By BetteAndTinaForever

COMPLETE PHOTOS OF THE HRC/SEASON 5 LA PREMIERE

WARNING: Some spoilers from season 5 can be found in the report and some interviews. Proceed with caution.

What is it about The L Word Premieres and the rain? Last year I went to New York, and it rained all night. This year I was hoping for some sun and warmth, since it was in LA, but right on the day of the premiere it began raining again. Well, no rain, wind, snow or any other disaster would stop me from coming to the premiere of the season 5 of my favorite show, especially if all the cast members were appearing, as was promised by the ad on the HRC website. Though the press was asked to come around 5:30 pm, I came in earlier because I was with some friends, and they wanted to arrive early enough to get in line and to get inside. The few hours before the cast arrival flew quickly, and my excitement was growing every passing second. Finally the first arrivals showed up--Daniela Sea and then Leisha Hailey. Because of the rain we had to move the red carpet barrier pretty close to where the actresses were standing, and it was really hard to take pictures in such a close proximity.

The celebrities kept coming and not only the actresses from the original cast, but also the new cast, including Clementine Ford, Elizabeth Keener, Alicia Leigh Willis, Patricia Velasquez, Malaya Rivera Drew, and some others.

While Pam was waiting to pose for some photos, I asked her a few questions.

B&TF: What do you think about season 5?

Pam Grier: It has more impact and insight than our past and our past is what got us here today.

B&TF: Is Angus back?

PG: I can’t tell you that. I can’t give away the goods on the season five. I can’t tell you, girl.

B&TF: Is it possible that we’ll have a season 6?

PG: Great possibility. The women’s issues aren’t five seasons. You got to have a lot of seasons to talk about it.

I kept taking pictures when I was told that at the end of the line there was a possibility for the interviews.

After there was a break in the arrivals, I went to the end of the line, right by the club entrance and get into the position. Some of the cast already went inside so I tried to catch those who were still being interviewed by others. The fans were already inside, and the party had already started. Because of so many cast members I only had a few minutes to ask some questions.

The first person I caught up with was Rose Rollins. She’s amazing, and her laugh is really contagious, especially when she can stop herself and makes other to keep laughing. She was giving an interview to someone else, so I just joined them while waiting for my turn. Rose was talking a little about her role of Tasha Williams. The part that I was able to witness was when she was talking about how Tasha was put under the investigation for homosexual conduct.

Rose Rollins: Tasha finally realizes that maybe “What I thought I wanted and what I’ve been fighting so hard for” is not what she wants… or maybe she does. We will see. I never wanted to come across as a joke. I really, really wanted to portray a character that the people who really are fighting this cause could relate to. I’ve spoken to people who were under separation because of the “Don’t Ask, Don’s Tell” policy.

Rose continued talking but at the same time Laurel Holloman was coming towards me because she was finished with her last interview, and while Rose was still talking to others, I decided to use this opportunity and talk to Laurel. I interviewed her in Blackpool L3 Convention last year, but the time I had wasn’t enough, and I wanted to ask a few more questions. As usual, Laurel was really nice and wonderful.

B&TF: Season five is starting tonight, so what do you think fans reaction would be to the season in general?

Laurel Holloman: I think, in general it’s much better season than season four, and I think, in general people will really going to like each episode. I think every episode is really strong, there’s no really weak episode in there. I think there are a lot of new characters that are really interesting. I think because we doing this amazing storyline that my character is a large part of, called “a movie within a movie”, that probably one of the most brilliant things Ilene’s done. I think it really brings a lot of different characters in and it’s great. There’s another fantastic storyline with Tasha’s character, and Kelly McGillis being the guest star is really great. I just think, in general, that it’s a much better season. It’s probably the best season.

B&TF: Why do you think they are making this Jodi/Bette/Tina triangle so important in this season?

LH: You know what, I think it has to do with the chemistry that we’ve always had and the energy that people put in these two characters and the journey that they’ve taken. I think we started with the Pilot, and they were kind of everybody’s idol as a couple. You see that when Shane said, “Oh, I want to find someone like you, guys”. And then what you see is that they are not picture perfect, and what they are really look like it’s a lot more complicated. Then you pulled them apart, and they have a family. Ilene pulled a lot of great issues: adoption, same-sex marriage and what happens when you need to adopt your child (which is absurd for this even to happen).

B&TF: Has the adoption happened already? Because on the imdb website Olivia was credited as Angelica Kennard-Porter, but they never showed it.

LH: Yeah, Angelica is in a shared custody between Bette and Tina, and the adoption was filed. So, basically I just think that Ilene sort of put these characters through the ringer, but they’ve grown a lot in the last five years. And now, if you look at where they are in season four, they’ve become friends, and they talk to each other nicely and act like grown-ups. They were behaving like children for awhile, but you can’t behave like children when you have children. This friendship and Tina’s growing in her career and Bette’s changing a lot and having relationship with Jodi, I think those things are going to be the base of where they start this season, and I think it gives them hope. I mean, it could be some hope, I don’t know.

B&TF: I hope there’s hope.

LH: But, you know, Bette’s with Jodi, so here you go (laughing).

B&TF: Well, there’s still no chemistry between them. Anyway, last question. Do you think there’s a possibility for season 6?

LH: I don’t know. I hope so, but there’s still the writers’ strike. It would be great, but Showtime has a lot of really good shows right now, and I hope we’ll get invited back, but it could easily be the end. But if this is it, we wrapped it up on a really good note.

B&TF: What do you think about this whole storyline of Helena in jail? I heard that it was your idea?

Rachel Shelley: It wasn’t my idea. I really like the idea. It’s a really good storyline. I mean, I definitely thought it would be an interesting one to do, but obviously Ilene is the one who actually creates it.

B&TF: Does it mean we are going to see less of Helena in the first few episodes while she’s in jail?

RS: No, when I’m there and in jail you see as much of me as you usually do. In fact, you see more of me I would say, physically.

B&TF: I also heard a rumor that if there’s going to be a season 6, Helena is not going to be in it. What can you say about that?

RS: I’d say that was just a rumor.

B&TF: Somebody said that she saw you in Vancouver, talked to you and you said that if there’s going to be a season 6, you’re not doing it or something like that.

RS: I’ve read the piece you’re telling me about because I’ve had a lot of people asking me about this, and all I can say about that is that the girl who apparently said she saw me…well, I don’t remember seeing her, but I certainly have not had any conversation with anyone about my future on The L Word.

B&TF: So you will be in a season 6 if it will happen?

RS: Who knows, nobody even knows if there’s a season 6 right now.

And then Rachel had to go too. While I was interviewing those lovely ladies, more cast members arrived. The first one was Lucia Rijker, who is playing Dusty, Helena cellmate in jail. She was casually passing by, and stopped when I recognized her and answered a few questions.

B&TF: In how many episodes will you appear?

Lucia Rijker: I think three.

B&TF: I heard that you will steal Helena’s heart, and she wants to be with you after she gets out of the jail. What can you tell me about it without revealing too many spoilers?

LR: I’m not going to say anything--only that it’s short. Too short, maybe. They asked me for three more episodes, but I had a commitment overseas for European TV. Unfortunately, I think that Dusty needed to show more of herself in the fifth season, but who knows, maybe it’s going to be the sixth one.

B&TF: So if there’s going to be a sixth one, you think they might invite you back?

LR: They should.

B&TF: If you available?

LR: Yes.

B&TF: Do you want to come back?

LR: I’ll make myself available because the character needs to show more. She’s very powerful; she makes an appearance, and you want to see more of her.

B&TF: Great, I hope we’ll see more of you. I already saw the first episode, and what I saw so far was great.

LR: Thank you.

Next was Jennifer Beals. She was already on her way inside but she stopped for me so I could ask one question. It was happening so quick that once again my brain froze and all I could say was…

B&TF: Who do you think has more chemistry, Jodi and Bette or Tina and Bette?

Jennifer Beals: (smiling at me) You are a wicked girl.

She began walking away, still laughing, so you here you have it, dear readers. I was called a wicked girl by Jennifer Beals. Why is it that whatever she says sounds like a compliment?

After Jennifer went inside, I recovered my wits and talked to Patricia Velasquez, Elizabeth Keener and Alicia Leigh Willis.

B&TF: I saw in “Mummy” and “Mummy Returns” and I really enjoyed those movies. I was really excited that you will be playing one of the characters. Can you tell me a little about your character? I know you’re playing Begonia, who is playing Karina…who is actually Marina in the “movie within the movie” storyline.

Patricia Velasquez: It’s a little complicated. In the beginning I was like, “I have no idea who is who” but we sort of figured it out. Well, what makes Begonia a little different is that she is very honest. She doesn’t believe in promiscuity and she just really believes in true relationships. Not because that if you are gay you have to be promiscuous. And I think that’s the most important thing for her. She’s a family girl and she’s just a very honest girl.

B&TF: I saw a little preview for the show and there was a clip where they were filming a scene for Jenny’s movie, and you and Kate, who’s playing Nikki, were doing a scene “I’m not a coffee drinker”. They were saying on the preview that they were sort of making it the way it happened on the set in reality but they exaggerated it. What was it about?

PV: Because I wasn’t Karina, I didn’t really know exactly what happened but I did hear a lot of stories. Sometimes people would look at me from the back and maybe Jennifer would come and say, “You know, it’s really freaky because you look like her from the back.”

B&TF: You do look a little like her and your voice sounds similar because of the accent, only Karina’s was deeper.

PV: But we are two different people, and I think it was clear on the show towards the end, that basically we were two different people. It was a little complicated, but once I learned that basically every name was two people. Once you learned it, it was okay.

B&TF: One more question. I heard that the actresses who are playing the actresses will be on a show only for certain number of episodes, because they are only there for the “movie within the movie” storyline and then they will be done. Do you think your character might stay longer?

PV: She might stay longer for sure.

B&TF: So if season 6 will happen, you might be in it?

PV: Most likely.

Elizabeth Keener and Alicia Leigh Willis came through pretty much one right after another and I asked them just a few questions, since they were recently interviewed on this website, which they both remembered well. But before I got to them, Elizabeth was talking to someone else, and she gave a little insight on the phrase that she uses through the season, “Hi, I’m Dawn Denbo and this is my lover, Cindi”. Elizabeth said that it was true from somebody in real life actually. I already read the production notes and knew a little about Elizabeth and Alicia’s characters, so I asked them pretty much the same questions.

B&TF: Do you consider your character a villain or a hero?

Elizabeth Keener: She wouldn’t think she’s a villain but everybody else will. It’s one of those characters that instead of saying that you love to hate her you are going to say that you hate to love her. You will be like, “I like her, but why?”

B&TF: How many characters are you involved with? I know you have a lot of scenes with Shane.

EK: You know what, all of them. There’s actually a scene one time when there’s all of them and me. I have kind of a little conflict with each of them at some point.

B&TF: Welcome to the show, and if there’s a season 6, will we see Dawn coming back?

EK: Yes, the way it ended, I believe that you would.

Then it was Alicia Willis.

B&TF: Do you consider your character a villain or a hero?

Alicia Willis: I think she’s lost. I think she’s a little bit of both, trying to find her way and figure out who she is, but I think she kind of plays for both sides (laughing). I think that she figures herself out in the end of the season, but you’ll just have to wait and see.

B&TF: Who’s your favorite cast member among the ones you were involved with?

AW: Oh, it’s too hard, they are all great. It’s way too hard to choose, but I have to say I got really close with Elizabeth Keener because we worked so closely together. I actually adore her; she’s wonderful.

B&TF: If there’s a season 6, will we see Cindi coming back?

AW: I sure hope so, who knows. You never know.

And then there was Ilene Chaiken, the creator of the show whose vision and creativity gave us The L Word in the first place. Most of the fans have very strong feelings about the storylines, and some of those feelings are not always positive, but I personally think that everyone would agree that without Ilene we wouldn’t have this show at all.

B&TF: Can you just tell me about season 5 in general, especially who came up with the idea to make it like season 1 only funnier and more interesting?

Ilene Chaiken: We never thought of making it look like season 1, we just made the best show we could. We decided to have fun, and we had a blast. One of our guiding principles was wish fulfillment. We think season 5 is offering a lot of wish fulfillment.

B&TF: One of the major storylines this season is the “movie within the movie” and saw a couple of promos where they are talking about how you’re making fun of yourself or sort of showing the way this show could go. What can you tell me about it?

IC: There’s nothing more fun than to make fun of yourself. We’re checking with ourselves constantly to make sure that we weren’t being self-indulgent and that the stories were working and that they were worth telling. We had a blast. The writers had a blast, the actors had a blast. It was a really fun story to tell, and we think it was the right Hollywood story to tell.

B&TF: I also read in a lot of articles that you were saying that you and the writers were listening to the fans of the show. You said that you were listening and even using some of it on the show. Can you give me an example of something you used on the show that fans suggested or wished for?

IC: Well, I’m not going to tell you and give away storylines. You’ll have to watch the show to see what you think was influenced by the fans dialog, but we also did a contest, the fan contest, in which we invited people to write a scene and we shot the winning scene. So, that is a pretty big indication that we actually using fans material.

B&TF: And the last question that I asked everyone tonight. Is there a possibility for season 6? Do you have enough stories to tell?

IC: Loads of stories. We thought of season 6, and if you all wanted it, we’ll give it to you.

B&TF: Oh, we all want it.

The cast then gave a speech all the fans in the regular room and then the cast members went back to the VIP room. About five minutes after that, I saw Jennifer Beals leaving, and almost right after Laurel and Leisha left as well. But the rest of the cast stayed much longer, and they were having fun. This is when I heard that Paris Hilton was amongst the celebrity guests and was glued to Kate Moennig the whole time.

I was able to get inside the secluded VIP area. I took a few pictures of some new cast members and talked to a few of them.

Malaya Rivera Drew (Adele) said that she won’t tell me any spoilers, but that I have to remember that not everything that we’ll see is what it is in reality. Her character Adele will begin to work as Jenny’s assistant. That while she starts as a lamb, she ends up as a lion, and there’s a definite possibility to see her again if there’s a season 6. Judging by the spoilers and production notes, Adele and Jenny storyline is sort of a “All About Eve” meets “They Shoot Divas.”

Rose Rollins talked a little about Tasha’s relationship with Alice, which is one of the major storylines this season. She said that personally she wants them to work things out and stay together because she doesn’t want Tasha to be single and make out with random girls all the time. She thinks Alice and Tasha have a great chemistry and they love each other and there’s hope that they will make it (based on rumors that something will happen at the end of the season and they might not be together).

Angela Robinson was there and she told me that she directed four episodes. She liked episode five the most because it was all about the “pot brownies” party, and it’s really great fun to film.

While walking around, I engaged a few people in Bette and Tina conversation since it’s my favorite topic, and surprisingly I only talked to Laurel about my favorite couple that night. Honestly, everyone I talked to love TiBette together. Someone told me that what meant to be, will happen and in her opinion, Bette and Tina are meant to be. Even Ilene admitted that they have the greatest chemistry ever. So, it made me happy.

After a while, everyone who wanted to party further went to “Falcon”, a club just off Sunset Blvd where they show The L Word episodes every Sunday. I mingled a little more with fans and stars, watched the full version of the episode one more time on a bigger screen, saw Paris Hilton partying with Kate, and at one time talking to Ilene. I was told that it’s a possibility that we might see Paris in season 6. Well, what can I say about it? Nothing…I’m just happy that we might get season 6.

I had a great time and even though I had to leave the party early because I had to fly home at 6 am to be back to work on Monday, I enjoyed this trip very much, and I hope you all enjoyed my account of it.