Visit A Hollywood Set

In 2008, while taking a trip with the Sunshine Kids, I had the opportunity to visit the Hollywood set of the show, "The Closer."  The crazy thing was that the set was located in a studio that I passed every day to get to work back when I lived in LA.   Honestly, I had heard of the show but had never watched an episode prior to visiting the set.    We got access to the set because G.W. Bailey is the executive director of the Sunshine Kids.  We got to hang out with him for about half the week.   He is a really cool guy that genuinely cares for the kids, and actually gets a ton of Hollywood stars to volunteer for the organization as well.

 

G.W. Bailey with Ashley (who unfortunately passed away in 2010)

Anyways, as we pulled into the set we were stopped by security, and since they were already expecting us they quickly let us in.  We were then led into a small theater where they have private viewings of future Closer episodes.  We were able to watch one of the episodes, and afterwards we got to visit the set.  I'm glad they did it that way, especially since most of the kids had never heard of the show.  I think that helped the kiddos appreciate the experience so much more.

 

Enjoying a private viewing of "The Closer"

 Watch out Kyra Sedgwick...your replacement has arrived!

Unfortunately the cast (besides G.W. obviously) were out in other parts of the country promoting the show, but we got to also hang out with the producer Andy Sacks all week (who is an amazing volunteer for the organization and an oscar winner!).  After visiting the set it was time to eat!  They had set up tables for us so that we could eat inside the set!  As I was eating dinner I had to pause and say to myself, "Wow...I'm hanging out on a Hollywood set!"

Getting ready to eat dinner on the set of "The Closer"

This was definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity!  Now if only I can have a similar experience on the set of "The Office."

Date Accomplished:   July 10th, 2008