Yeardley Smith (Lisa) and Joseph

I was running down to Fresh and Easy to pick up some lunch and among the buzz on the street, met Yeardley Smith, the voice of Lisa Simpson, right on Hollywood Boulevard.

I’m a huge Simpsons fan, (have been to their star on Hollywood Boulevard) and was curious as to what brought Yeardley and all this crowd to Hollywood today…

Then I figured it out! Through the crowds of people and photographers I caught a glimpse of Matt Groening.

The creator of The Simpsons, himself, was the one being honored.

Turns out, Matt’s new star is just steps away from The Simpson’s star.

Bart and Homer Got to Hang Out with Star Girl!

I had to get back to work at the Hollywood Wax Museum after snapping a few pictures, but it was fun to see Homer and Bart with the one-and-only Star Girl from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

The event was also a celebration of the 500th episode. Wow!  Congrats Matt!  Looking forward to the next 500 shows.

Thanks, Joseph for the Hollywood Celebrity Spotting and Guest Post.

Readers: Bring your family to Hollywood  for a day of fun and let us know about your experience on Facebook!

Travel site 10Best.com recommends Branson, Missouri’s Silver Dollar City  as the Best Theme Park in the country.

That’s right, our Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri ranked higher than Universal Studios in Hollywood and Walt Disney World in Florida, taking the number one spot. Silver Dollar City is packed with excitement, while, according to 10Best, ”creates an experience truly reminiscent of the 19th century, complete with its very own steam train!”

Branson is filled with family shows and attractions, including our Hollywood Entertainment Center, home to the Hollywood Wax Museum, Castle of Chaos, Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors, and Shoot for the Stars Mini-Golf.

Open 365 days a year, this is one place you won’t want to miss on your family visit to Branson. Pick Your Fun deals are available for great savings.

Visit Branson’s tourism website for all your family travel needs, and don’t forget your camera!

Share your Branson vacation stories on Facebook!

Here’s his weekend recap full of Santa Monica attractions and, of course, celebrities!

One of my favorite things to do when the sun is shining in
LA –which is pretty much every day (yes we’re spoiled in So Cal) – is head west to the beach.  Last weekend, I did just that with Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade as my first stop.

For those of you who haven’t been, the street is full of trendy shops, tourists and street performers – you never know who you’ll rub elbows with.  I spotted Olivia Wilde out and about, enjoying the great weather. 

In addition to modeling and acting, Olivia dabbles in a bit of political activism too! She’s a member of Artists for Peace & Justice that offers help in Haiti.

Next stop was my all-time favorite attraction – the Santa Monica Pier!  Roller coasters, cotton candy (who isn’t a fan?), a 1922 vintage carousel and…Zoe Saldana…?!

I had to pinch myself!  She was in a big rush but leaned out of her car to sign a couple of autographs, proving just how cool she is.  Coincidentally, she’s starring in the thriller The Words with Miss Olivia Wilde due out in September.

After stuffing myself with way too much salt water taffy, I
took a stroll along the famous Venice Beach Boardwalk, which is anything but boring.

Before I could convince myself to sign up for a surfing lesson, My Week with Marilyn’s Michelle Williams, Stana Katic (where was her sidekick Castle?) and The Help’s Jessica Chastain appeared out of the blue. Amazing star sighting day!

All three actresses were dressed up and definitely headed to
a big event.

Santa Monica was the place to be that weekend! But, Hollywood is home. Lucky me!

WOW!  Your weekend was sure jam-packed with a bevy of beauties and fun, Joseph.  Thanks for sharing your exciting trip to the beach!

Readers: Post your favorite weekend activities and any celeb sightings you’ve had on Facebook!

Guest Blogger Hollywood Joesph has a fresh dose of Hollywood for you:

Walking back from a great dinner at Geisha House on Hollywood Boulevard, I spotted Glee front man and star quarterback Finn Hudson…actor Corey Monteith!  And WOW he is tall (6’3″)!

Corey looked ready for a night of fun at the hot spots on Hollywood Boulevard.  Wonder if he was meeting Lea Michelle, his Glee co-star and on and off screen love interest?  The two are adorable on screen, so of course sparks would fly off screen!

I snapped this picture a few months back of Lea looking stunning at the premiere of New Year’s Eve in Hollywood. With a smile like that, how could anyone resist?

Lea Michelle at the New Year's Eve Premiere

Hey, did you know Corey dropped out of high school at 16 years old and worked as a cab driver?  He had some small parts on TV, but his big break came with Glee.

And did you know Corey is in a band?  He rocks out on the drums in the indie band Bonnie Dune…  I guess all the glee club practice really did pay off!

He’s from Canada and a huge hockey fan. Corey even has a Vancouver Canucks tattoo!  Corey also lists basketball as one of his favorite sports.  At 6’3″ he probably makes a good point guard.

Great shots Joseph. Thanks for the post.

Always fun when a typical night in Hollywood turns into a celebrity event!

Who’s your favorite Glee cast member?  Let us know on Facebook!

And the award goes to… the staff of the Hollywood Max Museum in Branson, Missouri!

Our favorite folks at the Branson Hollywood Wax Museum have been awarded with the title of “Best Staff in the Wax Category” by Terry’s Tour Guide.

Terry Awards the Hollywood Wax Museum Staff

The award was presented by Terry Wayne Sanders, who shares his expertise and insights about Branson with travelers.  Thank you Terry for the award – this means so much to us!

Come hang out with Hollywood’s elite and the award winning staff at the Branson Hollywood Wax Museum today! Like us on Facebook and share your favorite Hollywood Wax Museum photos!

Tim Burton with Joseph

I woulda never believed it if you told me I’d get to meet my favorite Hollywood director, Tim Burton, not once, but twice in my life!

When I saw Tim last year (if I might be so bold to refer to a brilliant creative genius by his first name), he said that the only museum he had ever visited until he was a teenager was the Hollywood Wax Museum.

He grew up not far away in Burbank, Calif. and started making short films in his backyard at age 13. Imagine, the man who created Beetljuice, Edward Scissorhands, Batman, The Nightmare Before Christmas, shall I go on?! studying our wax figures when he was a kid. That is just SO cool!

Anyway, last night I was mosying down Hollywood Boulevard and got a wave from the one and only Tim Burton!

His new comedy Dark Shadows opened yesterday, and I can’t wait to see it! In case you haven’t heard, the movie is based on a 60′s gothic soap opera about Barnabas Collins, a 200-year-old imprisoned vampire who is accidentally set free in 1972. Barnabas returns home and finds his dysfunctional descendants in need of his help.

It’s Burton’s 8th collaboration with actor and friend Johnny Depp and has an all-star cast with Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, and Eva Green.

Looks like a guarateed hit–I mean, who wouldn’t enjoy a campy vampire and lots of jokes?

And me, I can’t believe I just rubbed elbows with TIM BURTON, the great director of Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. Oops! TIM BURTON is the secret word of the day. And, you all remember what to do whenever anybody says the secret word, right? Scream! Aaaahhhhh! Yeah!

Wow! Thanks for sharing your celebrity encounter, Joseph.

Readers: Will you be seeing Dark Shadows? Let us know what you think by posting below!

The brand new Hollywood Wax Museum in Pigeon Forge opened its doors for the first time at noon today, Friday, May 11, 2012! It will be open 365 days a year from now on, so make sure to Come Play with the Stars at the corner of Parkway Blvd. and Showplace Blvd.

What a lucky day for opening, as today is also Dolly Parton’s 27th annual Homecoming Parade. The salute to hometown superstar Dolly Parton takes place between Light #6 and Light #3 on Parkway staring at 6 pm. Parton will ride on a float with a speaker system so she can talk to fans along the three-mile route. The theme of her float is a secret, but the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism says it could involve eagles since she just opened Wild Eagle, a $20 million rollercoaster at Dollywood.

The newest Pigeon Forge attraction, Hollywood Wax Museum in Pigeon Forge, is open until midnight, so go the extra mile on Parkway and turn right on Showplace Blvd. at the same driveway as the Country Tonite show. It’s on the north side of Cracker Barrel. Your favorite Hollywood stars are waiting to take pictures with you!

Who can resist a movie premier as big as The Avengers?  I’ve been a follower of the comic books since middle school—imagining how cool it would be to a superhero, which is secretly every guy’s dream!

Being a huge fan, I decided to act like a tourist that day and headed down Hollywood Boulevard to the historic El Capitan Theatre.

Did I mention I was standing in line at 9am? (Lots of coffee was consumed that morning!)

It was overcast all day and the crowd was lamenting that the cast might not show up if it rained.

While waiting, we were entertained by some fans dressed up as superheroes and watched as a TV film crew interviewed them.

Seeing the Captain America wannabe posing for the camera made me really glad that I already have the best job in the world, working at the Hollywood Wax Museum!

Luckily the storm never came and the stars started arriving ‘round 6pm – it was about time!

First the S.H.I.E.L.D. vehicles featured in the movie made their way down the road, but I think the fans were more interested in the stars.

Robert Downey, Jr.—who plays Tony Stark—drove by in his character’s $9 million 2012 Stark Industries Super Car.

Yes, I said million. Totally sweet ride (Santa, that’s what I want next Christmas)!

Supervillian Loki, played by Tom Hiddleston, made his appearance and was definitely a crowd pleaser.

He stopped and signed autographs and even posed with me.  I hate to  admit it, but supervillians can be cool in person!

My favorite sighting was the Marvel Comics creator and legend, Stan Lee. What a genius!  He even signed one of my comic books…wow!!

The red carpet was packed full of stars, including Stellan Skarsgard (Professor Erik Selvig) and Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury).

Wonder if Sam L. noticed the sign behind him asking for Thor?!

Meeting Jeremy Renner was great – he told me that during filming of the The Bourne Legacy in the Philippines he learned to speak Tagalog.

How cool is that?  Guess starring in the new Avengers is not enough for him!

Need more red carpet sightings?  Follow Hollywood Wax Museum  employee Joseph, on Twitter.  Tell us about your star sightings below!

I don’t typically enjoy shopping, but my buddy’s wedding is coming up and as best man, duty calls.  Had the perfect gift in mind (is a blender too obvious?) and ventured out to the Grove on Fairfax Boulevard – not too far from the Hollywood Wax Museum.  If you haven’t been to this outside mecca, you’re missing out on a shopper’s paradise!

Before I could even make it to Nordstrom’s entrance, a line of people blocked my way. Was there a huge sale I didn’t know about?  Was this my lucky day and housewares were half off?

Apparently the line was not for Nordstrom after all but a major Hollywood movie screening of The Woman in Black.  Blender shopping went on hold as I decided to join the crowd.  Check them out!

Of course, they went wild when Daniel Radcliffe appeared, wearing a dark leather jacket. He chatted with reporters about his role and posed for tons of photos.

As you can see, Harry Potter’s officially grown up, and Daniel now plays Arthur Kipps, a lawyer who encounters a vengeful spirit wearing black.  Hate to admit it, but it’s a terrifying flick that made me jump out of my seat once or twice.

I mean, what’s scarier than a creepy ghost haunting an abandoned house in a remote village? Maybe shopping for a wedding present?

Joseph, thanks for that great report!  Bet you’re sleeping with the lights on tonight…Readers, what’s YOUR favorite horror film?  Share with us on Facebook!

Congratulations to our neighbors in Gatlinburg for being voted one of America’s Prettiest Towns!  Forbes compiled a list of 21 picturesque places around the U.S. based on recommendations by experts from The Travel Channel, National Geographic, and Fodor’s.  Ripley’s Aquarium is even shown in the article.

Of course, we agree that the gorgeous Smoky Mountains are among the most beautiful sights in the U.S., and we are thrilled to share the view from the brand new Hollywood Wax Museum Entertainment Center  at the corner of Showplace and Parkway Boulevards next door to Gatlinburg in Pigeon Forge.

The Hollywood Wax Museum sits high up on the hill with new Pigeon Forge landmarks that you won’t miss… the Great Ape of Pigeon Forge and Mt. Hollywood. When you come inside, you’ll get to rub elbows with your favorite Hollywood celebrities and take photos with the stars!

Coming soon are Castle of Chaos and Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors in the same parking lot (but different building than) the wax museum. Pick Your Fun deals will be available to save a ton too. More details soon!

Are you planning a family vacation in Pigeon Forge this summer? Please share your trip on our Facebook page!