Jon and Colleen started the day in Boston on a Boston Movie Tour. Jon and Colleen knew they were in for a fun time when while heading to the bus our French Canadian Friend yelled out, "Hey, Scotty boy: Is this a walking tour? Cause you didn't tell us this." Our tour guide Scott then explained that yes, it was a bus tour, but we were walking TO the bus.
On the way to the bus, Scott explained how we would get trivia "buck" coupons for answering movie trivia questions or correctly pointing out the 20 Dunkin Donut stops we would be going by on the tour. He then showed us where two scenes from "The Departed" were filmed, including a spot where Matt Damon is on a bench with the Massachusetts State House in front of him (a view blocked by the statue honoring the guys featured in "Glory.") We then learned that "The Verdict" with Paul Newman was filmed inside the State House ... which was depicted as a hospital. Cause it really looks like a hospital. Or not.
During the 2 1/2 hour tour, Jon and Colleen drove by the building used for the exteriors of
"Boston Legal," learned that the rooftop place where James Spader and William Shatner smoke their cigars doesn't exist and is in fact a soundstage. They walked by the two buildings and rooftops used in "The Departed" where Martin Sheen goes in the building and the body falls off the roof and learned the reason multiple buildings were used is people at The Children's Museum were complaining their patrons could see the body falling testing shots. They also learned a scene from "The Game Plan" was filmed at the "Barking Crab" and that Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's cousin Toa, an American Gladiator, had to fill in for the injured Rock during a scene across the adjacent bridge. And now they are in tune to the "X Motif," Xs indicating impending doom as used in "The Departed," including a scene at Logan Airport.For lunch, Jon and Colleen picked a spot where they could eat outside: the Globe Bar & Cafe on Boylston Street.
Afterwards, it was back to the car to get ready to meet Colleen's cousin Heather at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center for the taping of "Wheel of Fortune."
It might as well have been in an airport hanger the place was so huge. Jon and Colleen started walking TO the end of the line at 4 and when we got to near the front, they were several rows back. When the doors opened at 4:30, they ended up being in the rear bleachers (far left hand side when you watch Nov. 19 and 20). Charlie, the 28-year-long voice of WOF, was our emcee for the festivities. Surprisingly, unlike the Steve Tasker Show, no one told them how to clap or even when to ooh and aah, although there was a big applause, hoot and holler taping/practice? before the show started. During the course of the taping, Jon and Colleen learned that the Free Spin is gone this season - replaced by a "Free Play" - that basically lets you go twice on one turn, and if you want a vowel, you don't have to lose any money for it. Charlie later revealed there is a used letter board off to the side the contestants can see, although they do still ask for letters not there, as seen on TV. It became very apparent rather quickly all the puzzles would be about Boston sports teams. Between the segments for the first show (they taped 5 shows during three twice daily sessions for a total of three weeks of shows) Pat talked to the "bleacher bums," pulled a kid up to the front (by the scruff of his neck, it appeared) and made a joke about Curt Schilling running for office. Between shows Pat and Vanna had to do promos for TV38 in Boston. (Pat had to interrupt Charlie who was trying to tell some story that he read in a magazine about how holding in laughter can hurt you.) After Vanna's mic was replaced. they taped their 4 second IDs ("Live from Boston, all this week!" ("Live from Boston, all next week!" ("Live from Boston, tonight!") Pat was just as surprised as we were to have to say, "Hello, games!" "Hello, money!" "Hello, winning!"Between shows we were treated to Boston-area faves like "Shipping Up to Boston" and "Sweet Caroline," during which a full-sized Kermit puppet emerged behind Jon and Colleen. Jon and Colleen were particularly surprised about the amount of people that left between shows, and continued to leave as the second show was ending, particularly after all that time spent in line (the taping started about 5:15.) Also surprising: a girl in front of us was from Hornell. When Colleen mentioned her brother and Hornell, the girl turned around and said, "Did you say Hornell?" Turns out her sister was Colleen's Newhouse peer advisor. Small world!
After parting ways with Heather at the T Station, Jon and Colleen headed back to the Natick Collection to use a P.F. Chang's gift card. Colleen had only been there once and was quite impressed. Yum!
Jon and Colleen ended the night trying to watch "Hannah Montana: The Movie" on DVD - a freebie Jon got from work. Problem was: the DVD was defective and although we think we saw MOST of the scenes, they were all out of order. This may have made the movie more enjoyable however.
Boston Movie Tours: A
Globe Bar & Cafe: B
Wheel of Fortune: A-
P.F. Chang's: A-
"Hannah Montana: The Movie": Incomplete
--POSTED BY COLLEEN
No comments:
Post a Comment