Jan 21, 2007

The CW winter press tour

I attended The CW’s winter press tour on Friday. Just another perk of being on The CW’s press list. (Have I said how much I love those guys at The CW? Seriously, they treat even minor reporters like me with respect.) I arrived at the Ritz Carlton in Pasadena about 15 mins early, just enough time to partake in the free breakfast before the event started. In case you’re getting the impression that I hobnob with the real reporters at this event, you’re mistaken. After picking up my press materials and generic press badge, I headed to the nearest table to look over the materials. There was only one other guy there, who was also reading over the materials. He had a real badge, I noticed. “Must be from some major paper in Ohio or something,” I thought. “Important enough to have a real badge with his name and publication, but not real enough to be chatting with all the rest of the reporters.” I stole a glimpse of his badge. New York Times. Nevermind.

The ballroom was set up in rows of tables and chairs facing forward and rows of table-less seats along the back. Like the hack that I am, I headed toward the back, quickly detouring when I realized that the chairs were for staff and hangers-on, and not me, one of the press.

After a few opening words by a very funny VP Corporate Communications Paul McGuire (who knew execs could be so funny?) Dawn Ostroff came out to take questions. She’s a very blonde, bland, by the numbers person, but I guess she must know a little about something to be the President of Entertainment at CW. Anyway, reporters other than me asked questions, and I typed furiously on my laptop. I didn’t really need to ask questions, since Michael Ausiello from TV Guide was there asking all my questions for me. I know! Ask Ausiello! When the Exec Q & A ended, I approached him. “I love your column,” I said (not gushed. Note that I did not gush.) “Oh thank you!” he said sincerely. He seemed genuinely pleased, so I continued, “You love all the same shows that I do, and I read you every week. I’m glad that you asked that question about One Tree Hill.” And then we had a brief conversation about the merits of forwarding that show ahead 4 years. (Oh god, I introduced myself to Michael. What if he googles me, and finds this, and sees what a gushing fan I am?) Oh well, this event was already worth the drive.

The rest of the day was filled with The CW promoting their new shows and desperately trying to save old favorites like Supernatural and Everybody Hates Chris. I’ll save reviews and impressions on CW’s new The Search for the Next [Pussycat] Doll and Hidden Palms for later, and instead focus on how interesting Chris Rock was in the Chris segment. When asked, “How bad was it really, those growing up years?” his response was, “Bad. [Pause while people wait for him to say something funny.] I’m sorry; I don’t really have anything funny to say about it.” No posturing, no rants, just a real guy. Intriguing.

That was very much the nature of this event. Normal, easy, funny, dare I say it, enjoyable. There were moments where I felt like the uncool new kid with nowhere to sit in the cafeteria, but then I reminded myself that I was invited to this, dammit! I had every right to be here! So I gathered up my free food, scooped up a couple of diet cokes, and headed to my table to write to you guys.