421-425

*Chapter 421: Overflowing Talent*

In a burst of laughter, the heavy and serious atmosphere relaxed, and Connor also began to smile.

“There were some invitations that specifically sought us out, but we had one condition: we needed to find Anson. I told the record company that the music was Anson’s creation, that the soul of the performance was Anson. Clearly, they didn’t care; they just wanted to ride the wave of popularity.”

“They thought they could just find a new lead singer, repackage the performance, and it would still be a success.”

“I disagreed.”

Anson was genuinely surprised.

If the band and the record company had different creative visions, leading to a failed contract, that would be expected. After all, Miles and the others had always been a very unique band, with their own distinct edges and colors, and they wanted to keep it that way.

But he hadn’t expected this reason.

Briefly, Anson put the talk show aside and looked at Connor with a bit of seriousness in his eyes. “Actually, you should really think it over.”

Connor shook his head. “We’ve tried, both before and after, but we know what kind of chemistry we’re missing.”

This was the truth—

Even a year after the street performance of "Wake Me Up," they managed to draw some attention with their fresh performance, but they never could recreate the same impact.

After going round and round, they finally realized that a band is not just a group of people performing together. It’s a unique form of performance created when like-minded friends come together and their talents collide. If any part of that is off, the results can be completely different.

Maybe Anson wasn’t an indispensable part, but without Anson, it just didn’t feel the same.

Of course, they could have signed with the record company, no problem; but the outcome wouldn’t have changed much. They would have just been another independent band with a bit of character but ultimately lacking soul.

Anson was the real reason they garnered attention.

Connor didn’t deny that the three of them had argued, had disagreements. They weren’t as noble and grand as they might seem; they had their own desires and ambitions. But in the end, they chose to say no.

The atmosphere grew a bit heavy.

At that moment, "The Tonight Show" seemed more than just a simple talk show. It allowed a glimpse of genuine emotions and a bit of reality beneath the glamorous surface of the showbiz world.

Applause, whistles, cheers.

The studio audience expressed their respect for Connor, Lily, and Miles in this way—

Even as bystanders, they knew that saying "no" was not easy.

Karen raised both hands high, applauding to show her approval. She knew that in Hollywood, Connor’s decision would be seen as foolish and naive. Those record companies wouldn’t be moved by their persistence; instead, they would laugh at Connor and the others for their unnecessary arrogance.

After all, this is showbiz.

But reality is what it is. "Everyone else does it, so why can’t I?" isn’t a valid reason for something to be "right." Even if millions choose to go with the flow, compromise, betrayal, and blind following won’t become noble. Those bottom lines and consciences still need someone to uphold them.

Indeed, they were eliminated. Connor and the others weren’t rewarded for their nobility, and their musical dreams were buried just like that. But at least they didn’t betray themselves.

It was for this reason that they could create sparks with Anson and perform "Wake Me Up," perfectly recreating it fifteen months later.

At that moment, the applause belonged to Connor, Lily, and Miles.

Uncontrollably, Karen’s eyes filled with tears as she clapped and cheered, using all her strength to express her respect.

The whole place thundered with applause.

Connor exhaled lightly, looking at Miles and Lily, the three of them exchanging glances:

Over the years that had passed, they had quarreled, complained, regretted, lamented, and been heartbroken. But looking back now, they knew they had made the right decision. Despite the pain and struggle, they had held onto their principles.

The atmosphere in the studio was a bit subtle, as if "The Tonight Show" was about to turn into "The Oprah Winfrey Show"—

The next scene should have been them hugging and crying, with Oprah starting to hand out gifts: “You get a gift, you get a gift, everyone gets a gift.”

Clearly, this wasn’t what Jay Leno wanted to see.

So.

Jay Leno spread his hands with a regretful expression, "It’s a pity we missed a great show."

"This could have turned into the ‘Plagiarism Scandal—Copyright Lawsuit—Friends Falling Out’ drama of the year. Clearly, Connor, you don’t belong in showbiz.”

Touching emotions quickly turned into laughter.

I have to say, Jay Leno's skills are exceptional. He quickly turned the situation around, joking along with Connor’s words, and the atmosphere in the room immediately warmed up again.

Connor was a bit caught off guard and didn’t quite grasp what Jay Leno meant at first.

Anson turned to Jay Leno and said, “No, that whole melodrama won’t happen because I can’t prove that I wrote the song.”

“No manuscripts, no audio recordings.”

“If it went to court, it would be my word against theirs. Hey, Jay, it’s three of them against one of me—the outcome couldn’t be more obvious.”

Wait… it could be interpreted that way?

Anson turned to look at Connor.

“Guys, maybe you missed your chance to be the next Bob Dylan.”

One second.

Ha-ha, ha-ha-ha.

There was applause and whistling, with many in the audience even standing up, shaking their heads and offering Anson a standing ovation as a sign of deep respect.

Even Jay Leno couldn’t help but want to clap and cheer for Anson.

Impressive, truly impressive—

In the music world, there’s a long-standing rumor that in the early days of his career, Bob Dylan “plagiarized/stole” original works from other folk singers, which helped him rise to fame. Although Bob never admitted it, nor did he deny it, the real folk icons knew it was an open secret.

Of course, Bob Dylan later used his talent to carve out his own path and became an undeniable presence in the history of folk music.

Brutal, ruthless, indifferent, profit-driven, and unscrupulous.

This is the reality of the entertainment industry, and anyone caught up in it is unlikely to escape.

Who would have thought that Anson could casually pull out such a reference to tease Connor and the others about their simplicity and innocence? It wasn’t a criticism or an attack; instead, the subtle regret in his tone revealed Anson’s stance, but his way of expressing it was full of entertainment value—

The show’s atmosphere instantly peaked.

Even Connor and his two friends were left dumbfounded.

Clearly, they hadn’t expected to end up on "The Tonight Show," let alone become the focus of the audience’s applause and laughter.

The three of them exchanged glances, and then they couldn’t hold back any longer. Smiles crept onto their faces, the tension eased slightly, and they even started to enjoy the process of recording the show.

Chapter 422: Breaking Expectations

As the noise in the studio gradually subsided, Jay Leno’s gaze towards Anson grew more appreciative.

Typically, each interview segment on a talk show lasts about ten minutes, with the recording taking around twenty to twenty-five minutes. The final cut is edited down to the highlights. To keep things on track, the host usually follows an interview outline prepared in advance.

But today, Jay Leno had completely abandoned the outline. Instead, he let the conversation flow naturally, and it led to one exciting moment after another. Even Jay Leno himself became more enthusiastic—sweeping away the earlier dullness from his interviews with Natalie Portman and Ewan McGregor.

Who would have thought that today’s big surprise was hidden here?

Looking at Anson, Jay Leno couldn’t help but feel curious—a feeling that often sparks great television moments. For someone as seasoned as Jay, there was no reason to miss such an opportunity.

“So, I have a question. Didn’t the record company contact you?”

Since they were able to reach Connor and the others, it didn’t make sense that they couldn’t find Anson.

Anson shrugged lightly, “I was busy with other work at the time.”

With a casual tone, Anson glossed over the topic, clearly not wanting to delve deeper into it. After all, they had come to the show as an independent band.

In reality, Anson had received a call, but he thought it was a scam—one of those cons that preyed on ordinary people with dreams of stardom. Around the turn of the millennium, such scams were at their peak, and with the internet still in its infancy, countless people fell victim to them despite the frequent warnings.

As someone who had lived through this era, Anson wasn’t going to be fooled.

Not only did he not believe it, but he also played a prank on the caller.

However, given that Connor had just shared such a heartfelt story, Anson didn’t want to spoil the mood. But that was only if Jay Leno was willing to let it go and not press further.

Jay Leno picked up the papers in front of him. “According to our research, you were busy filming a movie at the time—a major film, ‘Spider-Man,’ correct?”

Slowly, Jay Leno threw out the bait.

Ah.

Blair couldn’t help but let out a low gasp, but she quickly realized she shouldn’t disrupt the recording.

The others might not understand, but Blair and Karen certainly did.

“Spider-Man”—that was Blair’s most anticipated movie of the summer, without question.

Her heart pounded uncontrollably, and even though she covered her mouth to stay silent, every cell in her body was screaming with excitement.

Anson was stunned, “Yes, I had a small role.”

Jay Leno immediately picked up on the playful tone in Anson’s voice, smiling as he responded, “A small role named Peter Parker?”

In the studio—

Buzz, buzz, buzz.

Peter Parker? That name sounds familiar.

This wasn’t yet the era where superheroes dominated the screen. Superhero comics were still a niche interest, and although Spider-Man was a household name, it took a moment for people to connect the dots.

Anson could hear the teasing in Jay Leno’s voice, “Yes, the filming was very busy.”

Jay Leno, seeing that Anson wasn’t biting, didn’t keep going in circles. He turned to the audience, “Ladies and gentlemen, let’s welcome Anson Wood, the actor playing Peter Parker, also known as Spider-Man.”

Wait… what?

Finally, the face from the “Spider-Man” posters plastered all over town clicked with the person standing right in front of them, and the entire studio erupted in a wave of excitement.

Blair: Ah, ah, ah!

The audience’s reaction wasn’t as wild as Blair’s. They applauded while exchanging glances, their eyes full of shock and disbelief—

Was this some new marketing stunt by the “Spider-Man” team?

Anson wasn’t surprised. There was no way “The Tonight Show” team wouldn’t know about this. In fact, this was why Edgar had been so enthusiastic about the show—

Since Sony-Columbia didn’t believe in Anson and couldn’t break the contract to arrange their own promotions, appearing on the show as a band member allowed Anson to sidestep legal restrictions. Once Anson got the chance to showcase himself, and incidentally promote “Spider-Man,” Sony-Columbia would have to stay quiet.

In other words, even if “The Tonight Show” team hadn’t figured it out, Edgar would have found a way to drop a hint.

Judging by the current situation, not only had the show’s team discovered this, but Jay Leno was also prepared to make a big deal out of it.

So, Anson didn’t keep dodging. He stood up and, under the confused stares of everyone in the studio, simply… walked out.

Blair: Huh?

Joy and excitement slammed on the brakes, suddenly turning into confusion and shock. Blair stared at Anson’s “dramatic exit,” her mind filled with questions.

Karen was equally stunned and nudged Blair with her shoulder.

But Blair couldn’t respond. The excitement and joy still lingered on her face, but the focus in her eyes was gone, leaving her utterly baffled.

What… just happened?

It wasn’t just Blair and Karen—Connor’s other two bandmates sitting next to Anson were just as caught off guard.

Miles, the straightforward one, quickly scanned the crew for cues. But he was too flustered to care anymore and called out, “Anson, we’re still recording.”

Miles looked to Connor and Lily for help.

Lily wasn’t surprised. She curiously watched Anson, half-expecting him to pull a rabbit out of a hat or something. It seemed to her that whatever Anson did was somehow reasonable. But then she realized things were going off the rails because Anson wasn’t stopping—he was really leaving the set.

Something was definitely wrong.

Then, just like Connor, she stared in stunned silence at Anson's actions, her face frozen in shock.

What exactly was Anson planning to do?

Even the seasoned Jay Leno was momentarily taken aback—this wasn’t part of the script.

Anson stood up, his expression calm and composed, with a slight smile on his face. He began walking toward the entrance on the right side of the studio and… simply walked out.

He just… left…

The atmosphere in the studio turned almost comical. Moments earlier, the audience had been cheering and clapping, but now they were exchanging bewildered glances, completely unsure of what to do. The collective confusion was palpable, and a wave of uncertainty swept through the room, as if the air itself was filled with question marks.

Jay Leno, who had once defeated David Letterman to become the host of "The Tonight Show" and held the top spot in the ratings for a decade without faltering, was no slouch. His reputation wasn’t built on empty accolades.

Even in the face of chaos, there was always a way out—this was a recorded show, after all. The director could simply pause the recording, and in the worst-case scenario, the episode could be shelved and never aired, effectively buried.

Censorship.

In other words, no matter what happened, Jay Leno had a safety net, and there was no need for him to panic.

But Jay didn’t want to pause the recording. He didn’t want to admit that Anson had thrown him off his game. He didn’t want to lose to this young upstart.

His mind began to race, working at full speed.

Chapter 423: Caught Off Guard

No matter what, this was "The Tonight Show," Jay Leno's domain. He always had a fallback. Whatever happened in the studio stayed in the studio; the outside world would never know, and any rumors would only circulate within Hollywood’s small circle. No real harm done.

But Jay Leno refused to take the easy way out. He had his pride and stubbornness.

At that moment, being caught off guard by Anson, Jay had to admit—he was a bit annoyed.

In ten years, no guest had ever dared to walk out of his studio without a word.

For that reason alone, Jay Leno could blacklist this guest completely. It didn’t matter who they were or how big a star—they’d never appear on "The Tonight Show" again, not even for a visit.

Jay had the connections in Hollywood to make Anson's life difficult, quietly but effectively.

Yet, despite his irritation, Jay felt a strange sense of anticipation.

From their brief exchange today, Jay knew Anson wasn’t one to act without reason. If he was bold enough to go off-script, there must be a purpose.

So, though Jay was annoyed, he didn’t lose his cool. If he wanted to get angry or blacklist someone, he could do that after the show. For now, he was curious to see what Anson had up his sleeve.

Jay’s quick wit kicked in. “Oh God, people always say the bladder gets unpredictable after forty, but it seems it’s not much better at eighteen. Maybe we should take a break—any commercials? I could use a bladder break too.”

His jesting tone, complete with a roll of the eyes, deftly defused the situation with humor.

There were a few scattered laughs, but the audience’s attention remained focused on Anson.

Just then, Anson stopped walking. He maneuvered around the set, disappearing behind the backdrop. As everyone wondered what was happening, they heard a knock on the set door.

Jay Leno: ???

Before Jay could react, the crew opened the door, and Anson reappeared.

Now, he had a pair of glasses perched on his nose and was buttoning up his shirt, hiding the undershirt beneath.

This scene…

Wait a minute, was this… Superman?

Among superheroes, Superman was one of the most iconic figures known worldwide. Even the average person on the street recognized him.

The classic Superman transformation—where a simple pair of glasses magically conceals Clark Kent’s identity, combined with the iconic costume change in a phone booth—had been parodied countless times.

Clearly, Anson was reenacting this moment, transitioning from Superman back to Clark Kent.

The entire studio fell silent.

For a moment, no one could find the words to describe what they were feeling. Was "The Tonight Show" suddenly turning into "SNL"?

One second. Two seconds. Three seconds.

The entire studio—directors, crew, everyone—was stunned. They had planned to ambush Anson with Spider-Man talk, creating a big moment for the show. Instead, Anson caught them off guard, taking control of the narrative with his reentrance.

On closer inspection, the act had a dual meaning—Superman and Clark Kent, band member and actor. Anson had seamlessly switched between his two personas.

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

Then.

Laughter broke out. Blair let out a long breath, shifting from near-heart-attack mode to uncontrollable laughter.

Blair and Karen were doubled over, laughing hysterically, almost unable to believe their eyes.

The rest of the studio followed suit. First, laughter filled the room, everyone genuinely amused. Then, applause began, growing louder and louder, until it overwhelmed the laughter.

Clap, clap, clap.

Applause erupted like a tidal wave, releasing an overwhelming energy that surged to its peak. The entire studio, visibly moved, rose to its feet in unison, offering the most grandiose and exuberant welcome to Anson’s reentrance. It was as if they were honoring a star with the highest formalities, inadvertently turning this moment into a promotion for "Spider-Man."

Even Sony Columbia, the studio behind the film, might have been caught off guard by this unexpected twist.

Jay Leno couldn’t hold back any longer. A smile crept onto his face and then fully bloomed. He too stood up with the audience, clapping for Anson. His curiosity was now completely satisfied. Even though his expectations had soared to new heights, this moment had surpassed them once again. Any earlier frustration or annoyance evaporated, replaced by a surge of admiration and a rekindled competitive spirit.

After all, there were few interviewees left in Hollywood who could still challenge Jay Leno like this.

He was now eager to see what other tricks this young man had up his sleeve.

Meanwhile, Miles, Lily, and Connor exchanged bewildered glances, still in shock. They didn’t fully grasp what had just happened but followed the crowd’s lead, standing up to applaud Anson’s return.

The atmosphere reached a new crescendo.

Anson made his way back to his seat, facing the audience with a wave, seamlessly picking up from where Jay Leno had introduced him earlier.

In the previous scene, Jay had introduced actor Anson’s appearance. In this next moment, the actor Anson truly made his entrance. Despite the mere thirty-second gap, the transition felt perfectly natural.

Jay Leno smoothly continued, “So, this is…”

Anson put a finger to his lips, signaling silence. “Shh,” he said, hinting that he wasn’t Superman and that this had nothing to do with the superhero. “I just thought a superhero deserved a super entrance.”

The brilliance lay in Anson’s subtlety—he didn’t mention Superman or Spider-Man, leaving room for the audience’s imagination.

Jay Leno, smiling broadly, knew that Anson had seized the initiative, but he wasn’t ready to let Anson control the pace. He needed to regain the upper hand. “So, are you planning to talk about this today, or shall we save it for your next visit?”

Anson spread his hands, “Honestly, as a newcomer with a barely recognized superhero role, I doubt you’d be that interested. How about this? Let’s keep a bit of mystery. If we say nothing, maybe curiosity will drive the audience to the theaters.”

The truth? Anson wasn’t about to reveal that Sony Columbia hadn’t planned for him to promote on the talk show. Instead, he cleverly shifted the focus.

In doing so, he also subtly responded to the opening joke about his band—

If the band released an album, "The Tonight Show" might not be interested; similarly, if "Spider-Man" came for a serious promotion, the show might also not care.

A clever double entendre.

### Chapter 424: Tit for Tat

Jay Leno was momentarily taken aback. He never expected that the joke from the opening would come full circle and have a follow-up response now. If he weren't 100% sure that this conversation hadn't been pre-planned, he might have suspected that the show’s producers had coordinated with Anson beforehand.

A hint of admiration flickered in Jay's eyes, but at the same time, he started gearing up for a challenge—after all, this was The Tonight Show, his domain. There was no way he would let a young kid take control of the conversation.

After a brief pause, Jay launched his counterattack, "So you're saying you didn’t come on the show to promote your movie?"

Even though Jay maintained his friendly smile, and the words sounded like light-hearted banter, Anson could sense the sharp edge hidden beneath them.

Anson looked at Jay and replied, "Is that really up to me?"

Jay burst out laughing, quickly seizing on the opening in Anson’s words, "So, what you're saying is, you want to promote it, but the choice isn’t in your hands, right?"

Anson calmly responded, "If I denied that, it would be pretty irresponsible, don’t you think? After all, no one wants their project to flop. What do you think, Connor?"

Connor: "Huh?"

Connor, caught off guard and completely unsure how he got pulled into the conversation, instinctively nodded in agreement—unable to even process what was happening, let alone seek help. This quick shift in the conversation effectively broke the tension between Anson and Jay, giving the studio audience a chance to breathe, with suppressed laughter bubbling up inside them.

However.

Jay wasn’t going to let Anson off the hook that easily. As the king of late-night talk shows, he had plenty of tricks up his sleeve.

Waving his hands dismissively, Jay said, "No, no, no. That’s not what you just said. You turned down the record company's offer—that’s different from their situation. So, your appearance on the show today must also be different, right?"

He left it at that, but the implication was clear.

Though Jay didn’t explicitly say it, the subtext was unmistakable: He was hinting that Anson had options and a way out, so he didn't care about the band’s fate and was using the band as a topic to promote his movie instead.

This kind of thing happened all the time in Hollywood.

The key point was that Jay kept things vague. He didn’t accuse or mock, leaving room for the audience to speculate.

With this, Anson found himself in a tough spot.

So, what should he do?

At this point, even Edgar was sweating.

The taping of The Tonight Show was too important, so Edgar had to oversee it personally—there was no reason for him to miss it. But now, their plan to promote the movie on The Tonight Show had been laid bare by Jay, causing Edgar’s temples to throb.

Of course, being exposed was no big deal in itself.

The real concern wasn’t the reaction or feelings of the three band members; it was that, from today on, Hollywood would likely start spreading rumors about Anson being manipulative. This could have a negative impact on Anson's reputation.

Edgar quietly clenched his fists, regaining his composure.

Although he couldn’t quite understand what was going on with Jay, the situation was still salvageable. After the taping, he would need to meet with the producer and Jay, so he was already thinking about how to approach that conversation.

His mind was racing.

In those fleeting moments, Edgar was already strategizing; meanwhile, on stage, the exchange between Anson and Jay was still unfolding.

Jay looked at Anson, a slight hint of challenge and anticipation in his eyes.

The studio audience still hadn’t grasped what was happening. Even Connor and the others hadn’t noticed anything amiss, though they could feel the tension in the air.

All eyes were now on Anson.

Then.

Anson shrugged lightly, "Alright, you caught me."

Connor: "Huh?"

Jay: "What?"

But Anson didn’t give Jay or the audience any time to react, immediately turning to face the crowd with a smile.

"Ladies and gentlemen, on May 3rd, 'Spider-Man' will be hitting theaters everywhere. You're all welcome to watch the story of how a teenager's life gets turned upside down."

"Oh my God, you’re going to love this movie, because Peter Parker and I are completely different. You’ll be amazed by Peter Parker’s kindness and innocence."

A smile curled at the corner of his lips.

A one-second pause—

Applause, cheers, whistles, and screams.

Like a storm sweeping through the room, the entire studio finally reached its peak, caught in a frenzy like a tropical cyclone.

Jay Leno: …

He had to admit, he didn’t see that coming.

“Calculating” is a negative term.

Although everyone knows that in the small, fame-driven world of Hollywood, everyone is scheming and plotting, and those who are naïve and honest have long since been chewed up and spit out; still, no one is willing to admit that they are crafty.

Even top stars like Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, and Brad Pitt are no exception.

Look at how Brad and Jennifer Aniston reacted when the "Friends" crew revealed that Brad had demanded Anson be kicked off the show. They didn’t dare take the risk, didn’t dare risk tarnishing their image, and in the end, they had to patch things up with Anson.

Naturally, you can imagine that a newcomer like Anson wouldn’t want to be labeled that way either.

And that was Jay Leno’s trap—

He didn’t spell it out, just hinted at it.

So, if Anson explained, it would be equivalent to admitting it; if he didn’t, he might be caught in a storm of public opinion.

Jay Leno was curious about how Anson would react.

Although "The Tonight Show" isn’t usually all about “being nice to everyone,” Jay Leno rarely attacks his guests either. Everyone’s in Hollywood, crossing paths all the time, so there’s no need to be confrontational.

Today, Jay Leno became interested because of Anson's performance and, before he knew it, he had revealed a sharper side of himself.

However! But! To Jay Leno’s surprise—

Anson just broke it wide open.

Not only did he break it open, but he also took the opportunity to promote his movie.

Now, it was Jay Leno who found himself in an awkward position.

If Jay Leno didn’t recover quickly, he might be the one branded as “calculating, attacking his interview guests,” which wouldn’t be a good look with the summer movie season just around the corner. "The Tonight Show" couldn’t afford to get caught up in that kind of controversy.

More importantly, Jay Leno admired Anson's decisive response.

Instead of retreating, he advanced.

With a straightforward and open stance, he turned the hidden scheme into an open strategy, which made him seem honest and upright, instantly transforming his image.

Just look at the audience’s first reaction in the studio, and you’ll see the outcome—

After all, let’s be honest, isn’t every guest who comes on "The Tonight Show" there to promote something?

So, what’s the difference between promoting a band and promoting a movie?

Respect, true respect.

Jay Leno was momentarily stunned, his mind racing, and then, a smile began to spread across his face, a genuine smile that started to bubble up from within.

Finally, he laughed out loud.

“Ha.”

Jay Leno shook his head lightly, and once the studio’s fervor had subsided a bit, he spread his hands.

“Anson, you’ve stolen my job.”

This was essentially him giving Anson the green light to promote his movie.

Behind the audience, Edgar was dumbfounded. The crisis had been defused just like that.

That was Anson for you.

That’s why he was Anson.

But then Edgar thought, maybe this was an opportunity, a chance for Anson and Jay Leno to become friends, a chance for Anson to break into the world of talk shows.

The actions that had paused now resumed with renewed urgency.

*Chapter 425: Going with the Flow*

A smile, light as a dragonfly, lingered on Jay Leno’s lips. It had been a long, long time since he had experienced such a satisfying and joyful recording session. From any angle, this was a pure delight.

“Anson, you’ve stolen my job.”

Jay Leno quipped, then looked directly at Camera One and spoke with a serious tone.

“On May 3rd, everyone, please be sure to go to the theater to see the dual sides of Anson Wood—oh, no, ‘Spider-Man.’ I’ll be there 100%, and I hope to see many of our audience friends as well.”

With grace and wit, Jay Leno himself began promoting "Spider-Man," earning a wave of cheers and applause from the studio audience.

Then, he turned to Anson, pausing slightly as he looked him up and down.

“Will we get to see it?”

Anson was slightly taken aback: ?

But the audience in the studio had already caught on, unable to contain their excitement:

Ah! Ahhh!

Karen was the first to scream, her excitement so wild and intense that Blair, caught off guard, was nearly knocked over.

Blair: …

Wait a minute, wasn’t it supposed to be “I scream, you stay calm”?

But Blair didn’t have time to think about that, quickly regaining her balance and responding with even crazier and more passionate screams.

Blair still hadn’t forgotten the moment Anson appeared at the Emmys, like Lucifer descending—100% a god among men.

What if… what if she could tear open Lucifer’s shirt buttons?

Hiss, hiss.

The heatwave rolled forward, nearly knocking Miles over as he stood too close.

Fortunately, he grabbed Connor just in time, barely managing to steady himself.

It was at this moment that Anson finally realized Jay Leno’s counterattack—

He had just imitated Superman’s transformation, and now Jay Leno was trying to score points with the female audience by suggesting that Anson take off his shirt.

So, was this Jay Leno’s revenge for Anson’s sudden move earlier?

Anson couldn’t help but chuckle.

A smile spread across his lips and fully bloomed, making the women in the studio go even crazier, losing their minds as the entire room plunged into a frenzy. The burst of energy in that instant was enough to scare the male audience members.

Anson wasn’t in a hurry.

In fact, he intentionally slowed down, leisurely crossing his legs, mimicking the iconic scene from the movie "Basic Instinct," perfectly showcasing his long legs and ideal proportions.

Ah!

Blair and Karen completely lost their minds, their frenzied screams almost tearing their lungs apart. Even the ringing in their ears disappeared as they became entirely immersed in the release of their shrieks.

Ahhh!

Jay Leno was stunned, not expecting that he had unleashed such a beast.

Even Lily couldn’t help but join in the fun, raising her arms and cheering with a big smile on her face.

Anson spread his hands, waiting until the frenzy in the studio subsided a bit. “Underneath is a tight suit, very, very, very tight.”

Haha, hahaha.

Anson’s deliberately drawn-out words were full of teasing, and before the screams could take over, laughter had already erupted throughout the studio—

Who would’ve thought that in 2002, before a superhero movie had even been released, someone would already be joking about the tight suits?

Even Jay Leno couldn’t resist, a smile breaking through.

Jay Leno shot Anson a meaningful look.

Such a response, both defensive and offensive, not only perfectly addressed Jay Leno’s teasing but also subtly shifted the topic—

Ordinarily, this would be the perfect moment for Jay Leno to ask Anson about his experience wearing the tight suit, seamlessly leading the conversation into a discussion about "Spider-Man."

Brilliant, truly brilliant!

If Jay Leno switched topics now, it might actually come across as less smooth.

But the key was that Jay Leno didn’t intend to follow Anson’s lead; even if it meant breaking the flow, he was determined to subtly regain control.

The back-and-forth continued, the confrontation quietly persisting.

Jay Leno grew increasingly satisfied and joyful, his competitive spirit soaring.

He flashed a smile, “We’ve chatted with the band for a little while, but the conversation has completely veered off track. So, we’ve missed a lot of key points—who can tell me, how did the story begin?”

Anson nodded slightly, “Of course, no problem.”

"Because of a small accident, Peter Parker was bitten by a spider, and then he discovered..."

Jay Leno looked at Anson, half amused, half exasperated. "Hey, don’t push your luck."

Jay Leno mentioned the band, but Anson talked about the movie, the transition was so smooth that if Jay hadn’t caught it, the audience might have been completely swept along.

Laughter erupted throughout the studio, unstoppable.

Anson raised his hands in surrender. "There are two versions of how we met, but in my version, it's very simple."

"Actually, that day, I had just finished yet another audition for ‘Spider-Man.’ My friend James Franco and I were looking to relax a bit, and as we were passing by on the street, I saw the three of them performing."

Jay Leno interrupted, "Wait, wait, you met them after your ‘Spider-Man’ audition?"

"Yes, a screen test. At that time, I was still a newbie actor—though, to be honest, I still am..." Anson thought seriously for a moment.

The audience burst into laughter at Anson’s self-deprecating expression.

Anson continued, "The cello caught my eye. I thought they were truly special, but unfortunately, their performance was about to end, and I wanted more. So I approached them and asked if I could join."

Jay Leno pressed, "And that’s all?"

Anson nodded, "Yes, that’s all. My version of the story is pretty straightforward."

Jay Leno shook his head repeatedly. "No, not straightforward at all. Although I’m really curious about the ‘Spider-Man’ audition—God, that must have been interesting—I don’t want to get caught in the movie trap again..."

Another wave of laughter swept the studio.

Jay Leno looked at Anson again. "So, will you invite the band members to the premiere?"

Anson replied candidly, "Of course. Even though we’re not really friends, you know, since the show has started, we have to see it through, right?"

This was self-deprecation at its finest—

Just when everyone thought the joke had ended, and without anyone bringing it up, the person involved took it upon himself to reopen the subject. It was brilliant.

The studio was filled with laughter, whistles, and applause.

Anson turned to the band members. "Hey, would you like to come to the premiere? Don’t worry, we can keep our ‘not-so-close’ relationship intact."

Lily couldn’t hold back any longer; she burst into laughter but quickly covered her mouth, nodding repeatedly. "Sure, sounds great."

Even before it all started, Anson had warned that the show might go off track, and "Spider-Man" might unintentionally become the focus. So, the band wasn’t surprised.

But they didn’t expect Anson to diffuse the situation so effortlessly, handling it with such finesse, and then bringing the focus back around.

It seemed like they were discussing the movie, but every sentence also referenced the band.

It seemed like they were discussing the band, but the movie was woven into every word.

There was no denying that Anson was completely in control, effortlessly steering the conversation, and even Jay Leno couldn’t help but repeatedly bring up the movie.

Lily could hardly believe it, finding it more and more humorous the more she thought about it.

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