DEBORA SHAULIS | On the Scene Ride can be bumpy in star's orbit

Perhaps you've wondered what it takes to get an interview with a celebrity.
Sometimes I wonder, too.
The process requires a little detective work and a lot of persistence. You find out whom to contact -- an agent, publicist or assistant. You ask how to submit the request -- over the phone, by e-mail, fax or regular mail. You state your deadline for the story, but you remind yourself to be flexible, because some stars can be unpredictable. Most times, you follow up with phone calls or e-mails to keep your request on the radar.
It often works well, but not lately.
Things fell apart as I tried to cover the Mahoning Valley's entertainment trifecta this week -- comedian David Spade, who appears tonight at Stambaugh Auditorium in Youngstown; rock band Saliva, headliner Saturday night at Mahoning Valley Rib Burnoff in Niles; and saxophonist Clarence Clemons of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, who will perform with his Temple of Soul band Sunday night at B & amp;B Backstage in Boardman.
How it went
Here's what happened, in journal style.
Thursday, June 3: Fax request for interview to Spade's publicist in California.
Tuesday, June 8: Reply to general e-mail from Clemons' publicist in New York to request interview and photos. She says Clemons is traveling abroad until next week.
Thursday, June 10: E-mail Saliva's publicist at Universal Music in New York to ask for an interview.
Friday, June 11: Called Spade's publicist. Her assistant says she is traveling, so call back next week.
Monday, June 14: Send another e-mail to Saliva's publicist. Get response from a different person who says she can help. I suggest days and times. She says she'll set it up for 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 16.
Clemons' publicist e-mails to suggest times on Thursday, June 17 and Friday, June 18. I choose noon Friday.
Also called Spade's publicist. Her assistant wants me to fax a written request; I've already done that. Well, she says, it takes seven to 10 days to respond to each request. It's been 10 days. The bottom line: I must call again.
Wednesday, June 16: Saliva's publicist e-mails with a question: Can the interview take place at 4 p.m. Thursday? That time would be better for the band, she says. I comply.
Spade's publicist phones and calls me "unprofessional" for telling local promoters that I haven't gotten a response from her about my request. The locals encouraged me to call Spade's assistant, who apparently sent off a blistering e-mail. The publicist and I debate the semantics of "no response," to no avail. There are no guarantees, she says, but she will try to schedule something and get back to me.
Thursday, June 17: Saliva publicist e-mails at 3:30 saying interview has been confirmed for 3:30 p.m. Friday. What happened to 4 p.m. Thursday?
Meanwhile, local promoter learns that I still don't have an interview with Spade and vows to make a call of his own.
Friday, June 18: Listen to a kind voice mail from Spade's publicist, who asks what time on Monday I am available. I leave a message for her.
A fitness-minded co-worker asks if I'd like to go for a walk at noon. No can do, I say; I'm waiting for Clemons to call. But Clemons doesn't. At 12:35, I e-mail the publicist to ask why. A few minutes later, his manager calls to say that the Big Man unexpectedly had a tooth pulled that morning and was dealing with a mouth full of gauze. Poor guy! Interview is rescheduled for 11 a.m. Monday.
Saliva's road manager calls at 3:45 to say they're running behind schedule, so can they call back in an hour? I protest. I've got to get to Holiday Inn MetroPlex for the Three Days Grace concert. Can lead singer Josey Scott call me at 4:15? Fine.
It's 4:16, 4:19, 4:24, 4:30 ... still no call. I e-mail publicist, who is dismayed and vows to reschedule. I e-mail local promoter so he'll be informed. I leave the office at 5 p.m.
Monday, June 21: Local promoter of Saliva show left voice mail to say he was looking into the situation.
At last! Clemons calls at the stroke of 11, as scheduled.
Meanwhile, an e-mail message from yet another publicist for Saliva arrives. How about 5 p.m. today? Too late, I say. My shift ends at 3:30 and I don't feel like hanging around for something that may or may not happen, given the last three attempts. She responds, offering to try to set it up for 1 or 2 p.m. and promises that the interview will come through.
Spade's publicist calls at 1:45. He has time this afternoon, if I do. OK, but before 4 p.m., I tell her.
Spade's publicist calls again at 2:40. He'll call in 15 minutes, OK? Yes!
Spade calls at 2:55, as planned. About five minutes into the interview, I realize someone is standing next to me -- Joan, our newsroom receptionist. I ask a question of Spade and listen to his answer, then scribble the word interview in red ink on a scrap of paper and give it to Joan. She doesn't understand. I have Josey Scott from Saliva on my phone, she says. Naturally.
XDebora Shaulis is entertainment editor. Write her at shaulis@vindy.com.