章節 109: Image baggage
"Over the past year, it seems like you've experienced changes that are difficult for many people to experience in their entire lives. Let's talk about that." Jay wisely avoided the topic of Jack Nicholson, saving plenty of opportunities to discuss it when promoting "A Few Good Men". There was no rush today.
Hugo nodded and said, "Yes, you know, after the tearful incident at the Razzie Awards, it wasn't easy to stand up again. I just hope you won't bring out that photo again." Hugo was referring to the Los Angeles Times publishing a pitiful photo of him in tears and snot after the Razzie Awards. It was likely to become the most significant photo of Hugo's career.
"We are a conscientious show and we would never do that," Jay said with a serious expression. However, his gaze shifted towards the raspberry sculpture on the stage, and with just a glance, laughter erupted without any explanation. "Hugo, to come back from a low point to where you are now, you must have put in more effort than the average person."
"I don't know how it compares to the average person, but I do know that I've given my all to do my best," Hugo said earnestly. "I hope my current efforts are enough because I don't know if I can continue to give it my all." As he spoke, Hugo made a determined expression, as if he were a cartoon character, bringing a smile to everyone's face.
"The audience will have a chance to know this," Jay said meaningfully, clearly implying that the currently showing "Scent of a Woman" was a good opportunity. "Let's take a break and be right back. Don't worry, Hugo will still be here..."
The live band's music started playing, and Jay lowered his head and said to Hugo, "You're doing fantastic." The microphone had already been turned off, and only they could hear these words.
"Haha, that's useful. At least when my manager comes to confirm my performance later, I can use that line as my answer," Hugo's words made Jay chuckle.
To Jay, Hugo sitting in the talk show host's seat, although a bit nervous, possessed a natural ability to control the stage. He didn't need to think or manage deliberately; he could present his words in the most direct, sincere, and interesting way. It was a talent, just like acting or singing, an innate hosting talent. However, Hugo was still relatively green and didn't know how to seize the initiative. Most of the time, he presented himself under Jay's guidance.
At this moment, Jay recalled Hugo's performance at the Razzie Awards and felt it wasn't as embarrassing as he had initially thought. Perhaps Hugo was an underestimated actor, with numerous things waiting to be discovered and explored. It was an intriguing matter. Because Hugo was like a book, similar to "Remembrance of Things Past" or "One Hundred Years of Solitude". At worst, he was like a collection of "Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales"... a storybook, not just a pretty face.
After the commercial break, Jay quickly shifted the topic back to the main subject. "Can we have a bit more quiet in the audience? I can hardly hear the director's instructions. I know you all love Hugo, and so do I, but you don't need to express it in such a direct way to overshadow me."
Jay's words made Hugo, who was sitting beside him, chuckle. Actually, Hugo still wasn't accustomed to such flattery. He always felt that what Jay said wasn't about him, or perhaps the cheering and screaming from the audience wasn't directed at him. It was a subtle feeling.
"So, Halloween is coming. Do you have any plans for this year's Halloween?" It was a topic that couldn't be avoided, as the recording of the show was just one week away from Halloween. Jay directly asked the question.
"Oh, I'm not sure. Maybe I'll need to appear on a show or participate in promotions," Hugo said. Although he was a time traveler, Halloween was celebrated in many major cities around the world in the 21st century, including Asia. So he had experienced many Halloweens because it meant festivities, and festivities meant performance opportunities for the Glory or Death.
"Do you like Halloween? Do you enjoy wearing masks or playing 'tricks or treats'?" Jay brought up a topic that interested the audience.
Hugo shook his head and said, "Oh, no, I have some unpleasant memories of Halloween. There was this one time when I draped a white sheet over my head and tied a belt around my waist, trying to pretend to be a ghost, but it wasn't very successful." Hugo hadn't finished his story yet, but the audience was already laughing uncontrollably. A ghost? That costume was just too hilarious.
"Well, how wasn't it successful?" Jay asked, trying to hold back his laughter.
"Uh, I was led in the wrong direction by my friends and ended up falling into a bush. Then a group of superheroes played a prank on me, and I crashed into a plane tree," recounted Hugo. It was his true experience, and they had a wild time back then. Of course, he was thoroughly pranked, but it was an unforgettable Halloween, still vivid in his memory.
Hugo's words triggered an eruption of laughter from the audience, and Jie, with a smile on his face, continued to ask, "Why not try digging two 'holes' for the eyes?"
"I did try," Hugo said, immediately looking frustrated. "But when my friends helped me put on the costume, the two 'holes' ended up in the wrong place, you know..."
"Hahaha..." It was truly a scene that could make one burst into laughter just by imagining it. Even Hugo himself chuckled. Those were the best moments spent with the Glory or Death band.
"I can sense why you don't like Halloween anymore," Jie said with a meaningful tone, still with a lingering smile. Hugo was indeed different from most handsome guys. He didn't have the burden of being an idol and could joke around freely. It was a rare quality. But thinking about it carefully, Hugo's performance at the Razzie Awards was a signal, so his outstanding performance today was not surprising.
"Well, I can only hope to have some work this Halloween," Hugo shrugged.
"Whether you truly like Hugo or hate him, I hope everyone can step into the cinema to watch the movie called "Scent of a 'Woman"." Jay quickly shifted to today's main topic. "Hugo, let's talk about this story."
"No problem," Hugo reined in his smile and adjusted his breathing. "This story tells the tale of two men."
...Silence.
One second later, Jay, clearly not anticipating Hugo's brief statement, asked, "That's it?"
"Yes, because it's a very complex story, and it's difficult to explain," Hugo replied with a puzzled expression, eliciting a light laughter from the audience. "Strictly speaking, it's about the character I play, Charlie, helping Lt. Colonel Slade to rediscover the meaning of life, while the Lt. Colonel strengthens Charlie's convictions."
"Uh, what about the 'woman'?" Jay had actually seen the movie, but he asked on behalf of the audience.
"I hope to leave this suspense in the movie theater for everyone to discover," Hugo said honestly, but he still had some common sense. After saying that, he slyly winked at Jay, causing Jay to burst into laughter.
"Then let's talk about the wonderful performances in the movie. This time, your outstanding performance has reminded many people of how stunning you were in "Dead Poets Society"," Jay continued smoothly, keeping the topic focused on the movie but centered around Hugo. "But we all know that you encountered some troubles before. So how did you convince Martin during the audition to give you this role?"
"It was actually quite interesting. When I went for the audition, Martin only gave me thirty seconds to perform, and my initial reaction was, 'What? What can I do in thirty seconds?' My mind went blank," Hugo's lively tone made the audience smile. "So I just told the truth."
"What? What did you say?" Jie was somewhat surprised.
"I said I didn't know what I could do because thirty seconds was too short," Hugo honestly replied, causing both Jay and the audience to exclaim in astonishment. "My action like that sparked dissatisfaction from Martin and the others, so the conversation started. Later, I worked hard to explain my viewpoints and performed the audition."
"Thirty seconds?"
"Yes. But I talked about many of my own interpretations of the character and the movie," Hugo summed it up in one sentence. "I always thought it was because of my relentless efforts that I got the role of Charlie. But the interesting part is, during a casual chat with Martin after joining the crew, he denied my assumption."
"Wow, that's really interesting," Jay couldn't help but marvel.
"Martin told me that besides my thorough preparation and hard work, what they saw in me most was my honesty, which had similarities with the character of Charlie," Hugo's words made Jay wear a pained expression. Jay picked up the topic and said, "Well, that's troublesome. In the future, it seems many movie auditions will be very difficult."
Indeed, if everyone participated in auditions like Hugo did for "Scent of a Woman", it was likely that many people would be unemployed. Smart auditions are tailored to the role, and each role and production have different requirements. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Scent of a Woman" are very different, for example.
Hugo also understood the meaning behind Jay's words and laughed while waving his hands, "I hope the actors who fail auditions won't come to me. This method wasn't my idea."
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is Hugo Lancaster. Please step into the movie theater to watch "Scent of a Woman" and experience more of Hugo's charm on the big screen." Jay redirected the topic, quickly wrapping up the show. They had a bit too much fun today, slightly exceeding the allotted time. "Hugo, thank you. Thank you for coming today!" After saying that, J" shook Hugo's hands, wearing a big smile.
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