By Kevin Coughlin
Can the internet rescue Morristown’s favorite movie ticket-taker one more time?
An online drive so far has garnered nearly 450 signatures demanding that AMC Headquarters 10
rehire Eric “Fluffy” Glover.
As MorristownGreen.com reported last week, the cinema chain canned the 55-year-old Glover, whose pantomimed ticket-punching routine has entertained moviegoers for nearly 30 years.
A corporate spokesman in Kansas City said AMC anticipated the move would be unpopular, yet defended it as “warranted and appropriate,” citing “behaviors inconsistent with AMC’s policies and standards.” Glover, a former nightclub bouncer, maintains that new management at the theater did not appreciate his popularity, and objected when he asked rowdy teens to pipe down.
“Eric is a staple in the community, everybody loves him and he would not hurt a fly,” asserts Samuel Reul, who posted the petition drive on Change.Org.
“If you do not know Eric you should know that he is getting older and may not be able to find a new job, since AMC has taken over this theater Eric has continually been taken advantage of,” posted Reul, urging a boycott of the cinema until Glover is rehired to his $9-per-hour part-time gig, with back pay and a contract protecting the shtick that has made him a local celebrity.
A corporate spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
FANS SOUND OFF
Earlier this year, when word spread that Glover was living in his car ( a gift from a bar) because of changing family circumstances, fans donated nearly $66,000 online to help him. The cinema even hosted a free screening of Zootopia as a thank you to the public.
Glover said last week that he is renting a small room in town.
Many people have declared support for Glover, on the petition site and on MorristownGreen.com.
“Eric is the kind of person this gives us hope that there is still kindness in this world. I am so disappointed in AMC Movies for letting him go and like everyone else in this community we will not be back,” posted Beth Cook of Bernardsville.
“You know what the right thing to do here is. Do it,” added New York City resident Jose Bandujo, vowing a boycott.
“Bring Fluffy back so he can live his life and continue to entertain all of us in the area,” Joen Ferrari posted on Morristown Green.
Larry Ripley of Morris Plains called Glover one of the best reasons to catch a movie in Morristown. “He’s a positive, joyous person, and the people at the theater are idiots not to see that. He was an attraction for their business himself,” Ripley posted.
Added Faith Teeple: “I understand Greed Rules Corporations in America and not compassion….this is a perfect example.”
Rehire Eric,we miss him. Joe
Rehire Eric with benefits,it is nice to see friendly person at the movie theatre.Joe
Another difference between local owners and corporate takeover management.
Employees have a public face to their customers. We all love the experience we have with Fluffy. That being said, we have no idea what transpired that caused his removal from his position. Not a popular opinion, but let’s use logic – the guy only makes $9 an hour and people love him – AMC must have had a pretty good reason to let him go.
This was our theater of choice for many reasons, but Fluffy was definitely one of the reasons we loved this theater. If this is the direction and tactics that new management is going take, we won’t be back. The world needs a lot more people like Fluffy and a lot less cold, callus, corporate drones.
One of the main reasons I and my family would come to the Mottistown movie theater was to see and talk to Eric. He always had a smile even on nights he was not feeling well. Loose Eric and you loose my patronage, not just in Morristown but all of your movie theaters!
Wanting him to get his old job back is like encouraging someone to go back to an abusive relationship. AMC has made it very clear just what they think of him. If people really want to help, they should be rallying to get him a job elsewhere, movie theater or otherwise, where he will be appreciated and respected. If he were to go to a nearby theater complex, you can be assured many of his fans will take their business there as well. That would send a much louder and clearer message to AMC than any petition would, and hit them in the only thing they care about- their bottom line.
This is upsetting news for everyone living in Morristown and our surrounding neighborhoods. We hope AMC will reverse it’s stance and appeal to the wishes of the community. As far as I’m concerned, Eric Glover provides a differentiated quality of customer satisfaction. What would otherwise be a non-exciting moment in the moviegoing experience, Glover turns into a splendid delight. This decision is incongruent with the kind of corporate governance policies that we welcome in Morristown. Get your act together, AMC!
Whats wrong with you people @ AMC? Fluffy makes people happy by smiling. Fluffy entertains without asking for anything in return but we smile just the same. Fluffy helps calm the crowds when they get rowdy with a kind voice. Fluffy is love. BE MORE LIKE FLUFFY!