Living in L.A., you kind of get used to seeing celebs driving down the street, getting coffee, shopping at the grocery store, etc. But every so often, no matter how long you've lived here & who you are, I think you're allowed to recognize someone whose work you love and geek out.
That was me today at lunch at La Luna on Larchmont. One table over, in the corner was Tony Shalhoub.
As soon as I got back to my desk at work, I IMed my brother, who said, "you shoulda walked up to him and tell him you've watched EVERY SINGLE EPISODE of Stark Raving Mad....."
Unfortunately, yours truly was on a business lunch with BossMan and a vendor. I got dressed up all nice and professional-like for it and even left my cameras at the office during lunch.
I didn't even notice THE Tony Shalhoub right away because I was all focused on our little beesknees meeting. But then I realized who he was and I started a plotting out what I would say to him if I could find an excuse to go up an talk to him:
me: Mr Monk! I mean, TONY SHALHOUB! I love your work! I've enjoyed everything you've done since Wings. I really loved Big Night and you were great as Jeebs in MIB & MIIB! Can you do that thing with your head right now? That would be cool! And I'm absolutely crazy about...
him: (interrupting) No shit, you're crazy! Stay away from me, you psycho! (calling the server over) Can I get the check now? And a restraining order for this loony toon?
me: but, but... I'll be seeing a sneak preview of Against the Ropes...
In actuality, I did not act like a deranged fan. I sat quietly and all ladylike at my table and smiled, nodded, and chimed-in at the appropriate times for the business discussion we were having.
And when Tony walked toward my table as he returned from paying the check, he smiled and nodded at me when I looked up and made eye-contact. And I smiled back at him instead of jumping up and blurting out an ovation to his oeuvre. [Yes, I did know what that word meant. It just took me 5 hours to remember what the word itself was.]
That, my friends, is what's called "self-restraint."
P.S. - Thanks to Mikey2 for correcting my spelling of Mr. Shalhoub's last name before I posted this. You would think I would have known that "Shaloub" is missing an 'h.'
WOW! The closest we get to a celeb siting around here is a news anchor at McD's...
Posted by: ann at January 28, 2004 04:56 AMYou, are so cute!
Posted by: michelle at January 28, 2004 06:19 AMI would have sneezed on him to see if he's anything like his Monk character.
Well, maybe not.
Posted by: pie at January 28, 2004 08:40 AMI've heard he is a pretty nice guy in private.
Of course who couldn't help but smile at such a lovely young woman as yourself.
He probaly also recognized that you recognized him and didn't make a scene about it.
Posted by: Michael at January 28, 2004 11:42 AMhe is faboo!! and he nodded...now *that's* a real star ;) haha
Posted by: azure at January 28, 2004 02:35 PMHah. I remember about two years ago I saw this actress that I had a huge crush on when I was like 14...at Taco Bell. In line in front of me. So surreal. I saw her today again, just walking down the street near Farmer's Market. Life is surreal here.
Posted by: sean at January 28, 2004 05:16 PMLOL :-) That's great! Self-restraint is better than a restraining order :-)
Posted by: Chris at January 29, 2004 06:21 AMa) I looove that aspect of living here. I do tend to get starstruck. And when I used to live in Studio City and Sherman Oaks, going to the supermarket was an exercise in counting the famous people.
b) Tony Shalhoub is awesome. I just started watching Monk (how did I ever not watch it? I LOVE it!) I can totally dig your excitement at seeing him!! :D
Posted by: Christina at January 30, 2004 12:02 PM
That is so cool. I like him too, great actor. Wonderful in Thir13en Ghosts.
Posted by: Lisa at January 28, 2004 04:05 AM