OSCARS MYSTERY OF #GARYFROMCHICAGO AND FIANCEE GROWS DEEPER
The mystery of “# Gary from Chicago” and his fiancee, who stole the show at the Oscars on Sunday night with their surprise mock “wedding” officiated by Denzel Washington, grows deeper.
On Monday morning, a spokeswoman for “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” said the couple would be on the ABC show Monday night.
But late Monday evening, the spokeswoman told the Chicago Sun- Times there was a change of plans.
“We had scheduled the tourists from last night’s Oscar bit to appear on tonight’s ‘ Jimmy Kimmel Live,’ but we canceled the appearance after producers made the creative decision to focus on other topics from last night’s show,” she said.
On Monday’s 10 p. m. newscast, ABC- Channel 7 featured an exclusive phone interview with Coe, identifying him as a South Shore native. According to the ABC7 report:
“Three days before the Oscars, Gary said he was released from a California prison after serving 20 years for multiple felonies. While paying his debt to society, he said he found Vickie Vines, his fiancee, and religion.
“Change is possible. It’s a sad day to be in prison for 20 years and not be able to be a dad, granddad to your children. You know what my son told me today, ma, and I almost come to tears. He said he’s proud of me. So to hear your children say that they’re proud of me means the world to me,” Coe said.
Coe also explained his Chicago shout- out on Sunday’s telecast to Channel 7:
“I’m a Chicago boy! What do you mean? That’s the Windy City! That’s my town!” he said.
The pair were among a busload of tourists who were surprised by Oscars host Kimmel on Sunday by having their bus “hijacked” and rerouted to the Oscars. The Sun- Times has been unable to reach them to confirm whether they live in Chicago or the suburbs.
Coe and his fiancee revealed to Kimmel on the Oscars that they will marry July 18. When Vines told Kimmel that Denzel Washington was her favorite actor, Kimmel got Washington out of his seat, asking him to be the best man at their wedding. Washington stood between the couple and said, “I now pronounce you man and wife. Kiss the bride.”
In addition to an endless array of selfies with the Alisters seated in the front row, Vicki was presented with a pair of sunglasses by Jennifer Aniston, whom Kimmel prodded for a wedding gift for the happy couple.
The couple’s appearance has been getting more publicity on Twitter under the hashtag # Gary From Chicago.