Steve Carell Week
Thursday, June 19th, 2008 | 65 commentsAshley’s report of Steve’s visit to the Apple Store
My friend, who I dragged along for the ride, and I took a 4:47 train from Long Island into Penn Station, thinking that arriving at 6:30 will be sufficient. When we got to the Apple store, there was a line wrapped from the front and all the way down the block next to the store. We were pessimistic — there were a lot of people in front of us and even more lining up behind us!
The presentation was set to begin at 9:00 and around 8:50 we started thinking we should just pack it in. The line had moved slightly but we weren’t going anywhere. I left my friend to hold our spot and I went around to the front to see what was going on. To my surprise, a black towncar pulled up and Stephen Colbert got out and ran inside! Now I was very excited.
The line began to move and they started piling people inside. My friend had to wave me down because I never thought we’d make it but we got in and was in the standing room area. Which was perfect! We had a direct view of the small stage.
At this point it was 9:20 and the Apple man was telling us about the movie and the stars - then he announced Stephen Colbert was the guest moderator!
So Stephen comes out with Steve, but Stephen berates him because he wasn’t able to give him a proper intro. Steve walks off stage and Stephen introduces him again — then, one of the best moments of the night — the Steves stands up and sing the Star Spangled Banner. No, I don’t know what triggered it, but it was hilarious.
The first 10 minutes here were just Steve and Stephen, talking about how they got started in Second City and one of their skits ‘Maya’ where Steve’s character comes home with Stephen for a break from college to find out Stephen is an ‘old black lady’ when she/he goes home. They couldn’t stop laughing about it.
Steve also got serious with Stephen, which Stephen said he was not suited for emotional interactions with Steve because they usually just rib on each other all the time. He praised his show for being so smart and successful and said that all of his own success is directly attributed to Jon Stewart, The Daily Show and things he has done with Colbert.
Colbert then did a run-down of famous lines from the original Get Smart series with Steve saying if he says them in the movie. Stephen gets to the end and says, “Do you say … ‘This is the second biggest [blank] I’ve seen’,” and Steve says “No, I don’t say that — but my wife says it all the time!” That got great laughs from the audience.
After awhile Anne came out and she was very funny and nice. Stephen mentioned that she was very raunchy on set and would tell jokes that made Steve and Dwayne Johnson blush. She then went on to tell one of those jokes and I will refrain from writing it here as to not offend anyone — but it was hilarious.
Stephen even brought up the story about her having conjunctivitis and making out with Steve, and she said that is a true story. Steve said making out with her is great ‘through all the pus.’ Stephen also told Anne he admires that she lives in NYC and not the ‘black hole’ that is L.A, which sucks all the actors out there.
At this point, Stephen opened up the floor to fan Q&A. I had two questions waiting, one for Anne and one for Steve, but knowing this is the only chance I’d have I decided if I got picked I would talk to Steve. I was the second person picked, and Stephen pointed to me and said “young lady in the back.”
Ok, first off, I just got called ‘young lady’ by Stephen Colbert so now I am very nervous. And I have to ask Steve my question. So I literally blank. I said, “Oh wow. I am so nervous I am forgetting my question.” Steve laughed and I said, “Oh! I remember it! Are there any characteristics from Michael Scott that are visible in Maxwell Smart and vice versa?”
Steve responded by saying that they are both people who mean well and want to do the right thing. Maxwell is a character that is much more self-aware than Michael, because Michael just says whatever he wants with no filter. This whole time he was looking directly at me and I was in awe that at that moment, I was in my own little world with Steve Carell.
I don’t remember a lot of the Q&A because I was so excited after mine. This one did stand out though — one girl stood up and said, “I am here with my group of sexually inexperienced friends. Is it true that if you don’t use it, you lose it?” Steve said yes that is very true and that you should always use it — “in fact, I think you should use it right now!”
The night ended so quickly and Stephen ended the questioning with his own question but honestly I forgot what it was. They rigged it nicely that the actors got to leave and they showed us an extended trailer of the movie. So Steve, Colbert and Anne got to exit without any crazy fan mania. The trailer was funny and now that I’ve heard what the actors think about it, I really want to see it!
So that’s it! And don’t forget the podcast will be available on iTunes in the coming days — just search ‘Get Smart.’
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steve’s awesome. just in case you didn’t know that. :)
It would be my dream come true if he goes on the colbert report. i would love that more than anything.
I just got back moments ago from the movie…it was HILARIOUS! This is from a 14-year-old girl perspective, but i thought it was SO funny!
For those interested, Steve’s answer to “Who would you turn gay for?” was George Clooney! lol
I always love when Steve stops by the Daily Show, his interviews are hilarious. And Jon’s comment that made them both crack up had me almost crying laughing. Solid stuff, as always. He needs to go on the Colbert Report!
Even though this is very obvious, Steve is such a great interview. I really think he can convince someone who’s not interested in seeing the movie to go. =)
I love Steve so much.
I saw it last night. He is, hands down, the greatest thing about the movie. A+, Steve.
I don’t know what triggered the Star Spangled Banner either, but I’ll never forget it for the rest of my life.
Get yourself to the theatre–Get Smart was great! Fun and funny, Steve and Anne Hathaway and the supporting cast are all perfect in their roles. We laughed and laughed.
Another word to the Aussies - as well as Steve being on Rove this Sunday, he’s also on Hamish and Andy (the radio show) on Monday. It’s 4pm - 6pm on the Fox!
Just saw the movie. I haven’t laughed so much at a movie in I don’t know when. It was hilarious. Way to go, Steve!
Everyone go see it as soon as you can!
Just saw the movie. It was AWESOME. Both action and comedy-wise. I was a little hesitant to say it earlier, but I am in love with Steve Carell. There, I said it. Now everyone who hasn’t yet, go see the movie!
I just got out of “Get Smart” and Steve was AMAZING!! He’s so versatile, and yet there was this perfect touch of Michael Scott in there just to top it off. A very enjoyable movie, I highly recommend it!
Steve’s faux Get Smart DVD commentary on Jimmy Kimmel is one of the funniest things ever!
I’m actually glad Jimmy and Steve acknowledged that he gets asked the SAME questions every interview… what a clever and funny way to promote the movie with the DVD commentary. Loved when Jimmy was cracking Steve up when they switched roles!
The Jimmy Kimmel interview basically made my life. Wow.
I think I’ve just decided JimKim’s my favorite late-nighter. Loved this!
Oh my god! Even Stevphen! ahhhh i love them. I would have done anything to be at that store. or be you, ashley. In your own little world with steve carell is like my dream every night.
I know what he can’t do…He can’t not be awesome!
The Daily Show interview was hilarious, as was the Jimmy Kimmel Live one. I can’t wait to see the podcast for the SoHo Apple Store visit…I mean come on, it’s Steve Carell and Stephen Colbert! Plus a very beautiful fan, Anne Hathaway.
i look up to him so much as a comedic actor. he does interviews with such ease too. what can’t steve carell do???
i just saw get smart and it was hilarious.
i didn’t think it would be, but damn, i laughed out loud and hard!