Le Grand Tour

Greetings, blog-readers!

Sadly, this week we won't be seeing the Walkers, due to the 2008 American Music Awards.

The Walkers may have the week off, but we're still hard at work

However, there is something new to report--me! That's right, it's my first week at Stage 6, and I had a very eventful first day. At the end of a day full of introductions to my new work-family, I wrote down some of my discoveries. Here's a peek into the place where the people who bring you the Walkers' daily lives spend their own days:

Many of our entries are signed off with a mention of the fact that B&S is located at Stage 6, but until today I didn't really know anything about the home of B&S. I figured Stage 6 referred to the Stage itself, and that the bloggers were sitting just to the side of the set as the they typed out their entries. I was wrong--Stage 6 is really a building that happens to include a mega-sized stage. But there are five--count 'em, five-- floors of fun in this building I now call home, and today I made it my business to find out what happens on each floor.


Our own version of a surgery board--but we operate on stories

I started my day on the fourth floor, where the writers keep their offices. Most of the common walls are covered with calendars and white boards full of information. (One of them strongly resembles the surgery board on Grey's Anatomy.) Most of the offices are big and inviting, and have comfortable couches. The best thing about the writers' floor is the communal spaces--from the writers' room to the comfy lounge next to the elevator bank to the (amazing) kitchen, you're always bound to run into someone and have an interesting conversation. Random find on the writers' floor: A tiny little bonsai tree in the women's bathroom, complete with a to-scale bonsai gardener.

Bathroom Bonsai, a touch of Zen

After a quick spin around the 4th floor, Cole and I trekked upstairs to visit the production offices. It's the go-to place to find out if shooting is on schedule, to send and receive mail, or to fill out paperwork (oh, first day joys). I also met Jon, who double-duties as the Production Coordinator and the coach of the incredibly prestigious B&S softball team (I'm totally there, next season--although my lack of athletic ability might be a liability, given that the team is actually good). Random find: Medieval-looking weapons, made out of wood.

Later, during a break in the action, Cole took me down to the first floor to visit the sets. They were dark and mysterious, but under the plastic coverings I could still easily identify each room. As a native Southern Californian, I often make light of the fact that the Walkers travel amazingly fast, considering LA traffic. Well, it's no wonder Nora can rush to Sarah's side at the drop of a hat-- in reality, their houses are right next to each other! I was especially excited to see the Walker Pantry, the site of the Great Make Out of Season 1 (between Jason and Kevin). I turned and realized I was also in the setting of one of my favorite scenes from Season 1-- the pantry is connected to the great little hall where Kitty comforted Nora after she found out that Justin would be going to fight in Iraq. Cole tried to give me a quick walk-through so we could get back to work, but I kept stopping to marvel over the details, like an adorable photo from Kevin and Scotty's committment ceremony on Nora's kitchen counter. And I was tickled to find that my apartment is definitely bigger than Kevin and Scotty's loft-- although there is enough room to swing a cat, because there's space you can't see where the cameras go. Random find: Cooper's drum kit, which is SO SMALL in real life!

At one point in the day I asked Cole whether the table reads with the actors took place in the writers' room. That prompted a visit to the second floor, where the table-reads are held--in a room with enough chairs to host everybody who needs to be present. The room also has windows that look out over the sets--although when the actors are sitting around the table reading from one of the upcoming scripts, I'm betting all eyes are focused on them. Random find: A picture of a Canadian moose on Canuck Luke Macfarlane's dressing room door (I have a minor obsession with all things Canadian).

Just add actors, writers, directors...the more the merrier

That leaves the third floor, which houses our post-production wizards. Sadly, I did not visit post, although we got several DVDs from them throughout the day. Well, I guess I have to have something to look forward to on my second day.

Well, hopefully that helps ameliorate your lack of episode this week. Trust me, I'm just as excited as you are for the next chapter of the story! Expect a preview of Episode 309: "Unfinished Business" right here, next week!

From Stage 6 (and now you know that it's more than just a stage!)

Elysse Applebaum
New Assistant on the Block--er, Floor

Comments

[Kong Chang]

Elysse, I think you meant "Jason & Kevin" and not "Justin & Kevin"...because if Justin and Kevin made out, we'll just have another Justecca on our hands...only with a gay twist...lol :P

Too bad you didn't take a snapshot of the Canadian moose on Luke Macfarlane's dressing room door. Please add that next time. :)

KC
Maintainer of Luke Macfarlane Online

[will]

Elysse:

For shame! Your first blog here and a skidding screeching faux pas!:

"I was especially excited to see the Walker Pantry, the site of the Great Make Out of Season 2 (between Justin and Kevin)."

It must be the incest thing. Justin tends to sexually gravitate towards his siblings! This must be the episode where Justin was having romantic feelings for both Rebecca and Kevin -- before Rebecca was safely de-Walkered!

I myself think in sexually adventurous ways much like yourself, Elysse. We'll get along just fine! I want Justin and Rebecca to hook up with an american-armenian swinger couple in an upcoming episode. All possible combinations! But the dude cannot have too much body and facial hair as Justin might psychologically find this a turn-off. I'll explain all this a a later date.

(ps -- don't switch "Justin" with "Jason" or this post will make no sense!)

Welcome. I just kid around a lot. I'm fairly harmless. Good luck.

[will]

I read all the comments on the previous thread & there seems to be a growing buzz about a possible black bartender Vickie/Kevin/Scotty MFM threeway.

I would like to implore the writers to please squelch these rumors ASAP!

After all, when Justin & Rebecca get into their first MMFF sexual adventure, I don't want fans to think an MFM is coming down the pike! That would be too soon and very unrealistic! Some of the show has to be about FAMILY!

[Sylviane]

Hi Elysse,

Thanks for the tour of the set etc. You wrote it so well.

Too bad you corrected the Jason/Justin-thing.

****(I have a minor obsession with all things Canadian).****
Since Luke came into the show there are MORE people with a sudden interest in Canada.

I hope to read more articles from you.

[Kong Chang]

I think someone needs to take candid snaps of all things Canadian *cough*Luke Macfarlane*cough* and post them on the blogs. :)

*hint hint hint*

KC
Maintainer of Luke Macfarlane Online

[will]

Re: my 9:17 pm post...

This post may be a bit confusing. I made an obvious faux pax in the threeway labeling. There is a certain accepted etiquette I failed to observe...

Vickie, Kevin and Scotty would NOT be an MFM threeway. Vickie, Kevin and Scotty would be an MMF threeway. It's a subtle, though vital, distinction. The placement of the males in an MFM config suggests that no bisexual (or bi-curious) experimentation will be initiated (some dudes are uptight). The "M"'s are clearly separated from the "F". An MMF config, however, suggests experimentation all around. Get your groove on, fly your freak flag.

That's why I labeled the Justin/Rebecca foursome an MMFF. It covers all the bases.

I just wanted to clarify for those confused readers.

If I keep this kind of posting up, I will change my name from "will" to "sick puppy".

[BC]

Thanks for the tour, Elysse. Always great to find out more about where the magic happens.

[Trinity Yanson]

oh pls.pls.let us take a peek in luke macfarlane or matthew rhys's dressing rooms!!!

[Gary Jones]

Great "behind the scenes", Elysse! Funny how we never think about the real world issue of them traveling around from place to place in such record time.

Have loved the show from the first episode. Didn't hurt that I was a big Ally fan before, and, like everyone, also love Sally Field. I was so miffed that I was going to miss the show once I moved to Panama, but was thrilled to find it online. A curiosity is that I can't watch full episodes on abc.com, for whatever legal reason, but I have no trouble watching them on YouTube. No idea why this is any different?

Love your writing style. Keep up the good work.

[Michael Benlian]

Do not specify the background of the American. If it is a good reflection on that race, then it is O.K.
If it reflects a bad image upon that race (the Armenians), then I resent your programming, and call it : Racist, Prejudice and Biased.

It is in this spirit the human feelings reflect.

Think about it, and next time use your ethnic group in the same context.
How do you like it?

I am American, and Armenian by blood. Any confusions?