If you walked into the Student Union Memorial Center last night around 6 p.m., you would have witnessed one of the largest throngs of students the building had seen in quite some time. Extending from the front of Gallagher Theater out into the breezeway in front of the Bookstore, eager students waited in line to experience a unique night that was all about USA’s law drama “Suits.”
For those unfamiliar with the show, “Suits” revolves around the fictitious New York law firm Pearson Hardman. The show resumes its third season on March 6 and, in anticipation, the show has embarked on the Suits College Tour, which hits the likes of Harvard, UCLA and our very own university.
Those in attendance were treated to a sneak peak of the first episode of the second half of the third season, which was followed by a Q&A with two members of the cast, Amanda Schull and UA alumnus Rick Hoffman.
Prior to the screening, the Gallagher Theater was buzzing with the chatter of excited students, who sported plastic “Suits” badges around their necks. When asked what they were looking forward to, some simply desired an episode to get the second half of the season into gear.
“Hopefully just a good episode to start the season back up,” said Ben Grabowski, a business management junior. “See the cast members too. That’ll be cool.”
Some prepared themselves for the night by refreshing themselves on what happened on the previous episode, which aired back on Sept. 13.
“I watched the last episode today so I could recap before I came to this,” said Erin Evangelist, an engineering management sophomore. “I just think that it’ll be fun watching before, and watch it here in this environment.”
The theater lent itself to a unique group viewing experience. Watching a television show with hundreds of others resulted in more laughter, more gasps and more exclamations.
After the screening, Schull, who plays Katrina Bennett, and Hoffman, who plays Louis Litt, participated in a question and answer session moderated by Jim Halterman of TVfanatic.com.
The duo answered questions from Halterman, as well as some students themselves had submitted. Those whose questions were selected received either a signed T-shirt or a DVD.
Hoffman, a UA alumnus, walked onto stage proudly sporting a UA hoodie, Eegee’s in hand. Schull, who attended Indiana University, joined in on the school spirit with a Wildcat foam claw as she came on stage.
Hoffman arrived in town a couple of days prior to the Tuesday night tour stop and reacquainted himself with his old haunts.
“It feels like home, you know?” Hoffman said. “It’s been a while.”
He drew in his UA crowd by telling how he was barred from Dirtbag’s for three years, as well as getting a general consensus on how people think the basketball team will fare without Brandon Ashley.
Hoffman also delivered that two-word line that Wildcat fans hold near and dear to their hearts. Hint: The first word rhymes with “duck” and the second is “ASU.”
Without giving too much away, Hoffman and Schull talked about the upcoming episodes and their characters and how they will change.
“She is a very strong lady and her allegiance to Louis will be tested later on in the season,” Schull said, speaking of her character Katrina.
Both kept mum on specifics resulted in numerous teasers and ambiguous statements that can only be guessed at.
“Something happens, in these last six, to the characters, and it’s pretty catastrophic,” Hoffman said. “Something very interesting happens to Louis.”
Although “Suits” has been said to have a certain appeal to millennials, Hoffman said he was nevertheless surprised and thankful for such a strong turnout.
“I gotta thank you guys for showing up. It’s really a shock to all of us on this tour that you guys are here,” Hoffman said. “I cannot tell you how sincere it is for you to show up for our show, and for us, so, please, it’s a round of applause for all of you.”