Category Archives: entertainment

Actor KEVIN JAMES autographs copies of front cover of script after taping of first episode of Kevin Can Wait, at Gold Coast Studios, Long Uskand, New York, 2016.

‘Kevin Can Wait’ Here on Long Island

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
August 20, 2016

  • UPDATE  Starting Feb. 15, 2021, KEVIN JAMES stars in The Crew, a Netflix comedy series filmed at Long Island’s Gold Coast Studies.  James portrays a NASCAR chief mechanic dealing with a new boss; SARAH STILES & JILLIAN MUELLER also star, and JEFF LOWELL is the show creator.

Last night my daughter Sue and I saw Episode 1 of Kevin Can Wait being filmed at Gold Coast Studios in Bethpage. This new CBS sitcom, starring actor KEVIN JAMES, is the first prime-time network series originating from a Long Island studio – hello, Hollywood East!

Bethpage, New York, USA. August 19, 2016. Actor KEVIN JAMES (middle of low railing) the star of the CBS new comedy series

Bethpage, NY, USA. August 19, 2016. After filming’s done, actor KEVIN JAMES (low center by railing), star of CBS sitcom “Kevin Can Wait” set to premiere Sept. 19, 2016, autographs copies of 1st episode script cover. (© 2016 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

THE HOUSE OF 5 GABLES

First we saw the pilot, which gave background to the episode being filmed that night. It introduced us to the Gable family: father Kevin, a newly retired police officer; mother Donna, a school nurse; and their children Kendra, Sara, and Jack.

We also met Kevin’s brother Kyle (played by James’s real life brother GARY VALENTINE), Kendra’s fiancé Chale (who looks like… no, I’ll leave that as a surprise), and Kevin’s three friends who are fellow retired police officers.

BTW from LI:   The Gable family lives in the south shore town of Massapequa, so they’d have to move just a few miles west to be the Gables of Merrick Gables, a 1920s development of Spanish stucco houses near my home.

HAPPY & PEPPY 

Long Island’s JOEY KOLA was the warm up comedian. Over the course of the night, Joey identified dozens of cast and crew … had us sing along to songs the DJ played … shared anecdotes that were probably at least partly true… did fast and furious impressions (mostly of Long Islanders, of course)… and introduced countless audience members who were fellow comedians, notable Long Islanders, media personalities, and relatives of cast and crew.

HOT SET

The first scene filmed was the first scene of the episode, and there were several partial and whole retakes (that I found riveting) – of this scene and scenes in general – in order to tweak dialogue and action, and film from different viewpoints. As Director ANDY FICKMAN – who made some genuinely funny comments when cameras weren’t filming – explained to the audience, the sitcom studio filming is done in chronological order – except that night the last two scenes were reversed so Mary-Charles Jones, a minor, would finish her last scene before 11 PM.

I especially liked how Kevin Gable – the eponymous character played by star Kevin James, a gifted everyman physical comedian – didn’t always have to be the one getting the Big Laugh, so his character had the chance to convey emotion, doubt, conflicted feelings – you know, things real people feel while living life without a laugh track, let alone a live studio audience.

And I hope to see more of Chale, who stood out as a unique, engaging character.

BTW from LI:  “Chale” has a range of meanings throughout the world: Perhaps the village Chale in the Isle of Wight, England, is relevant. Also, “Chale” means “strong” and “manly” in Spanish, which might be something to think about.

Bethpage, New York, USA. August 19, 2016. Ann holds printed sheet with PRIORITY TICKETS to be in audience during taping of CBS new comedy series

Bethpage, NY, USA. August 19, 2016. Ann holds tickets to filming of CBS sitcom ‘Kevin Can Wait’ at Gold Coast Studios. (© 2016 Sue M)

When Executive Producer ROCK REUBEN took questions from the audience, he stated that KCW will be free of references to a certain infamous Massapequa resident from the early 1990s.

BTW from LI:  Wouldn’t it be fun if Kevin Can Wait has Kevin bumping into, or even hanging with, Long Island natives Alec Baldwin, Ray Romano,  Jerry Seinfeld – say, at All American Hamburger?

UPDATE  Ray Romano guest-starred on KCW Oct. 23, 2016.

NO CAMERAS

Cameras weren’t allowed, but cell phones were, though they couldn’t be on/out during filming.

Media, including People magazine and Newsday, were there to cover the night, and though I wished now and then I were covering it with my Nikon D4, it was a nice change to be sitting there with my daughter and fellow audience members, simply enjoying the show – you know, things people do while living life without a pro DSLR and Press badge.

FREE TICKETS

The long evening of filming was so much fun it sped by. If you’re in the Long Island area and interested in free tickets to a future filming of Kevin Can Wait at Gold Coast Studios in Bethpage, visit 1iota.com. And don’t forget to eat dinner before you go to the studio.

So, okay, maybe it’s partly because I’m from Long Island, plus there’s a retired police officer in our family, but I enjoyed watching the pilot and filming of the first episode of Kevin Can Wait, and can’t wait to see its premiere on Monday, September 19, 8:30 PM (EST) on CBS.

CAST

Cast includes:

  • Kevin James as Kevin Gable
  • Erinn Hayes as wife Donna
  • Taylor Spreitler as daughter Kendra
  • Ryan Cartwright as Kendra’s fiancé Chale
  • Mary-Charles Jones as younger daughter Sara
  • James DiGiacomo as son Jack
  • Gary Valentine as Kevin’s brother Kyle
  • Christopher Brian Roach as Mott
  • Leonard Earl Howze as Goody
  • Lenny Venito as Duffy

Episode 1 “Kevin and Donna’s Book Club”

  • Writer: Heather Flanders
  • Director: Andy Fickman

Executive Producers: Kevin James, Bruce Helford, Rock Reuben,  Jess Sussman

UPDATE   9/2016: During Z100’s Elvis Duran Morning Show, Sue spoke with Kevin James about how much she enjoyed being in audience for taping of Kevin Can Wait at Gold Coast Studios in Bethpage, NY.

UPDATE    5/12/2018: CBS confirms cancellation of Kevin Can Wait after two seasons.


“Kevin Can Wait”:  my Photo GALLERY

FREE Show Tickets  at 1iota.com

Gold Coast Studios at Bethpage, Long Island, NY

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LIIFE 2016 Long Island International Film Expo

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
July 23, 2016

The 19th Annual Long Island International Film Festival kicked off its Awards Ceremony this Thursday with Host Kevin Brown (Dot Com in 30 Rock) welcoming filmmakers and film lovers.

Bellmore, New York, USA. July 21, 2016. The19th Annual Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony, LIIFE 2016, is held at the historic Bellmore Movies. LIIFE was called one of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World by MovieMaker Magazine. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 21, 2016. The19th Annual Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony, LIIFE 2016, is held at the historic Bellmore Movies. (© 2016 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Then Brown served his first helping of topical humor – notably about a certain national political convention that, like LIIFE 2016, was in its final night.

Bellmore, New York, USA. July 21, 2016. Actor KEVIN BROWN (Dot Com in 30 Rock) is again host at the 19th Annual Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony, LIIFE 2016, held at the historic Bellmore Movies. LIIFE was called one of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World by MovieMaker Magazine. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 21, 2016. Actor KEVIN BROWN hosts 19th Annual Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony, LIIFE 2016, held at Bellmore Movies. (© 2016 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Singers ROBBIE ROSEN, from neighboring Merrick, and SARAH BARRIOS, each a mere three years older than LIIFE itself, sang solo and together. Their duet “Chains” – which they performed both that night and in the Musical Video that went on to win that category – was one of restrained raw emotion and distinctive, complimentary singing styles.

Bellmore, New York, USA. July 21, 2016. Singers ROBBIE ROSEN, of American Idol top 8 Boys from Merrick, and SARAH BARRIOS perform the duet

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 21, 2016. Singers ROBBIE ROSEN and SARAH BARRIOS sing duet “Chains” at Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony, LIIFE 2016. (© 2016, Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Bernhard Rammerstorfer, from Austria, accepted the Alan Fortunoff Humanitarian Award for his documentary Taking the Stand, which he directed, produced and wrote to share the “Testimonies of Holocaust Survivors and Victims of Nazi Tyranny.”  Before leaving the stage, Rammerstorfer gave LIIFE a bottle of Organic Austrian Plum Schnaps,  which he cheerfully described at length.

Bellmore, New York, USA. July 21, 2016. BERNHARD RAMMERSTORFER accepts

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 21, 2016. Austrian BERNHARD RAMMERSTORFER accepts Alan Fortunoff Humanitarian Award for his documentary “Taking the Stand” at LIIFE 2016. (© 2016 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Actor CATHY MORIORITY (Vikki LaMotta in Raging Bull) gave an affectionate introduction to LIIFE’s Lifetime Achievement Award honoree, ED ASNER, who’s best known to my generation as cranky, lovable Lou Grant in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and to my grandson as widower Carl in Pixar’s animated Up.

Bellmore, New York, USA. July 21, 2016. Actress CATHY MORIARITY, who was Vikki LaMotta in Raging Bull when she was a teenager, introduces Lifetime Achievement honoree Ed Asner at the 19th Annual Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony, LIIFE 2016, held at the historic Bellmore Movies. LIIFE was called one of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World by MovieMaker Magazine. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 21, 2016. Actress CATHY MORIARITY introduces Lifetime Achievement honoree Ed Asner at the 19th Annual Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony. (© 2016 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Not coincidentally, the documentary My Friend Ed – a portrait of Asner the actor and activist, by director and producer Sharon K Baker and co-writers Baker and Daniel R. Collins – made its Long Island debut at LIIFE 2016.

Bellmore, New York, USA. July 21, 2016. Actor ED ASNER, who portrayed Lou Grant in Mary Tyler Moore Show, receives the Lifetime Achievement Award, at the 19th Annual Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony, LIIFE 2016, held at the historic Bellmore Movies. LIIFE was called one of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World by MovieMaker Magazine. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 21, 2016. Actor ED ASNER receives the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 19th Annual Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony, LIIFE 2016. (© 2016 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Long Island’s own Angela Anton – the Publisher of Anton Community Newspapers, and a philanthropist and volunteer, including Board President of the Nassau County Museum of Art – received the Humanitarian Award.

Bellmore, New York, USA. July 21, 2016. ANGELA ANTON accepts the Humanitarian Award at the 19th Annual Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony, LIIFE 2016, held at the historic Bellmore Movies. Angela Susan Anton is the Publisher and CEO of Anton Media Group, the largest privately owned newspaper company in New York State. LIIFE was called one of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World by MovieMaker Magazine. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 21, 2016. ANGELA ANTON accepts Humanitarian Award at 19th Annual Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony, LIIFE 2016, at the Bellmore Movies. (© 2016 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

LIIFE’s three surviving co-founders each spoke: Debra Markowitz, the Nassau County Film Commissioner; and Anne Stampfel and husband Henry Stampfel,  co-owners of the historic Bellmore Movies where the Awards Ceremony was held.

Bellmore, New York, USA. July 21, 2016. At podium, actor KEVIN BROWN (Dot Com in 30 Rock) once again is host at the19th Annual Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony, LIIFE 2016, held at the historic Bellmore Movies. LIIFE was called one of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World by MovieMaker Magazine. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. July 21, 2016. Actor KEVIN BROWN hosts 19th Annual Long Island International Film Expo Awards Ceremony, LIIFE 2016, held at the historic Bellmore Movies (© 2016 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Long Island International Film Expo: GALLERY

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