Day One -- Monday, April 17
Another pilot table read. The birth of a television show. Again.
"I'd like to welcome everyone. Thanks for coming. I hope this is the begininng of a loooong run." So executive producer/creator Bonnie Turner welcomed the masses to Stage 14. And I do mean masses. Executives from every company in Hollywood seemed to fill the sound stage to witness this birth. Perhaps it's because the pedigree is so good: Carsey-Werner Productions, Bonnie & Terry Turner, stars John Goodman & Anthony LaPaglia. Or perhaps it's because the need for a funny new sitcom is so great. Bringing a sitcom into the world these days is a tall order. Dramas and game shows rule the day. Can this collection of heavy-hitters find some magic to bring back the genre?
It's not going to rest on my shoulders. That's for sure. I offered up my two lines at the read-through this morning and then sat back and watched the gang do their thing. The excitement and anxiety of creating a brand new television show was lost on me, I'm afraid. I was just too tangential to the process. I can do a good job with my two lines and help them get this off the ground. But like a little tug boat pulling a luxury liner out to sea, there's no glamour on my deck.
Go on to Day 2.