Jun 4, 2012

Carrie Fisher and Being in the Audience for Spoilers with Kevin Smith


When I was, oh, let's say 3 or 4, my folks went to see a scifi movie on opening night. They didn't bring me along (even though they normally dragged me out to all sorts of grownup events like Gordon Lightfoot concerts), because they were unsure if I would enjoy it. My Mum was never a big scifi fan, but my Dad couldn't get enough of the stuff. I was raised on Doctor Who and Star Trek. However, once they saw the movie, they knew instantly I would love it, especially because of the muppets. I was a huge Muppet Show fan.

So, shortly thereafter, when the film hit the drive-in theater in Wellfleet, Mass., I caught my first glimpse of Star Wars from the back seat of a VW Bug. I was instantly hooked. Twinkling stars, giant spaceships, lasers, a whiny kid stuck in the middle of nowhere but dreaming big (ok, I wouldn't relate to that aspect until about 10 years later but I sure did have a crush on Luke until I discovered Han), Yoda, R2D2, and, last but certainly not least, Princess Leia.

Oh, how I looked up to her. She was not your typical, boring, Disneyfied princess I was used to all fluff and no substance just looking for a prince, no, she was a diplomat, a rebel, and she carried a big gun. She was the epitome of cool to me. Beautiful and feminine when it was called for, but quick-witted and tough as nails, too. I wanted to be Princess Leia when I grew up.


When I did grow up, I realized Princess Leia was merely a character sprung from George Lucas' mind and brought to life by Carrie Fisher.
My Mum was always an avid reader and one day she handed me a book saying she had just finished it and thought I'd enjoy it, too. That book was Postcards from the Edge by Carrie Fisher. I read it cover to cover twice. I watched the movie of it countless times. And every time Ms. Fisher wrote another book, I read that voraciously, too, from Surrender the Pink to Delusions of Grandma to Wishful Drinking, et al. There was something about the way she told a story - it was like you were in the room with her conversing - it didn't come across like formal, stuffy writing. In a way, I suppose, she reminded me a little of my literary hero Jack Kerouac with his easy, free-flowing style, wild life, and lack of filter. I loved it! I lacked a filter in life, as well, and always felt out of place as a result, but here were like minds sharing their most intimate life details on paper. I had journaled my intimate life details, but never had the courage to share the way they did (well, not until recently). I looked up to Carrie. I marveled at her. She could sing, act, write - what couldn't she do? And she was hilarious. And it seemed so effortless. I can't even tell you how many times a day I ask Jeremy, "Was I funny? Is this tweet funny? Is that line funny?" (The only other thing I ask so much is "Do I look fat in this?") I love funny. I love to laugh. And Carrie always brought the funny.

There's always been a part of me that is terrified of meeting my idols. You hear horror stories all the time. So-and-so was an asshole or whatever. I've been mostly incredibly lucky. The handful of people I've met who I've admired the most have turned out to be super cool, nice people (Bono and Kevin Smith spring to mind). And, although I didn't technically meet her, I saw Carrie Fisher for the first time in real life last Friday and right off the bat she seemed so cool and comfortable and warm and real and funny as all get out. I wish I could have actually met her, shook her hand, and said, "Thank you, I love your books," but that's ok. I probably would have accidentally swallowed my tongue and just said, "Abu Dabbu," so perhaps for the best.


Oh, and in case you're wondering where all this happened, it was at Universal Citywalk where Kevin Smith is shooting a new Hulu Original Series called Spoilers (www.hulu.com/spoilers) where he takes you out to a movie, then you head back to the studio to talk about what you thought of the movie with Kev on camera and what not, then there's an interview and a few other fun segments. So, basically, being in the audience is a lot more interactive than most. If you're near Universal and have Fridays free, I highly recommend signing up to be in the audience (smodcast.com/spoilers). Even though I didn't have anything to say about Snow White and the Huntsman (other than Thor was hot), I had a blast being in the audience. Kevin is just non-stop funny. And omg Carrie Fisher! What an awesome guest. I never thought I'd ever be in the same room as such Hollywood royalty. It was a wicked good time.

(Note: you can watch the Series Premiere with Carrie Fisher here: Spoilers with Kevin Smith: Girls Just Wanna Have Guns S1E1.)

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