Even though I’m devoted to Netflix foreverandeveramen as a member of their Stream Team- and this was a Netflix-sponsored trip- all thoughts, opinions, and fangirling moments are entirely my own.
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Not gonna lie, 2016 started off with a bang. More specifically, it started off with Netflix sending me to California to attend the TCA (Television Critics Association) conference for what I’m terming Netflix’s Day of Incredible Programming and My Subsequent Gushing, Seriously, This Is My Job Today?
I love you, #StreamTeam.
In no particular order, here are the things that made me squeak like a hamster:
Hamster-Noise Happenings
Netflix’s Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos has promised 600 hours of original programming for 2016. Make your plans accordingly, guys! Actually, cancel all plans. I’m suddenly busy.
I got to ping questions at the Fuller House cast. As in, the series reboot of Full House. As in, I asked questions serious (“tell me how heavy it feels to be the adult on set after all y’all have been through”) and not-so-serious (“tell me how you got your hair so dang crimped”). It was a career highlight. (That post goes live two weeks from today!)
I kept bumping into Ashton Kutcher. Like, literally bumping into the guy. (He was there to promote his new comedy series The Ranch– co-starring Danny Masterson- not just to see me faceplant.) One time, I had been attempting to shove a croissant stuffed with tomatoes and deli meat into my face during the lightning-fast lunch break between panel interviews. I looked up, saw his (unfairly beautiful) face, and pretty much slobbered tomatoes all over myself. A little later, I tripped and fell into him (and his PR gal, whom I dubbed Queen FullofShade). He, however, seemed chill and disproportionately normal. He also gave me a look that (kindly) seemed to say, “I bet you have lots of life skills in other, non-physical-dependent areas.”
After my Q&A with the Fuller House ladies, I asked if I could selfie with Jodie Sweetin. She graciously laughed and said- Sure! (Life goal from my tweendom: CHECK.) Folks have asked how she- and the rest of the cast- looked as grownups. Guys. She is stunning. Also sweet as heck. (And I’ve seen advance screeners of Fuller House and you’re gonna love her character.)
I met some rad, rad, rad bloggers. Here are three you should know: Brandi of Mama Knows it All, James over at The Rock Father, and Sharon from Cupcakes & Cutlery. (I’ll share more peeps and their info next week. Every.Single.Person.I met through the Stream Team was beyond marvy.)
The new Judd Apatow comedy, Love, stars Gillian Jacobs– and was immediately added to my future (mental) queue. (You don’t have a mental queue?) Apatow, Jacobs, and co-creator/co-star Paul Rust chatted about the comedic look at dating from each gender’s perspective. During a lull in questioning, Apatow mused about past shows (“I think James Franco has already made a series of Freaks & Geeks and hasn’t told anyone yet”) and asked the press “Do you think Steven Avery did it?” (Ah, #MakingAMurderer.)
The Orange is the New Black cast and crew are magnificent. I want to just sit and drink tea and stare at them (in a completely non-scary way). Laverne Cox, who plays Sophia Burset, is every bit as dauntingly lovely in person as you’d expect. I think she’s also a good two feet taller than me. (OITNB comes back with a new season on June 17th, friends.)
On the other hand, Krysten Ritter is a tiny, tiny person. Also perfect. This is no way detracts from the intensely intimidating demeanor she embodies on Jessica Jones. (Which has been green-lit for Season 2, with 13 new episodes!)
Related: After the Jessica Jones interviews, I gave directions to a cast member’s press person and turned smack dab into Carrie-Anne Moss. I wanted to ask about Trinity! I wanted to gush about her affinity for dark and wickedly intelligent roles! I did not want to stutter until she (oh-so matter of factly) asked, “Are you okay?” I said I was. We nodded and went our separate ways. (I swear I’m a professional.)
Talking with the Degrassi: Next Class creatives was so, so, so much fun. Wait ’til you hear where they get their episode inspiration! (Stay tuned: next week is that write-up, y’all.)
Aziz Ansari was there for his groundbreaking series Master of None, and he fielded a question…not about casting choices or how his Dad is the biggest ham on the show or even future plot lines…but about whether or not he knew he was “funny” as a little kid. (After a truck-sized pause, he said he didn’t think he was, no, not really.)
My head pretty much exploded when Tina Fey, Ellie Kemper, Jane Krakowski, Carol Kane, and Tituss Burgess walked into the room together. It kind of all became white noise after that, but I do remember Tina Fey shooting down a vaguely asked question regarding repercussions of the internet’s rage over character choices: “The “internet” is not a person.” (Kimmy Schmidt‘s coming back for Season 3, folks, with this wildly talented team.)
Speaking of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Ellie Kemper was asked to sort out similarities between Kimmy and the character of Jessica Jones: “Krysten Ritter only smiles once, so there’s the difference.”
I recorded close to half an hour of Charlie Cox’s voice, where he expounded on Marvel, Daredevil’s story arc, good n’ evil, and how much he really wants to hang out with me for coffee and feelings-sharing. (FINE, I MADE UP THAT LAST PART, but stay tuned for my Daredevil piece, three weeks from now. I may even include audio of his beautiful, beautiful voice.)
I suddenly feel like a gossip rag. A cheerfully exhausted, lucky-as-heck, starstruck and Netflix-adoring gossip rag. But know this: the love is legit. The excitement over upcoming programming is legit.
My hair inspiration from the Fuller House gals is legit.
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