Updated daily because we have nothing better to do.
Thursday, August 16, 2007 07:55:11 AM
INTERVIEWS
Jonathan Selwood Reveals How To Piss Off A Celebrity
Jonathan Selwood is the
author of The
Pinball Theory of Apocalypse, a novel set in LA. It has just been released
by Harper Perennial.
He recently sat down with Chortler.com to answer some of our questions.
1) What is it about LA?
LA really IS that over-the-top. I've had a couple reviewers claim that my novel is extreme to the point of caricature, but when I went down to read at bookstores in LA, people came up to me afterward to tell me how dead on the characters were.
You really have to live there to understand how absurd it is. And, of course, as an avowed Absurdist, I love it.
2) What's something to do in LA that only a native would know about?
There's a game that we used to play growing up in Hollywood called "Celebrity
Sucker Punch." The goal is to confuse celebrities by treating them like normal people.
For instance, if you see a celebrity in a big hat and
sunglasses trying to sneak down the street incognito, go ahead and
approach her as if you are a star-struck fan. But just when
she gives you that irritated look thinking you're about to ask
for an autograph, ask for the time or directions instead.
You wouldn't believe how this messes with the narcissistic
personalities most actors have. Often they'll be too stunned to actually answer.
My all time favorite was approaching an EXTREMELY famous actor who
was walking his golden retriever, and accusing his dog of shitting all over my lawn. I didn't actually live anywhere near there, but I kept pointing to the closest lawn for emphasis.
I scolded him for a good five minutes before storming off.
3) Katie Holmes or Posh Spice?
That's a no-brainer.
4) What do you miss most about the city?
The sunsets. They've cleaned the air up a lot since I was a kid coughing up blood in the '70s, but there's still enough smog to make for truly spectacular sunsets most every night.
5) How much is the book based on your own experience?
It's hard to know precisely. I was very drunk when I wrote it.
Jonathan Selwood is the
author of 