A Late Night with James Franco

We all watch Bravo, right? Well, next to our favorite shows like Real Housewives and Top Chef, is a little show called Inside the Actors Studio. For seventeen years, James Lipton (the show's host), has been interviewing the most gifted actors and directors in the entertainment industry. Following the likes of Paul Newman, Dustin Hoffman, Al Pacino, Angelina Jolie, Drew Barrymore, Steven Spielberg, Tina Fey, and a long list of other accomplished artists, James Franco finally graced the Inside the Actors Studio stage at the Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts on Wednesday night.

We were all introduced to James Franco as Daniel Desario on one of the greatest shows ever, Freaks and Geeks. Later, he appeared as Harry Osborn in the Spiderman trilogy and as Tristan in Tristan and Isolde (which I saw three times in theaters--embarrassing, I know). His critically-acclaimed performance as James Dean in the biopic of the same name earned him a Golden Globe. From Pineapple Express, to Milk, and everything in between, it seems as if James Franco can tackle anything. Oh wait, he's also been enrolled in four graduate programs over the past few years; Franco is currently pursuing a doctorate at Yale, as he promotes two new films: Howl and 127 Hours, and his recently published novel: Palo Alto. Ok, James Franco really can do anything.

My twin sister has loved James Franco ever since his Tristan and Isolde days. When I got an email mid-October announcing this season's Inside the Actors Studio guests, taping dates, and ticket prices, I jumped at the offer. My sister immediately booked a train to New York (skipping her Thursday and Friday classes), realizing this was an opportunity she just couldn't pass up. As a Fordham student, this event was just a quick RamVan and subway ride away.

I am a James Franco fan as well. However, Inside the Actors Studio happens to be my favorite show. I've seen almost every episode, entranced by the honesty and candor of the guests, especially in an industry that can be so incessantly violating and intrusive. For almost three hours, Lipton went through Franco's childhood, his introduction to acting, and his many television shows and films. Thankfully, my sister got to see her childhood crush, in his most honest and vulnerable state, for only $30. I got to stare at him for 3 hours. Sounds like a good deal to me.