BEST...DAY...EVER!

Well, today was the day.  My visit to the set of one of the hottest shows on television.  But, first...a couple of museum.  Almost seems mundane compared to what was to come.  The first museum I visited was the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust.  I had visited the Simon Wiesenthal Center on a previous road trip, and while this museum was smaller, it still had an impact. After lunch at the nearby Los Angeles Farmer's Market...a belated St. Patrick's Day corned beef plate...I went to the Petersen Automotive Museum. Again, even though I had been to this museum before, there were new exhibits that were worth checking out.  One of the exhibits was about cars with fins!

With about an hour to kill, I paid my respects at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.  Many classic TV and movie performers reside here, but I really didn't have the time to look for them.  I opted to walk through the mausoleum, since I've never been inside one.  My first impression was that the interiors reminded me of the 80s horror flick, Phantasm.  For those who have never seen the movie, a creepy silver ball flies around the mausoleum and kills unwanted intruders in the most gruesome manner.  Actually, I DID spot a familiar name inside the building...famous Native American actor Iron Eyes Cody.

Then...it was time!  I drove to Paramount Studios, checking in with security at the gate...I was on the list.  After parking, I was met by Kelly, a production assistant.  She arrived in a golf cart, and transported me to one of two stage used for filming the show.  Oh, I guess I should tell you the set of what show I was visiting today.  My absolutely favorite show on TV right now...NCIS: Los Angeles!  This show never fails to amaze and entertain me, with a wonderful mix of action, drama and humor.  Kelly showed me around different sets that weren't currently being used for filming.  Then, we went to the day's working stage building.  They were filming scenes in the NCIS high tech computer room.  It was so surreal to see in real life what I always see on the TV show.  I was given a pair of headphones with a wireless receiver to listen in on the action.  Three of the actors were there...Linda Hunt (Hetty), Barrett Foa (Eric) and Renee Felice Smith (Nell).  I was allowed to sit in the control booth to watch the action, then we moved down to the set itself.  In between filming, I met Barrett and Renee...they were so friendly!

 

After spending about two hours watching the filming, it was time to wrap things up...but, not before meeting my favorite actors on the show.  When went outside and spoke to one of the assistant directors, who promised to get Eric Christian Olsen (Deeks) and Daniella Ruah (Kensi) to come see me.  While we were waiting, Linda Hunt came by...it was truly an honor to meet her.  She won an Academy Award in 1982 for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for playing a MAN in The Year Of Living Dangerously.  More waiting and finally, Eric and Daniella finally showed up.  It was wonderful!  The two actors are not unlike their TV characters...a perfect team with a great sense of humor with one another.  I got my picture taken with them, and I was in heaven!

But, all good things must come to an end.  Besides, I had a concert to go to!  But, right now, it's past 2:00 am, and I'm exhausted.  I don't want to shortchange the Barcelona guys, so I'll create a new blog about their concert tomorrow!