So you felt the same way! I was so scared that he'd take my camera and toss it somewhere! I didn't leave the concert with the great feeling I came in with.. =\

I totally agree... I left feeling like someone should've punched that guy, but I still had a total blast the rest of the time! :)

In this one particular case of life I will admit to NOT loving Dick. lol

HAHA... rock on. I can agree that, in this situation, I don't like Dick either. ;)

Have you read this? http://www.geeknewscentral.com/archives/008190....

Johnathan Coulton was giddy enough for me to put up anything; personally, Chance was a little too loud for me, and Mr. Cheese, well, I walked away after one too many swear words.

I didn't know who Richard Cheese was until now. I understand it's a character, and he's definitely good at the character, but maybe he should promote the fact that his show is over the top a little more.

I wonder if he attended the NME. I doubt it; he needs to work on building his brand. I love a good character, but if I don't know about it, then I can't discover it.

I too was at this event and found Mr.Cheese’s behavior slightly unnerving to say the least. Yes, he did ask people to stop filming, AFTER he grabbed a camera away from Mr. Cochrane’s and threw it back at him. No one knew if this was a joke or if he was being serious. If you watch any of the many angles of this action, you’ll hear the crowd laughing. Obviously if people thought it was part of the act, they continued filming until he spat on another fan, and scolded the crowd. It then became suddenly clear he was serious about the ‘no photography’ request.

I think this could have been handled much better by Mr. Cheese. Instead of attacking the very ppl who were there to support him, he could have said “Hey guys, there are copyright rules when performing cover songs, so I gotta ask that ya put the cameras away and we’ll have a good time, alright?” See? simple. No attacking, no throwing or grabbing, and no spitting.

I put my camera away and actually stepped to the back of the venue because I felt a little sick after that. I used to be a big Cheese fan, and even PAID for his music (OMG!) I run an internet radio station, which plays his music, and yes I even pay royalties. No more. I’ve pulled his songs from my list.

After the performance I approached Mr. Cheese during his photo op / autograph session. He looked at me twice, while holding my camera, and even commented that he liked my jacket. Eventually he realized I was filming, and yes, did ask me to stop twice. I should have, but felt as it was a photo op, whats the hurt? He was no longer performing .. or was he? I wasn’t sure, because after each time he stuck his hand up to the lens, he joked how he liked my jacket. As I walked away, filming myself, he obviously thought I was filming him over my shoulder and grabbed my arm and camera from behind, after a short struggle I retrieved my camera and he threatened to have me ejected from the Hotel. Which was fine, b/c I then left anyhow.

Now I could easily say I was assaulted by Mr. Cheese, but I admit, I may have had it coming. However, it wasn’t until he actually grabbed me, that I knew he was serious.

I have the video of the whole scene, but I’ve removed it from the ‘net as per Brian Ibbott’s request. Brian did an amazing job, and deserves no more headaches from Richard Cheese. I’d ask everyone else who has video online to pull it as well, for Brian’s sake.

I’m saddened how this all played out, and while I don’t expect Richard Cheese to apologize for his behavior, I think it would help his bruised image (at least in the eyes of New Media) if he would at least admit that he could have handled the situation better.

- Langley

PS: Nice jacket Richard Cheese.

I understand it's a character, and he's definitely good at the character, but maybe he should promote the fact that his show is over the top a little more.