~ Preproduction ~
Novocaine
2000
Steve was in final negotiations for the movie in February, 2000. Other stars continued to sign on right up to production. But in the month or so before the start of the shooting, Steve was very busy. He received the Career Achievement Award from the American Comedy Awards, and was involved in the Oscars. He was also in negotiations for another dramatic role in a movie called The Walker. This fell through, and Novocaine took it's place as his serious dramatic turn. There is not a great deal of press coverage worth including here from that time. Most of it is just additional announcements of stars who signed up late. There are two pieces, however, too good to not share: one is only marginally related, but I like it. The other is about his near-jury duty experience.
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The Washington Post
Wednesday, March 29, 2000, Final edition
Style Section; pg. C03
The Reliable Source
Lloyd Grove, with Beth Berselli
* Steve Martin almost had to delay a trip to Chicago this weekend, when he starts filming "Novocaine" with co-stars Helena Bonham Carter and Laura Dern, to serve on the jury of a three-week trial in Pasadena, Calif. Martin told us that when he reported for jury duty last Friday, the judge asked teasingly: "Have you brought your team of lawyers with you?"
"Yes, your honor," Martin replied, gesturing at the first row of fellow jurors, "they're right here."
When the judge asked if serving would present a financial hardship, a common reason for dismissal, the comic actor answered: "Well, no, but 100 people are depending on me." When the judge frowned dubiously, Martin added: "But if you want me to say 'financial hardship,' yes, yes, financial hardship!" In the end, Martin was let off because his star power might have warped the high-profile arson and murder case.
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Ventura County Star (Ventura County, CA)
Friday, March 31, 2000
Life, p. TO23
Rubbing Shoulders (and Serving Spoons) with the Stars
Molly R. Okeon
Standing behind a dessert buffet Friday night, I found myself face to face with Steve Martin.
But instructed not to swoon by the catering company running the pre-Oscar party for 400 guests, I stood dumfounded with my mouth hanging open, at a loss for words in front of the man who has been my favorite comedian since I was 4. Martin, sensing my awe, leaned in, stared me straight in the eyes and said, "Hello."
"Hi," I whispered faintly, surprised by how handsome he was in person -- particularly for someone who is as old as my father.
"So, how does this work?" Martin asked, looking down at a mess of chocolate truffle pudding.
"Oh," I said, coming to my senses and remembering my job. "It's kind of, uh, self-service."
Martin, his eyes looking up to meet mine, began scooping the brown goo onto his plate. "I'm self-serving," he said.
When he finished, he leaned over again, his face inches from mine. "Thank you," he said.
Unable to hold it in any longer, a friend standing to my left began to chuckle at my expression.
For most of the general, nonfamous public, the Academy Awards lasted for four hours. For me, it went on all weekend. Fortunate enough to work for a large food service company in Los Angeles, I found myself in the middle of two of the most premier pre-Oscar parties of the weekend: a gathering at a private home in Beverly Hills on Friday and, on Saturday, a party presented by a magazine. It was fascinating to watch the stars of the silver screen when the cameras were off and the parties were in full swing.
***
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Last updated 4 August 2001
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