Chris: He's Just Like Us!

He works on his tan!

Really Big Shoe

Check out this gem from the CW Archives:

Chris is shown donning November FOC Tim H.'s size 15 DD shoes after the flip-flops he was wearing were deemed inappropriate for the impromptu evening Tim orchestrated at one of his beautiful-people Georgetown nightspots. Said Tim, "Keep 'em, buddy. I only hope to one day walk a mile in yours."

Chris Weekly Goes Philanthropic

You’ve heard of the Make-a-Wish Foundation, whereby terminally
ill children are granted wishes, which usually consist of meeting a celebrity or sports figure. While ours is still in the early stages of development, and certainly less honorable of a cause, Chris Weekly is proud to announce it has recently founded its own dream-fulfilling organization!

After many late meetings and much number-crunching, corporate recently gave the green light to The Make It Happen Foundation, which gives one lucky fan a chance to spend a long weekend with Chris, IN HIS HOME, and experience a typical weekend for him: the highs, the lows, the times of plenty and those of want. And after much consideration on the part of our editorial staff, we’ve decided to make inaugural FOC Peter B. from San Francisco our first participant in the Make It Happen program. Congratulations, Peter! Now listen to what you’ve won:

You’ll be flying in to the Washington D.C. metro area on your own dime, and staying at the posh Fairlington Villages on an air mattress on the floor. But wait, there’s more — in honor of CW’s commitment to making dreams come true for our readers, FV management is throwing in a top sheet and clean blanket at no charge. The Make It Happen package includes daily breakfast (Cheez-Its and Sunkist), a per diem of $7.16 for lunch (graciously donated by our production staff), dinner (a personal Totino’s Party Pizza, a Chris favorite!) and dessert (unlimited Flavor-Ice). Even your libations are covered; editorial is contributing its staff supply of Boone’s Farm (mixed berry), which it keeps in the supply room for “birthdays.” Additional highlights: low-cost showers and a de-mildewed towel. Your itinerary includes round-trip transportation into the city for sight-seeing during the day, and to the restaurant or club of your choice for dinner and late night revelry. CW has received (unconfirmed) reports that Chris himself will be picking you up from the airport, but we think it best to have a fitsky on hand for a cab.

Upon learning of the MIH program and his inaugural participation, Peter said:

“It just goes to show you that young people can make their dreams come true without lifting a finger. I’ve never been to DC and I’ve never been to Chris’s house. Now, thanks to Chris Weekly I can cross both of those off my Bucket List. Thanks, CW.”

We know you’re hesitant to believe us but we will have ample (and exclusive) coverage of Peter’s weekend here in Washington. He flies in next Thursday, July 3, so please check back with us that afternoon for more on this developing story.


Chris Weekly: Out there doing stuff for the community. Or at least our readers.

Chris: He's Just Like Us!

He brunches!
(Usually Eggs Benny)

Battle Royale

Sissy swallowed her pride this weekend and subjected herself to ignominious defeat at the hands of the big guy in Wii bowling. CW was on hand to capture the challenge, complete with strikes, spares and more turkeys than a Safeway in November. When asked for comment, Chris confirmed "It was like Thanksgiving up in here!" But alas, there can only be one winner. Nice job, Chris!

Chris: He's Just Like Us!

He sets his watch!

CW Mailbag

Ricky Tinkle, you've been dethroned. Chris encountered his new #1 fan this weekend in the Ballston neighborhood of Arlington:

Sean P. from Clarendon writes:

"OMG. If I didn't have tickets to Rent at Wolftrap next weekend I'd say kill me now and I'd die happy. I was in Ballston on Saturday grabbing a sandwich at Potbelly when I noticed Chris and what appeared to be February FOC Sissy grabbing lunch. I approached him and he was so gracious and down-to-earth. He talked to me like we were friends; just a cool guy. He puts the Regular in Turkey Regular, no doubt. I couldn't wait to show him my new license plate (above), with which he happily posed. $10 extra for a vanity plate honoring the DC metro area's finest? Deal o' the year, mon! Thanks, Chris, for a kick-ass Saturday."

Thanks for sharing, Sean. We at CW have always thought vanity plates to be a bit lame, but those are seven characters and one space we could live with.

Chris: He's Just Like Us!

He settles up!

From the Editor in Chief, U.S., and Publisher

Good afternoon, all,

Don't let this photo from a recent company gathering fool you. It seems glamorous but it's business as usual at Chris Weekly. Unfortunately, the workload at my “real” job lately has been a bit heavy so you may have noticed CW posts have been light. [Hey, now that you mention it!] But don’t worry I’ve stuffed my sorries in a sack and prepared a perfectly delightful lineup for your Wednesday afternoon, complete with gratuitous Chris pics and other fun images from the past week.

February FOC and Virginia Beach Magistrate Sissy came in town this past weekend. We ate, we drank, we lounged by the pool. Saturday evening, after taking a stand against an extortionist parking garage in Chinatown and a torrential downpour, we bagged our plans for dinner in the city at Matchbox, and instead ended up at a Chris favorite, Del Merei Grille in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood. Steaks for all and a bottle of Jim Jim Shiraz for the big guy and his lady. Sunday we brunched with November FOC Tim H., the girl he’s currently bringing home after work, and his brother Chris at Luna Grill in Shirlington. Then Tim H. joined us over at the pool for some chill time before heading down to the CW satellite offices in Mount Vernon to tie up some loose ends before hosting our semi-weekly company cookout. See, how we work on Sundays for you?

For those who’ve not yet made plans this evening, look for Chris up in Maryland at the Merriweather Post Pavilion where he’ll be attending the R.E.M. show. A first for Chris, he’s actually going to see the opening act (The National) not the headliner, which means he’s gotta get be at the venue by like 6:30! An unprecedented feat. Readers who know Chris best have expressed their concerns about him making such an early call:

“Won’t ever happen,” writes Brett in Alexandria.

“6:30? That means he has to be on the road by 5! Inconceivable!,” writes Sissy in Virginia Beach.

“I’m going too, buddy. Don’t worry, I’ll record it for ya,” writes Malcolm in Bethesda.

However, Chris is leaving work early today, using three hours of administrative leave, even, to get home in time for show prep. We think he's gonna make it with time to spare! As usual we hope to have pics for you tomorrow, but as usual don’t count on it.

Chris: He's Just Like Us!

He buys in bulk!

Chris Takes a Sip

Just so we can say CW remains true to its mission (namely seeing this boy's mug in the flesh or via photograph every day), here's a gratuitous Chris pic to combat your early afternoon energy crash. The big guy is shown enjoying a robust red at the Monterey Bay Fish Grotto, last Friday evening in Pittsburgh. Unfortunately the camera flash prohibits guests from capturing the restaurant's phenomenal views of the city.

CW Celebrity Connection: Dave Matthews

Dave's bus, the morning after the encounter.

Dave can be seen in the center, entering the hotel lobby. But staff has been having a ball with that douchebag on the right.


We've said it before and we'll say it again: This job has its perks. Chris Weekly Editor in Chief, U.S., Kelly B. talks to Chris Weekly about her brush with fame this weekend in Pittsburgh:

CW: So you just happened to be staying at the same hotel as Dave Matthews in Pittsburgh this past weekend?

KB: Yeah, corporate really hooked it up this time around. The Detroit Red Wings and that guy from Ace Ventura, Dan 'Laces Out!' Marino, were also staying there.

CW: Had you been waiting all evening in the hotel lobby for the band?

KB: No, actually I had just returned from covering Chris's dinner at Monterey Bay Fish Grotto, an absolutely charming seafood joint with city-wide views atop Mount Washington. (He had the seared sea scallops, by the way.) As we approached the hotel we saw that there were areas roped off by the front entrance. Also a couple tour busses were lined up. We knew DMB was staying there so we figured he must be returning soon. Then as we walked in we noticed our friends waiting in the front lobby with cameras ready. Dave's post-show arrival was imminent. Next thing we know Carter Beauford walks through the door. Then the tour bus he got off of pulled away. We all assumed that Dave must enter through a back way or something, lest he be accosted by fans. But then lo and behold he walks right through the front door. En route to the elevator he stopped to take pics with about 10 fans, and I was one of them.

CW: Did you exchange words at all?

KB: Yes, he asked me "Which way am I looking?," as flashes were going off all around us. I said "Right there," and pointed straight ahead to Chris, who then captured the shot you see above. He then gave me a squeeze on my side and I said "Thank you so much!" in my typical overly-enthusiastic manner.

CW: Best celebrity encounter so far?

KB: Oh yes, by far. Though sitting at the hotel bar with Anthony Bourdain while he smoked a cigarette at Le Cirque in New Orleans in 2002 came close. I also maintain that I saw Bob Balaban (Russell Dalrymple for Seinfeld fans) in an airport once but that is an unconfirmed sighting.

CW Exclusive: Chris Boogie-oogie-oogies til He Just Can't Boogie No More

Much like one of his TV heroes, Brandon Walsh, Chris doesn’t dance. But with the right combination of music, revelry and alcohol, he has been known to find his way to the dance floor.

From the CW Mailbag

Randy in Pittsburgh writes:

"Holy slap shot! My wife and I and our matching mudflaps were waiting outside the Marriott Renaissance in Pittsburgh this weekend, hoping to spot some of the Detroit Red Wings, who were staying there for the Stanley Cup. But it was us who scored the winning goal! Just as we were about to be shooed away by the doormen, Chris comes out the front entrance, just like a regular guy, and waited with friends for a taxi. No car service, no entourage, just waiting for a ride on a city street like everybody else. He was so nice we even snapped a pic of him and his buddy for you (at left). He really is just like us!

From the Editor in Chief, U.S., and Publisher

Good afternoon all,

[insert requisite apology for infrequent posts here]

Here at CW we work hard but play even harder. Staff is moving slowly today with a serious case of The Mondays after a road trip weekend of good friends, good times and general ribaldry in Pittsburgh. Ryan, first cousin of disqualified October FOC Lauren M., married his betrothed in the industrial metropolis Saturday. But he didn’t even register for what was surely his best gift: Chris! In the flesh. When asked for comment by a CW reporter, the groom replied, "That's one thank-you note that'll write itself!"

Always one to celebrate the joining of two hearts and the eternal gift that is matrimony, Chris blew his fortnight’s grocery money at Total Wine and Beverage and Amoco, packed his best suit and headed up north for the festivities. Thankfully he remembered to notify our offices first so we were able to dispatch a reporter to the scene forthwith, and bring you the exclusive coverage that follows. That's right, we've got the boy dressing, eating, sipping and dancing so don't touch that mouse...