Doogie and Me

By Judi B. • Nov 6th, 2006 • Category: Blog

When you grow up in New Mexico, brushes with fame are few and far between. So, when, in 1994 (I think?), Neil Patrick Harris came into the bookstore I worked at, I had a moment of “ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod!”

At the time, Doogie Howser M.D. had just wrapped up, and Neil Patrick Harris was no longer a kid. He had grown up in New Mexico, or at least sorta had, considering the guy was a child star and all. Anyway, I had friends that had friends that knew him, so that was my big connection to Doogie.

So, when NPH came into the bookstore (R.I.P. Salt of the Earth!) and headed for the staff pick table, and lifted up one of my picks, I was a wee bit excited.

The book was Mysterious Skin and I had originally picked up it because the cover was so cool— it was a close-up shot of colorful Cheerios. It ended up that the book was about sexual abuse, budding sexuality and the way two boys deal with their experiences. I believe it was Scott Heim’s first novel…and I remember being really impressed with it.

“Hey,” said NPH, approaching the counter, “is this your staff pick?”
“Yes,” I answered. I was a little wigged out. The book clearly had homosexuality as a main topic and I was ready to get a little defensive about it.
“Can you tell me about it? Would it make a good movie?”

So, NPH and I talked for probably five minutes about this book, and that was that.

Ten years later, the book did become a movie, and I don’t think NPH had anything to do with it. But, when I first saw the movie poster (and later, the movie) I thought back to that day at Salt of the Earth bookstore.

Today I read that Neil Patrick Harris has come out . That makes me happy, because really…who doesn’t have a soft spot for Doogie Howser M.D., the original blogger?

And, that’s all I wanted to say about that.

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Judi B. is a cake eater and the ex-editor of GV Magazine. Her idea of a perfect day would involve: mimosas in bed, Huevos Rancheros with real red chili, a phone call from her mom, a trip to the dog beach, and cocktails with friends while watching America’s Next Top Model. She shares her life with her hot librarian girlfriend and their two brilliant pit bulls. She has over 80 neck-ties.
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One Response »

  1. and oh my god the cute little shy dude on grey’s anatomy is gay too! happy.

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