I used to be an usher at the Minneapolis Orchestra Hall. I've met all sorts of famous people (well, famous to musical people anyway) .. Bobby McFerrin, the Canadian Brass, Yo Yo Ma (Met him twice. . the second time was 3 years after the first and he remembered who i was. That impressed the devil outa me - - not that i was memorable but that he's got that much of a memory!)

Anyway. . I don't think anyone minds you saying stuff like "great gig" or, in the case of Gillian Anderson (why do I think Byron has been watching Notting Hill lately? ;) "I really liked (whatever movie/Xfiles you just did)"

That's basically what I did with Yo Yo Ma, and I also talked for 5 minutes or so with him about the cello since I play it. He was very receptive (one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, if you meet him) but on the other hand I don't think he'd have been very cool with me running up to him and gushing over him, begging for an autograph or samples of his hair.

My take on celebs is to treat them like you'd treat everyone else. For example, on my trip to Hollywood years ago, I saw Johnny Mathis getting pulled over by a cop, so I pointed and jeered. (just kidding, tho I did see Mathis getting pulled over. He hopped out of his Mercedes and looked rather annoyed ;)

were I a celebrity, I would HATE people treating me like royalty because I just wanna be an everyday guy. They get enough hounding from the tabloids, they don't need wild, foaming at the mouth autograph seekers. On the other hand, if you saw Anderson, I don't see as she'd have any problem with you saying hi :)