Archivist’s Note: The year 2004 afforded S&H fans some unexpected bonuses with the release of the Starsky & Hutch movie starring Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson. The film caused a resurgence of interest in the TV show itself, and Paul and David were both in sudden demand for TV interviews and other guest appearances. They attended, with a good deal of fanfare, the LA and the London premieres of the film.
In LA, a long-time fan and friend to many of us in the SH community had a special opportunity to interact with Paul and David. She’s written extensively of her experience and posted her story to most of the lists. But Internet life is brief, and her story is a delight. I wanted it to have a longer life. Since Carol was planning to attend SHareCon 2004, I published her wonderful retelling of what it was like to meet Paul and David on the red carpet in LA in the con zine. Many thanks to Carol for her willingness to share the joy.
I remember the moment when I fell in love with Starsky & Hutch…the hug in the alley, The Fix…the hug…that rocked my world.
I remember the moment when that great love story captivated me…
I remember the first time I saw David and Paul, as themselves, on The Merv Griffin Show, in November of 1975…David sang Black Bean Soup, and Paul was beaming, clapping wildly with the cigarette in his mouth… I knew that love story was real…no one was ever, ever, ever going to take that feeling away from me. I was not just a teenager in love with her idols…I was a teenager being introduced to two men who would have a profound impact on her for the rest of her life. It was not a fleeting moment; it was the defining moment between having fallen in love with two fictional characters, and daring to believe it was real, off screen, as well…
I remember running to the store on Tuesday afternoons, my heart racing as I ran to the store to buy next week’s TV guide, anticipating reading what next week’s ep was going to be about…
I remember the weekly trek to the magazine store, pouring over Tiger Beat, and Sixteen, and Rona Barrett’s Gossip, and all of the movie magazines…
I remember the day when I read the TV Guide article when Paul said to David, “I’m down, I’m scared, I don’t know what the answers are…hold me.” It blew me away, completely blew me away…
I remember the night Shootout aired…December 17, 1975…
I remember the previews one Wednesday night, long ago, when that familiar voice announced, “Next on Starsky and Hutch”…and they showed the preview for A Coffin For Starsky…I never thought the next episode would ever come…
I remember that spring when David sang Seem To Miss So Much on Merv In Vegas, and Paul came out, tears in his eyes, and told David that he was beautiful… No one was ever going to convince me that this moment was scripted…no one will ever, ever, ever take that moment away from my heart.
I remember the day I crawled to Paul Michael Glaser on my hands and knees… I remember being young and caught up in the moment, and the only regret I have ever, ever had about that moment was…I never got to tell him why… I never got to look into his eyes and explain… It meant so much to me, he had to know, David had to know… I crawled like a fool; I chased him with the rest of the screaming teenagers… We were young, we were obsessed, we were excited…but what real meaning did that moment have to me? What did it have to Paul? I always wished that I could have had the moment to tell him what was inside of my heart…but it was a brief, fleeting, ridiculous moment in Paul’s life…and in mine. I cherished the memory, but always felt guilty that I had done it. That was never what it was all about to me. I didn’t want to be the screaming teenager with the pinups… I wanted to be someone who had been profoundly moved by these two men…
I remember in 2000, just after my 40th birthday, I finally got to meet the other half of my S&H soul. Driving to New Jersey, standing in a tent, letting 25 years of sentiment overwhelm me… I didn’t crawl to David. I stood in line, in a tent, in New Jersey…a middle aged women, dreaming of having that one moment to pour out my heart…but it just wasn’t the time, it just wasn’t the place. But I got my pictures taken, I had the chance to thank David in the end, privately, and had the ultimate kiss on the cheek from him… But still, my heart never got that chance to say what it so wanted to say…
All of my life, I dreamed of going to Hollywood…
I remember all of the years from 1975 until this very week…29 years… That was the theme of this week. Twenty-nine years ago that 15-year-old girl fell in love…and all these years later, on the week of her 44th birthday…
She got on a plane, heading to Los Angeles, and Hollywood not only rolled out the red carpet for her…but the red carpet had white Torino stripes running down it…
Wearing the necklace that Paula Wilshe gave to me, in the name of friendship, for Breast Cancer Research…I carried her spirit, and the spirit of countless other of Starsky & Hutch fans…down that red carpet…
It started out as a phone call to another Starsky & Hutch fan. The On Air With Ryan Seacrest Show contacted my friend, Terri. This incredible producer named Derek (whom I would get to know very well and establish a remarkable rapport with) called and asked her if she would be willing to have “Starsky and Hutch” come to her workplace.
Terri, always the loyal “original stars” fan, who has dreamed of this moment forever, politely declined the offer. She explained that she is a very private person, and that although she would love the opportunity, it just wasn’t something she could accept.
However, she told them, she did have this lifelong S&H fan friend from Boston… She graciously told them that I was probably the one who would accept such an offer… I guess Terri figured anyone who would crawl on her hands and knees to Paul was up for the task. It was the most sincere, unselfish, gracious act that anyone could ever have expressed…thank you, Terri, with all of my heart:-)
Okay, here we go…
There is an anthem to the past week, for me, personally. I don’t want to jump ahead, but this one thing I would like to share… While waiting on the red Torino-striped carpet at the theater in Mann Village, Westwood, the song, which is basically the S&H movie theme, and also a song I loved while it played on the radio, during the original S&H years…has become THE song for my experience this week. Ironically timed, as I stood on the red carpet, and watched David and Paul heading my way… This song, by Chicago, was blasting out of the loud speakers, playing in the background as my lifelong dream unfolded before my eyes… The lyrics just riveted through my soul, my life flashed before me, it was 1975 once again, and a fifteen-year-old girl dreamed of meeting Paul Michael Glaser and David Soul, TOGETHER… The song was sentimental but not sad, it was cheery and upbeat, and so perfectly timed, as I looked up and saw Paul Michael Glaser, strutting down the red carpet, a bounce in his step, a twinkle in his eye, and his arm firmly, and ever so loving, wrapped around the waist of his partner, David Soul…my birthday present! Dare to dream…first season feelings, first season’s excitement, first season love…this is the anthem of my dream…
Old days
Good times I remember
Fun Days
Filled with simple pleasure
Drive-in movies
Comic books and blue jeans
Baseball cards and birthdays
Take me back
To a world gone away
Memories
Seems like yesterday
Old days
Good times I remember
Gold days
Days I’ll always treasure
Funny faces
Full of love and laughter
Summer nights and streetcars
Take me back
To a world gone away…
Boyhood memories (girlhood!)
Seem like yesterday
Old days–in my mind and in my heart to stay
Old days–darkened dreams of good times gone away
Old days–days of love and feeling fancy free
Old days–in my mind and in my heart to stay
Old days–darkened dreams of good times gone away
Old days…days of magic still so close to me…
David and Paul, February 26, 2004, twenty-nine years after the debut of Starsky and Hutch, arm in arm, walking toward me, standing so close to each other, so close…
Days of magic…still so close to me.
My plane left Boston at 5:30 PM, on Wednesday, February 25, 2004, . I had bought a magazine to read on the long plane ride, although, I didn’t think I would have the concentration to actually read it. And I did not. :-/ But I flipped through it, and came across the horoscope page. I don’t usually read my horoscope on a usual basis, but that day I felt very compelled to read it. Here I was, on a plane, flying out for the very first time to Los Angeles, with the chance that the possibility of meeting David and Paul, together, was actually within my wildest of dreams…and so I read my horoscope, and I think my heart stopped for a moment. It could have said anything. It could have said I was going to hit the lottery, or that I was going to have a flat tire, or that I was going to get a raise at work, or that I was going to get fired…anything… but…this is what it said:
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): You’re on cloud nine when it comes to getting what you want this week. Just wave your magic wand and wiggle your nose and things just seem to fall into place. What on earth will you do with nothing to complain about? Go out and enjoy the weekend with loved ones!
Wow! I was sitting on the plane just freaking out… What a horoscope to read while on a plane bound for Hollywood, knowing David and Paul were there, together, knowing the world premiere of the S&H movie was the very next day, knowing I had been interviewed (many times over the past couple of days) by the On Air with Ryan Seacrest Show, who were looking for original S&H fans to be given the “Fan Cam” and dubbed the “Super Fan”… I just had this magical feeling… I was on cloud nine, and it had nothing to do with the jet plane I was riding on… It was amazing to read that horoscope, just simply amazing…
I was so excited when the plane landed and I heard the pilot say, “Welcome to Los Angeles” It was pouring rain, and the plane had arrived early, so they announced that we had to sit on the runway for about a half hour, even though we were early… Another plane was at the gate. The plane was full of grumpy, unhappy, impatient travelers, very anxious to get off.
But I just sat on that plane, with a grin on my face, and thought, “I am in LA!”
My friend, Libby, was picking me up (she lives in Long Beach), and we were going for a late night coffee (tea for me 🙂 ), to have a little time together. I told her I thought I would, otherwise, be very busy. What an understatement that turned out to be!
Libby drove me to the hotel, and when I arrived, the lady at the front desk said to me, “You have a message from the Ryan Seacrest Show; it’s urgent that you call immediately.”
Well, I never dialed my cell phone so fast in my life…
Derek (writer/producer/and my new best friend answered. He wanted to catch me before I fell asleep (who could sleep!!!!!!!!) and told me to be prepared for an interview in the morning, and to make sure Vickie was up and ready, a limo would be picking us up at our hotel at 9 AM.
Oh, boy…and Vickie (AKA Sinjin on the lists, guys, 😉 was not arriving until 1 AM, West Coast time, and I believe she actually got in a lot later than that… I thought I would lay down on the bed, and try to calm myself…
The phone rang around 2-3 AM, I forget, and it was Vickie… As calmly as I could, I told Vickie that we had an interview with the Ryan Seacrest Show, and that they were sending a limo for us, at 9 AM.
So much for beauty sleep. :-/
We were up at 7 AM; Vickie went for coffee and toast…and I was up, pacing the floor, I could not have eaten if I were starving to death. We showered, dressed, and went down the elevator to the limo…
We are now in the hands of fate…
Our limo driver’s name was Benny Hill (just like the British show), he was Bob Hope’s personal driver for years, and also, prior to that, was the Beatles personal driver for six years. He was friendly, and sweet, and told us a lot of “Hollywood” stories, and spoke eloquently about his friend, John Lennon, who incidentally, had called Benny not long before the murder. Benny asked him why he was staying at the same residence, when stars should change addresses, in fear of stalkers knowing where they live. Benny said John replied, “Ben, who in the world would ever want to hurt me?”
It was very chilling to hear this. But the only sad thing we would experience, throughout our amazing experience.
~~~
I know everybody wants me to hurry up and get to the good stuff (as in Paul and David), but I just have to go through this, moment by moment, because I don’t want to forget anything important. It all leads to our guys, trust me… I’m heading over the rainbow to the pot of gold. 😉
It was so exciting to see the Hollywood sign, as we approached Sunset Boulevard. To say it was surreal doesn’t even begin to cover it. Here I am, with Vickie , in Hollywood, being driven in a limousine to interview with a TV show that just might make the impossible become possible…
I won’t go into too much detail (as I know Vickie will 😉 ), but the long short of it is, I was told that I was one of five S&H fans that would be in the audience that morning (Whoa! We had NO idea we were going to be on the show, they just simply said to come in for an interview, that nothing was definite…but they lied , they were setting me up, all along and I fell for it, hook, line and sinker…)
But they were setting me up for the chance of a lifetime, and they needed to be sure that I “was” surprised, and that I would get excited…boy, oh, boy, did they have nothing to be worried about… 😉
We met Derek, who got a very enthusiastic hug from me. He and I had been talking for days, with the caution that, “This is just for research purposes, Carol”. And then he would say, “But you’re the one, you’re the one, I just know you’re the one…but it’s not my decision. But twenty-nine years as a fan…you’re the one…I can’t make any promises but…”
He was so cute, so enthusiastic, and I knew, I just knew, he really wanted this for me. We talked later about the fans’ dreams that the show tries to make come true. He told me that a lot of the requests were from young woman, young men, who were into their “idol of the month” stage. And that it was cute, it made for good ratings, but that, it was fleeting on their part. And a year from now, most likely they would be on to something else in their lives…
It was very moving when he told me that my story was unique, and that it made him cry to think I had once been one of those young fans, but that it had not been passing fancy, it had not been a fleeting moment in my lifetime…but rather, it had stayed with me, it was genuine, it was beautiful…and that he wanted that dream to come true for me.
Even if nothing else had happened, I found heart and compassion in the world of Hollywood. I didn’t know if a middle-aged women still caring about two actors she had cared about since she was 15 would gather high ratings, or make any difference to anyone else… But I did know, I had been very touched by everyone connected with On Air With Ryan Seacrest, and I cannot say enough about how wonderful we were treated, and how much they made me believe that they felt my dream was worth making a reality.
Vickie and I sat in the audience, firmly believing our fate was in our hands, nothing left to do but hope, and dream, and prepare ourselves for disappointment, if someone else was giving the honor of Super Fan and handed the “Fan Cam”.
No matter what, I was in Hollywood, I was having the experience of my life, I was still planning on standing in that crowd at the premiere, and I was still going to cheer on David and Paul, as they walked upon that red carpet.
I don’t care what anyone says, or who or what would be considered the “Super Fan,” but I had been in love with the S&H relationship and with Paul and David’s relationship, through the ups and downs, the joy and the sorrow, the good news, the bad news, the ugly news, the lies, and rumors of the rag sheets… And all I know is, I owed them so much, straight from my heart to theirs…and that I had always cared…I had always, always cared, and wished them well, and made wonderful friendships because of them, known Paula because of them, had such remarkable experiences in my life, because of them…and most of all, I learned what love truly is…and that it endures…if it is real. And my love for them, if nothing else, has always been real.
And then Ryan held the Fan Cam in his hand, and made the announcement…
And somebody shook the bottle of champagne that had been unopened for the past 20 years, and popped off the cork.
Fireworks went off in my heart…
The moment was captured on videotape…
I won’t describe it. Because I can’t describe it. But anyone who saw that tape, pretty much saw a 15-year-old girl inside of a 44-year-old woman…being handed her dream by Ryan Seacrest.
~~~
After On Air With Ryan Seacrest wrapped, the emotionally journal began…
Vickie, AKA Sinjin, who had flown to LA, as I did, to stand out in the crowd and cheer on David and Paul in the unlikely event we even could get a glimpse at them…was the most calming force that I could have asked to share this journey with. For we were about to take the whirlwind ride of our lives…
Vickie and I were escorted to “hair and makeup,” where we were interviewed and filmed, while getting our “face” and hair done. We were now in the hands of Seacrest producer, Drew, a tall, thin, personable, class act, who would “direct” us, as his film crew followed us around. What a nice guy he was!
After hair and makeup, we said goodbye to Derek, and the rest of the Seacrest crew, climbed back into the limo, and was whisked off to a place on Melrose called “Wasteland.” Ah yes, we were about to find out that every dream has its price.
Okay, with the Seacrest camera crew in tow, we “shopped” at Wasteland. Our task was to choose 70’s outfits to wear to the Premiere.
Wasteland…a store of retro…bell-bottoms, peasant skirts, wild disco outfits, polyester everything…and yes, yes, yes, ponchos, Adidas, platform shoes, and boots.
After trying several outfits, and getting advice from the salespeople, as well as Producer Drew, our outfits were chosen.
This was not the way I envisioned meeting David and Paul, together… I had visions of a pretty blouse, tailored dress pants and jacket, and classic pumps… Instead I would step onto the red carpet (with Torino white stripes 😉 ) wearing…a gold and white knitted poncho, over a black tank top, a long white peasant skirt, and gold suede boots…
But as I said, sometimes you just have to bite the bullet, pay the price, and just go with it…and believe me, we went with it.
We were driven back to our hotel, and given 25 minutes to freshen up, get on our 70’s get-ups, and climb back into the limousine…and be off to Mann Village, for the premiere.
This was it…this was it…
I was told by Drew that the guys knew about the Seacrest show, and that Paul and David knew I would be there to interview them, that Warner Brothers publicity department knew I was coming… So, with that in mind…our limo headed off…
~~~
I saw David…dark brown suede jacket, dark pants…and Paul, leather jacket, jeans…side by side (each other’s “date” down the red carpet), as they were stopped by each press reporter… Down the line, I watched them…and then they disappeared…
They had been asked to step over to the Torino, to pose with Stiller and Wilson.
But Paul and David, side by side, together, came back and continued down the carpet. It was a walk they were taking together. No separation, no just Paul, no just David, interviews, they were taking this walk together, being acknowledged as the partners that made S&H the huge 70’s phenomenon that it had been…
Together, side by side, Paul’s arm wrapped around David’s shoulder…they greeted the press in unity.
My eyes never left them…as they came closer, then stopped to be interviewed, and then continued on, stopping, and interviewing…until finally, they were within listening distance, and I listened to the questions the press were asking…
The movie, the movie, the movie…how did they feel about the movie?
I didn’t hear many interviews, just the one’s closest to me. Paul, in these interviews, seemed the spokesman, as David proudly stood next to them, shoulder to shoulder, beaming as he listened to Paul speak.
“We took it as a compliment,” I heard Paul say, speaking for the both of them. David’s arm wrapped around Paul’s waist, and he pulled him closer, and nodded in agreement.
So close, so close…in mind, in spirit, in body…on this magical night…I studied them as Paul spoke so eloquently, and knew my time was upon us…
The nice lady from Warner Brothers whispered to me, “This is your moment…” and she interrupted the interview, and as promised, she was about to bring them to me.
My heart was racing, I was trembling…but suddenly, two pair of the most beautiful blue eyes were before me.
This was it. Twenty-nine years of waiting…29 years of wanting to tell them, truly tell them, what that show meant to all of us…not the car, not the sweater, no, no, no, it was never, ever about those things…this was my moment to represent all of the S&H fans who loved what I loved, who felt what I felt…
And so, with a very strong Boston accent in tow, I introduced myself, and how I had been chosen as the “Super Fan,” but quickly said that I represented all S&H fans…and that we were all Super Fans…that I had been waiting 29 years, since 1975, to say what I was about to say…I represent all “Stahsky and Hutch fans…”
My eyes danced from Paul’s blue eyes, to David’s blue eyes, plagued with my inability to ever play favorites with my guys…there they were, right in front of me, watching me, waiting for me to speak…
I tried to keep composed; this was the most important message that I would ever be entrusted to relay…
But first I had to say one thing.
“Paul, I’m from Boston.”
That did it; that “was” the icebreaker.
Those incredible blue eyes lit up, he grinned his best Starsky grin, and I know he had heard my “Stahsky” accent, and he beamed and said, ever so gleefully…”I know! And you sound just like my sister!”
We laughed, and then I composed myself again…
And with everything inside of me, with all of the courage I could possibly muster, and as they anticipated what I would say…I asked my first question.
F or a moment, I think they were a bit stunned… I don’t think they expected this “fan” to get deep… I didn’t mention the Torino, didn’t ask for an autograph, didn’t talk about the sweater… The words flowed out of my heart…the wonder of their relationship, the compassion, the trust, the love…the best of the human spirit that they had expressed and portrayed so beautifully…how many they had touched with what they shared together, on and off screen…how many friendships they inspired, how much warmth they placed in the hearts of so many…
I felt them both lean in… Paul first, coming closer, intensely listening, intensely keeping his eyes riveted on me, as I spoke…my eyes danced from Paul and then to David, but then my eyes held to Paul, and I could feel him breathing on me… I’m not sure I was even breathing…and I felt David lean in, although my eyes stayed locked onto Paul, I felt David intensely listening…
I was supposed to talk a bit, hold the mike to myself, and then turn the mike and hold it up to David and to Paul.
But that didn’t happen right away…they let me continue, my heart overflowing into words that seemed to matter to them… They “were” listening, they “were” understanding the message…
They knew it was my moment, my chance, my dream…and they so graciously stood by and allowed it to happen. Not just cordially, not just out of kindness, but they truly, truly seemed to care about what I was trying to tell them, what I needed to tell them. Not the car, not the sweater…it was so much more…
David…Paul…the relationship, the warmth, the beauty, the compassion, the caring…
The reason for all of this, and for all of these years, and for all of the friendships and all of the joy, and all of the love.
Standing side-by-side, so close, so close they touched…
Intensely listening, intensely caring… I knew, I knew…my words were deeply felt, and deeply accepted with such beautiful integrity upon their faces.
The message was delivered, trembling voice and all…but so very much received. Mission accomplished.
It was about love…on and off screen.
It was about love, after all.
It had always been about love.
It was still…about love.
And it all still mattered, to so many hearts, all over the world.
It took a moment, as if they had to let it compute. And then Paul spoke, “What you said was lovely!!”
And then David, standing so close to Paul, as they both leaned in, responded, “That was beautiful.”
And Paul, “Yes it was. Yes, it was!”
And then, without letting the intensity waver, I asked them about their relationship.
Paul seemed blown away, suddenly, but my questions…as if he couldn’t believe the depth of my words… He was sincerely stumped. I think he had expected a more lighthearted conversation. But he seemed sincerely moved, as did David, that I did not talk of lightheartedness, at this one moment, at this one time.
But David, who had been quiet, letting Paul take the lead, suddenly spoke right up, as I aimed the mike toward him.
He spoke from the heart, in a very spur-of-the moment situation. And he was beautiful and sincere, as Paul so very proudly looking at David, and glowed as he listened to his friend speak.
It was very deep, very emotional…and now I just had to let go.
And seize the moment.
“Can I have a hug?”
And I think Paul said, “You sure can!”
And now, having been serious, having been sincere, having poured out my soul to those two beautiful, gorgeous men who have given so much to me…
Paul reached out, took me in his arms, held me so close…as I wrapped my arms around him…
And then I felt an intense kiss on my neck.
And then David and I reached out for each other, and he kissed me…
If I had stopped to think about what had just happened, I would have collapsed.
But there was one more dream left inside of me…just one request…
All of my life, all of my life…one request, one S&H related dream to dream.
And I went for it.
“Will you do something for me? Will you hug each other?”
Paul looked at me for a moment and said, “Wow, we’ve been doing that all day…”
But then he looked in my eyes, and again, he knew it was my moment, my heart had spoken, and he had listened…
And Oh, my God…
I was here, living out this dream, because of one moment, long, long ago, one scene from The Fix…one hug in the alley. My hug in the alley…
And I trembled as Paul pulled David close…and Paul rested his head upon David’s chest, and snuggled up to him, as David nestled his chin down upon the dark head…
And the little girl inside of me cried and cried…
As they walked away…arms wrapped around each other’s waists…and walked toward the theater.
And I turned around to the camera, and just screamed with the most emotionally-filled moment of joy that anyone on the planet could ever have experienced in their lifetime.
It just doesn’t get any better than this. It just does not…
WOW!
It happened, it happened….
And I thanked them, with all of my heart and all of my soul. Then it was time for the nice lady from WB to whisk them away…the movie was about to begin.
It was incredibly surreal to walk into the theater with Vickie. We showed our ticket (not giving it away, as I wanted to keep it for a souvenir), walked into the lobby, and there is David, engaged in conversation with someone. Can’t help the momentary stare. I mean, how often do you walk into the movies, and see David Soul standing there? 😉
Vickie and I walked over to the popcorn stand, and I was blushing a bit later… I was so thirsty, I wanted a Diet Coke, and then asked Vickie to pay for it (I had left my purse in the limo 😉 ) and the guy behind the counter looked at us like we were nuts. “This is a Hollywood Premiere,” he said to us. “It’s free.”
Well, duh…how did I know? I always pay my own way; I had no idea…
A moment or two later, while I was sipping my drink, and who do I see moving toward the popcorn stand, doing his best Starsky strut, in his leather jacket and jeans…up to the counter. We watched Paul, so adorably getting himself a Coke 😉 . He knew he didn’t have to pay…
Finally, we were all asked to take our seats. I had not looked at our tickets yet, and handed mine to an usher, who escorted us to our seats. I had expected to sit way, way back in the theater, and was shocked when she led us down the aisle to the fourth row on the left side! Wow! What awesome seats!
The movie began with a roar from the audience as the music played and the word ST ARSKY & HUTCH appeared on the big screen!
The largely celebrity-filled crowd loved when Stiller in his very enthusiastic and adorable appearance as the “Starsky” character bounced on to the screen for the first time.
Not quite as much applause for Wilson as the “Hutch” character, however.
Snoop Dogg’s first on screen moment as the Huggy Bear character received a very loud cheer from the crowd.
But I must say, THE Torino’s big screen debut was a huge hit with this Hollywood crowd.
I couldn’t help, as I sat there, being thrilled when the thought that David and Paul were watching this movie just feet away from us, crossed my mind (about a million times, as the movie played out on the screen before us).
The audience seemed quite delighted with the humor, responsive to the 70’s retro theme of the movie, and genuinely seemed to enjoy the comedy that this movie was.
When Wilson sang “Don’t Give Up On Us,” there was polite applause, but surely, they had to be thinking what I was thinking…well, maybe not…but I hope that was a kind tribute to David, and really, there just is no comparison. That is David’s song, and it always will be.
But the main event of the movie, and that is most definitely my unshakable opinion, was when Paul and David appeared in their wonderful cameo! The crowd just roared when they saw them, and as soon as they quieted down…I seized the moment!
I don’t care what anyone thought, it was my one chance, and David and Paul were right there in the audience, watching their cameo…
In my loudest, clearest, and proudly voice, I yelled out. “We love you, David! We love you, Paul!”
Because after all…we do!
~~~
After the premiere, Vickie and I walked out of the theater on cloud nine (or ten, or eleven…) and as we looked for our limo (there amongst the sea of limousines) who did we spot, talking to a group of people, but our one and only David Soul.
After those he was speaking to went on their way, he turned, saw us, and said, while flashing the most gorgeous smile, “Hey!” to me and Vickie.
Vickie (in her debut as the bold one 😉 went so gently over to David, and ever so eloquently asked, “Mr. Soul, may we trouble you for just one picture?”
He was gracious and beautiful, and warm and lovely. But he looked tired, and we didn’t want to impose any further. And so we said good-bye and goodnight, to the smiling, quiet one this evening, and wondered where his chatty, bubbly, exuberant partner, had disappeared to.
Destiny had been kind. We had met them, together, and met them in the grandest way possible. Both of them, radiant, and full of warmth and compassion. So very happy to be together, so very obviously adoring each other… It was something I had seen and felt, long, long ago. And I would never lose that feeling, or doubt its intensity.
But to have seen them together, in person, just looking at each other, with such love and such depth of emotion.
I would have wept, had I not been so gloriously caught up in the rapture that riveted through my soul.
When I was 15, I believed in the love, I believed in the spirit of the human spirit that so captivated my heart.
Two days before my 44th birthday, I not only still believed…but I witnessed it…before my eyes. There is truth in beauty. And there is beauty in truth.
Paul Michael Glaser and David Soul have both truth and beauty in their relationship. It has survived the most extraordinary journey of friendship, of distance, of time, and of endurance. It may not be flawless, but it is amazing, it is genuine, and it was an honor, a privilege, to have experienced viewing them, together, first hand…a moment that I will treasure, forever and ever and ever.
But my most cherished memory will always be the moment when I asked them to hug, and Paul rested his head upon David’s chest, and put his arms around him.
That moment is so precious to me.
When I was young, they taught my heart about compassion, and being loving, and caring, and giving…and most of all, about having the courage to not only love, but to accept love in return…and express it without holding back, without being afraid…
We climbed into the limo, and for the first time all that occurred over the past couple of days…after all of the frenzy, and hair, and makeup, and surprises, and highs…and finally, having that incredible moment to at last tell Paul and David how much they had given, how much it had mattered, how much we all cared…
I realized that…my lifelong dream had come true. The joy and the gratitude was so overwhelming.
And for the first time…
I just wept.
~~~
We were so exhausted when we came home, Vickie and I went straight to our hotel rooms…needing to get some sleep, for we still had yet another appearance to make on the On Air with Ryan Seacrest Show the next morning.
Another three hours sleep, up at 7 AM, and back in the limo by 9 AM.
Vickie had coffee and toast…I spent my third day in a row unable to eat, and completely running off of my own adrenaline.
This second time at the studio was quite different. We were asked to meet at the VIP stand, which we did, and were immediately escorted upstairs, where we were greeted by the wonderful staff, as well as the ever-exuberant Derek. He praised our performances the night before, and wanted to hear all about the wonderful magical night. 🙂
Next, we were briefed about our guest appearance, and then once again whisked off to hair and makeup, where we sat with Rosie, who does the entertainment “news” portion of the show. Rosie is wonderfully down-to-earth and warm, and I really thought highly of her! We chatted while in makeup and she said that everyone had been deeply moved by the experience of watching Vickie and I, the “Super fans” of Starsky & Hutch.
Hollywood, in a rare moment, witnessed the genuine embodiment of those who were simply true blue “fans.”
We were seated in the audience, in our ‘assigned’ seats, and Chunky came out to warm up the audience, and then Ryan Seacrest came out. He looked up and said, “Are you ready, Carol?” and I smiled and gave him two thumbs up.
Vickie and I were both ready…having been given such an amazing gift, it was our turn to pay our respect and gratitude to Ryan and his entire staff, who literally treated us like royalty and rolled out that red carpet…white stripes and all adorning it.
I did my best to remain calm and composed this segment and was rather stunned at the clips of my reaction the day before, as well as the clips of the premiere.
I put my head down, several times, a bit overwhelmed at my own reaction. A bit disappointed that the kiss on my neck, from Paul, had been edited out, as well as the incredible head-on-David’s-chest-hug that Paul presented us with…and so much more of the interview…but they did keep in Paul’s hug, and David’s kiss…and that is forever preserved on video tape…my enchanted evening…
Drew, the incredibly dynamic producer, who accompanied Vickie and I to the red carpet, and then did everything possible to make our night so lovely, and so magical, waved to us from the sidelines, and whispered a sincere, “Thank you and good-bye,” to us…for he was off to begin working on Monday’s segment. My heart melted as I watched him leave. He had such a heart, such a presence, and he was so kind and respectful–and human–to us, that I knew I would love him for the rest of my life.
And then it was time to say goodbye to the rest of the staff, those that told us they wept when they watched the films of us…that we had truly been Super Fans with hearts…it was hard to say goodbye to such magnificent people.
But I felt like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz when she was saying goodbye to the Scarecrow. “I think I’m going to miss you, most of all…”
And that was how I felt about Derek. The first producer who had interviewed me, over the phone, and who I felt really wanted this for me, and told me, over and over, that I made him cry…
It was so difficult to put it all into words for him…but I think he knew how I felt, and how Vickie felt.
Derek will have a very special place in my heart for all eternity.
I will always love those people, who not only did their Hollywood jobs, as true professionals, but did it with true humanity, and with the most heartfelt compassion.
~~~
Friday afternoon we were driven in the limo to our hotel room…quite emotionally drained at this point.
But a deep sigh of relief, and a reflection of the whirlwind fantasy-turned-reality that we had experienced over the previous 48 hours, was astounding.
We were so tired…so very tired…but were about to get a second-wind, as Terri knocked on the hotel room door, and after years online, an already existing wonderful friendship, and a zillion emails later, we finally met in person. The lady that had the chance to meet David and Paul, together, a huge S&H fan herself, who had declined the offer, and passing it along to me. Her gesture went above and beyond, and I will always be in her debt, but truly, I had just wanted to meet her, for such a long time now…and finally, we met!
Never mind sleep, after three days in LA, and living in an enchanting bubble from the moment I stepped off the plane, I was finally going to hang with my longtime S&H buddies, and get to finally be just a tourist!
Off we went, with Terri as our tour guide to Venice Place to see that oh-so-familiar building that had been in so many memorable S&H scenes…as Hutch’s place. 😉 And just like in the series, we got a parking spot right in front of the place! Up the stairs we went, and I could not resist…reaching up on top of the door, looking for the key. 😉
We took a stroll on Venice Beach, so lovely! And then we drove by Paul’s old home, and then went to (finally) get some dinner. We ate at a fantastic Italian Restaurant, with red/white checkered tablecloths…of course, the minute we walked in, I couldn’t resist saying, “You know what his reminds me of?” Oh, yes, Shootout was sweetly on my mind, that beautiful, beautiful almost my favorite ep of all. 😉
After dinner, and a long chat about everything , we went back to the hotel, where Terri hooked up her DVD player, and we watched the special features on the DVDs. 🙂
We were looking forward to having breakfast with Barb D. in the morning, as we have been online with her forever, yet none of us had ever met in person.
It was 3 AM, also, and Vickie’s flight was leaving at noon, the next day L
So, we said goodnight to Vickie, and then Terri and I went over to our room, and even though it was past 3 AM, we kept right on chatting until there was absolutely no way I could stay awake another minute.
That’s such a great memory now!
The next morning, we met Barb and had breakfast, and I cannot express how wonderful it was 🙂 Terri, Vickie, and Barb, all there listening to me ramble on and on and on… and I must say, they are three of the classiest S&H fans, as well as friends, that I could ever dream of encountering in my lifetime.
I had to smile when Barb so quickly sat down, and immediately noted that she had always felt I leaned toward being a Hutch fan, but that, after having seen me swooning over Paul, she had her doubts.
Had her doubts! Let it be known, for all time, that I have never had a favorite, will never have a favorite…and yes, fully indulged myself in swooning in Paul’s arms…just as I did David’s (only that part was cut from the Seacrest Show, and only David’s kiss was aired…but then again, Paul’s hug was shown, and his kiss (on the neck!) was cut).
And in my defense do you know how hard it is, after waiting three decades for that moment to see them TOGETHER, to figure out which one to keep your eyes on? I can still remember standing there, my eyes going back and forth, back and forth…David to Paul, Paul to David…give me a break, how can you choose with a choice like that?
After a very nice breakfast, we had to say goodbye to Vickie, my partner in this adventure, and the most eloquent, gracious partner anyone could ever have dreamed of sharing this incredible journey with.
Vickie, words cannot express how I feel, and how grateful I am…once again, there are no words…
We said farewell to Barb, on her way to a wonderful vacation…wonderful, lovely person!
And there we were, just Terri and me left… Hopping into her cobalt blue Lexus and driving off to Sunset Blvd. Finally just an entire day (on my birthday 🙂 ) to just hang out in Hollywood, drive around, and be a tourist!
Terri took me to the Holiday Inn where they shot the scenes from Death Ride (very cool, and quite amazingly the same, after so many years).
Then we went to Sunset, and parked…right across the street from the Ryan Seacrest Studio…where dreams really do come true!
Despite both being in high heels, we walked along the streets, in my quest for those famous Movie Picture/Stills stores that I had always heard about. We got a map of the nearby stores, and trekked along, popping into various shops and pouring over pictures of David and Paul, and S&H scripts…such a fun thing to do!
Oh, but one store was the high point. The store window was decked out with the S&H Movie posters, toy Torino, and best of all, a huge poster of the REAL Starsky & Hutch! There they were our beautiful Paul and David, in a wonderful poster, the centerpiece of the window display.
And the store was SOLD OUT of Glaser and Soul photos! They told us there was a big run on them lately, and that they were stocking up again for the “rush.”
What a rush!
Terri and I walked back where the Seacrest Studio is, and I tried not to get weepy, as we walked around…for that show, and all of its staff, and this wonderful, wonderful place, meant so much to me. Even now, I cannot believe this all happened to me, and how kind, sweet, and gracious everyone was. There are no words…
When the limo driver was driving around Vickie and me, he told us going to the “In-N-Out Burger” was a must. Vickie and I had no time to visit during our crazy two days with the Seacrest Show, but Terri and I finally made it there. Wow, what cheap prices for a really good burger! Everything was magical that weekend…everything!
I called home and my little girl answered…she was chatting up a storm, asking me a million questions…and my heart ached with joy. She chatted about the fun time she was having with her dad and her brothers, and when was I coming home?
And once again, I knew in my heart, I will never fully understand how my life has lived itself out the way that it had. My horoscope had been so right…I had nothing to complain about.
We finally went back to the hotel, so I could pack…and for the first time, ever, after having shared ten million emails on the subject, over many years…Terri and I sat down on the floor, and watched an episode of Starsky & Hutch.
It was unanimous, we were going to watch Shootout. And we did. 🙂
I love that ep more than my heart could ever begin to express. I could not think of a more fitting ep to watch. One of our beautiful David’s most gorgeous, most compassionate, most incredible portrayals…and the ever clingy and needy wounded Starsky, played by our irresistible Paul. 🙂
A classic, straight from the heart and soul!
And then, it was time for me to go.
Time to say good-bye to Terri. 🙁
Time to pack up all of those unbelievable moments that were already unbelievable memories…and head back to Boston.
Saying goodbye to Terri was very difficult, but I knew that for the rest of my life…friendship would be what S&H instilled within our hearts. A thing of truth, and a thing of beauty. And real…so incredibly real.
I cried in the airport as I pulled along my rolling suitcase…I stopped for a diet coke and this sweet old gentleman with a very distinctive Australian accent chatted with me. It was very touching; he was very charming. He was on his way back to the great down under…
My plane was delayed for 30 minutes, but I didn’t care…nothing was ever going to take away that smile on my face, or those tears of joy and gratitude in my eyes.
After the long plane ride, my wonderful Mike, the love of my life, whom I had almost lost last year, met me at Logan Airport at 6 AM. The moment I saw him, I knew how blessed I was, how very blessed I am.
We drove back to Cape Cod together, and he patiently listened to my very hoarse voice strain to relive every moment…
Where do you find the words, when there truly are no words?
From the lonely days of my childhood, to the discovery of S&H in 1975, when I was the most innocent of teenagers…to all of the wonderful things that have occurred, the friendships, the love, the laughter, the joys, and the sorrows…to 29 years later, when I stepped upon that candy apple red carpet at a Hollywood Premiere, and had the immeasurable experience of looking into the eyes of two men, David Soul and Paul Michael Glaser, who had touched me, so deeply, and so profoundly, all those years ago, with a love between them that made me realize the depth of the human spirit at its very best…
I cannot thank everyone enough for everything… I know that what my heart has felt all these years, is a reflection of what so many others feel. And it is such a blessing, such a wonderful, wonderful experience to have in this lifetime.
And to David, and to Paul…who will never, ever really know how many hearts they have touched, how many lives they have enhanced, or how many friendships they have inspired…but for one brief shining moment, in my life…I had the honor…and I had the joy…
I love them more than words can express…for truly, there are no words.
And in closing, as I sit here, wearing the necklace that Paula sent me, and cherishing her friendship and love, more than ever, and brokenhearted when I think of how she and I talked and dreamed about going to LA, and standing out there in the crowd, and cheering on Paul and David, as they walked by…
But then I remember how I smiled at the Premiere, just as I stepped onto that red carpet, and touched the necklace…and whispered inside of my heart.
“We’re here, Paula…we made it…we are here…you are here…and Hollywood has not left you standing faceless in the crowd…it has rolled out the red carpet for you…the red carpet with white stripes!”
Love was everything, and love was everywhere.
As David and Paul came proudly walking down that red carpet…29 years after it all began…walking down that glorious red carpet that Hollywood had rolled out for them…
Together.
Forever…and a day.
Carol
“To me, fair friend, you never can be old, for as you were when first your eye I eyed, such seems your beauty still.” ~Shakespeare
The pleasure we feel in criticizing robs us from being moved by very beautiful things. ~Jean De La Bruyere
Have any thoughts?
Share your reaction or leave a quick response — we’d love to hear what you think!
-
2
-
-1
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
0
