14 DAY TRIAL // While buzz about James Franco landing a well-deserved Oscar win with his part in Danny Boyle’s latest film “127 Hours” is building up, the actor is also seeing a rise in popularity like never before, TMZ reports.
Franco was invited to tape a segment for Bravo’s “Inside the Actors Studio” and tickets for his interview not only sold better than hot cakes but producers even had to turn down huge names because they no longer had seats for it.
The producers tell TMZ that the free seats for celebrities were immediately occupied – but that didn’t stop other stars from demanding a spot for the interview. Unfortunately, they were none to be had anymore.
“James Franco just made history on ‘Inside the Actors Studio’ – sources at the show tell TMZ tickets to see J.F. were in such high demand, the staff literally rejected a record number of people,” the e-zine notes.
“We’re told hundreds of ‘industry professionals’ tried to score free tix to the show – way more than the allotted amount – and in the end, staff had to reject more than 250 people. The purchasable tickets sold out too,” TMZ also reports.
Seeing what a wonderful guy Franco was throughout the interview – and even after it was over –, it’s no wonder demand to see him was so impressive.
“James stayed another hour-and-a-half after the taping and talked to every single student and fan who wanted to talk,” says a production source for TMZ.
Apparently, this is the first time in the history of the show anyone is getting this kind of reception – and the second time a star is being so nice to the audience.
“No one has done that since Paul Newman... the very first guest that ever appeared on the show,” the same insider explains for TMZ about Franco’s decision to stay on to meet all the fans in the audience.
Those who did not have the chance to be at the taping should not despair over it: they will soon get the chance to see more of James, as People magazine reports he and Anne Hathaway will be hosting the Oscars in February next year.