Monica Potter’s Husband Doesn’t Think He’s Part of a Hollywood Couple
February 13th, 2006
Sometimes perception is all about reception. Which makes no sense whatsoever, and that’s how I like it.
But when it comes to Hollywood and stars and what their own perception of who they are, it always seems a little bit skewed to us outsiders. It’s tough, living in a bubble of famous-dom (or, famousdumb), when the cameras are turned upon you and it’s hard to see past the flashing lights of the paparazzi.
That’s why yesterday’s run-in with Monica Potter and her husband was oh so amusing.
I was at the one place I seem to run into the most celebrities lately — the supermarket. Careening down the aisle on my speedy cart (yes, all four wheels where working and fully functional) I swung past a woman with her hair up in a rat’s nest of a pile, wearing sweats, looking worn & tired, and staring at a slew of baby formula.
I did a double-take: she looked awfully familiar.
And then it hit me. Monica Potter, star of Patch Adams, Head Over Heels, Saw and ABC’s Boston Legal was standing right there in the aisle with her husband and newborn baby by their side. But her husband, was in the middle of announcing to everyone in the aisle [really, just to Monica, but loud enough] his thoughts on a recent party they had attended:
Husband: “I mean, what do they think we are — a Hollywood couple?”
Monica: “I don’t know…”
Husband: “Do they expect us to show up with an entourage, dressed a certain way, bearing gifts or something?”
Monica: [Pointing to the shelves] “Is this the formula they were talking about?”
Husband: “Cause I so don’t think we’re a Hollywood couple. Do you?”
Monica: “We sort of are…”
Husband: “How do you figure?”
Monica: “Well… We just are.”
Husband: “Yeah, I don’t think we are.”
Monica: “Ok. Can you help me find this now?”
Husband: “Yeah, cause I don’t think they should think of us as a Hollywood couple.”
And although the votes are not yet in, we here at WFME have consulted the WFME ‘Are We A Hollywood Couple Or Not’ chart where you allocate points depending on what you’ve done in Hollywood… You add a point for every movie either part of the couple has been in, two points for every season of a TV show either one of you has been on, and if the total is over 5 points and you have a marriage certificate and a baby — well, brace yourself here…
You Are A Hollywood Couple.
So, although Mr. Monica Potter may still be tussling with the idea of being a Hollywood couple in the aisle of the local supermarket for all to debate right alongside with him…we here at WFME would like to inform him that YES, he is a part of a couple, the public knows it, and he should help his wife find the baby formula before her head explodes from staring at all those packages for too long.
Cause that’s what being a part of a couple is all about.
What does it mean if you are a Hollywood couple? Is there a book about that? How to play the part?
Comment by Alissa — February 13, 2006 @ 8:16 am
Sure they’re a Hollywood couple due to geography… but are they a “Hollywood” couple?
I think not. They seem far too unknown, even if one of them is a moderately successful actress.
True “Hollywood” couples are timeless unions of star power that capture the imagination of a nation… Brad Pitt & Jennifer Anniston. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn. Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin. Liza Minelli and David Gest… those fascinating couples that ignite the covers of tabloids from coast to coast.
What a difference air quotes make…
Comment by Dave2 — February 13, 2006 @ 8:47 am
He soooooo wants to be a Hollywood couple! He’s just waiting for his, poor exhausted wife to let him in on her take. He just doesn’t want to admit his shallowness. LOL.
Men are just sooooo cluess, sometimes.
Comment by Thoughtsgalore — February 13, 2006 @ 8:49 am
What are the pros and cons of being a Hollywood Couple, such that “Mr. Potter” would deny being one?
Comment by C(h)ristine — February 13, 2006 @ 9:01 am
I need to start shopping at your supermarket.
Comment by Keith — February 13, 2006 @ 9:19 am
I love this post. Maybe I’m just a jealous non-Hollywood person because I love to hear how Monica Potter’s husband is obsessing about other people’s opinions, is clueless in a grocery store and talks loudly in public. I also want to know, Pauly, just what products you were studiously studying while eavesdropping on this exchange. Strained green beans?
Comment by susan — February 13, 2006 @ 9:30 am
Maybe the whole scene is their elaborate “shtick” – he gets to sound not-shallow while reminding (or informing) the world (or the supermarket) that his wife is, in fact, a Hollywood actress. Y’know, in case people didn’t recognize her with her sweats and her baby.
Comment by annabel lee — February 13, 2006 @ 9:31 am
Susan – I think I was getting some Cinnamon Toast Crunch. They have cereal and baby formula in the same aisle.
Comment by Pauly D — February 13, 2006 @ 9:32 am
oh, i wish i’d known you were going to the store…i need more eggs.
Comment by kristine — February 13, 2006 @ 9:41 am
my grocery store sucks.
but more on point, it sounds almost like he wants to protest the idea yet desperately wants to be contradicted. (kind of like what thoughtsgalore said above.) or maybe that’s just how i read it.
more importantly, was he hot? like, equal-to-monica hot?
Comment by Sarcomical — February 13, 2006 @ 9:56 am
Good choice Pauly. According to my mini me, Cinnamon Toast Crunch is “the best cereal EVER.”
Comment by jg — February 13, 2006 @ 10:50 am
my kids love that cereal, i’ve never heard of monica potter, or mr. monica potter.
Comment by better safe than sorry — February 13, 2006 @ 11:47 am
maybe mr. potter is right. maybe only monica is a hollywood couple. maybe it’s like one time my husband and i passed a homeless man on the street and he said, “what a lovely couple! i wish i had a camera!” and my husband said, “i think he’s talking about your chest.”
Comment by dgm — February 13, 2006 @ 12:23 pm
Why did you switch back to the “old” photograph up top?
Comment by nic — February 13, 2006 @ 12:40 pm
oops. my bad … I was thinking about the new one for the book. Nevermind … delete me.
Comment by nic — February 13, 2006 @ 12:41 pm
Monica Potter is married?
Oh heck, Monica Potter is still alive and in Hollywood at all? God it’s been years since I’ve seen her in anything.
Comment by Kevin — February 13, 2006 @ 12:42 pm
Do they have a good how they met story? Because great couples always have a great story about how they met. That’s why I’ve never been in a long term relationship. I’ve never had a good meeting story.
Comment by H.F. Peterman — February 13, 2006 @ 5:00 pm
Shoot, goes to show how out of touch I am, I thought Monica Potter was one of the forewards on USA’s women’s olympic hockey team.
Comment by Chris — February 13, 2006 @ 6:27 pm
And all this time I thought Monica Potter was married to Harry. Now that’s a power couple for you!
Comment by Michael O'Connor — February 14, 2006 @ 12:37 am
I’m sure that if Mr. Potter keeps on with his “Hollywood couple” neurosis he’s going to go back to just being an orthopedic surgeon (and a bachelor).
On another note I have a question for you, Paul. Do you feel bamboozled when you run into celebrities and they are as dressed down as Momo was? Does it take away from the celebrity mysticism you, like most westerners, grew up with?
Comment by Michael Lorenzo — February 14, 2006 @ 7:51 am
Michael – Naw, I like it when they’re dressed down cause then they’re harder to spot. It makes it like a game, which I enjoy endlessly.
Comment by Pauly D — February 14, 2006 @ 8:24 am
Soooo, did you include Along Came a Spider in your calculations?
Just wondering?
Comment by Jacquie — February 16, 2006 @ 7:47 pm
Hey, I personally know “Mr. Potter”. He used to live in the Houston area and is the nephew of a friend of mine. He is actually a very nice guy. He has long been around the Hollywood game, as one of his aunts has worked in Hollywood for years, with many of the big names. That never seemed to impress him before. But medicine, now that was a real love for him. I even went to his college graduation. Give him a break. He is a sweetheart.
Comment by Jamie — April 3, 2007 @ 9:59 am