Part 3 - "Fact or Fiction?"
From the "lucky son-of-a-gun" files
During the filming of the short takes, I was introduced to SW, AY, a
truly warm and delightful redhead, and TS, who seemed a bit embarassed
by my flattery, I think
As soon as the filming was officially over, Ellen called me down onto the stage, allowing me complete access and freedom. With a camera in one hand and the script of the finale in the other, I was basically a kid in a candy store. It was time for an official group photo, when the entire cast, crew and producers posed on stage together. Well, I snapped away to glory from about ten feet away. After that, it was time to meet as many people as possible, and explore every nook and corner of the set with impunity. But first of all, I looked around for Crystal, who was conspicuously absent from the proceedings. I was informed that she had to be taken to the hospital with what I later learned was fortunately just a ruptured eardrum. The day turned out emotional in more ways than one for Rebecca Schull as well. Her husband Gene suffered a broken rib in an accident on the way to the filming. Bad things sure find a way of creeping into monumental occasions, don't they?;-(
A cart with shrimp, chicken, delicious looking pastries and cocktails
was wheeled onto the stage at this time. While food wasn't the first thing
on my mind, I certainly helped myself to some of it later in the night!
Ellen then introduced me to
"Joe Hackett", and TD's voice somehow seemed more deep and sonorous
than on TV. After taking some pictures with AY, Ellen and David, it was
now time to explore. The first place I went to was the Cessna in the hangar,
followed by Joe's office, Helen's kitchen, Roy's office (no chair shaped
like a big hand
Ellen then brought some of the other writers over. Chris Vane and Mike
Sardo in particular got a big kick out of my mention of the "Lyin'
King" episode
It was around 11:30 pm. Ellen came over to bid good-bye, leaving me wondering what I had done to deserve such amazing generosity that night, from so wonderful a host. It was truly beyond my wildest expectations.
I then looked around some more, met Jeff Melman and David Schramm (who looked funnier without his moustache!) and took more pictures. By 12:30 am, Mary (another WingNut) and I were the only two people on the set, along with the stage hands and security. We chatted for some more time, and as the lights dimmed, took one last fond look at a place and feeling that has entrenched so firmly in our minds and hearts, and left the stage for the parking lot at 12:45 am. It had been a long, exhausting, exhilarating, and a just plain incredible evening. Not a *perfect* one for obvious reasons, but close. While I was truly saddened by the finality of it all, I also felt highly privileged to have been a part of such a momentous occasion - an event while perhaps nothing big in the grand scheme of life, surely one of Paramount importance within the realm of the WINGS universe which we all have come to know and love.
David, thank you for a finale which, while not extraordinarily unique or ground-breaking in any way, was absolutely satisfying and memorable, and definitely most worthy of the series. And CONGRATULATIONS to one and all.
Once again, thanks Ellen! And now I'll go and get myself a big-sandwich,
listen to a favorite sonata, and wait for May 21st to relive my experience
all over again. Goodnight, Nantucket...