PartyLines- photographs by Patrick McMullan

You're UCLA's commencement speaker. Did the president offer you any speech advice when you met him? “He was funny, he said, 'Humor, humor. Just use humor. You know how to do it. Look, you don’t even shave your beard.'” —James Franco

—Natalie Portman

Did you and Rahm Emanuel hit it off when you met tonight? “We talked about the swine flu. I don’t know how we got on the subject.” —Eva Longoria-Parker

—Rahm Emanuel

—Claire Danes

Are you happy with your seating arrangement tonight? “I'm at the Fox News table. Not my politics, but we’re just happy to have tickets. I want to debate Bill O’Reilly.” —Chace Crawford

—Mayor Michael Bloomberg

—Tyra Banks

When did you first meet Barack Obama? “About four years ago. I thought, 'This guy could be the next one.'” —Tom Cruise

—Demi Moore & Ashton Kutcher

—Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger

Washington parties are notoriously odd. What's your impression of this event? “Really? Try Hollywood.” —Jonathan Rhys-Meyers

—Kerry Washington

—Steven Spielberg

What did you talk about with the president when you met him today? “I've got some ideas about the economy. Number one, ignore health care. Just ignore it, because, you know, who cares?” —Will Arnett

—Forest Whitaker

—Donatella Versace

What did you say when you met the president today? “Nothing. I just stood there grinning. I was too nervous. Too nervous!” —Amy Poehler

—Ed Westwick

—Taye Diggs & Idina Menzel

Since you got a job in Washington, when are you planning to move? “I’m not done in L.A. First I have to find a subletter for my place.” —Kal Penn

—Katie Couric

—Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges

You are carrying around Ben Goldacre’s Bad Science book. Why? “You can never be too careful at these things. At any moment, boredom may break out.” —Jacob Weisberg

—Jon Hamm & Jennifer Westfeldt

—Samuel L. Jackson

Washington parties are supposed to be boring. Do you have any survival tips? “You have to create a mini-party around you. It’s pretty scary. But then again, it’s harmless.” —Chris Matthews

—Kevin Bacon & Kyra Sedgwick

—Jon Bon Jovi

Since you acted on The West Wing, do you want to work in the real White House? “I'm not going that far. The butt boy, or the First Aide, has to know who everyone is to tell the president. And I’m terrible with names.” —Dulé Hill

—Donald Rumsfeld

—Julia Louis-Dreyfus

What did you think of the president's speech tonight? “He needs to stop smiling at his applause lines. The president should be squirming in his seat. Not smiling.” —Christopher Hitchens

—Padma Lakshmi

—Alicia Keys

How is life in Washington different than life in New York? “It's not as fun. I would never go to anything in this town by myself. ” —Jonathan Capehart