I have a confession to make. I love sit-coms. I'm a sucker
for a sarcastic quip. I love anything that can make me laugh. I also live less
than two hours from Hollywood, the
epicenter of television and every once in a while I like to go all touristy and
watch the making of a sitcom in person. So whenever I get the urge, I go to
AudiencesUnlimited.com and book a taping. This is usually done late at night
after a glass or two of wine, when wanderlust hits. So when I saw an opening
for two of my favorite shows I grabbed them and it was Hooray for Hollywood!
My husband loves Puddy, everyone remembers the straight
talking auto mechanic from Seinfeld and he is one of the animated voices from
'Family Guy,' the most beloved show of all post - adolescent males. On this
show Patrick Warburton stars with Megyn Price an alumnus from one of the most underrated
sitcoms of all times 'Grounded for Life.' Throw in David Spade from 'Just Shoot
Me' and how can a show fail? Their show 'Rules of Engagement' films in Culver
City and we were there at the appointed time, 4:45 p.m. our printed vouchers in hand waiting
in line for the taping in a few hours. First you get checked out by the
security guards; don't even think about bringing in a camera. In this line you
meet interesting people from all over the globe, beside us were a couple that
had flown over from London for a
week just to attend tapings of their favorite American shows. The girl next to
us was from Poland,
and we took her under our wing.
 |
| The Cast of Rules of Engagement taking a break! |
After a short wait you are walked through the studio and
onto the sound stage where the sets you see every week on your television are
right there in front of you. Oh, there is Jeff and Audrey's living room that
looks so much larger on television, and to the left of it is the diner which is
apparently the only restaurant in New York City.
The stage is a jumble of cameras, and lights, which can partially obstruct your
view while the filming is going on, but it's all part of the process.
Before the show a warm up guy greets the crowd and starts to
perform a comedy act, sort of like an improv picking on foreign visitors and
locals alike. The act is designed to rouse the crowd and work everyone into frenzy.
Seated at the end of our row was guy wearing a Patrick Warburton celebrity golf
tournament t-shirt. We later found out that this fellow was such a rabid fan
that he had attended all the episodes for the last six years of the shows
taping. We are given our instructions, no yelling or screaming allowed, just
laughter. Followed by a short reel of the shows highlights played on
televisions located directly over the stage. Then just before taping start the
cast of the show appear to thunderous applause.
For the next few hours the cast and crew act out the shows
script. It is like going to see a funny play. Writing comedy is hard, I know
because my novel Cruise Quarters - A Novel About Casinos and Cruise Ships is
funny. Making that sit-com appear funny so effortlessly on your home screen is
a lot of work. Each line has to be delivered with the right inflection, the
lines can't be flubbed and the jokes can't fall flat. So each scene is shot
multiple times, while the director searches for the perfect take. But that is
the fun of a live taping you are there to witness the bloopers, and believe me sitcom
actors are always flubbing their lines and cracking each other up. When the
directors yell cut, the writers confer with the cast and the same scene can be
re-shot several times with new lines added or old lines deleted.
Laughing can work up an appetite, and since a taping can run
for over three hours, to control the crowd the interns fed us sandwiches and
cookies. It is a small gesture but it makes you feel like they really appreciate
you showing up and doing your bit.
The show was hilarious and for three hours we were in the Hollywood
bubble making television. When the last scene wrapped, the cast graciously lined
up to greet us as we left the sound stage. Then it happened, my husband Ray
leaned over the railing that separated the cast from us, and Patrick Warburton
shook his hand. I don't think he has washed that hand since.
So the next time you are planning a trip to Los
Angeles make sure you catch a taping of you favorite
show. Where else can you go see a play, dine and even catch a comedy show for
free! And with plays coming in about $100 a seat, free is good.
Next time I'll tell you about Hot in Cleveland.
Below is the links to Cruise Quarters - A Novel About Casinos and Cruise Ships
Click the link to find at Amazon.com
Click the link to find at Amazon United Kingdom
Click the link to find at Amazon Germany
Click the link to find at Amazon.com
Click the link to find at Amazon United Kingdom
Click the link to find at Amazon Germany
Click to find Cruise Quarters at Barnes and Noble
