Angel's Birthday Bash
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://tv.yahoo.com/news/w/20031212/107122212000p.html

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Watch with Kristin
Fri Dec 12, 1:42 AM ET

by Kristin Veitch


Put On Your Party Hats for Angel's Birthday Bash and a Cool Yule Reality-TV Shindig

Throw a bunch of actors, producers, network executives, crew members and reporters into the same room, and you normally get chaos. Hair-pulling, name-calling, "you'll never work in this town again" chaos.

But when I visited the set of Angel last week for the show's 100th-episode celebration, I was met with a blissful, Zenlike calm.

Pact with the devil? Perhaps. More likely, however, these Angel-ic peeps are professionals who've somehow managed to keep their egos in check even though they work on the show we bow down to worship every Wednesday night. Weird, huh?

Now, faithful tubers, zee plahn was to save all the lengthy interviews and video clips for the mother of all Angel features, to be unveiled around the Feb. 4 airdate of the ep--but since things went so well, I can't help but give a little scoopity-poop now to wet your whistle.
(Mmmm...poopy whistle.)

The 100th episode celebration included, of course, a big cake and lots
of singsongy praises. In addition to all the current series regulars,
Christian Kane (Lindsey), Mercedes McNab (Harmony) and Charisma
Carpenter (Cordelia)--with adorable baby in tow--were along for the
festivities.

David Boreanaz, whose son is a real angel (couldn't be more adorable),
hinted that there might be some Buffy guest stars in the works. "I know
having James Marsters over now has been great for us," he said. "And I'm
sure there'll be some other people popping in." Who? "You'll have to
wait and see."

Personally, I'd rather try to get it out of Angel boss Joss Whedon (hey,
stranger things have happened). "Alyson Hannigan obviously was on the
show last year, and that was a lot of fun," Whedon said. "We just love
having her, and Willow is somebody I'd love to see again on the show.
Buffy, you know, that's sort of up to her (Sarah Michelle Gellar). If
she's interested in doing an episode, obviously we'd always make room.
There's two guys on the cast who are in love with her, so it's not like
she doesn't have anything to play, but it's really her call."

Those kind words about Alyson should make Alexis Denisof (Wesley) an
even happier man, if that's possible. The boy was still beaming six
weeks after his wedding to the girl he calls "the love of my life."

"I think what this show really needs is a redhead," he said. "For me,
it's becoming personally offensive that we aren't representing that
group. There's only one redhead in Hollywood, so naturally they should
hire my wife. I just can't believe there hasn't been an organized
movement."

Meanwhile, Christian, you'll be happy to know, is ready, willing and
(fingers crossed) able to stick around. "I'll stay on this show as long
as Joss wants me to," Christian told me. "I'm best friends with David,
and I love my character now. Instead of coming back and putting on a
suit and walking back into that skin, it's a totally different person."

Charisma, on the other hand, seemed legitimately grateful to be a part
of the 100th brouhaha, but in general, ready to move on. That might have
something to do with the fact that her relationship with producers
appeared slightly strained--during Joss' introductions of cast members
before the cake cutting, hers was the only one missing a lengthy
buildup. Intentional? Who knows? In any case, Charisma says she doesn't
plan on coming back. "I'm ready (to move on)," Charisma told me. "It's
so nice to have a change. I've been over on Miss Match and I've done an
ABC Family movie and I think I'm ready for the next step, and it's not a
bad thing. I leave here in a good place and I know the door is open--or
has been open--or it's open today. And it's a good experience going
back, it means a lot to be able to do that. But I don't think there's
anything left to say, or do, for (Cordelia). I don't know how Joss' mind
works. I never say never to anything, but I'm fairly sure this is it.
There's nothing in the works now, just know that. Cordelia leaves. But
then, we lopped off Lilah's head and she came back, so who the hell
knows anymore?"

When asked if Cordelia might return, Joss simply said, "She might."

On the flip side, James Marsters is adamant that he isn't going
anywhere. "Hell yeah!" he spouted when asked if he has more seasons of
Spike in him. "I say we do another 100 episodes and do The Spike Show."

And turn into a human? "No, no, no, no," James says. "Spike is a cool
character. I can play a human when I'm done with Spike. This is the
actor talking, not Spike, but I think he'd realize he made a mistake."

Meanwhile, Andy Hallett--who I am convinced is the funniest mother-effer
alive, green or otherwise--was celebrating his own achievement that day.
"I just got cast to do a cartoon voice in a movie, Geppetto's Secret.
I'm a cricket. The guys were teasing me, not because it's a cartoon, but
because I'm green again. Green!"

"What's next, the Hulk?" I asked.

"Actually," Andy said excitedly, "I have to tell you, I love Lou
Ferrigno. He and I were at a bar about a year ago, and I was bitching
about the makeup. He doesn't drink, and I'm sure he thought I was
insane. We were talking about how many times we've been painted green.
The only two green guys and we're in a bar. What are the chances?"

Ho-Ho Ha-Ha: Reality stars, Kathy Griffin and smokin'-hot Marines who
want your goodies: Really, what could be better? Such was the scenario
for Kathy's annual holiday soiree and Toys for Tots toy drive (hence the
Marines; they were gathering toys). The party marked the first private
Hollywood shindig I attended without camouflage and night-vision
goggles; I was actually invited.

Also on board were Lauren Graham, Sharon Osbourne, Andy Dick, Simon from
The Real World: Paris, Reichen Lehmkuhl (from The Amazing Race 4, who is
everywhere now), Sarah from Joe Millionaire, a bunch of the Last Comic
Standing peeps and of course, plenty of our beloved Average Joes.

My latest crush? Simon. Yes, I know he'd rather have Reichen stuffing
his stocking, but the boy is simply adorable. And sane, which he laughed
about when I mentioned. "I was a little relieved they didn't show me
very much," he said. "I like to think that means I'm normal."

According to the magically delicious Irishman, Mallory and Ace (or, as
Ted C. would call them, Mace) are still together. They got together
after the show when she went to visit him in Georgia, and have been
trying to organize their Real World appearances so they can travel
together. Très bien!