Anderson, Anthony - Winner

When I did the TV junket for Two Can Play That Game, everyone was really nice, but Anthony and I had a particularly fun interview -- lots of laughs. Afterwards, he said to me, "You know, you're really funny!" That's quite a compliment coming from such a hilarious comedic actor.

Atkins, Peter - Winner

The screenwriter of the Hellraiser movies not only let me sit on his knee for our "Boogeymen" interview (there wasn't room anywhere else), he invited me and my husband to come and see his rock n roll horror musical play, "The Djinn" (which was wonderful).

Black, Jack - Winner

Jack did a Russian Folk Dance for me on the red carpet. If that's not going the extra mile, I don't know what is!

Bridges, Jeff - Winner

Ever since "Starman" Jeff Bridges has been taking photos on the sets of his movies, then publishing a run of private edition books to preserve the memories. He was kind enough to give a copy of his "Seabiscuit" book to all of the journalists who attended the press junket. It's a real treasure. Thank you, Jeff!

Bruckheimer, Bonnie - Wanker

Bonnie produced The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood, which was a best-selling novel to begin with. I asked her if she'd read the book on her own and then decided to buy the rights, or if someone else had brought it to her attention. Her eyes got as big as saucers, she gasped and said incredulously, "Are you seriously asking me that? Is that a real question?!" Yes, Bonnie. When the pitch of my voice goes up at the end of a sentence, it's a question.

Cruise, Tom - Winner

I covered the premiere of The Last Samurai, and it's true -- Tom Cruise does walk the entire press line, letting each and every reporter get at least one question in. He was there for hours, then he even spent time with the fans, taking pics with them, autographing their memorabilia, etc., etc., grinning all the while. The expressions of unbridled joy on the fan's faces were truly amazing. I have seen some big stars that walk the whole line and shake hands with the fans, but not like that. He earns his $20m a movie, that is for sure. Very, very nice and genuine person. (Update: 2005, don't know if this still holds true - I'll let you all know, next time I talk to him!)

Del Toro, Guillermo - Winner

Definitely in my top-five favorite people to interview, ever. Not only does he always remember my name (without prompting!), but he gives such textured, interesting and well-informed answers. His knowledge of film is staggering, but he never sounds like he's superior or putting on airs - talking to him is like talking to your coolest film-buff friend.

Fanning, Neil - Winner

Even though he'd done the voice of Scooby Doo dozens of times that day and was practically speechless, he still accommodated me and everyone behind me on the press line at the premiere with a doggy soundbite.

Gellar, Sarah Michelle / Prinze, Jr., Freddie - Wankers

At the premiere of their own movie (Scooby Doo) these "legends in their own minds" would not speak to any of the smaller outlets. Their time is only worthy of the big TV outlets, which means that the wire services, radio, online, print, and international outlets didn't get anything... what's the point of covering a premiere if your audience isn't going to get to see/hear the main stars of the film?

When we don't get the main stars of a film, the wire service I cover entertainment events for only has about 50% of the broadcast sales they normally would. That's about a 15 million viewer loss, 15 million potential TV viewers that might have wanted to go see the film if the stars had made time for them. And if those same stars that don't have time for us have a back end deal (or points) in the movie, that means 15 million movie-goer's that aren't going to be putting money in their pockets.

Gershon, Gina - Wanker

Gina was not in the movie CQ, but she was talking to some of the press covering the event. She was there, I presume, to support her friend and former co-star, Billy Zane, who is in CQ (he, by the way, was very nice to me). When she came to me, I said, "Hi, Gina. I really liked you in the movie you did with Billy, This World Then The Fireworks..." She just rolled her eyes and walked away. Hey, just because the movie was a flop and she may not have good memories of it, that's no reason to be rude to me! (And yes, I really did like the movie... it's weird, but interesting.)

Hutchison, Doug - Winner

Doug read the junket report I wrote on his movie, The Salton Sea, online and took the time and effort to email me to tell me how much he liked the report, and my writing style. He offered me an exclusive interview, so of course I took advantage of that and got the scoop on his upcoming film and his directorial debut.

Madsen, Michael - Wanker

Michael Madsen has always ignored me on the press line. I don't have a history with him, never interviewed him before, or anything. So I figured maybe he just can't hear very well and that's why he's never stopped on the red carpet for me to ask a few questions. Well, at the premiere for Sin City, it was obvious he heard me. He stopped, looked right at me, and when I opened my mouth to say hello and start asking my first question, he turned his head and went right to the reporter placed after me.

I also thought it was very rude and ungrateful of him to say that "it's boring" to play the bad guy, when another reporter asked him how he liked his role in Sin City. (See the video of that comment here.)

Mancini, Don - Winner

After I gave writer/director Don Mancini's Seed of Chucky a lukewarm review, I offered to buy him a hot cup of coffee to make amends - and damnit if he didn't take me up on it! That's class.

Me - Wanker & Winner

Wanker: I still cringe when I think about this, but I once gave somebody the brush-off right in the middle of an interview. Some reporters do that as a matter of course when someone "better" comes along, but I've always thought it was rude. It was at the red carpet premiere for Dreamcatcher, and I was interviewing one of the special effects guys. Then I saw Stephen King! My hero! He was approaching, going by, then passing. I just had to get an interview with him, so I called him over and said buh-bye to the first guy who, I think, was still in mid-sentence.

Wanker: When I was interviewing Corey Haim and Corey Feldman, I kept correcting their English. I actually liked them, and their misuse of words was pretty funny. I don't know what got into me (maybe my inner school-marm?) but I just couldn't help blurting out the corrections!

Winner: When Rachel Hunter was strolling down the red carpet, she wasn't stopping for any of the press. However, I saw that she dropped her driver's license so I picked it up and gave it back to her. The thought never crossed my mind to sell it on eBay, or to even look at her street address. Furthermore, I didn't trouble her for an obligatory interview after returning the license.

Mortenson, Viggo - Winner

"No-Ego Viggo" really is a class act. I've interviewed him briefly on press lines before, but at the Hidalgo junket was the first time I've really had the chance to observe him at length. First of all, he did the same thing Jeff Bridges does: he gave all of us journalists copies of his photography book from the set. He has two published: a huge, hardcover coffee table book called Milyello, and a smaller poetry and photography book called The Horse Is Good. He also gave us a DVD of interviews he conducted with Native American historians, who assisted him in his research to play Frank Hopkins. He willingly answered all the questions thoroughly and thoughtfully, which is somewhat rare in the press junket atmosphere.

Neeson, Liam - Wanker

When I asked Liam to tell me about the character he plays in K-19: The Widowmaker, he stabbed me with those steely blues and said disgustedly, "You haven't seen the movie, have you?" Like most reporters who are constantly busy working, I admitted I had been covering another premiere the evening the film screened for press. However, I did read up on the movie beforehand. He sneered, "Well, you should see the movie first, so you'll be able to ask the right questions." (Believe me, "What role do you play" and "What was it like working with so-and-so" are the standards everyone asks from time to time.)

After he left, everyone around me commented on his rudeness, and the uncalled-for upbraiding I got. He could have just as easily smiled, answered the question, and moved on. I was offered a seat for the premiere screening later on that night, and I said, "No, thanks!"

(Since the sub movie "tanked" a few days later on opening weekend, perhaps the star's sour attitude can be explained... maybe he already knew it was a sinking ship and was at the premiere under duress.)

Update: Nope... he was jerk on the red carpet of Batman Begins, too! I opted not to talk to him myself, but I observed him speaking in a very condescending tone to other reporters.

Pitt, Brad - Winner

I've had the good fortune to cover several films which star Brad Pitt. In interviews, he is always engaged, interested in the questions, and gives a thoughtful, thorough answer. On press lines, even extremely long ones like the one for Ocean's Eleven, he makes sure that he gives at least one soundbite to each and every reporter. He also stops to acknowledge the fans and sign autographs.

At one of the press junkets, after the interviews were over, he stayed in the room to chat with the reporters and even posed for photos. A real gentleman and pro, who knows what side his bread is buttered on.

Queen Latifah - Winner

There were a couple of technical difficulties just before I was to interview Queen Latifah at the Scary Movie 3 press junket, so as we waited for the tweaking to do whatever it was supposed to do, Queen made up a little rap song for me ("Staci, with the macey, in yo facey!") That's a real treat, coming from the Oscar-nominated Queen herself!

Ratzenberger, John - Wanker

Roberts, Eric- Winner

Eric is one of the friendliest people you'll ever meet on the red carpet. He's willing to speak to everyone, and he always asks your name and even the camerman's name! Very sociable, accessible guy.

Julia likes to pass herself off as "just an ordinary person with an extraordinary job" but she comes off as quite the diva. At the Ocean's Eleven press conference, she was the last one in the room and the first one out, and during the conference she was giving some of the reporters a hard time on their questions (luckily, I didn't ask her any!).

At the premiere for Ocean's Eleven, where all of her co-stars walked the entire press line and made time for each of the reporters, she only spoke to the big TV outlets and went by the rest of us (wire services, international, print, online, radio) with blinders on and earplugs in. She didn't even give us a smile as she rushed into the theatre.

Rhys-Davies, John - Winner

The press line for the L.A. premiere of The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring was a bit odd; it was L-shaped, and allowed for the stars to walk only half of it, and skip the smaller outlets at the end, if they so desired. Most of the movie's stars (Elija Wood, Liv Tyler, Dominic Monaghan, and Sean Astin) chose to do just that. Director Peter Jackson and actor John Rhys-Davies were the only ones to make the turn and go the extra mile. Rhys-Davies did a very entertaining reenactment of what it was like to fight in 70 pounds of armor, and was gracious and charming as could be.

But that's not all. As everyone was wrapping up and griping about not getting to talk to Wood or Tyler, Rhys-Davies came back out with popcorn for all the crews and talked to us some more (just to be nice; cameras were already put away). He felt badly for us that we didn't get the 'big stars'! Well, as far as I'm concerned, Rhys-Davies is twice the star of any of them.

Saralugi, Jorge - Winner

The producer of The Queen of the Damned took the time to email me regarding my review on the film, and when we met up at the premiere of another of his films (Showtime) he seemed like a nice, accessible person. (Actually, he's probably not so accessible anymore -- Jorge took part in a Queen of the Damned message board and got some major abuse from the "fans"... most of whom mercilessly dissed the film before even seeing it.)

Shriver, Maria - Winner

At the premiere of her husband's film, Collateral Damage, some reporters had to bunch up and didn't get individual questions with Arnold. That can be difficult sometimes when you're on the end and can barely reach with your mic. Well, Maria actually held microphones for people! (I was a lucky one; I had Arnold right in front of me.)

Slater, Christian - Winner

At the press junket for Windtalkers, Christian went to each and every journalist in the room to shake their hand and say hello before the interviews commenced. It's not a huge thing, but it's a nice little touch.

Note: Donnie Wahlberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg also do that.

Smith, Kevin - Wanker

I still like Kevin Smith's movies and I'm willing to allow that he's probably not always a wanker, but the one time I caught up with him, I started off by saying how much I liked Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back. As I was talking, he was saying the entire time, "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Spit it out," like, "get to the point." Sheesh! He could at least have some patience for 20 seconds and say "thank you" when being genuinely complimented on his work.

Stuart, Gloria - Winner

She didn't do anything "over and above" special, but I have to include Gloria, because she just so darn cute and sweet. She holds my hand when I'm interviewing her, and after our most recent talk, she gave me a nice hug. What a little doll she is! She reminds me a lot of my grandma.

Unger, Deborah Kara - Winner

At the premiere of The Salton Sea, Deborah was pulled off the press line early to pose for some still photos. She was supposed to come back, but didn't. So another reporter and myself committed the cardinal sin of getting out of the press line and catching her before she got inside the theatre -- she was very gracious, stopping to give us our interviews. (By the way, all of the actors at that premiere -- Val Kilmer, Luis Guzman, Doug Hutchison, Danny Trejo, Josh Todd and Chandra West -- were all a pleasure to talk to.)

Vaughn, Vince - Wanker

In the tiny, stuffy hotel room where we were doing interviews for Starky and Hutch, Vince Vaughn lit up a cigarette and smoke was everywhere. Cigarette smoke is a migraine trigger for me, plus I am accustomed to being a phobic "you-can't-smoke-here!" So-Cal type, so when somebody does something like that, it's like, "What!?" The guy to the right of him kept coughing, and I moved my chair back just a little.

Vaughn looked over at me and said, "Would you like me to move the cigarette to my other hand?" I said, "Yes, please. That would nice." So you know what the smart aleck does? He crosses his other hand over and takes hold of the cigarette, but doesn't move it away. I guess he thought he was being witty; technically, it was in the other hand. Ha, ha. So funny. I later found out he smoked in every interview room. How bad can your habit be, when you can't hold off for 20 minutes between smokes? Other than that he seemed like a nice guy, so I guess you could say Vincie is a borderline wank.

Whitmore, James - Wanker

Unbelievably rude at the premiere of The Majestic. It was a freezing cold night, and we members of the press had been waiting for over an hour to speak to the talent. I asked him if he could talk a little bit about working with such a great cast and he glared at me, then spat, "I don't know! I can't remember!" I understand he's old and probably didn't want to be there in the cold either, but if that was the case he should not have walked the line -- he should have gone in another entrance and not subjected us to his crankiness.

Weird Al - Winner

Weird Al is a winner, because even though his publicist was dragging him away and trying to make a bunch of us reporters group on the red carpet and ask him only one question between us, he hung back to get my question alone. Very nice! (I didn't understand his reply, but hey, they don't call him "Weird" Al for nothing).

Williams, Robin - Winner

It's always a pleasure to interview Robin. Not only do you get a free ticket to his standup act, he actually listens to the questions and comments appropriately (he's not just formulating the next joke in his head). The two times I've talked to him, he's noticed the tee-shirt I'm wearing (The Rolling Stones, and Bettie Page) and riffed on it -- very funny!

Wood, Elijah - Wanker

I have covered all three Lord of the Rings L.A. premieres, and not once did Elijah Wood walk the entire press line. He usually doesn't even go halfway, before ducking out. Doesn't he realize that it's important for we reporters to talk to the main stars? We're not standing out in the cold December nights for our health.

The final insult was at the Return of the King premiere, where Mr. Prima Donna was over two hours late, keeping everyone there cooling their heels with nobody to talk to (the other stars had already completed their obligations). So, he walks most of the press line, leaving about the last 10 outlets (mine, included) with NO interviews, after we waited in the icy weather all that time, just for him. It would have taken him about 10 more minutes, but obviously he is a person who think his time is more important than anyone else's.

He didn't even smile and wave for the cameras, so we could have gotten something. Wanker Wood could learn a lesson or two from winners Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt.