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 . The latter two seemed surprised that someone would fly from as far as Texas for the filming! ROTFLOL! Well, that settled any questions I had as to whether they had ever lurked on our newsgroup . I was also struck by how amazingly good-looking every one of the cast is, in person. Television sure doesn't say the half of it. So were the writers, but then we all know that they got their jobs because of their looks . After getting their autographs, I got to finally meet David Lee for the first time, a moment I had been looking forward to ever since the cameo episode - my very first one. Needless to say, it was one of the highlights of the evening. By this time, I had also met Lissa (Kapstrom) and Lori (Kirkland). I noticed that there was a really great hardcover WINGS book/photo album that the producers and crew started passing around for autographs. What I wouldn't have given to get my hands on one of those!! A neat caricature of the cast on a big white board was also circulated.

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 ), and so on. It is true - the set is indeed "much" smaller than it looks on TV. It sure was a strangely odd but satisfying feeling to walk through all the areas where most of our favorite scenes had taken place. Brought back many great memories, and some goosebumps too! I noticed that the wall separating Joe's office and the terminal rotates around a hinge at the back, near the passageway. The area outside Gate-1 was the most interesting, though. There is a vertical, slightly curved surface in the background, with a scenic picture of some buildings, couple of runways, and a radar tower with a tiny, blinking, red light bulb on top. One of the folks there explained that when filmed or photographed, this surface gives a 3D perspective, making it seem as though there is a vast expanse of land beyond the gate! Well, look at my photo and decide for yourself. It's really cool!

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 . The latter resembled the comedian Jonathan Katz to a certain extent, though I didn't tell him that! And Ian Gurvitz resembled a math professor I once had!! He took leave in a hurry before I could extol the merits of his writing on the finale. It was great to put a face on most of the credits we have been seeing on the show over the years. In addition to Crystal (especially) and RS, some of the people I really wanted to meet on this night, but couldn't, included Angell and Casey, Dave Hackel, David Isaacs, Reisman and Gewirtz. Maybe some day in the future...

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...


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