Stars On Ice 2000-01-- Reception in Los Angeles, CA

�Kelly W.

After the show (which didn't end until 10:45), we headed up to the plaza bar area for the reception. We had met a couple of old ladies who sat next to us during the show. They were hilarious and were rather horny for the male skaters. These ladies were in their 70s. They were hysterical and we sat with them for a bit before they had to leave.

Ilia was the first skater that showed up. After being bombarded by a few members of his fan club, he moved around the room to talk with fans, sign autographs, etc. I chatted with him a bit, gushing over the performance, etc. and he was all smiley and seemed cool, though he doesn't talk much. Tara, Kristi, Jenni, Todd, and Gorsha & Sur strolled in and stopped occasionally to speak with folks. Yuka pretty much stayed glued to the bar with Jason, keeping a low profile. Pasha showed up halfway through the reception. She walked in and was trying to talk to Kurt. She hung out with Denis Petrov for a little bit, having drinks, and then she waited in line to talk to Kurt.

Andie and I went over to talk to Kurt because she hadn't met him before. We let him finish talking to a couple of ladies and then Kurt walked over to me and he's like "Hey!! How's it going!?" Right away, in true fashion, I hug him and say "You rock like a beast!!" to which he cracks up and grabs my arm and tugs on it and is like "oh no, not you again!" Think he's going to put a security warning on me?? Andie and I chatted with him briefly before the hoards of fans attacked him.

I asked to receive a digital moment (with my digital camera). As we were preparing for the photo, some guy from the Ice Capades barged in and chatted with him. So, I just stood there shoulder to shoulder for about 3 minutes...taking it all in. Then someone else tried to butt in and Kurt yells "Wait a second!" and he turns to me and says "Let's get digitalized!" That just made me laugh. He's so much fun! Then we took the picture and Andie received her digital moment as well. Andie and I couldn't move (traffic jam) so we just stood there and listened in and joined into the conversation. Soon we were free and I tried to squeeze behind Kurt. He turned back to me and was like "you're leaving??" and I said "How do you feel about yourself tonight?" Kurt laughed and he said, "How do YOU feel about YOURSELF?" He laughed again and said, "You are so funny with your questions -- what, are you a psychiatrist?" and he grabbed my arm and tugged it again. What a goon. I totally love that guy. So then I said "we're going to go schmooze" and he said, "Have a great time, sweetie."

I noticed Steven walk in. Wanting to make sure I talked to him, Andie and I caught up with him by the bar. He stopped when someone else across the room yelled his name and he waved over at them. Then ... he turned around and his eyes got all big and he said "HEY!!!!" Steven gave me a big hug and a little peck on the cheek. I only got to talk to him for a minute or so. I wanted to make sure he remembered me and he smiled big and said "Yep, I sure do! It's so great to see you again!" I didn't talk to him for very long -- he was popular with the L.A. crowd since he had some friends there with him. He told me that he gave Cuddles the Cow (that big cow I tossed on the ice at Grand Slam) to a kid at a hospital. How cool of him!

Just then, some girls wanted to get an autograph in their programs and he asked if I'd excuse him. No problem. Guess who we saw in the back of the room? One of my favorite members from "Saturday Night Live." Scott's friend, Kevin Nealon! I whipped out my camera handed it to Andie and marched her to the back of the room. I was like, "I have got to meet Kevin Nealon!"

We got back there where Kevin was hanging out, and he was schmoozing with some folks so we stayed back low key. I saw a couple other celebs that I recognized but for the life of me, couldn't tell you who they are or where I've seen them. (I hate when that happens.) So Kevin was making his way around the room so when he was free, I dove on in there and shook his hand. He said, "Hello there!" and then I realized how TALL the dude is. He's like Lurch! Anyway, Kevin is WAY cool!!! I told him "I just wanted to let you know that you rock like a beast." Kevin was impressed. "Wow, thanks!" he smiled and asked how we were enjoying the party. We chatted briefly and for the life of me, I can't remember exactly what the conversation was all about. I asked him what he thought of the show (as if he'd say he hates it -- Scotty's his buddy after all) and then I asked to receive a digital moment. He got all excited. Someone asked him for an autograph at that moment and he announced very loudly, "Yes, but FIRST I am going to receive a digital moment!"

I about hit the floor laughing. He rules.

So we got a picture with Kevin (with me and Andie) and it is HYSTERICAL!!! Then after that, I told him it was great meeting him and I said, "And remember, you rock like a beast!" He laughed and said, "I walk like a beast." I said, "NOOOO! You ROCK like a beast!" and he repeated, "ROCK like a beast" and gave me the thumbs-up. And I said if anyone else tells you differently, you just tell them to stick it. He winked at me and was like "gotcha" and then I decided I'd better be leaving before I terrify the guy any further.

Later on when the party was winding down, Andie and I decided we would head home. My "I AM LOVED" button had fallen off my jacket so I decided I would pin it on someone as we were leaving. Kurt, perhaps. I saw him ahead of us by the door. Also I wanted to say goodbye to Steven before he headed out. Not too much later, some of the crew was rounding them up and getting them out of the party (this was about 12:20 or so).

Kevin Nealon was chatting with Tara and when she left, he talked to Kurt. I soooo wanted to sneak in to Kurt and have him tell Kevin he rocks like a beast -- but Kevin beat me to him. DAMN. That would have been priceless!! I waved goodbye to Kurt and as we walked past him, he was heading out the door so I said "wait, this is for you!" and I pinned the "I AM LOVED" button on his lapel. He was like, "thank you, I think." He looked down and read it out loud ... "I am HO-ved."

On our way out the door, we caught up with Scott. After signing a little girl's program, he turned to me and he said "Having fun?" I told him that my friend Jen had died of ovarian cancer in May (he had signed a book for her last year which really inspired her) and he said "Oh, I am so sorry" and he gave me a hug! What a guy. I love him. I told Scott he was her skating idol and that he meant a lot to her. He got all teary eyed. (Maybe it was just that he wanted something to drink but he missed last call??) Then I asked him about next year's SOI tour and his skating. He said "I'm definitely not going into retirement." I said "So will you be making some surprise appearances on the tour?" to which he just smiled and said, "Not sure yet..." and he just had this look on his face like, 'can't tell ya.' It's all a secret. Makes you wonder if this really is the end.

Andie was getting tired so we decided to leave. We headed out the door as I saw Steven heading toward the elevator. When we got out into the hallway, I yelled for him and when he looked over, he waved and yelled "Oh! I'm so sorry, it got so crazy and now they're making us catch the bus." I told him not to worry about it, have a good night, and he was getting on the elevator and he held the door open and turned back to me and said "You send me emails and I will email you back!" So everyone, keep those questions for Steven coming through to me if you want to see them answered on Cuz Web!

All in all, it was a fun evening with spectacular skating. What else can you ask for?

Do you have a full review of this show (just Steven or the entire cast)? I'd love to add it to this page for those who didn't get to see the show so send it in!