Anthony Mackie Is Threatened With Police Intervention By Crafts Store Manager

So, I was perusing the boob tube today; looking for something worth the price of admission. Between the disappointment of my idle wish of finding some classic Eastwood or Bronson not being granted and contemplating how much I despise the farce of reality TV, I happened across this episode of The Queen Latifah Show where her guest was none other than Anthony "The Falcon" Mackie from the latest Marvel Studios installment, Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Normally, I wouldn't have bothered to stop, even though I thoroughly enjoyed the film. But, I'm glad that I did. What followed, was one of the most intriguing anecdotes that I've been privileged to hear in some time. I was thoroughly amused; as was Latifah's captivated audience. I have always considered Mackie to be a talented actor, but, this interview allowed me to see that he is an entertainer that is truly passionate about what he does and who he does it for. His sincerity truly defies his prominence, and, I'm even honored that I could share his story with you. If you're a stickler for perfect grammar, I warn you that I presented it as it was stated.

Q. Latifah: I'm sorry. I'm having a little too much fun. I saw the movie, and, I loved it! I LOVED IT! [audience claps] Okay. Now listen, you are the younger brother of three big sisters? A. Mackie: Yes, yes, yes... Q. Latifah: Did they kinda -- I mean, you didn't start off as this superhero guy -- did they baby you growing up? A. Mackie: No. They, they are...awful people. [laughs casually with audience] Uh, my three sisters -- I mean literally, I'm the youngest of six kids -- and you know, my sisters range in age from 15 years older than me to 364 days older than me. Q. Latifah: Wow. A. Mackie: So, I had a varied life of being bullied by three girls. [audience chuckles] But, the sister who's a year older than me, amazingly enough, everytime somebody'd mess with me, she would beat 'em up. So, I used that to my advantage. Q. Latifah: Of course! A. Mackie: But my oldest sister, she's...hilarious. Like she called me, I wanna say right after th-- before the movie came out and she was like, "Oh my God! I'm at Michael's, uh, buying yarn and, um, there's a Falcon poster." Q. Latifah: Wow! A. Mackie: And I said, "First of all, when did you start knittin'?" [audience laughs] 'Cause I never got a blanket, a beanie, I never got mitts. NUTTIN'! I need mitts! Right? So, she's like "Okay, I'mma come get you. I want you to see the poster." So, she drives to the house, picks me up, and drives me to Michael's, right? [shrugs nonchalantly] I never been to Michael's. So, I go in... Q. Latifah: I love Michael's. A. Mackie: I think they have it here, right? It's a craft store. Women go and buy yarn and spray and glue. [crowd chuckles followed by Mackie] So, with my sister and I see these posters. I'm like, "This is, uh, this is my first poster. It's me on a poster!" So I was like, "You know what would be really cool? If I get a Sharpie and signed all these posters." And she's like, "That would be amazing!" I was like, "Wouldn't you wanna' go to a store and see a poster you buy and see that he actually signed it?!" She was like, "Yes!" So, I run to the front, go to the counter, get 'em a Sharpie, RUN to the back of the store. She's like, "Oh my God! Oh my God!" I signed maybe...95 posters "Anthony Mackie 'The Falcon', Thank You." Bow bow bow bow bow. So, about on 96, the manager walks back and he goes, "Excuse me. Can I help you?" And I'm like, "Naw, I'm just signing these posters." He's like, "You can't do that." And I go [while gesturing his head beside his palm to recreate comparing his likeness to a poster for the manager], "My dude, I'm pretty sure...it's okay." [Mackie laughs along with audience] And he goes, "No, it's not okay. Now I can't sell all those posters. So, you gonna' have to buy every poster you defaced." Q. Latifah: You defaced. "No, I am dee (the) face." A. Mackie: And I'm like, "Nooo! People are gonna' buy these posters. I am da (the) face." Q. Latifah: You're right. A. Mackie: And he goes, "No, you're gonna' have to buy 'em or I'mma call the police." So, my sister, just being my sister, faints. So, we get out the store. I roll up 95 posters. Go to the front and buy a stack of Falcon posters. [scans the audience with a look of disbelief and defeat] So, that's kinda' how that works. [A little later in the show...] A. Mackie: But see, I tried to make it up... Q. Latifah: No, I understand that. That was a good idea. A. Mackie: 'Cause we had a screening in New Orleans. So, I was like, "I'm gonna' invite the Michael's manager to my Captain America screening." Q. Latifah: Did you do that? A. Mackie: Yeah! So, I sent him a letter. "Yo Man, come down to, uh, the Prytania Theater. I had got a movie screening. Bring your kids, bring your wife." So, he comes down, sees the movie. After the movie, I'm out shaking hands, thanking people for their charitable contributions. He comes out and he goes, "Oh my God! Can I have your autograph?" [audience erupts into laughter] I said, "Yeah!" [points to his palm to simulate a receipt] "That'll cost you about 75 dollars for all them posters."

If you found that story to be a fraction as entertaining as I did, it was worth the time I spent typing it. This short segment of the show was full of other revelations that were equally enjoyable. Additionally, Mr. Mackie was introduced to his action figure for the first time, participated in a superhero recognition quiz, discussed his love life with his childhood sweetheart, and, briefly discussed the personal gratification of being able to diversify the pool of heroic role models. So, it might be worth a viewing if, like me, you struggle to find quality television programming. Thanks for reading! Sound off below, and, don't forget to hit the red glove if you liked it.