursday morning on the Breakfast Buzz, Krystal and I called both the Bottineau Walmart and Twin Oaks resort to get the facts. Rebecca, a manager at the Bottineau Walmart, told us while she didn’t see them this trip, “they come to Lake Metigoshe a couple times a summer” she said.

“I think Josh’s parents have a cabin here.”

As for the Twin Oaks resort, the receptionist couldn’t confirm a recent sighting either, but the owner of the resort did run into the couple on a recent visit. The fact is, these two vacation in the area on a regular basis.

Who are these two? Here’s the 411: Josh Duhamel is 37, born and raised in Minot, N.D. He studied locally to be a dentist, but dropped out a few credits short of his degree, and pursued acting. After moving with a girlfriend to California, he won male model of the Year in 1997, and 1999, and landed the role of Leo du Pres on “All My Children,” winning a daytime Emmy along the way. He left ABC in 2002 to play Danny McCoy on NBC’s “Las Vegas.” From “Win a Date with Tad Hamilton” to “Transformers,” this guy is a “big time” movie star, no doubt about it.

As for Fergie, or Stacy Ferguson, she is 35, and got her start in show business in 1984 as the voice of Sally Brown in the Charlie Brown television episodes, and later was on the children’s show “Kids Incorporated.” But she is most famous for her voice, first as lead singer with the Black Eyed Peas, and then as a solo artist. The Black Eyed Peas are one of the most successful pop acts of the last decade, to which she is the gorgeous female lead. One of the biggest songs of the last 18 months is “I Got a Feeling….that tonight’s gonna be a good night, that tonight’s gonna be a real good night…” (OK, now that song is in my head and your head the rest of the day.)

After Fergie went on “Las Vegas” in 2004, the two started dating, and Josh later confessed to In Style magazine that Fergie was his secret celebrity crush. The two married in a lavish ceremony in January 2009, and now join the likes of Demi and Ashton, Brad and Angelina, as a Hollywood power couple. And they like to vacation right here in our backyard.

Here’s why it’s a big deal: most Hollywood stars get famous, get rich and get lost. Josh has stayed true to his roots, and can often be seen in his hometown of Minot, strolling on a bike path or though Dakota Square Mall. He works for United Way and hosts a charity golf tourney each year. He could vacation anywhere: Paris, London, The Bahamas. But once again, Josh chooses to come home, where his friends, family (and Minot restaurant) are. And the fact he brings his superstar wife along for the ride is very, very cool.

So what happens if you bump into Josh while filling with gas at the Superpumper, or see Fergie fumbling for her keys in a parking lot at the beach?

Well, it would certainly be exciting, and there is a right way and wrong way to handle famous encounters. Should you slap your hands to your face, and scream as loud as you can while jumping up and down? Apparently that’s wrong.

Experts say, stay calm. When you meet a star, we are supposed to remember, they are ordinary people. Here’s the right and wrong way to have “celebrity contact”:

* Tyler says: why not scream so loud four-legged animals can only hear you while crying uncontrollably.

Expert advice: Stay composed; otherwise you may freak the person out.

* Tyler says: I will hide my face. I am hideous and embarrassed and she/he is a beautiful person. I will mumble into my hands while crying.

Expert advice: Try to make eye contact. An eye contact will give you confidence and you will be able to hold your nerves. If she/he looks back it’s your cue to say, “Hello. How’s it going?” If she/he ignores you, give up and walk away. (I would be crushed and curl up in the fetal position.)

* Tyler says: if they talk to you, explain how she sings only to you and how you dream of her and how you would like to take her to your trailer at the lake to eat spam and watch re-runs of “Gilligan’s Island.”

Expert advice: if you start talking, try to talk about ordinary stuff, things you would talk about to any other person. Be quick and close the conversation, and don’t talk a long time if they don’t seem interested. End with: “Nice talking to you, I gotta run. Since you’re that awesome star, could sign this for me?” If she/he obliges, say “thank you.” If she/he refuses, say “Oh well, that’s OK. I still enjoyed meeting you. Have a nice day.” A graceful ending apparently is always best.

Obviously, I haven’t come into contact with huge numbers of famous people. Truth be told, if I did come into contact with these two, I would stare at Fergie, they would be talking to me, and all I would do is stare in silence. This behaviour can occasionally receive a less then pleasurable response, and again, if you give chase, prepare for police to be called.

Let’s just do this: if you see them, give them space, say hi and tell them how much you like them. But can you please take a picture?

» Tyler Glen hosts the Breakfast Buzz on Brandon’s 94.7 Star FM.