<<PREVIOUS

Finally, about quarter to seven, I spotted Laurel Holloman, Rachel Shelley, and Marlee Matlin. They were, of course, preoccupied with all the other reporters that were ahead of me but I kept hoping they will stop and chat with me. And they did…in fact, all three recognized me and waved at me. Laurel even winked at me, making my heart melt, and then they posed for me for a few minutes. I didn’t have chance

to talk to them a lot because the show was starting at seven but I did managed to ask Laurel a few questions, as well as listen to some other interviewers that were standing near me.

Marlee Matlin was telling about her decision to join the cast of The L Word when she said, “this is one of the kind show…there are so many shows, fantastic shows that feature gay characters but I don’t think that there’s nothing like this particular show. I have my favorite but I won’t mention it, I think this is my favorite. L word is so unique in that the storylines were compelling and entertaining and you know, you tell wonderful stories in twelve episodes and you want more.”

While I was busy taking pictures, Laurel Holloman was talking to a reporter from AfterEllen.com about the storyline of Tina going back to men and how she feels about TiBette storyline. What made me happy as a TiBetter was the fact that right away Laurel said without hesitation that she wants Bette and Tina back together, and if she could write it, she would make it happen but she doesn’t know what Ilene is going to do.

Laurel also said that, though, Tina-going-back-to-men storyline was interesting it was also a challenge sometimes, especially for her because it was not such a great thing to be stuck with a guy on The L Word and she didn’t have a lot of opportunities to work. I think Laurel was talking about the first half of the fourth season when we barely have seen her on the screen. Laurel also said that she wished that storyline was explored more, so the viewers could see if Tina was happy or unhappy or why she made that choice to be with a man. Ilene thought this storyline was important because she saw it happened before. Laurel mentioned a few times before in other interviews that she didn’t see that storyline coming but it was part of Tina’s history and, of course, that storyline created such a nice drama for Bette and Tina, (because we all love drama so much, I thought sarcastically). Then Laurel pointed at Marlee Matlin who was giving her interviews to another reporter and Laurel sort of giggled (very adorably) and said, “I think she created a nice drama too.”

Laurel added that she thinks Tina still have a lot of work to do to get back into that relationship. She still needs to grow up a bit and be on her own and date some women. Tina is more mature now comparing to the first season, though we didn’t see her that much because she was with the guy but the dynamic between Bette and Tina was very different, especially at the end of the fourth season. Laurel said that that difference in Bette and Tina relationship was in their communication because “they are talking to each other with complete honesty … and that has never happened before.”

Then it was my turn for the interview, though I didn’t have much time left. My first question was about Tina’s decision to let Bette go when she came to her for advice about Jodi and how hard it was for Tina to do it, since she’s obviously still in love with Bette. Laurel replied, “I think Tina said it perfectly in that one scene with Kate Arden when she says, ‘I don’t feel entitled to complicate her life right now because I broke her heart’, and … I think that she’s kind of like Cyrano de Bergerac when she’s helping Bette and I think that’s what you do when you love somebody. You do whatever you can and then you just hope that they will come back to you and that’s what I think was happening.”

I also asked Laurel’s opinion about the scene on the beach when Bette called Tina about the last advice what to say to Jodi and that everybody thought that the words were from Tina to Bette. Laurel said, “Of course, it was.” Then I asked if she thinks that Bette understood it the same way. Laurel replied, “I think that if Bette would have seen Tina’s saying it than she might’ve known exactly what was going on. I think that there just too many layers but I think that Tina meant everything for Bette. It was very generous act on Tina’s part.”

I had so many other questions to ask but Laurel was taken away from me because the show was about to start so I pretty much shouted the last question at her, “Do you think that there’s still hope for them getting back together?” and Laurel turned around, smiled and simply said, “Yes.”

It was time now to go inside for the awards and presentations and I was able to see the whole show. The L Word was nominated and received more applause than any other TV show nominated for the best drama when they were showing short clips from each show. While the presenters were opening the envelope to announce the winner, I heard several voices from the audience, “The L Word…the L Word…” Unfortunately, The L Word lost it to Brothers and Sisters (anyone is even watching that show) and neither of the cast members were presenting awards so I didn’t get to chance to see our wonderful and beautiful L Word ladies again on the stage or after the show.

When it was over, most of the guests and attendees went upstairs for a special dinner that I couldn’t attend so had my own humble dinner in one of the little restaurants inside the Kodak Theater and waited until the “special dinner” was over. I didn’t see Laurel, Rachel or Marlee again but saw other celebrities coming down, like comedienne Suzanne Westenhoeffer, South of Nowhere cast, Eva Mendes, Lance Bass, basketball player John Amaechi, cast of Ugly Betty, Garry Marshall and many others.

I walked back to my motel happy. Before I flew to Los Angeles I told myself that I will be happy if I could see Laurel Holloman at least once a year…so I was indeed happy.

But my trip wasn’t over yet. On Monday I was attending the special benefit presentation of “Vagina Monologues” with Jennifer Beals, Alexandra Hedison, Honey Labrador, and Rachel Shelley as some of the performers. Stay tuned for my next report about that wonderful event.