Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
Have you ever gotten close to a celebrity you admired? Maybe you’ve been waiting for hours to get an autograph from him or her, and you’ve been rehearsing the perfect thing you’re going to say. But when it’s finally your turn, you find you can’t say a word. You’re starstruck.
Famous people hold such power over us that we call them “stars.” And to be struck is to be hit hard by something. Maybe hit so hard that you’re struck dumb, or unable to speak.
Amanda’s bringing in a new spokesperson for Americandreamd8.com, and she’s a really big deal. In this English lesson video, we’ll learn the meaning of the idiom “starstruck,” and find out who is, and isn’t, susceptible to the power of a star.
3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.
Dialog
1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.
2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.
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Mason: Hey, guys.
Amanda: Hi.
Jeff: You’re all dressed up.
Amanda: Aw, this old thing?
Mason: Wait. Come on, you didn’t tell them?
Amanda: Not yet.
Marni: Tell us what?
Amanda: OK guys, guess what? We have a very special celebrity coming by the office today.
Marni: Really? I know we had talked about getting a celebrity spokesperson, but we never…
Amanda: Well, it all happened super fast. And I got on the phone yesterday with a big-time Hollywood publicist, and nothing’s official yet, but Greta Vanderlake will be coming by the office today.
Marni: Wow.
Jeff: Oh my god. The Greta Vanderlake? The Hollywood actress? The romantic comedies?
Amanda: Yup. And she may become the official face of Americandreamd8.com.
Jeff: What? I can’t breathe.
Amanda: Big fan, huh?
Jeff: Of course! She’s only the smartest, sexiest actress of our time.
Marni: Look at how starstruck you are! Even though she’s famous, she’s still a person. She’s gonna come in here and, you know, be normal, right? She just could potentially save a failing Internet company with one word from her beautiful lips…oh my god. I think I’m getting a little nervous.
Mason: Wait, Marni, you too? I can’t believe you’re getting starstruck.
Marni: Well, you never get starstruck?
Mason: Not really. I mean, there was this one time that I met this really great comic book artist, and I was so starstruck I could barely breathe. But I mean, in general, I don’t really pay attention to famous people.
Amanda: It’s true. He doesn’t. He didn’t even know who Greta Vanderlake was until I told him about her coming by today.
Jeff: You’ve got to be kidding me.
Mason: I don’t really like movies.
Amanda: OK guys, you know what? Let’s get ready, let’s get professional. On your tiptoes. She’s gonna be here.
Greta: Sorry, I’m a little early.
Amanda: Oh, you are just fine. It’s so nice to meet you.
Greta: I know.
Amanda: You’re fabulous. OK, well come on in. Guys…Greta Vanderlake.
Jeff: I…I…charmed.
Greta: Right back at you. Hello. Hello.
Amanda: OK. How about you and I jump in the conference room.
Greta: Great.
Mason: Breathe, dude. Breathe.
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Discussion
Mason and Amanda arrive at work for the day, and Jeff notices that Amanda is dressed up. It turns out she’s wearing a nice outfit because she has big news: Americandreamd8.com might be hiring famous actress Greta Vanderlake as their new spokesperson. And she’s coming in to the office today!
This is especially big news for Jeff. He is a huge fan. He gets so excited he can’t breathe. At first, Marni makes fun of him for being so starstruck, but then she realizes that she is starstruck, too. Mason still doesn’t get what the big deal is. He doesn’t follow pop culture, and the only time he got starstruck was for a comic book artist he admired.
Then there’s a knock at the door, and the famous Greta Vanderlake arrives! Everyone is pretty starstruck. Amanda tries to make things comfortable for Greta, and suggests they go speak in the conference room.
Have you ever met a famous person, or someone you really admired? Were you starstruck? If not, what do you think would happen if you met a real celebrity?
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