406-410

### Chapter 406: Immersed in the Moment

Steven was seriously scrutinizing Anson before him.

Even though Anson was the actor Steven had personally flown to Paris to audition for, even bringing Tom along, at this moment, he had to admit:

He had misjudged.

Clearly, he and Tom thought they had thoroughly understood Anson, which was why they chose him to play young Frank Abagnale. But now, it seemed, they had underestimated this "pretty face."

He was so close—just a tiny bit away—from missing Anson.

A spark of inspiration flashed in his mind, and Steven couldn't help but say, "Maybe we could work together again next time."

"My pleasure," Anson immediately replied.

Steven had only said it on a whim, but he hadn’t expected such a direct response from Anson. "What, you're not worried about the script or the role?"

Anson spread his hands. "No, I'm more worried about not being able to challenge different roles."

Steven raised an eyebrow slightly. "Even if the work fails, or becomes a disaster?"

Anson nodded. "Making mistakes is better than being boring."

Steven paused, mulling over Anson's words carefully. Unconsciously, he thought of himself fifteen years ago.

At the time, he had already achieved numerous successes on a commercial level with "Jaws," "Raiders of the Lost Ark," and "E.T." He had transformed all his childhood fantasies into a magnificent world on the big screen. But he wanted to try something different, to explore more possibilities on the big screen.

So, he chose to adapt the novel The Color Purple.

Everyone said he was crazy, including his close friend George Lucas. People believed he was burying his directing career with his own hands.

Nevertheless, he still did it.

Because he believed that making mistakes was better than being boring.

If an artist is afraid of making mistakes and stays within their comfort zone, the only outcome is to slowly strangle their own career.

Looking at Anson again, a hint of approval crossed Steven’s eyes as he nodded slightly.

Before Steven could speak, Anson added, "Besides, even if I'm naive and foolish, I wouldn’t be so stupid as to refuse Steven Spielberg to his face."

That should be something for the agent to take the fall for.

Steven immediately understood. Unable to hold back, he burst out laughing, "Hahaha."

"So, what joke are you guys telling? Mind sharing it?" came a teasing voice from behind. Turning around, they saw Tom waddling in like a penguin.

Steven's smile hid behind his beard. "I was just telling Anson that he completely stole the spotlight in that last scene."

Anson: Me? Wait, what?

Seeing Anson's innocent expression, Tom generously spread his hands. "I admit it. Buddy, that was an outstanding performance."

As he spoke, Tom moved forward and gave Anson a hug, laughing and saying, "You killed me, utterly, didn’t leave me a shred of dignity."

Thump, thump, thump.

Tom patted Anson heavily on the back, almost gritting his teeth as he spoke—

Obviously, it was a joke.

Anson responded with a "polite but awkward" smile. After Tom pulled away, Anson acted as if he was "coughing up blood from exasperation," then wiped the corner of his mouth and looked at Tom and Steven nonchalantly, as if nothing had happened.

Tom was dumbfounded.

Steven burst into a fit of loud laughter, "Haha, finally, you’ve met your match."

"Anson, let me tell you, everyone thinks this guy is honest—all because of Forrest Gump—but in reality, he loves playing pranks behind the scenes. The problem is, everyone’s afraid of him and doesn't dare fight back, so he always gets away with it. A true bully. Finally, someone stood up to him."

But turning around, Steven noticed Anson frantically blinking with a nervous and awkward expression, signaling Tom with his eyes, "Director, I just joined the union."

This, of course, was still a joke, implying that Tom was all-powerful in the actors' union and that Anson needed to stay in his good graces—a plea for Steven to intervene.

One second, two seconds.

"Hahaha," Tom burst into laughter, clutching his stomach. "Steven, you should’ve seen your face."

Steven couldn’t hold back either, "Haha." He glanced at the calmly composed Anson, "Hahaha."

The atmosphere was incredibly lively.

Anyone with eyes could see that Anson was thriving in the presence of these two big shots. Such a scene was not something you came across every day.

Then, Tom finally refocused his attention. "I'm serious, Anson. Your performance just now was brilliant. Some of your timing choices were really outstanding. I think I should adjust my own approach as well—tighten up the emotion a bit more and create a contrast with your calmness. That would really bring out the comedic effect."

There’s a reason why legends become legends.

Anson didn’t let the praise get to his head; instead, he followed Tom’s train of thought. "Which parts specifically?"

The essence of a scene involving two actors lies in how their performances interact with each other. Even without direct eye contact or overlapping dialogue, the energy conveyed through emotions, timing, and tension needs to interact, forming a complete picture.

Hearing their conversation, Steven interjected, "That's exactly what I wanted to say."

Both actors turned their attention to the director.

Steven continued, "The scene we just did was great—really, really good. We don’t need to reshoot it; that take was perfect. But we do need to get some additional shots—some close-ups."

"Anson, the way you handled your eye movements was excellent. I want to capture a few close-ups. Just keep your current approach and state of mind; you’re doing great."

"As for you, Tom, I’m not worried about you. Continue discussing things with Anson. You could tighten up your performance just a bit, and I think that would work perfectly."

With that said, Steven prepared to walk away, but the actors weren't done yet.

Tom called after him, "Wait, wait. Anson's eye close-ups—what specific parts? Where am I positioned? What's my spatial relationship to the camera?"

"Steven, I need to make some adjustments too."

Ideas were bursting forth.

Because of Anson's excellent performance, Tom also found himself rethinking his understanding of the character and the scene. His mind began to overflow with new ideas.

The same went for Steven. He contemplated how to use the camera to capture the nuances of the performances and how to build the entire scene around these shots. His original concept was evolving, giving rise to even more creative possibilities.

Word by word, Tom and Steven dove deeper into their discussion.

And Anson?

He was all ears, fully focused.

Anson had to admit that his understanding and execution of acting were still in the preliminary stages. Much of his performance was based on instinct, reacting to the storyline he had outlined for his character. He couldn’t see the bigger picture like Tom or Steven could, nor could he understand how to extend his acting in relation to the camera's movements.

Experience was the missing ingredient.

But that was okay. Unlike his experience with The Princess Diaries, where he was mostly an observer, this time he had the opportunity not just to learn from the masters up close but to also put what he learned into practice.

Even just by listening, Anson could learn a lot.

Indeed, Catch Me If You Can was turning out to be an invaluable opportunity.

Filming and inspiration were sparking off each other, much like the process of creating art.

*Chapter 407: Palm-Sized Circle*

The filming of "Catch Me If You Can" was going smoothly.

Steven didn't expect Anson to bring such a surprise, and Anson likewise didn't anticipate finding such joy in the creative process of making the film.

Looking back on the original film, "Catch Me If You Can" focused on entertainment value, akin to a popcorn movie. Its lighthearted and teasing approach to storytelling attracted criticism from conservatives, who felt Steven shouldn't tell a crime story in such a cheerful manner. They argued that it could set a bad example for teenagers, highlighting the film's entertainment focus.

However, the actual filming process was unexpectedly filled with passion. The collision of ideas, character studies, performances, and the synergy of direction opened a door to a whole new world.

The real revelation for Anson was that people often think popcorn movies lack substance, but in reality, making a good popcorn movie is not easy. The director's coordination and the actors' performances are both crucial.

Overall, the atmosphere on set was relaxed and pleasant, and the film's comedic nature ensured that the crew maintained a laid-back attitude.

For Anson, this was particularly true. Previously, in "The Princess Diaries" and "Spider-Man," Anson had already filmed love scenes, both times portraying a pure-hearted character experiencing young love.

This time, "Catch Me If You Can" was slightly different.

Although young Frank Abagnale is still a "pure-hearted warrior," constantly searching for true love and trying to settle down, his life of endless lies and running makes it impossible for him to stay stable in any relationship. He always has to use one lie to cover another.

Thus, Anson gained a whole new filming experience.

The female lead of "Catch Me If You Can" was the then-unknown Amy Adams, who would later rise to fame with "Enchanted" and receive multiple Oscar nominations. In the early stages of her career, Amy faced numerous hardships and always lacked a role that would make her shine.

This time, Amy was paired with Anson. She played a naive nurse who falls madly in love with young Frank. The two even plan to get married, with Frank sincerely preparing to settle down with her and leave his criminal life behind, but ultimately, he is defeated by his past.

Interestingly, Amy had worked with Kirsten Dunst two years earlier on "Drop Dead Gorgeous," and they remained in touch. Since Kirsten had just worked with Anson on "Spider-Man," Amy and Anson quickly became acquainted, laying a solid foundation for the shoot, and the two sparked quite a bit of chemistry.

Of course, that's not all.

Ellen Pompeo, who had not yet become the lead in "Grey's Anatomy," and Jennifer Garner, who had just entered the public eye with the series "Alias," both had scenes with Anson in the film, creating a dazzling universe that revolved entirely around him.

However, the most interesting was Elizabeth Banks.

A classic blonde often seen in comedy films, Elizabeth would later become a successful director with "Pitch Perfect 2" and appear as an actress in hits like "The Hunger Games," "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," and "Magic Mike XXL."

At this point?

This 27-year-old actress was still trying to find her place on the big screen. In "Catch Me If You Can," she played a bank clerk. It was through her character that young Frank learned some crucial details about making checks, making her a very important role.

The interesting part wasn't just here; it was that Elizabeth had auditioned for the role of Mary Jane in "Spider-Man" but was turned down for being too old.

Despite that, she still got a small role as the secretary to the editor-in-chief of the newspaper where Peter Parker worked, and she had scenes with Anson.

Round and round, from "Spider-Man" to "Catch Me If You Can," Anson and Elizabeth ended up working together on two consecutive projects, and this time even further. Although Elizabeth still wasn't the leading lady, her role had more scenes with Anson, and age wasn't a barrier to their second collaboration.

When Anson saw Elizabeth on set, he was not just surprised but pleasantly so.

Now Anson finally understood why people always say Hollywood is a palm-sized circle. Even though the actors' union has 400,000 members, those who appear in mainstream big productions are already in the top 10% of the pyramid, constantly bumping into each other.

Especially as a prophet, Anson could "see" the future. He knew these actors' future career paths, making the present collaborations all the more interesting.

Later, during a chat between takes, Anson learned from Jennifer Garner that her breakthrough role in Hollywood was in a show called "Felicity," where the male lead was Scott Speedman—the handsome guy who had lost the role of Peter Parker to Anson.

"Oh, I'm sure he didn't have anything nice to say," Anson replied candidly.

Jennifer nodded, "Yes, he, uh, you wouldn't want to hear what he said."

"Haha, I accept it openly," Anson shrugged.

Hollywood, after all, is just one big circle.

In such a light and joyful atmosphere, the filming of "Catch Me If You Can" was exceptionally smooth, and even the two big shots in the crew, Steven and Tom, were very pleased.

Originally, Steven had set an eighty-day shooting schedule, with a goal of completing filming within three months to account for any unexpected incidents or delays. However, as filming progressed, things went increasingly smoothly and efficiently. It took only fifty-four days to wrap up "Catch Me If You Can" in Montreal.

An entire month ahead of schedule!

Even Tom, a seasoned actor, was utterly surprised. He hadn’t expected the filming to go so smoothly and to finish so much earlier than planned.

Despite this, Tom couldn't help but shake his head repeatedly. "It felt like we were rushing somewhere the whole time. Steven, are you sure the quality of the shoot is up to par? If the movie flops, don't think about putting the blame on Anson."

Clearly, this was just a playful complaint.

Steven, looking calm and composed, replied, "Well, in that case, should we reshoot some scenes?"

Tom's expression changed instantly. "Rita has already booked the resort. Don't you dare trap me. After two months of this, my old bones need a break."

Jokes aside, Tom had a point.

Fifty-four days was already a long enough shooting period. More importantly, the crew was operating at high speed every day. To ensure efficiency, every aspect of the work had to be flawless. Additionally, outside of the eight hours of filming, everyone had their own prep work to make sure there were no mistakes in their tasks.

After nearly two months of filming, it was unbelievable how much weight Anson lost. If he hadn't maintained his regular fitness routine throughout the shoot, the muscle he worked so hard to build during "Spider-Man" might have started to disappear. Even so, he'll need to continue working out diligently in the coming period.

Regardless, finally, before summer arrived, "Catch Me If You Can" wrapped up filming.

### Chapter 408: The Bond of Trust

—“When Proust reached the end of his life and looked back on all his painful days, he realized those were the best days of his life, because they made him who he was. The happy years? They were wasted; he learned nothing from them.”

Fingertips gently brushed across the pages of the book, pausing for a moment before flipping back, eyes falling once more on those words. The syllables danced lightly between his lips and teeth, finally leaving a mix of bitter and sweet flavors on his tongue, gradually settling his mood.

After "Catch Me If You Can" wrapped up, Anson also entered a brief vacation. He spent his days skateboarding, learning to surf, lounging on a beach chair with a thick book, and dozing off under the lazy sunlight. When he awoke, he would pick up where he left off, continuing to read.

Time slipped by like grains of sand, grazing the skin as it flowed through his fingers—

Bit by bit. It was crystal clear. Yet in a slight moment of distraction, the speed at which it slipped away was missed, and by the time he realized it, most of it had already gone.

These past few days, in the gaps of rest and pauses, the image of that boy on the streets of New York kept flashing in his mind. The boy who aimed a gun at his father, who shouted that he didn’t need saving, the boy who was on the verge of collapse in utter despair. His thoughts would hit pause.

He wondered how that boy was doing now.

Did he manage to escape with his mother? But where could they go? Did they find a safe place, free from the shadow of domestic violence? Or did they, in the end, go back, caught in a never-ending cycle of hell, heading toward a dark end?

Actually, Anson knew he wasn’t a savior. He couldn’t save everyone.

As he had said that day, he couldn’t save the boy. The only person who could save the boy was the boy himself.

If you always wait for God to hear your prayers or a superhero to descend from the sky to solve your problems, then you are in for an endless wait. What lies ahead could very well be an infinite loop of suffering and torment.

But he still found himself thinking about that boy from time to time.

“I don’t want to be somebody important, and I don’t need your rescue,” he had said.

What he wanted was very simple.

An ordinary life, an ordinary daily routine, just like any other high school student. To be troubled by homework, thrilled by a crush, or fight with friends over trivial matters. For him, the worst thing in the world would be a surprise quiz, and the happiest thing would be staying up all night playing video games with friends.

The ordinary and mundane life that most people despise and reject was a fantasy he could only dream of.

His fingertips once again moved slowly across the pages, savoring those words.

Once, he had hoped that in his endless dark nights, someone would tell him to hold on a little longer, that what doesn’t kill him would make him stronger. Until one day in the future, he would look back with a smile and tell everyone that the painful days were the best days of his life.

Now, he wished he could pass those words and beliefs on to that boy.

Maybe, during those endless dark nights, they might think time and again that they couldn’t hold on any longer, wavering on the brink of giving up and breaking down; but… it would pass. Everything would pass, and in the end, they would evolve into a stronger version of themselves, shattering all darkness.

“... Anson?”

Until a voice interrupted his thoughts, Anson suddenly looked up. In the sunlight, he saw Edgar's worried face.

Anson collected his scattered thoughts, giving Edgar a smile as he joked, “You seem to come and go more freely now. Who let you in?”

“Shh, James is off today. Chris helped me out,” Edgar joked back.

Then, Edgar sat down across from Anson. Hesitating for a moment, he still opened his mouth to ask, “Anson, is everything okay?”

Anson raised an eyebrow slightly, “Hmm? What do you mean? I’m fine, everything’s fine.”

Edgar hesitated but finally sighed softly. “Is it about what happened in New York? Don’t worry, everything has been arranged.”

Anson: ???

New York?

Could it be about the road rage driver? Anson hadn’t mentioned the boy to Edgar, so it could only be about that incident in New York.

But that happened two months ago, and the media and paparazzi had already moved on. Why would he need to worry about that?

Looking at Anson, Edgar couldn’t hold back any longer. “You were in trouble that day, weren’t you? Not with the driver, but before that.”

“Even though there’s no surveillance footage, I noticed the scrape on your hand.”

“I don’t know what happened, but I believe you. You wouldn’t get into trouble easily; if you don’t want to talk about it, you must have your reasons.”

“I just want to say, rest assured, I’ve taken care of everything. No surveillance footage, no eyewitnesses. Whatever happened, even if the other party comes forward, it’s your word against theirs. We can still control the narrative, so there’s no need to worry.”

Anson was slightly taken aback. He looked down at his hand, which had long since healed. “So, how long have you known?”

“Since the first day,” Edgar didn’t hide it anymore. “Anson, it’s my job.”

Anson, “So that’s why you allowed the paparazzi to release that photo in the first place? To divert attention?”

Edgar didn’t deny it.

That was all the answer Anson needed, and he couldn’t help but laugh.

Edgar was a bit anxious. He wasn’t sure how Anson would react. To be precise, even now, he didn’t know what had happened that day. “Anson…”

The curve at the corners of Anson’s mouth slowly flattened as he looked at Edgar. “Captain, thank you.”

Edgar was stunned.

“Thank you for trusting me. Without asking any questions, you unconditionally believed in me. I know it’s your job to protect me, no matter what the truth is; you have to stand by me. But trusting me is different. You never even asked me and just stood by my side. Thank you for choosing to be my partner.”

The relationship between a manager and an artist is like being on the same boat; no matter what happens, the manager and PR must protect the artist, even if it means distorting the truth. But that doesn’t mean they have to fully trust the artist; they could protect them while secretly harboring resentment.

However, Edgar chose to trust him.

Anson understood that this wasn’t easy; it was even harder than anything else. After all, in Hollywood’s world of fame and fortune, trust is often the least valuable and most foolish of things.

So, he needed to say thank you to Edgar.

Edgar blinked, trying to hide his embarrassment and cleared his throat, "I was just... it was because... it's my job."

Everything was because Anson trusted him, right from their first meeting.

Edgar thought it was only natural for him to trust Anson since he had staked his entire career on him. But now, through his actions, Anson showed him that trust is something warm that deserves gratitude and cherishing.

Before things got more awkward, Edgar hastily changed the subject. "So, what exactly happened that day?"

Chapter 409: Hidden Corners**

“So, what exactly happened that day?”

Cautiously, Edgar couldn’t hold back any longer and finally asked the question.

“Heh.” Anson's lips curved slightly upward, a low chuckle escaping from deep in his throat. “Captain, you've worked hard. It's impressive that your curiosity lasted this long.”

Seeing that Anson still had the mood to joke, Edgar’s tense and frantic state calmed down a bit. He was about to reply, but Anson continued without pausing.

“I was on the road when I saw a strong man committing domestic violence, beating up a boy and his mother. I couldn’t hold back, so I stepped in to help.”

Just a few words, no background story, just simple and cold facts. Yet, Edgar was stunned.

“He was right there, in broad daylight, beating a child and a woman who couldn’t fight back, as if they were trash.”

“Bang.”

“Bang.”

Blow after blow, Anson calmly described the sound of flesh hitting flesh, but to Edgar’s ears, it was like thunder.

“You know, when muscle collides with muscle, it makes a dull sound. Even if bystanders can't hear it clearly, those sounds seep into the victim’s muscles and bloodstream bit by bit until they can't feel the pain anymore. All that’s left is their dignity and pride slowly shattering.”

“Some people say, why not fight back? Why not run away?”

“It’s not about whether they can or not. It’s because that violence has become a habit, deeply rooted in their soul, to the point that they forget how to escape.”

“They just silently endure it all, almost believing in a daze that this is what they deserve.”

Calm, measured, even with a faint smile.

Anson narrated quietly like this, but Edgar felt a chill down his spine. He tried to speak, but his voice caught in his throat, and he stood there like a fool.

“Sorry, I couldn’t hold back.”

Anson looked at Edgar, responding with a smile, ending his explanation.

“Ahem.” Edgar cleared his throat, pulling himself out of his muddled thoughts, trying to stay calm and return to his role as a manager. “Anson, this was someone else’s business. You shouldn’t have interfered. Not to mention whether that man was armed or had other weapons, or whether he could have hurt you, you shouldn’t have gotten involved.”

“You should have called for help, you should have called the police.”

“You shouldn’t have put yourself in the middle of it.”

Edgar noticed that Anson didn’t respond. He just kept smiling, quietly looking at him.

Edgar felt awkward, “Anson, this is my professional advice. You are a public figure…”

Anson nodded slightly, “I understand, this is your job.”

“But…”

“Everyone says the same thing. It’s someone else’s family matter, it’s someone else’s business. We should keep our distance.”

“Until one day, a tragedy happens.”

“We remain bystanders, we regretfully say, what a shame. Then we turn around and leave, continuing our lives, not knowing what kind of pain they went through, nor knowing when such a tragedy might happen to us.”

Edgar was stunned.

This was a side of Anson he had never seen before—some fragility, some sadness, some struggle, not intense or dramatic, just a gentle tug on the heart, like a bitter darkness lingering at his fingertips, akin to smoke or mist. But precisely this calmness, without gut-wrenching or dramatic ups and downs, revealed a weathered weariness.

Now, Edgar finally understood what that hidden unique quality about Anson was.

However, he didn’t have the time to sort through his thoughts carefully. He just stood there, staring into Anson’s eyes, as if caught in a blue whirlpool, all his professional advice stuck on the tip of his tongue, unable to be spoken.

Anson’s mind once again conjured up the boy’s face.

He thought the memory had faded, just a brief encounter; yet he didn't expect the scene to remain so vivid—he even remembered those eyes.

"Captain, do you know about the nomads in the desert?"

"After night falls, they tie their camels to a tree with a rope. But when morning comes, they untie the rope."

"However, the camels don’t run away."

"Because they remember the rope that tied them at night. Even if it’s untied and they can’t see it, it’s like how we deeply remember the scars and pains of the past."

"In fact, everything is already over, long since becoming history. But the shadows of the past still hang over our heads, binding our ankles. Though invisible, that invisible rope keeps us in place."

"We don’t dare, nor can we, run away."

The California afternoon sun lazily spilled down, warming the surface of the skin; yet, he couldn't help but shiver.

Looking at Anson, Edgar couldn’t help but wonder:

What exactly has Anson been through?

Thinking seriously about it, even though Edgar had once entered the Wood mansion in New York, his understanding of the Wood family and Anson was still very limited.

Clearly, like everyone else, he had met this young man because of Anson’s appearance, but it stopped there. He never truly got to know the soul beneath the surface. However, in their daily interactions, Anson’s charm slowly revealed itself, surprising him each time.

Like an epic novel.

The beautiful cover and packaging often lead people to misunderstand, perhaps thinking the content isn’t that great; but once you open the first page, you can’t stop, irresistibly wanting to explore the story further.

Just like now.

Edgar tried to explore, but found nothing. A beat too late, he realized he had unconsciously been drawn in, even exposing his own true thoughts. Memories flooded his mind like a tide, inadvertently revealing his true feelings, which made him panic.

Edgar awkwardly averted his gaze, hastily covering up his fluster, “Did they… escape?”

Anson's lips curled slightly, “I don’t know either.”

Maybe, in that moment, they did run away. But Anson didn’t know if, when night fell, they followed the rope back again.

Bitterness spread lightly on the tip of his tongue.

Sigh.

Exhaling softly, Anson pulled his thoughts back.

“Don’t worry.”

“If that man comes looking for trouble, threatening to expose everything, fine, we’ll make a big deal out of it and get the law involved.”

“I don’t mind standing on the witness stand or the defendant’s bench. I just hope I can help them cut that rope and tell them to run away.”

There was a faint hint of a smile in his voice.

Edgar looked at Anson with a face full of helplessness. He had a rebuttal on the tip of his tongue, but it turned into a smile in the end. “If that really happens, I won’t stop you, but I need you to tell me immediately. Eve and I need to be prepared, to be on the high ground from the start.”

“Okay.” Anson agreed swiftly and decisively.

That immediate response left Edgar speechless. He tilted his head back and let out a long sigh, “Ah, why do I feel like I’ve boarded a pirate ship?”

Anson picked up his teacup and took a slow sip of tea, his expression and actions clearly saying: it’s too late now.

Edgar couldn’t help himself; he burst into laughter.

At this moment, Anson unhurriedly changed the topic, “So, why did you come here today? If it was a small matter, you would have just called.”

Edgar rolled his eyes, “Mr. Wood, that’s assuming you’re willing to carry your phone with you.”

*Chapter 410: Searching for Someone on the Show*

In the past, the internet infiltrated every aspect of life so thoroughly that it was almost impossible to function without a phone or internet connection.

Now, having traveled back twenty years to the early 2000s, despite the convenience of the internet, it hasn't fully taken over daily life yet. After struggling through the initial adjustment period, Anson has come to enjoy the present lifestyle, striving to disconnect from the internet and his phone, and instead experiencing the tangible reality around him.

Naturally, while on vacation, there's no need for the phone to be a constant companion.

At this moment, faced with Edgar's complaints, Anson calmly responds, "The phone is in the bedroom."

Edgar is momentarily at a loss for words, unable to argue.

Finally, Edgar just shakes his head and swallows the rest of his words. From the beginning, he understood Anson's personality, didn't he?

"It’s Jay Leno," Anson says, lifting his chin slightly. "I didn't scratch his car, did I?"

Edgar: Pfft.

Jay Leno, a talk show host, was a protégé of the legendary American talk show host Johnny Carson. Leno occasionally filled in for Carson on NBC's flagship talk show "The Tonight Show" starting in 1987. In 1992, he beat out David Letterman to become the new host of "The Tonight Show."

"The Tonight Show" is the undisputed king of talk shows. Since Johnny Carson took over in 1962, it had never lost its spot as the top-rated late-night talk show for thirty years. It was not only NBC's crown jewel but also an important part of American television history.

In 1992, after losing his son in a car accident, a heartbroken Johnny Carson prepared to retire from "The Tonight Show." His farewell episode aired late at night but still attracted 50 million viewers, a peak that remains unsurpassed to this day.

Of course, Jay Leno did quite well as Carson's successor.

Since taking over in 1992, although "The Tonight Show" under Leno couldn’t match Carson's legendary status, Leno still established his own style and charm. Over the past ten years, "The Tonight Show" remained the reigning talk show, with its top spot in the ratings unchallenged.

Jay Leno carved out his own era.

As the current king of talk shows, Jay Leno's hobbies are well-known—he loves collecting vintage cars and motorcycles from the early 20th century.

That’s where Anson’s joke came from.

Clearly, it caught Edgar off guard, and the previously somber atmosphere evaporated, allowing Edgar to regain his composure.

"I hope not," Edgar joked back. "Actually, to be precise, it was the show's producers who contacted me."

Anson raised an eyebrow slightly, "The Tonight Show? But why?"

Anson has been in Hollywood for two full years now, but he still hasn't made it onto the radar of talk shows.

In the United States, talk shows are one of the most crucial types of television programs.

Since talk shows first aired in the U.S. in 1954, they have become a key part of both television and entertainment culture. Almost every network has a flagship talk show with a legacy of over thirty or even fifty years.

NBC's "The Tonight Show."

CBS's "Late Show."

And "The Daily Show," which rapidly rose after the millennium and reshaped the entire talk show landscape, produced by Comedy Central.

American talk shows are a unique type of program, typically divided into several segments: the host's monologue, live musical performances, guest interviews, and sometimes interactions with the live audience.

However, what makes talk shows special is that they often discuss current trends, critique politics, and satirize politicians—a longstanding tradition.

This makes talk shows not just a part of society, but also a part of daily life.

According to surveys, during the 2008 election, nearly half of young people aged 18 to 29 got their political information from politically-oriented talk shows. Among adults, more than a quarter were influenced by talk shows when making voting decisions.

Among these, "The Daily Show" was rated as the most trusted news source by the American public, even surpassing traditional authoritative media like "The New York Times" and "The Wall Street Journal."

These statistics highlight the unique status of talk shows.

Generally, American talk shows are categorized into daytime talk shows, late-night talk shows, and more recently, internet talk shows that have gained popularity with the rise of the internet.

Daytime talk shows air on weekday mornings, targeting audiences like the elderly, women, and students, with topics focusing on health, emotions, and family life—often with a motivational twist.

"The Oprah Winfrey Show" and the later booming "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" are the standouts in this category.

Late-night talk shows, airing at 10 or 11 p.m., cater to middle-class and working professionals. Thanks to the late-night time slot, these shows are known for their sharp, witty, bold, direct, and humorous style, with political topics always at the core.

Over the past fifty years, countless former presidents, presidential candidates, and politicians have appeared on talk shows.

Unlike Asian leaders who focus on maintaining a mature and rational image, American citizens care more about a politician’s charm and sense of humor. As a result, politicians often choose talk shows as a platform to appeal to voters.

During the 2000 election, Al Gore’s campaign team openly admitted to the media that they spent time each day analyzing the content of several key talk shows. They examined points of criticism, jokes, and trending topics, then adjusted their policies and strategies accordingly, highlighting the shows' influence.

It's no exaggeration to say that talk shows are an essential part of understanding American culture.

For this reason, talk shows have also become a crucial part of Hollywood's promotional strategy.

Nearly every movie, album, and even many Broadway productions include talk show appearances as part of their promotional schedules.

Considering that talk shows are all about conversation, guests need to be able to engage in witty banter, self-deprecate, and be capable of sarcasm and humor.

Most importantly, they need to be able to take a joke.

Therefore, not just any newcomer can appear on a talk show. In fact, not just anyone can appear on a talk show.

If the show’s impact doesn’t meet expectations, it could have a negative effect on the promotion of the work.

Since Anson first burst onto the scene, two years have passed. Although he has frequently found himself at the center of discussions, he has never been invited to a talk show.

But now?

Anson's first thought was, "Spider-Man?"

Indeed, considering the timeline, the upcoming summer release of "Spider-Man" is undoubtedly the biggest reason.

Once the vacation ends, Anson will dive headfirst into the relentless promotion of "Spider-Man," where he will be the primary focus.

So, if the talk show appearance is to promote "Spider-Man," it makes perfect sense.

However, Edgar shook his head slightly. "If that were the case, the production team would have contacted the show, hoping we could go on to promote the movie. Why would the show’s producers reach out to us instead?"