Hoo boy, what a week it's been... as many of you know, there's a show called 'Hot In Cleveland' on the TV Land channel. As some of you know, one of my photos of the downtown Cleveland skyline is used as the opening graphic. Through a fortunate turn of events, one of the producers found the image on clevelandskyscrapers.com, expressed interest in using it - I signed off on a contract, and sure enough - that's the photo they went with. From my understanding, the show has had 50 million viewers in over 170 countries. As someone from a working class background from the foothills of Appalachia, back in the day, if someone had told me I'd have anything to do with something like this, I never would have believed it.

 

Fast forward to this week - the cast of 'Hot in Cleveland': Betty White, Valerie Bertinelli, Wendie Malick, and Jane Leeves came to Cleveland for the season premiere, including a VIP party at the Rock Hall and a public presentation at Tower City Center. A good friend helped coordinate all the events, and because of that I was able to meet the cast, etc.

 

If you aren't familiar with 'Hot in Cleveland', here you go: http://www.tvland.com/shows/hot-in-cleveland

 

I apologize for the occasional obnoxious watermarks and that the photos are much smaller than usual, but I hope you understand:

 

At the Rock Hall with the photo that started it all - taken on a lunch break back in the day:

 

Gotta love the U2 discoball car:

 

The red carpet is all ready:

 

Oh alright, what's a photo thread from me if it doesn't have a shot of downtown?

 

Darlene Love, a recent Rock Hall inductee, arrives for the VIP party:

 

My first glimpse of the gals - the little tuft of white is Betty! :-)

 

Let's just say this was my first experience taking photos of celebrities - and seeing how bombarded they get by paparazzi/TV crews. They took it all in stride, but I was thinking about how ticked I get at the crowds at the West Side Market - ah well, Jane Leeves was having a good time:

 

It was just nuts:

 

At this point, I thought there's no way I'd get a shot of any of them. But then I remembered when I was standing inside by the revolving door - it was a straight shot down the red carpet and I got a sighting of Betty :-)

 

She stopped to chat with Chris Van Vliet from Channel 19 (personally I only speak with Ramona or Wilma, but that's just me ;-) )

 

The back of Jane's head, Valerie and Wendie:

 

I don't think I'm god's gift to photography, but I was pretty happy to get this shot:

 

Valerie trying to make it to the door:

 

I think this shot does a good job summing up how the cast felt. From chatting with them, they were expecting a good turnout of fans - they were NOT expecting crowds screaming, etc. They were honestly overwhelmed but at the same time, grateful for the turnout.

 

Jane was so cute when she got to the revolving door, she pushed it to the left (aka British driving).

 

SO wish this shot would have turned out better but ah well - I adore Wendie Malick, loved her as Nina Van Horn in 'Just Shoot Me' and just wow... she's right there:

 

Once inside and after a brief presentation, they showed the new episode of the show:

 

After that, there was a reception on the lower level of the Rock Hall - rather surreal to be gnoshing next to Janis Joplin's Porsche, Jane Wiedlin's guitar, and a few feet away - the cast of the show. I didn't get photos with Betty or Valerie (though we did get to meet), but my partner and I got photos with Jane Leeves and Wendie Malick, both are gorgeous and about as down to earth as it gets. I guess I didn't know what to expect, but it was a pleasant surprise:

 

 

 

The next day was a public presentation at Tower City Center. Among the first dignitaries to arrive was Mayor Frank Jackson:

 

Another "wish it was better" shot, but again - never would have imagined I'd have the opportunity for this in the first place:

 

Jane and Wendie:

 

Crowd estimate was about 3,000 people - I'd believe it.

 

Not all the shots I took came out great, but gotta say I like this:

 

Larry Jones - President of TV Land, accepts a proclamation from Mayor Jackson. Larry's another Ohio connection, btw.

 

The cast:

 

After the event, I got to spend a little more time with the cast (I can't and won't go into details), they were kind enough to sign my photo:

 

 

That is so awesome MayDay! I think it is wonderful that you got to have that experience and I am a little envious. Also, no need to apologize for the watermarks and the smaller photo size, I am sure we all understand. Thanks for sharing this with us! :D

Love the photos; got the feeling of like being there.  Your partner is as handsome as ever.  Haven't seen him in years; say hello to him from Jack in Lakewood.

I remember having a bit of a crush on Wendie Malick when she was on Dream On, one of the great HBO shows of the 90s. She's aging very well.

From my understanding, the show has had 50 million viewers in over 170 countries. As someone from a working class background from the foothills of Appalachia, back in the day, if someone had told me I'd have anything to do with something like this, I never would have believed it.

 

Who are you?  Oprah?!?!? ;)

 

Great shots.

That is awesome, congratulations!  I have always loved Wendie Malick, very hot and very funny!

 

Major crush on Bertinelli. Hope she was as cool in person as she is in front of a camera.

Congratulations Mayday!!!!

I hope this can be the start of something big for you.

 

Loved the shot of Valarie

 

 

Awesome Mayday.  I had a funny feeling you guys might be there.  Was there anybody else notable at the Rock Hall?

 

And did Betty actually go to the zoo?  She made that commnet at Tower City about Cleveland's wonderful zoo.

Congratulations man. And yeah I heard she fed a giraffe and held some other animal.

Couple blog posts of her visit to the zoo.  She spent time with some rhinos too.

 

http://www.clemetzoo.com/zblog/default.asp?Display=376

http://www.clemetzoo.com/zblog/default.asp?Display=377

Major crush on Bertinelli. Hope she was as cool in person as she is in front of a camera.

 

Very much so, and they're all as gorgeous in person as they are on TV. There are so many "moments" that stuck with me. For example, when I was introduced as the photographer of the show's opening graphic, they genuinely complimented me (and seemed as excited to meet me as I was to meet them?!?).  When I asked Wendie if we could get a photo with her and she said "Oh yes - you two are a lovely couple!" - took everything I had not to squeal like a schoolgirl! :-)

 

Yes, Betty White went to the zoo - she fed a giraffe (according to a friend, it was completely aloof to everyone else but walked right over to her like she was the 'giraffe whisperer'), held a koala, she loved it - and after spending just a smidge of time with her, I can tell you - she is not someone who just blows sunshine up anyone's arse. She liked our zoo a lot. :-)

From my understanding, the show has had 50 million viewers in over 170 countries. As someone from a working class background from the foothills of Appalachia, back in the day, if someone had told me I'd have anything to do with something like this, I never would have believed it.

 

Who are you?  Oprah?!?!? ;)

 

Great shots.

 

MayDay's more Ricki Lake meets Sally Jessy Raphael w/ a sprinkling of Chelsea Handler.

 

Great work and congrats on the acknowledgement!

Local kid makes good!  Congratulations on the photo. Hot in Cleveland is a cute show, and Betty White has great lines. 

 

Your photos of the reception are great. 

Thanks for the "Access Hollywood" posting! Terrific stuff, MayDay!

Quick funny clip with Wendy Malick. A tad not safe for work, but she really is a tremendous comic talent!

 

 

 

Well done MD!!!!