Back in March of '94, I had the opportunity to meet all the "Hearts Afire" cast members, and the Thomasons -- with one MAJOR exception. I just could not manage to meet John Ritter that evening. At first, he was surrounded by people and I just couldn't get through, and then he disappeared, only to appear again during the outtake and speech part of the party. But then he vanished once again.

Well that all changed this past Sunday night (June 18, 2000). After the play "The Dinner Party" at the Kennedy Center here in Washington, my good friends Avril and Dave and I waited patiently at the side door, hoping we'd get to meet our hero. We were so excited. We just knew that we were going to get lucky -- because the conditions seemed perfect.

First there was a crowd of kids at the door, waiting for Henry Winkler. But when they were told that the wait might be as long as half an hour, they lost patience and left. So, there were just a few people waiting for John and Henry. We only had to wait 15 minutes or so. During the wait, some man stuck his head out. We were pretty sure he was sizing up the crowd. First Henry came out, and he stayed around signing autographs and taking pictures. And then John came out. As everyone on the John list knows, he was absolutely thrilled to meet Avril, the woman who had constructed such a spectacular Website dedicated to him. John did not seem in a great hurry to leave, so indeed I got the opportunity to say a few words to him, too. Finally my opportunity to meet him. And, he could not have been any nicer. Let me repeat that. HE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN ANY NICER!

I must have sounded like an idiot. I told him that I was Hearts Afire's biggest fan, that I had been to five shows, and that I had a episode guide for the show up on the Web. When I said "episode guide" he stopped me and made me repeat the words "episode guide." He was definitely interested, and Avril chimed in that it could be reached through her site. Then I told him I was going to ask him an annoying (not sure I used that adjective) question. I asked him what happened to the music in the USA network rebroadcast of Hearts Afire. Here's what he said: "I was watching an episode of "Hearts Afire" the other day and all of a sudden I said to myself: What happened to Bonnie Raitt?!" Sound familiar?!!! So we know he was watching the show on Friday (the day "Significant Others" aired), probably at the hotel in Washington. Next, I told him that the whole 60s sound track was missing from "Class Reunion." He responded, "that's terrible!" And then he explained what the situation was, which is just as I suspected. He said that the rights to the music only lasted a certain number of years and that when USA bought the series, it didn't want to pay royalties to the original artists so some kind of generic music is being used instead. Maybe he called it really terrible music? At the end of the meeting, John started talking about his children. He told us how proud he was of Carly (who had corresponded with Avril); she had won several awards at school and was heading to Vassar in the Fall. He also said that Jason was at NYU and that he had a "15-year-old baseball player" and a 21-month-old. As I said, I just cannot imagine how he could have been any nicer. From my perspective, I think he was glad to hear from a Hearts Afire fan since probably most people tell him that they were big "Three's Company" fans and since I think he really loved those years working on "Hearts Afire".

(Avril: The following is an e-mail message which Melissa sent to the on-line group right after this meeting, and which we both agreed might be fun to include as part of her own report)

It's now about 10:45 p.m. Guess what Avril was doing about an hour ago?

Hugging John Ritter!

Seriously, the play was great (actually "tighter" than the L.A. version), and after the play we hung around waiting for you know who. First, Henry Winkler came out, and he was really charming. And then John came out. When he found out who Avril was, he threw his arms around her -- Dave (Avril's husband) and I didn't think he'd ever stop hugging her! He was absolutely thrilled to be meeting HER! (Almost as thrilled as she was to be meeting HIM!) He could not have been nicer! (It was like Avril was his long, lost love! (Avril: Oh yes, right!) Even Henry started teasing him!) He hung around and chatted with us for a few minutes while Dave was busy snapping away. Of course, I bothered him, too. About the Hearts Afire missing music (what else?). Anyway, I am just thrilled for Avril. It could not have been a more perfect evening for her. (Or for me!) Even Dave (what a wonderful sport he is) had a great time.

All of us were so impressed with how charming and gracious John was. I know Avril will give her own glowing account when she gets back (in about 10 days). However, if there are any messages for her, post them and I'll read them to her tomorrow night.

Melissa