The Year: 2004
The Place: The Yarrow Hotel in Park City, UT - Sundance Film Festival 2004
The Person: Actor Xander Berkeley
For purposes of set-up, I'm supposed to meet a fellow FT-er at the hotel bar and have been wandering the halls when I bump into Mr. Berkeley in what looks like the end of a receiving line outside a screening room.
Xander Berkeley: Hello.
Pete: Howdy.
Xander Berkeley: What'd you think of the movie?
Pete: Oh, I thought [quickly looking at poster] Below the Belt was a great look at, uh, boxing.
Xander Berkeley: You didn't actually see it, did you?
Pete: Absolutely not. Good catch.
For the record, BtB (also known as Human Nature) is sort of like Brazil meets the Marx Brothers. I blame my lack of honesty on the fact that I'd already had a few beers.
The Year: 2005
The Place: SXSW Headquarters, Austin Convention Center, Austin, TX
The Person: Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne
Pete: Hey, I hate to sound like a fanboy dickhead, but could I get my picture taken with you?
Wayne Coyne: <stands up, laughing> "Fanboy dickhead?" Man, that's harsh.
Battle some pink robots while reading Conversations with Famous People.
This one seemed timely...
The Year: 1991
The Place: A Tom Thumb supermarket in Austin, TX
The Person: Former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson
Pete: Can I help you, ma'am?
Lady Bird Johnson: Can you tell me where I can find greeting cards?
Pete: Aisle 19.
Lady Bird Johnson: Thank you, young man.
It's always a Great Society on "Conversations with Famous People."
The Year: 1988
The Place: Office of University of Texas newspaper The Daily Texan
The Person: Cartoonist Chris Ware
Pete: Hey, you draw Quimby Mouse, don't you? I love that strip.
Chris Ware: ...
Pete: So, you just started drawing here this year? How do you like it?
Chris Ware: ...
Pete: Uh, anyway, keep up the good work.
Chris Ware: ...
He may very well have been asleep. It was hard to tell with all that hair.
Stop the presses with Conversations with Famous People.
The Year: 2003
The Place: Meyerland Plaza Theater, Houston, Texas (the "world premiere" of One Last Dance)
The Person: Actor Patrick Swayze
Pete: There he is.
The Wife: Who?
Pete: Swayze. Now's my chance.
The Wife: Don't do it.
Pete: [yelling] You were the bomb in Steel Dawn, Swayze!
Patrick Swayze: <conufsed look and wave>
The Wife: <slugs Pete in the arm>
Nobody puts Baby in a corner, not even "Conversations with Famous People."
The Year: 1998
The Place: Online Learning Conference, Anaheim, CA
The Person: Noted humorist Douglas Adams
Pete: Mr. Adams?
Douglas Adams: Hmmm?
Pete: I'm sorry to bother you, but could I get you to sign my conference program?
Douglas Adams: Certainly.
Pete: Thanks. You know, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is one of my favorite...
Douglas Adams:
Don't panic, another installment of "Conversations with Famous People" is on the way.
The Year: 1992
The Place: A still unnamed fine dining club in Bryan, Texas
The Person: Texas Governor Ann Richards
Ann Richards: Could I get some more coffee?
Pete: You sure can, Governor Richards.
Add some cream and sugar with "Conversations with Famous People."
The Year: 1975
The Place: A forgotten mall in Salt Lake City, Utah
The Person: Batman's Adam West
Adam West: What's your name, son?
Pete: Peter, sir.
Adam West <signing autograph>: "To Peter, Batman."
Pete: Thanks.
To the Batcave...for more "Conversations with Famous People."
The Year: 2001
The Place: Baltimore-Washington International Airport, Baltimore, Maryland
The Person(s): USA Women's Soccer Players Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain
Pete: Excuse me...
Team Manager: Are you with ESPN?
Pete: Nope.
Brandi Chastain: Leave him alone, Jim.
Pete: Would you mind if I took your picture?
Mia Hamm: Do we have to do anything?
Pete: Uh, a smile would be nice.
Mia Hamm: Okay.
Flash that sports bra for more "Conversation with Famous People."
The Year: 1992
The Place: Walnut Creek Ampitheater, Raleigh, NC (Lollapalooza)
The Person: Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell
<Pete, not paying attention to where he's going, walks into a tall, long-haired man and is knocked down>
Chris Cornell:
Pete. No problem...hey, you're Chris Cornell!
Chris Cornell: Yep.
<walks away>
Break this rusty cage with more "Conversations with Famous People."
The Year: 1996
The Place: Barnes and Noble Bookstore, Dupont Circle, Washington, DC
The Person: Supermodel Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks: Hi.
Pete: Hi.
Tyra Banks: Who should I make these out to?
Pete: Could you make one out to 'Pete' and one to 'Dave?'
Tyra Banks: Sure.
Pete: Thanks a lot.
The action never stops with "Conversations with Famous People."
The Year: 1974
The Place: The Hogle Zoo, Salt Lake City, Utah
The Person: "Wild Kingdom's" Marlin Perkins
Marlin Perkins: Nice to meet you, Peter.
Pete: Hello.
Marlin Perkins: Tell me, what's your favorite animal?
Pete: Um...whales.
Marlin Perkins: Well, we should be doing a show on whales next year.
Pete: Okay.
Join us next time for another fascinating installment of "Conversations with Famous People."
During a recent drive back from Austin, I had time to reflect upon the many significant encounters I've had with various celebrities. In the interest of sharing, I've decided to include them here as an irregular feature called "Conversations with Famous People." Enjoy.
The Year: 1992
The Place: An unnamed fine dining club in Bryan, TX
The Person: Hall-of-Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan: Excuse me, what is this?
Pete: It's mahi mahi, Mr. Ryan.
Nolan Ryan: Could I get a steak?
Pete: Sure thing. What kind of wine would you like?
Nolan Ryan: Could I get a Miller Lite instead?
Pete: No problem.
Join us next time for another riveting chapter of "Conversations with Famous People."