New Weekly Magazine Interview/Article "I'm a geek" Newly married, newly sober actor David Arquette, 27, is getting rave reviews from critics and audiences as Drew Barrymore's cooler older brother in the comedy Never Been Kissed. In the film, David acts as counsel to his geeky 25-year-old sister Josie (Drew), a newspaper copy editor who gets her big shot at becoming a reporter when she's sent back to high school to get the scoop on today's teens. "Never Been Kissed is about the growing experience," David says. "When you're growing up, a lot of things that you perceive as cool turn out to be very uncool. The geeks turn out to be the cool people and the cool people turn out to be the losers. "I think I'm continually a geek. But I think a lot of people are. Integrity is an important asset. I think family, friends and relationships are the most important things about life." His newfound wisdom and sobriety can be attributed to his relationship with Friends star Courteney Cox, whom he met whilst shooting the Scream movies. The couple maried in a ceremony in San Francisco last month and have just finished filming the comedy The Shrink Is In. They're now due to start work on the third Scream movie, but David found time to reflect on his new outlook on life.

NW: You kept your wedding plans secret... David: Yeah, we had to . But, of course, you can't keep things totally secret. It got out somehow, some way. Then you get those rediculous helicopters flying over you all the time! NW: Has Courteney helped you clean up your act? David: I knew that staying with Courteney, or eing with Courteney in general, meant that I had to clean up my act. So that, more so, was the reason. She's not one to tell me what I can and can't do. It's pretty much up to me. But she was really there for me, and that inspired me to open up my heart to her. I wanted to be able to marry someone like Courteney, to nurture a healthy, beautiful relationship together and have a wonderful family. And all that depends on really being honest with myself and choosing the right path, and being true. Not taking life for granted, and really following the goodness in my heart, and not succumbing to any sort of temptation. NW: What drugs were you taking? David: Oh, I really don't want to get into any of that because it gets twisted up and then people focus on that. But, for me, drups are just not where I want to be. I've found the clarity you get from being straight. Not that I'm some kind of sober person, because I still have a drink now and then, and that, as much as anything is destructive. But it's how far you take things. And the clarity you have - that's the most important thing. NW: Were you surprised that Courteney stuck it out? David: Yeah, definetely. It makes it especially difficult having a relationship in the public eye, as well. NW: Is it easy to have your personal and professional lives intertwined? David: Well, it was really difficult through the filming process. During Scream 2, we were at a really big crossroads. And towards the end of it, we sort of thought more about staying together, but still we never really committed to each other. But just in the last year, it really has become a devoted relationship, and we got engaged. And I couldn't wish for anything better. It's what I've dreamt of my whole life. It's what I've been searching for, and it was right in front of me. NW: How did you pop the question? David: We went down to Panama City in Florida and we were on the beach, and I had asked her father the day before. I set off these fireworks and she was a little shocked - she didn't know what was going on, really. And then I asked her. She said "yes" and was very excited. She was really excited that I never came to the point where she had to hint at it. NW: Were you scared to ask her dad? David: It was intimidating. I only had, like, a couple fo seconds. He was leaving, and we were all together at the same time, and I wanted to ask him in private. So, as he was leaving, I sort of ran out and said, "Excuse me, Mr Cox, I just wanted you to know that I'm asking your daughter for her hand in marriage, and I would like your blessing." And he said, 'You have my blessing, son.' It was really great. NW: You go to couple's therapy... David: Yeah, and if you don't, you should check yourself in. Everyone needs help. It's a difficult world, and a lot of therapists have ways of helping you through it. And that could be perceived as a geeky thing, but in reality, it's a healthy, important asset. NW: What's The Shrink Is In all about? David: Courteney plays this panic-ridden agoraphobic who, through a turn of events, becomes a therapist. She starts giving out advice, without the credentials, and I play one of her patients. She discovered the script a long tiem ago, through friends of hers, and she's been working on it and trying to put it together for months. It finally came together and we shot it in May and June. Story: Jenny Peters