Then an explosion of sound. The roar slowly turned into “Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris, Chris.” I leaned over the metal barrier as far as I could and peered down the line. Chris Rock was the cause of the ruckus. Flash bulbs popped rapid fire as cameras snapped away. This frantic name-calling happened every time a big name showed up with the biggest obviously being for Woody. Chris wasn’t promoting anything, so he didn’t want to stop and answer questions, which seemed to puzzle and frustrate many pit dwellers. “I love Woody. Can’t wait to see the movie,” was all the reporters could get, and really what more did they deserve?
The red carpet has an interesting dynamic. “Nobody wants to talk to you if you are nobody” is a maxim that works both ways. I would see PR people do reconnaissance down the line, scooping out the signs for the big media outlets, so they knew where to send their clients. Blogcritics.org always caused a scrunching of the facial features and a “what the?” tilt of the head.
Luckily, everyone wanted to stop and chat with EW, so Senora Bicho was able to get an occasional question out. In comparison, no one in the pit wanted to talk to low-level celebrities who had no involvement with the film. Lucy Lawless looked great and was nearly unrecognizable with her curly blond locks and tanned skin, but that evening no one cared about her upcoming, low-budget horror film, The Darkroom.
Random celebrities showed up just to watch the film. I saw Sally Kirkland off at a distance. Old-time comedian Jack Carter walked down the carpet unnoticed by the pit as if he was someone’s great uncle. Camryn Manheim walked around the carpet. There was Janel Moloney from The West Wing, then Robin Weigert from Deadwood and of course the usual group of hangers-on and unnecessary Hollywood leeches formed in packs, glad-handing each other, promising to get together for drinks. There was even a reality star, Jennifer Massey, first runner-up from Season 2 of The Apprentice.
Article comments
1 - Jenifer Gonzales
What an absolutely fabulous experience you just recounted. I would have melted into a puddle of nerves on the red carpet if I had been given the opportunity. Nice job!
2 - El Bicho
Thanks, Jenifer. Glad you liked it. The carpet's not a scary place, but it is odd.
3 - Alisha Karabinus
Oh, I seethe with jealousy... but since you gave us all these great pictures, I can almost pretend I was there!