Would you like a signed copy of Gary Coleman's pants?

[okarol]

Would you like a signed copy of Gary Coleman's pants?

Posted Jan 3rd 2008 1:42PM by Bob Sassone
Filed under: OpEd, Web, Celebrities
TV SQUAD

I'm not sure if I should make a joke here about this or just let it go because there's actually a serious reason why this is happening.

Former Diff'rent Strokes star Gary Coleman is selling his pants on eBay. He needs the money for his regular dialysis treatments. They're Gap athletic pants, khaki colored, with blue, green, and white stripes and Coleman has signed it. So far the bidding is up to a whopping ... um ... $51.00, which I don't think is what he was looking for. The bidding ends on January 7.

Sometimes I wonder about stars that were on popular shows decades ago but now find themselves looking for work. Can't they find something else to do in entertainment (if they don't want to or can't get something in another field)? It always makes me feel uneasy when stars resort to stuff like this.

Ebay Auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/Gary-Colemans-Gap-Athletic-Pants-SIGNED_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ152502QQihZ008QQitemZ180200740749QQrdZ1?

Story url http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/01/03/would-you-like-a-signed-copy-of-gary-colemans-pants/

[boxman55]

Doesn't Medicare cover his dialysis, help me out here, do I need to start setting a few pair of pants aside for auction? ...Boxman

[glitter]

the ebay page does not say its for his dialysis, and its a memorabilia dealer

[angela515]

It's because he cannot get work.. so therefore he is resorting to other forms of getting money to live the lifestyle of the star he once was.

[kellyt]

I'm not so sure he's "living the lifestyle of the star he once was".  I believe he is/was working as a movie lot security guard.  But you may be right.

[Deanne]

The pants thing is just creepy to me. I can understand buying used clothing -- I get most of my pants from Goodwill, but to buy a pair of pants just because a celebrity once onwned them???  I hope he washed them first!

[angela515]

I'm not so sure he's "living the lifestyle of the star he once was".  I believe he is/was working as a movie lot security guard.  But you may be right.

Correct. He is not living as a star... he is trying to and wanting to from the interview I seen with him.

[kellyt]

Poor little guy.  Other than Different Strokes he only did one or two movies, right?  He should move on with his life.  Child stars are precious, but I feel so sorry for the way they are treated and used - Usually by their parents!!!!!!!!!!  ugh!

[angela515]

I agree... and I heard his parents really screwed him over, if I remember correctly.

[okarol]

He's got 30 bids so far - price is up to US $137.50.

[kellyt]

whoo-hoo!   Go Gary!  Go Gary!

By the way, what kind of pants are they....Tough Skins?     (anyone younger than 35 might not get the joke)

[boxman55]

If the Sears Silvertone was the unofficial first guitar for musicians, then Toughskins is the unofficial first pair of pants for schoolchildren. Printed and online testimonials abound from people whose first memory of their childhood is going to the first day of school outfitted in Toughskins.
Sears touted the new line of Toughskins children's pants as "The toughest of Sears tough jeans...lab tests prove it!" Toughskins debuted as a new blend of materials, including Dacron Type 59 polyester, DuPont 420 nylon, and cotton.

The "tri-blend" was a conscious effort on the part of Sears to develop a brand of jeans that was exclusive to Sears.  In the 1960s, Sears' children's jeans were made of the same material as that of its competitors.  When market research showed that durability was the most important feature for parents buying children's jeans, then Sears' engineers headed into the laboratory to develop a stronger material than either the 50-50 blend of cotton and polyester or 100-percent composition of jeans most commonly found in stores at the time.

To demonstrate just how tough the new jeans were, Sears launched a famous "Tough Jeans Territory" ad campaign in 1974, in which Sears constructed a trampoline out of the Toughskin material.  Sears was so sure of the new line of pants that they were sold with a guarantee that children would grow out of their Toughskin jeans before the jeans wore out.

Toughskin jeans were marketed for both boys and girls, ranging in age from toddlers to teenagers.  Sears later expanded the line of Toughskins jeans to include corduroy jeans, denim jackets, and men's work clothes.

In the 1990s, a second generation of children wore Toughskins, which were featured items in the new Kids & More departments at Sears stores.

[KT0930]

I just exchanged two pairs of my son's Toughskins because he tore holes in the knees before he outgrew them! AWESOME program!! We signed up for their Kids Advantage Club, and as far as I know, have not sold our name or phone number to anyone. They only asked for the phone number at the very end of the transaction and very happily did an even exchange. I LOVE it!   

Back on topic, though, when Gary Coleman was doing Different Strokes, he was also doing PD. His parents would make him work no matter how ill he was feeling (and I did PD at about the same age...I felt ill all the time!), and he saw very little, if any, of the money he earned. I believe he took them to court at age 16 or 17 to get legally emancipated from them and won. I don't know if he's trying "live the life of a star", or simply trying to get some pocket money...remember, he's probably not able to work now, either.

[okarol]

Bidding has ended for this item - 36 bids - Final bid US $203.49 plus US $8.75 Shipping   

[angela515]

remember, he's probably not able to work now, either.

He does work. Also he does commercials besides the security guard job.

[Joe Paul]

remember, he's probably not able to work now, either.

He does work. Also he does commercials besides the security guard job.

You say that as if you know him, do you?

[angela515]

No, I seen the interview he did just recently. I'm just going by what he said lol

[oswald]

Would you like a signed copy of Gary Coleman's pants?

"WHUCHOO TALKIN' 'BOUT OKAROL"?   

All in fun!  That's still one of my wife's favorite shows!  She said she even named her fish "Abraham", when she was a kid, after Arnold's fish.   

[okarol]

 

[goofynina]

I know with his illness and from what i heard of what his parents did to him, i do feel sorry for him BUT, this guy has an attitude as if the world owes him, it is sad   I seen him on a dating show once and then on the Surreal Life, it showed me his true colors and how bossy and arrogant he can be    I would've have paid $1.00 for those pants.  Thats almost as bad as Screech from Saved by the Bell selling some shirts to save his house 

[okarol]

Wow - another pair - these in navy blue http://cgi.ebay.com/Gary-Coleman-MEMORABILIA-SIGNED-Gap-Athletic-Pants_W0QQitemZ180204500969QQihZ008QQcategoryZ60329QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
still time to bid - if you hurry - right now it's at $400,000 

[kevinswife]

I recently watched the "Drake and Josh" show on Nick with my son.  Drake and Josh were selling "Gary Coleman Grills".  The didn't know the grills were stolen.  Gary Colemen played himself.  He wanted his money from the grills that Drake and Josh had sold.  They spend all the money, so Gary repossessed the items Drake and Josh had bought.

[goofynina]

I thought this was a joke but its NOT, OMG, WTF??  $400.000.00 on a pair of pants?  I dont care who wore them, that is just craziness!!!  Why dont these people donate some money or food for the homeless instead of wasting their money on something so stupid