The Tonight Show with Jay Leno December 15th 2003
Melinda, Melissa, Melanie, Elyse, Jerri, Mary, Jessica, Marilyn, Jami

Melinda

The rest of the sisters can fill you in on the night before activities since I didn't get to the line until the early afternoon. They looked absolutely exhausted, but I'm sure the post Leno show was worth the cold night and the lack of sleep. Once we went through security and spent half an hour waiting inside, we were led in and seated in the second and third rows with another perfect view of the stage. (The first row, by the way, is reserved for vip's and people with "connections.") We had a few Ewan "virgins" with us, so their
excitement was difficult to contain. Jay came out to talk with the audience before the show and we were able to go on stage with him and take a polaroid picture doing the "Ewan wave." Elyse had Ewan sign that picture afterwards. When the show started, we wiggled
in our seats waiting for the moment for Jay to announce Ewan. We screamed when they showed him (on the monitors) leaving his dressing room. Of course when he actually came on stage, we yelled and clapped for a bit longer than usual. I'm sure Ewan loved it! I don't need to explain the interview (since most of you have seen it), but seeing it live was fantastic! This is my fourth Leno-Ewan visit and the comraderie between the two on and off camera is amazing. They work well with each other and Leno just seems to love
setting him up for "naughty" things.

I don't know if Ewan was ever on Leno before Moulin Rouge, but I think Ewan will always make it a point to be on Leno when he releases a new movie. I honestly have to say that we were much louder than what was heard on tv. I guess they had to minimize our yells so that Leno (and Ewan could be heard). When we screamed after he mentioned Young Adam, I thought it was much louder.
Yes, he pointed at me when he said something about "that girl has seen it." (Even though I haven't seen it!) During the commercials,
he spoke with Jay and another lady on stage. He made eye contact with the audience and pointed out Elyse's CHAS shirt and I
believe he gave her a thumbs up (or another positive sign). At one point, when he was scanning the audience he winked toward us, which was absolutely thrilling. After Nicole came out, Ewan moved over, but we all kept our eyes on him. His expressions were priceless. Half the time he put his hand over his face as if to show an expression of "I can't believe she's saying this." We kept laughing. So did he. Melanie was also wearing her CHAS shirt, and during the commercial she caught the attention of Nicole and asked her to call Ewan so that he could see the shirt. He smiled widely and clapped and thanked her. I can't remember all their "conversation" (mouthing their words to each other), so she'll have to tell you about it. When the band played, Ewan and the others went over to the side of the stage and we got a backside/side view of him. I've always enjoyed watching him get into the music of the bands, including Jay's band. He appears to genuinely appreciate the music and either taps his feets, pats his hand on his leg or just bops to the music. After they taped the promo, he left backstage with a wave and a "good night." Melanie had talked with a security guard earlier and a few of us were able to leave through a side door and go to the celebrities entrance (where the cars are waiting for them). We scanned the cars (and license plates) and waited patiently for Ewan to exit. Unfortunately, they wouldn't let us wait there very long and we had to leave. But not before we figured out what car he was using.

We walked to the main exit and met the other sisters there. We had our cameras out and waited patiently for his car to exit. I don't know if it was because of the cold weather or the fact that the papparrazi was at the Arclight for the Big Fish screening, but fortunately we didn't have to deal with any entaglements with those horrible people. Altogether there were about 20 of us waiting. Sure enough, as his car approached (and we knew which one it was by the license plate), we started yelling his name. Now typically in the past, our only experience at that point was a quick look into the car and Ewan's driver leaving quickly. This time it was different. The driver stopped and we saw a light in the back seat of the car. (Ewan's hair was plainly visible.) The driver motioned to us with his index
finger raised and within 1/2 minute Ewan and his agent got out of the car. It was funny because we all muttered to each other, "don't crowd, don't rush," and I think we were very polite as we approached him. Both Ewan and his agent came over to the sidewalk and Ewan patiently signed EVERYTHING that people had for him to sign. (I finally got him to sign my Moulin Rouge DVD! When I told him
I had met him before at the Egyptian and had seen Moulin Rouge 40 times at that point, he looked at me and said, "oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah....I remember." That was pretty exciting for me. ) Melanie spoke for a bit with Ewan's agent and told her who we were. We asked to take pictures with him and he gladly obliged. Of course we HAD to do the "Ewan wave" and he laughed his
beautiful laugh before he took that picture with us. Some of us took individual or small group pictures with him. It was kind of chaos for a bit with all the cameras. His agent got involved and took some of the pictures for us (which was very nice of her). Eventually he had
to leave, but just before he did, Melanie asked him to say, "thanks for spotting me" on the camera. He said it very quickly (but it's still recognizable) so she asked him again. He thanked us and said goodnight. Since no one took pictures during that event, the video is very dark....but it's Ewan's voice! (I'm not sure how we can post it.) All of us made sure to thank him before he left. After he left we all stood around dazed. Both Melissa and Elyse were teary-eyed and the rest of us were hugging each other, looking at the pictures we just took, and calling our friends. We didn't want to leave because the memory was just too precious. It was an unforgettable experience and I'm so glad we have photos (and autographs) to relive the memories. Thanks to all of you who made it such a fantastic experience.

Ok, I'm no good at details and I'm sure the girls will post much bettter than me, but here goes my version. When we were by the gate waiting, I moved to the edge of the driveway by the street to talk to Mary. Then I heard the girls say that's his car, I went back towards the driveway. I had a perfect view of him in the backseat through the passenger window. I was trying to wave, but he was busy talking to his publicity agent (or whoever she was). Then I saw him reach for the door, and let me tell you...it was like the gates of heaven opening when I realized he was opening his door and going to come out!!! There's no describing the excitement at this moment. The publicity agent said that he would be able to sign a few autographs and take a few pictures quickly...the whole group moved forward then took this funny pause and I remember hearing one of the girls saying "Don't rush him". And we didn't (for the most part...hehehe) So, we all gathered around him and I got him to sign my Sisterhood t-shirt and the Ewan DVD of my Moulin Rouge DVD set. I then backed away to let all the girls get their things signed. I didn't even realized that I didn't get to say anthing to him. I think I thanked
him, but I couldn't tell you for sure. After this, the publicity girl asked me where we were all from. I'm not sure if she meant location (city, state...whatever), but I said "Oh, we're from Ewanspotting" and she said, "Oh, Ok" in regognition of the name. She new the board!! Anyhow, quickly after this one of the girls asked for a group picture, and well, I quickly got in postition!! and boy did I score! I remember him putting his arm around my back and I put mine around his...(screaming inside again!!) Well, you can see the pictures that Melanie posted, it looked like he was having a good laugh. After the group picture I moved out of the way so that the rest of the girls could take pictures. At this point, I was in such a state of shock, and shaking very badly (as the other sisters know I always do). When he finally said goodbye and got in the car, I turned to Mary and well...screamed very loudly. Immediately after I realized he probably heard that and was very embarrassed, I really need to learn some control. Anyhow, he drove away and the rest of us
gathered to look at the pictures and hug each other in our excitement. I got, well, a little emotional and teared up. But I noticed I
wasn't the only one, Elyse was right there with me. Anyhow, I can't believe it finally happened. I have to say that I think he decided to get out because there were not autograph hounds, and there were only about 20 or so of us. There is usually a much larger crowd.
But whatever his decision, I am eternally grateful for the chance to meet him, however brief that it was. Like Jheri (sp?..sorry) and Melanie said, it was truly a X-mas gift. To all the sisters...without all of you, this would have never happened. You're such an amazing group of people, and I'm so very glad to be a part of this group and this board. Ok, so, that's my story, enjoy. I CERTAINLY DID! -

Lisa

I just wanted to add some comments about Ewan. When the car stopped and he got out and started walking toward us - it was very funny - none of us moved !! At first. We were all in shock I believe. He kind of gave us a funny look cause none of us were moving...When he started signing autographs I thanked him for stopping and he said " Oh, it's my pleasure." I then let him know that we really appreciated it and that we had been waiting for this moment for five years now. He said, "I have always been in such a rush with other appointments and haven't had the time to stop before. But tonight I have time just for you." I wish I had a digital camera like Melanie's to have gotten that on a clip. I only had a Big Fish add on me, I wasn't really expecting him to stop so I wasn't really
prepared but when I held it out and asked him if he would sign it he put his hand over mine to hold it steady and made a really nice signature on it. I was so flabergasted at that point that I just breathed out "thankyousomuch" and I just moved away in shock. I never dreamed in my wildest dreams that he would get out of the car and visit with us like he did. At the most I thought he might roll down
the window and sign just a few autographs. I would not have thought myself someone who would go into shock with a "movie star" -but his presence, his charismatic charm, and his twinkling eyes (and yes, his eyes do sparkle just like Jack Lemon - for those of you
too young to know - Jack Lemon was a movie legend who's eyes were like twinkling stars when you saw him face to face) - I was amazed I was able to say anything to him at all. It was by far the best holiday gift I have ever received. Thank you Ewan McGregor for making 2003 so special !!!