Film director and actor from the CBS sitcom “How I Met Your Mother,” Josh Radnor speaks in the Stamp Grand Ballroom for Student Entertainment Events’ semester lecture.
We all dream of meeting a celebrity. We’d casually bump into Channing Tatum on the beach, cross paths with J.Lo in a shoe store or adopt a couple of kids with Brad Pitt.
We always tell ourselves we’d remain calm, cool and collected, but does anything ever really prepare us for those five minutes of heart palpitating and breathtaking bliss when rubbing elbows with the rich and famous? We don’t want to appear too much like the stalker we really are.
Last Wednesday, Josh Radnor visited the university. Yes, Ted Mosby himself held a Q&A in Stamp Student Union’s Grand Ballroom to tell us of his experiences and life as an actor, writer and director. The minute I heard he was coming, I signed myself up for a one-on-one interview to be aired on WMUC News.
I immediately stalked him on the Internet to get to know him. We were going to be best friends, he just didn’t know it yet. I watched interviews, read articles and caught up with How I Met Your Mother. I charged the batteries in my voice recorder and sharpened my pencils. I even broke out my nice leather satchel. I needed to look like a top-notch journalist.
I sat on one of the purple couches in Stamp and counted down the minutes. Crazy fans began lining up in order to secure their spot in the Ballroom. I was then met by a member of S.E.E. She told me I could wait where I was sitting or wait for my interview in Josh’s green room. I thought, “His green room it is!”
I felt as if I was preparing for a marathon. I found myself jogging in place, shaking out my limbs and checking my pulse. “Good to go,” I thought. I was as cool as a cucumber.
Josh had to use the bathroom and he walked by my. Suddenly, I felt my body take a giant step, almost a leap, forward at the sight of him. I caught myself. What am I doing and why am I rushing him? Oh no, the crazed fan is coming out, kind of like a werewolf. I can’t remember if it was a full moon that night.
It was time for me to go in and work my magic — um, I mean, conduct my interview. I was perfectly confident and ready. Then, I caught a glimpse of his perfectly tousled hair and effortlessly styled outfit. I died a little inside.
I made the mistake of checking my pulse one last time. My heart was racing. Josh put out his hand and I immediately met it with my sweaty one. Strike one.
We sat down and I played it cool. I asked him a simple question. He must have found me charming because he flashed a sweet, humble smile. I melted. I became flushed and my nerves couldn’t hold still. My leg jiggled so bad I nearly knocked over Josh’s water bottle on the table. Strike two.
Our fluid conversation came to an end. He thanked me for my time and instead of graciously replying, “No, thank YOU,” I thoughtlessly blurted, “No, I love YOU.” Strike three, I’m out.
Just kidding. I thanked him back and went on my merry way. I can now store this memory right there next to meeting Hanson (yes, that 90’s boy band) and Kevin “Footloose” Bacon. One day I really will be able to control myself around celebrities.
And kids, that’s how I met Ted Mosby.