Spielberg Says ET Was “A Little Moist,” Not Slimy, in 1 Viral Interview
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 18
Spielberg Says ET Was “A Little Moist,” Not Slimy, in 1 Viral Interview
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 18
Summary
Steven Spielberg told the New York Times that ET was “a little moist but never slimy,” adding the alien appeared dry only when he was sick.
The exchange gained traction after interviewer Rachel Abrams framed ET’s skin texture as a decades-old debate, prompting Spielberg to draw a line between ET and “slimy” xenomorphs with drooling tendrils.
The clip emerged during publicity for Disclosure Day, with Spielberg largely avoiding gimmick-heavy press appearances in favor of longer career-focused interviews.
The moment has since become a small viral talking point about click-friendly celebrity interviews and how even minor canon details can be turned into shareable content.