Definitely one of the funny things I've read recently

I don't know what is funnier: Chewbecca saying, "nobody tells this wookie what to do" or Superman serving as a witness ... you'll see, keep reading ...

Ersatz Chewbacca succumbs to dark side

By Andrew Blankstein, Times Staff Writer
1:41 PM PST, February 2, 2007

A street performer dressed as Chewbacca from "Star Wars" apparently succumbed to the dark side when he allegedly head-butted a tour guide operator in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles police said today.

The incident comes as the Los Angeles Police Department and Hollywood officials are trying to rein in the colorful assortment of actors dressed as various cartoon and movie characters who perform for crowds outside the landmark theater.

After tourists complained that the actors got aggressive and abusive when they refused to pay for posed pictures, the city passed ordinances last year meant to regulate how the characters behaved.

...

The incident was reported about 1:20 p.m. Thursday by security guards who patrol the theater area around the 6900 block of Hollywood Boulevard.

Police said that 6-foot-4 street performer was seen arguing with a 32-year-old Star Line Tours tour guide, who had expressed concern that the wookie impersonator was "harassing and touching tourists" in violation of the city law.

The security guards, who work for the Hollywood Business Improvement District, escorted him off theater property. But police said Young, like the Empire, decided to strike back.

"Chewbacca head-butted the tour guide," Vernon said. "Security guards saw it and ended up detaining him."

The Star Line Tours guide, Brian Sapir, said in an interview today that the Chewbacca character was harassing two young Japanese tourists when he told him to stop. "You could see him exploding in his mask," Sapir said. "He said, 'Nobody tells this wookie what to do."

Young then threw his mask off and head-butted him, Sapir added.

A police source said that a performer dressed as Superman witnessed the assault and was interviewed by police. He was not identified.

In the past, there have been disputes among performers and tourists, who either turn down requests to pose with the characters or refuse to give them donations, Vernon said.

On occasion, the disputes have led to arguments and even fisticuffs between characters as they fight over turf. That led city officials to pass several ordinances regulating the behavior of the street performers.

Under city rules, street performers can't state a price or demand money to take a photo with them, Vernon said. "They only can ask for a donation. They also cannot touch or follow the tourists if they walk away."

Continuing disputes led to a meeting between authorities and about a dozen of the performers, which police said significantly reduced conflict on the boulevard.

"The lesson here is you can have the force with you," Vernon said. "You just can't use illegal force."

Times staff writer Bob Pool contributed to this report.