Subject: My X-Files Experiences at the World Premiere 
From: bellesocal@aol.com (BelleSoCal)
Date: Fri, Jun 12, 1998 19:59 EDT

Here's who we saw at the screening itself:  Garry Shandling, Nick
Lea, whatever-her-name-is that plays the Uniblonde (all three were
sitting in the same row, two rows behind me, which was kinda
kewl -- I had better seats than Krychek!), Minnie Driver, Martin
Short, Mark Hamill (who is REALLY short and looks like he's
been through a meat grinder), David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson,
Chris Carter (who was standing at the back of the theater when I
got up to hit the restroom about mid-way through), Mitch Pileggi,
William B. Davis (Cigarette Smoking Man or Cancer Man), The
Well-Manicured Man, Martin Landau (with a bevy of babes, all of
'em hangin' on his every word -- this is a man who is *very*
grateful for Viagra), Halle Berry (gorgeous -- the only one my
hubby almost drooled over), Bill Maher (with some gal who musta
been from Rent-a-Slut -- the shortest, tightest dress I have ever
seen on one human being, and actually made Nick Lea stand up
and stare). There were some other lesser known celebs, folks I've
seen in various TV shows/movies/whatever but whose names I
don't know and don't particularly care about, not to mention the
usual load of industry power hitters (small, medium and large) and
wannabes (read: cell phone addiction). Mostly TV folks, though.

Apparently there were two screenings being held simultaneously in
two separate theaters, each across the street from the other. We had
black tickets which meant that we got to attend the screening in the
same theater as the stars, their guests and other notables (and not so
notables).

Now, for the juicy parts!!!!!!

Whilst waiting for the Big Stars to arrive (read: GA and DD), we
were doin' a bit of people watching. At one point, Mitch Pileggi
and his wife were coming down the aisle towards their seats and he
stopped right *next* to my seat (I was on the aisle). I mean, if I
may be so bold, and as I told my hubby, I was right at "BJ" level
for Skinner!!!! Then he looked down at me, and I looked up (man,
he's *tall*), and we both grinned at each other and he said, "Hi."
This was a very kewl moment.

GA arrived, but it was difficult to see her actual arrival for all the
folks with her. From what I saw, she looked gorgeous, though.

DD got to his seat moments before the lights went down.

The audience cheered for everything - the 20th Century Fox logo,
the first musical note of the movie, the first time anyone appeared
on screen - in fact, CSM was sitting directly across the aisle from
me, and when his character was seen first, everyone was yelling,
"Yea!!!" and clapping, except me - I booed and laughed, and he
looked over at me and laughed, too.

After the movie, folks got up and started to leave (regular folks, not
"star folks"), so we did, too, and as I got up, I knelt next to CSM,
placed my hand on his arm and said, "I just love to hate you." He
grinned and said thanks. 

Off we went to the party, held in a hangar at Santa Monica Airport.
We parked the car, then hopped a shuttle to the hangar. Loud,
techno-disco music, strobe-laser lights, food out the wazoo, open
bar with "hybrid shooters" (red, green and blue - don't ask, I dunno
cuz I don't drink anymore). Access Hollywood, all the local news
channels, etc., roaming around with cameras. We grabbed a coupla
plates of food and something to drink, then spotted a place to sit
and snack while we scoped the joint out.

Now, I tend to be pretty gregarious, and Dave's pretty laid back, so
we just let each other do our own thing. First I spotted Nick Lea, so
I went up to him and introduced myself, telling him that I wasn't in
the industry, just a fan who enjoyed his work. He shook my hand,
said hello and asked me how I got the tickets. I told him, he
clucked approvingly, asked me what I thought of the movie, I told
him it was great, except Krychek seemed to be missing. He clucked
some more, then I asked him how it was going with the NYPD
Blue auditions. Apparently he'd found out only the day before that
he didn't get the role - came down to 3 people, and they went with
a guy who's about 25 years old - he really seemed disappointed and
said it was a part he'd have loved to have played, but it just didn't
fall that way. I thanked him for his time and graciousness and told
him we'd be looking for more of him next season, and he shook my
hand again and thanked me. A very gorgeous man, and generous
with his time, all in all one of the most gracious encounters of the
evening. 

Next I set my sights on Garry Shandling. He was with someone (I
didn't recognize her and I certainly didn't get the impression that
they were "together), but my hubby overheard him puttin' the
serious moves on a chick at the party later. I spoke to Shandling at
the party and said, "I know you felt like it was time for Larry to be
over and done with, but I want you to know he'll be missed." GS
said, "I had to get away from it." I said, "I do understand. But your
series finale blew Seinfeld's to hell and back." GS kinda nodded his
head, started to walk away, turned back to me, put his hand on my
shoulder and said, quite seriously, "Thank you for that." It was a
true Hollyweird Moment.

To my left, I could see David Duchovny surrounded by a phalanx
of people - men, women, young girls, security - it was bedlam.
And, BTW, he was the only one I saw with individual security IN
the actual screening. Still, I simply stood there for a bit, trying to
look adorable <G>. After a bit, some of the hangers-on started
moving away, and I'd inch a little closer. Finally, I was a mere foot
away. As other supposedly grown women were shoving paper and
pen at him with demands for autographs, or squealing "I LOVE
YER HA-YER, KIN I TUTCH IT??", I bided my time and merely
watched. Suddenly, he raised his head, as though he knew someone
was watching, and caught my eye, smiling at me. Looked back
down, signed another autograph. Looked back up, off to the right,
then back at me, smiling. I smiled back <duh>. A few moments
later, the crowd had parted just a bit, so I stepped forward, out my
hand and was rewarded with a smile that'd dazzle anyone
:::THUD:::: - he took my hand, like a handshake, then put his other
hand over both of ours and leaned in close to me, as I said, "I just
wanted you to know that I'm not in the industry, and I don't want
your autograph." He looked up at me, smiling again, and said,
"Thank you," meaning it REALLY. I also told him that I was truly
a fan of his work, not just on TXF but Twin Peaks, and that I'd
even finally gotten around to seeing "Playing God" and enjoyed it
immensely. He got that cute little bemused look on his face and
said, "Did you? You're one of about 10." I said, "Absolutely. I
about laughed my ass off." He chuckled. Finally, I told him I
admired him and Tea for following their inner voices and doing
what they wanted, getting married so quickly, because I'd also
changed my entire life 3 years ago after knowing someone for a
matter of weeks (and now, of course, we're joyfully and happily
married). That was it. He was incredibly pleasant. But I really
know he wanted me; oh, yes, he wanted me *bad* but Tea was too
close by. <VEWG> 

Around this time, I had a brief chat with Martin Short (told him he
was the only good thing about "Merlin," which seemed to surprise
him); stopped by and told Martin Landau that his fans appreciate
his body of work (I restrained myself and didn't tell him what I was
really thinking, which was that he seemed to be appreciating
several much younger bodies of his own) and he shook my hand,
then turned his attention to a pile of jellybeans (go figure). 
Lastly, I saw Chris Carter. I started to make the rounds, staking out
the surrounding territory, moving ever closer as the industry
bigwigs kissed his ring and the women acted like hormonally
addled mice. I waited my turn (remember, all good things come to
those who wait) and finally, there was my moment. I slipped my
hand through his arm, looked up, smiled charmingly and said,
"May I tell you something?" He smiled and said, "Certainly," then
leaned down (I'm very short - about GA's height) and I said,
quietly, "Fuck Jim Cameron; YOU'RE king of the world!" He
threw his head back and ROARED with laughter!! Very satisfying
moment for me, yes indeedy do. I told him too that I was so glad to
read that he's returning to both TXF and Millennium for another
year. He said that he felt like he needed to pay a bit more attention
to Millennium, and I replied, "It needs your attention." He looked a
bit surprised, then said, "Thank you for telling me that. I think I
needed to hear it." I smiled and said goodnight.

By this time, it was nearly 1:00 a.m. So off I went and found my
dear hubby, and we left. An hour later, we were home, and within
15 minutes, BOOM, it was sleepy time. I'm about to fall asleep as I
type this so I hope you'll all forgive me for any duplications of
effort or typos).


Bev