If you are new to my blog, on Wednesdays I post about my experience in Hollywood as a former child/teen actress. If you want to start at the beginning of these posts go here.
One year me and my compadres (Shannon and Kerry) went down for two weeks to L.A. for
"pilot season." That's when sample shows are made in hopes of getting picked up for an entire season. My memory is a bit blurred. I am not sure it is the brain loss from childbearing and rearing or all the alcohol I never consumed.
Fortunately, Shannon's mind is crystal clear on the events leading up to the Kirk invasion. She has one kid and is an alcoholic. Okay she is not an alcoholic, but she would be if she had an alcohol addiction. The following is her account of the events. My commentary will be in parenthesis bolded.
It was the Spring Break 1989 (so we are celebrating our 20-year anniversary of this historic event). (If anyone wants to send us gifts, that's cool). We had ventured to LA for two or three weeks of auditions, our mothers rotating in and out to care for us. On the evening of the alleged (alleged?) Kirk stalking, we were in my mother's custody. (Rather, she was in our custody.)
The story begins where all great teen dramas (and pregnant ladies graze) develop...at Taco Bell.
The Taco Bell on Barham, across from Warner Bros, to be precise, where we had just wrapped up an audition for God knows what. Our stunning pre-pubescent looks caught the eye of a hot, young actor who had just shot his first pilot and was on his way to stardom. (See photo) You all remember him from the Young Guns TV show, right? Yeah, I thought so.
We had no sooner finished our low-cal meal of multiple bean & cheese burritos, chicken soft tacos, and Mexican pizzas, when Wendy spotted Khrystyne Haje of Head of the Class, pulling out of the studio in her little convertible. "Follow that red hair!" she shouted. (Really Shannon? That was my shout out?! Doubtful. I am not denying that I may have recognized her and ordered the pursuit, but I just question the whole "Hey red head!" approach. As I recall, Shannon was just as eager to stalk and follow the young actress. And if you know Shannon, you know howdramatic animated she is. I know Kerry is nodding her head right now.) And for some reason, my mother listened (Probably because of the screaming girls in the car. But deep down, I think she was a HUGE Haje fan. ) We lost Kristine after a few lights; the Chevy station wagon was no match for her sports car.
But Wendy had a better idea! "I know where Kirk Cameron lives! Let's go to his house so I can give him this friendship bracelet!" (I don't recall the details on the sequence of events, but I know search was more premeditated than this. I had the two page, hand-written letter in hand. Perhaps I carried it around with me in hopes that one of our Moms would cave. And I had worked long and hard weaving the green and blue friendship bracelet. I had gotten his address from a kid I met on an audition who went to school with Candace Cameron. He gave me the address and I don't think I even had to give him gum or anything. I imagine he told me not to reveal my source. This is why I LOVE "24" and can totally relate. Torture me Jack Bauer, but I will not give up the intel.)
Again, my mother obliged. Now, for the record, I'd like to point out that my mom is a reasonable woman with no criminal history or celebrity obsessions. I think she just figured there'd be more peace in the car than with the three of us (mostly Shannon) back at the Holiday Inn belting out Erasure Hits and Broadway Show Tunes. (So true.) So off we went.
Honestly, I cannot even tell you what city we drove to (I can, but won't under any circumstances), Wendy called all the shots from the backseat, shouting directions while penning a love letter. (Love letter was already penned.) Kerry rode shot gun, as she was already in high school and looking forward to her learner's permit. (And she was totally embarrassed by our childish escapades.) We pulled up to an unassuming suburban home and Wendy cried with glee, "That's it!!!" We parked one house away and got out quietly. (Like we were sneaking up on him or something.) Actually just Wendy & I got out. This is where my mother drew the line. Kerry stated she was too mature for these antics, while I told Wendy that I would be her supportive friend and accompany her to the front door. A few steps later, I noticed we were chewing gum. "Wendy, we can't be chewing gum when we knock - we'll look like such teenie-boppers!" We tossed the gum to the side, just as a gust of wind caught my hair. Guess what came next? I knocked on Kerry's window, desperate for help, as she basically laughed her butt off at the entire situation. By the time we got the gum out of my hair we were all laughing hysterically.
Finally, we proceeded to Kirk's door. We had rehearsed a speech, which I can't quite recall, but included the main points of us loving acting & Jesus, respecting Kirk's talent, and wanting to express our appreciation for him as one of the leading actor's of our time...that and we're not complete whack jobs, I swear! (She left out that I loved him and was destined to marry him.) Kirk's dad answered the door; I noticed the family resemblance right away and was slightly taken aback that we actually had the right house. (Can't believe she was questioning my recon.) Wendy had asked me to do the set up because she was too nervous, (wow, it must have been true love) so I proceeded with my best smile and delivered my lines. (If you could have been there.) Kirk's dad told us that neither he nor Candace were home - a crushing blow. Still, Wendy would not be defeated. She explained her friendship bracelet and handed it over with the letter. Mr. Cameron took it, smiled (you know he was CRACKING UP on the inside), and graciously wished us the best with our acting careers. (I knew that Kirk would read it, feel the connection and call me right away. I waited and waited for the call. There was no facebook back then, okay there was not even internet. But if there were, I KNOW he would have added me as a friend ASAP. But I think his phone must have been broken because he never called. I watched his wrist closely in the Teen mags and on TV because I knew I would one day spot him rocking my friendship bracelet. Never did see that one-of-kind love token on him. He probably slept with it under his pillow or put it in his safe or something.)
We drove back to the Holiday Inn for some hot fudge sundaes (oh the metabolism!) and some sweet storytelling. (And I waited for that call . . .)
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Okay, the story you all have been waiting for...
Okay, the story you all have been waiting for...
One year me and my compadres (Shannon and Kerry) went down for two weeks to L.A. for
"pilot season." That's when sample shows are made in hopes of getting picked up for an entire season. My memory is a bit blurred. I am not sure it is the brain loss from childbearing and rearing or all the alcohol I never consumed.
Fortunately, Shannon's mind is crystal clear on the events leading up to the Kirk invasion. She has one kid and is an alcoholic. Okay she is not an alcoholic, but she would be if she had an alcohol addiction. The following is her account of the events. My commentary will be in parenthesis bolded.
It was the Spring Break 1989 (so we are celebrating our 20-year anniversary of this historic event). (If anyone wants to send us gifts, that's cool). We had ventured to LA for two or three weeks of auditions, our mothers rotating in and out to care for us. On the evening of the alleged (alleged?) Kirk stalking, we were in my mother's custody. (Rather, she was in our custody.)
The story begins where all great teen dramas (and pregnant ladies graze) develop...at Taco Bell.
The Taco Bell on Barham, across from Warner Bros, to be precise, where we had just wrapped up an audition for God knows what. Our stunning pre-pubescent looks caught the eye of a hot, young actor who had just shot his first pilot and was on his way to stardom. (See photo) You all remember him from the Young Guns TV show, right? Yeah, I thought so.
We had no sooner finished our low-cal meal of multiple bean & cheese burritos, chicken soft tacos, and Mexican pizzas, when Wendy spotted Khrystyne Haje of Head of the Class, pulling out of the studio in her little convertible. "Follow that red hair!" she shouted. (Really Shannon? That was my shout out?! Doubtful. I am not denying that I may have recognized her and ordered the pursuit, but I just question the whole "Hey red head!" approach. As I recall, Shannon was just as eager to stalk and follow the young actress. And if you know Shannon, you know how
But Wendy had a better idea! "I know where Kirk Cameron lives! Let's go to his house so I can give him this friendship bracelet!" (I don't recall the details on the sequence of events, but I know search was more premeditated than this. I had the two page, hand-written letter in hand. Perhaps I carried it around with me in hopes that one of our Moms would cave. And I had worked long and hard weaving the green and blue friendship bracelet. I had gotten his address from a kid I met on an audition who went to school with Candace Cameron. He gave me the address and I don't think I even had to give him gum or anything. I imagine he told me not to reveal my source. This is why I LOVE "24" and can totally relate. Torture me Jack Bauer, but I will not give up the intel.)
Again, my mother obliged. Now, for the record, I'd like to point out that my mom is a reasonable woman with no criminal history or celebrity obsessions. I think she just figured there'd be more peace in the car than with the three of us (mostly Shannon) back at the Holiday Inn belting out Erasure Hits and Broadway Show Tunes. (So true.) So off we went.
Honestly, I cannot even tell you what city we drove to (I can, but won't under any circumstances), Wendy called all the shots from the backseat, shouting directions while penning a love letter. (Love letter was already penned.) Kerry rode shot gun, as she was already in high school and looking forward to her learner's permit. (And she was totally embarrassed by our childish escapades.) We pulled up to an unassuming suburban home and Wendy cried with glee, "That's it!!!" We parked one house away and got out quietly. (Like we were sneaking up on him or something.) Actually just Wendy & I got out. This is where my mother drew the line. Kerry stated she was too mature for these antics, while I told Wendy that I would be her supportive friend and accompany her to the front door. A few steps later, I noticed we were chewing gum. "Wendy, we can't be chewing gum when we knock - we'll look like such teenie-boppers!" We tossed the gum to the side, just as a gust of wind caught my hair. Guess what came next? I knocked on Kerry's window, desperate for help, as she basically laughed her butt off at the entire situation. By the time we got the gum out of my hair we were all laughing hysterically.
Finally, we proceeded to Kirk's door. We had rehearsed a speech, which I can't quite recall, but included the main points of us loving acting & Jesus, respecting Kirk's talent, and wanting to express our appreciation for him as one of the leading actor's of our time...that and we're not complete whack jobs, I swear! (She left out that I loved him and was destined to marry him.) Kirk's dad answered the door; I noticed the family resemblance right away and was slightly taken aback that we actually had the right house. (Can't believe she was questioning my recon.) Wendy had asked me to do the set up because she was too nervous, (wow, it must have been true love) so I proceeded with my best smile and delivered my lines. (If you could have been there.) Kirk's dad told us that neither he nor Candace were home - a crushing blow. Still, Wendy would not be defeated. She explained her friendship bracelet and handed it over with the letter. Mr. Cameron took it, smiled (you know he was CRACKING UP on the inside), and graciously wished us the best with our acting careers. (I knew that Kirk would read it, feel the connection and call me right away. I waited and waited for the call. There was no facebook back then, okay there was not even internet. But if there were, I KNOW he would have added me as a friend ASAP. But I think his phone must have been broken because he never called. I watched his wrist closely in the Teen mags and on TV because I knew I would one day spot him rocking my friendship bracelet. Never did see that one-of-kind love token on him. He probably slept with it under his pillow or put it in his safe or something.)
We drove back to the Holiday Inn for some hot fudge sundaes (oh the metabolism!) and some sweet storytelling. (And I waited for that call . . .)
Welcome friends, family, randoms, lurkers, blog addicts, fellow desperate moms, and Bono. This blog consists of mostly funny stuff that will make you feel better about yourself. Lots of mom comedy, non-Kodak moments, and un-fashion tips. On Wednesdays I write about my life as a former childhood actress complete with posts about how the entertainment business works, actors I met (or stalked), people and animals I worked with, my Hollywood friends, and photos of former teen heartthrobs. And if that’s not enough to draw you in to follow me . . . I have done some amazing giveaways. A rubber chicken, millions of doll hairs, and unlimited supplies of air. Come join the party.
14 comments:
I never knew that story. Love it and the gum getting stuck in your hair is HILARIOUS!
excellent story. Now did you ever tell HIM about it when you guess starred on Growing Pains? It was Growing Pains wasn't it?
OK, Wendy, that is HILARIOUS. I met Shannon a couple of times back on Gayley, and I can totally picture her telling this story-- very animated. :) (read: dramatic)
Funny, funny, funny.
At around this same time, I taught 3rd grade Vacation Bible School at my church, and one of the girls at my table was Kirk's cousin. I was badgering her with questions the whole time. (I'm sure she really learned a lot about Jesus that week.) For the record, she was so not interested in Kirk-- her teenage BOY cousin. She thought that CANDACE was the best thing ever, though. ;)
Amy, this story has never been made public in any form until now. I don't know shiloh has even heard it. Shiloh, I dare you to comment on my blog if you even read it. When I did Growing Pains I was only 15 or 16. Just a few years after this incident. Of course, I was fully matured by that time and completely embarrassed that I went to his house and poured out my heart. HOWEVER, I believe my guardian at the time said something to him about it and I just about died. I will get to the Growing Pains in future posts. I did have a scene with him.
Oh girl... the story... the gum, the loving Jesus, the alcoholism. This is going to be a sitcom someday, right? Cuz...
This was utterly HILARIOUS! Awesome. I am rather disappointed that bracelt was never seen on him in Tiger Beat. Maybe he put it in a scrapbook right away... !
I am shocked and impressed that you actually have some stalking skillz. I am also impressed that you had the guts to make a gift delivery in person. I knew we had something in common after 11 years of marriage (on May 9th this year).
Btw, if I ever see Kirk sporting that bracelet he is going to wish his wrist was fireproof.
Yeah! My husband made a comment! he likes me. he really likes me.
I am not alcoholic I can quit any time I want.
You know, I was watching 18 Kids and Counting (because it makes me feel better about my impending 4th and that I might actually survive) and they met Kirk. Apparently he has 6 kids. So see... God knew better. Otherwise you'd still have 18 more months of puking to look forward to! :)
Sounds like something I would do with my sisters. too funny!
i love you wendy.
from italie.
You are quite possibly one of my favorite writers. This is a glorious story.
This is the best story ever. I love that you went to Kirk's house like that not only because I also LOVE Kirk :) but because that totally sounds like me when I was a wee girl in middle school and high school. Ahh the memories of being a little girl. What fun memories you must have with your experiences in hollywood on top of that. Thanks for sharing; that made me smile!
Kind Regards,
Nicole
How funny!
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