Tuesday, November 24, 2009

a famous question

Back in the day when I had cable, I was a huge fan of "Inside the Actor's Studio". Not because I ascribe to "the Method" (quite the opposite, actually) but because I loved to watch James Lipton interview some of the very best in the business. Lipton is known for doing two weeks of research on each guest, and also, famously asks a series of questions that he lifted from Bernard Pivot, who pinched it from Proust.

  1. What is your favorite word?
  2. What is your least favorite word?
  3. What turns you on?
  4. What turns you off?
  5. What sound or noise do you love?
  6. What sound or noise do you hate?
  7. What is your favorite curse word?
  8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
  9. What profession would you not like to do?
  10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

It was my favorite part of the program. (Question 7 always prompts the guest to ask "can I say it on cable?" When Lipton reassures his guest that it's cool to cuss, they invariably let fly with relish!) But it's the last question that interests me the most. I've given this a lot of thought and here's what I've come up with:

"Hey there, Jen! Glad to see ya! The Library of All Knowledge is right through there; there's fresh Peet's coffee and California wine available at all times. Choir practice is at 7pm on the biggest cloud. Welcome home."

So, how would you answer?
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5 comments:

  1. DevinNovember 24, 2009 at 6:27 PM

    1. What is your favorite word? Peace
    2. What is your least favorite word? Strife
    3. What turns you on? A great smile
    4. What turns you off? A harsh voice
    5. What sound or noise do you love? Wind blowing through trees
    6. What sound or noise do you hate? Dirt bikes
    7. What is your favorite curse word? Stupid
    8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? pilot
    9. What profession would you not like to do? construction
    10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? We just got high speed internet.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousNovember 25, 2009 at 10:45 AM

    Oh, Jen, this is too deep for only one cup of coffee. I'll need more coffee, then more time, then it'll be time for wine and just one more glass of wine. Wait... what was I supposed to be thinking about... wine!?!
    (from Caitlin)

    ReplyDelete
  3. VanessaNovember 25, 2009 at 1:43 PM

    I play this game all the time! My answers change on a regular basis but here's what I have for today:

    What is your favorite word? Serendipity
    What is your least favorite word? c*nt
    What turns you on? Museums
    What turns you off? Violence
    What sound or noise do you love? The sound of hard-soled shoes on a solid wood floor
    What sound or noise do you hate? Window panes rattling during an earthquake
    What is your favorite curse word? a phrase..."Son of a bitch!" (Never used to refer to a person but rather "Son of bitch! That tea is hot!")
    What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? A fiction writer (but I'm pretty excited to start attempting my own profession too.)
    What profession would you not like to do? Anything in the sex-trade industry
    If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? "We're so excited you're here. We've all read your disseration and can't wait to talk to you about it."
    I hope you are well and I love following your family on your blog and facebook. Happy Thanksgiving!
    Vanessa

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jennifer ClarkNovember 25, 2009 at 1:45 PM

    Here are my answers to the other nine:

    1. Favorite word - bedtime
    2. least fave - over-qualified
    3. turns me on - architechture
    4. turns me off - small-mindedness
    5. sound I love - wind in the trees at night
    6. sound I hate - leaf blowers early on Sunday mornings
    7 fave curse word - I gotta go with the phrase "for fuck's sake!" Thanks, Sue!
    8. other profession I'd like to try - actor
    9. profession I wouldn't want to try - any kind of sales

    ReplyDelete
  5. Pastor RobbNovember 30, 2009 at 3:03 PM

    "So half of what you said about me was way wrong, and the other half missed the point entirely... But I love you so much and I'm stoked that you're here now."

    ReplyDelete

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