Last night Scarlett brought me to the TV Land Awards as her arm candy.It was a strange and fun experience, and I was surprised at the size of the show. The ceremony was held in the Barker hangar at Santa Monica Airport, which was totally decked out with elaborate lighting rigs, chandeliers, and giant fabric curtains, and filled with tables for the ceremony. The last time I was at a televised awards show was years ago when Wolfgang Puck catered the Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards, and working behind the scenes is a lot different from being an attendee.
We walked the red carpet to get in, but I doubt you'll see us, because of the nifty partition they have for stars to go in front of and peons to go behind. But just in case, look around the time Kathy Griffin is getting interviewed. Or in the background of the photo line for the members of The Office.
Our table was off center to the left behind an aisle separating the celebrity seeded front of the auditorium and the industry types. Since Scarlett is in the biz, she had lots of contacts, clients, and co-workers to introduce me to and point out. I think that the entertainment suits certainly outnumbered the talent, but there was still an impressive grouping of names there.
The awards were declaring people and shows "icons" or "legends" or "innovators", and the pedigree was far reaching. For Garry Marshall's award, they had Dick Van Dyke, Henry Winkler, Jack Klugman, Penny Marshall, and Cindy Williams. Jonathan Winters was presented an award by Robin Williams, and Ed Asner and Bill Shatner stumbled through a presentation. The cast of Roseanne was there (John Goodman is massive up close), as was much of the cast of The Golden Girls (Estelle Getty was absent). Samuel L. Jackson, Mike Myers, Justin Timberlake were also on stage, plus Lionel Richie got an award and performed. Shit yeah he did "Hello", "Easy", and "All Night Long"!
The opening sequence had hostess Vanessa Williams singing and hoisted about the crowd. Several past prime celebs were also flown above: J.J. Walker, Greg and Cindy Brady, The Greatest American Hero, The Love Boat's Doc, and even Gary Coleman. We were in the flight path on the left side, and I behaved well enough to not look up Vanessa William's dress when she went by. See mom, and I can be taken out of the house.
Unlike other shows filmed for later air dates, there was no second takes, and that helped move the show along. The only downside was that the food was served prior to the guest arriving, so everything was cold. Thankfully there was an open bar, because the next option was the after party at Casa Del Mar. We got out to the valet ahead of most, so we were able to have first crack at a table at the party and gorge on the food, which was not bad. Even a few celebs came to rub elbows with us, like both the Roseanne Beckys, and Dunder Mifflin's Oscar and Creed. Sadly, Jenna Fischer did not come to the ceremony, because I had permission to get me some. John Krasinski didn't show either, so it was a wash for Scarlett as well.
Jenna, as I expected to see her in 
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