Kristy McNichol and Much More at Golden-Con (3/31-4/2)

Two weeks from today, I will be ensconced in the world of "The Golden Girls." Presented by Golden Fandom, LLC, Golden-Con 2023: Thank You For Being A Fan returns March 31-April 2 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk.

Hardcore fans and friends Zack Hudson and brothers Brad and Brendan Balof debuted Golden-Con in 2022 as a weekend celebration of "The Golden Girls," the beloved television sitcom that is still popular more than 30 years after its original run. Golden-Con is a three-day weekend with special guests, live performances, cosplay, merchandise and, of course, lots of cheesecake!

This year, Golden-Con will have writers, producers, and directors from every season of the show, including spinoff, "The Golden Palace." There will also be live performances of "The Lost Episodes," a parody show from Hell in a Handbag productions, a Mother of a Solid Gold Dancer Disco Dance Party, a "Biggest Gift" Vendors Market, the "Chicago: You’ve Got Style" costume parade and much more. Celebrities announced so far include David Leisure, Kristy McNichol, Dinah Manoff, Terry Hughes and Cindy Fee. While I will check out every part of Golden-Con, I am most interested in seeing the celebrities.

A director and producer, Hughes was the primary director of "The Golden Girls." Hughes won an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a comedy series in 1987 for an episode. He also directed episodes of "3rd Rock From the Sun," "Friends" and others.

Chicago-area resident Fee performed "Thank You For Being a Friend," the show's theme song. Fee has become so synonymous with the song, people forget Andrew Gold, the writer and original singer. Gold's version reached No. 25 on the Billboard Top 100 chart of 1978.

Best known for his role as Charley Dietz, neighbor of the ladies, Leisure made his acting debut in "Airplane!" Since then, he has put together an impressive resume of acting credits stretching 40+ years.

The daughter of actress Lee Grant and screenwriter Arnold Manoff, Manoff first caught my eye early in her career with her role on tv's "Soap." She also co-starred in "Grease," one of my favorite movies and many other roles before landing her role on "Empty Nest."

McNichol, who played the other sister on "Empty Nest," has enjoyed 50 years in show business. One of her earliest roles was on "Family," for which she was won the Emmy Award two times.

I am excited about seeing each of these folks for different reasons, although I already met McNichol a couple times. McNichol was one of the friendliest, funniest and coolest celebrities I have met (and I have met hundreds). She was genuinely touched when I asked her about her brother Jimmy, also an entertainer.

Of course, there will be other special guests, who were involved in the sitcom and I look forward to meeting all of them. I also am excited about meeting promoters Zack, Brad and Brendan. Their enthusiasm and passion was amazing and contagious, when my podcast partner Tommy Else and I interviewed them.

Golden-Con runs March 31-April 2 at the beautiful Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk at 301 E. North Water Street. The hours are Friday (1 p.m.-9 p.m.) and Saturday and Sunday (10 a.m.-7 p.m.). Tommy and I will be there covering all aspects, meeting new folks and seeing other friends.

As I always declare, I am not an employee of this convention. I am merely a fan and a writer wanting to share news of a fantastic event.