Behind the Scenes With “Hot in Cleveland”
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ABC News(NEW YORK) — Betty White, Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves and Wendie Malick are four of the funniest women on the planet. And ever since they landed in Cleveland nearly three years ago, TV has never been hotter.
“The first day we read the script around the table, we all went, ‘Oh, wow.’ We all looked up and went, ‘This one feels right,’” Malick told ABC News’ Cameron Mathison, who joined the ladies on set for a special behind-the-scenes look at Hot in Cleveland.
When Mathison was asked to play the role of Bill, boyfriend to Leeves’ character, Joy, he jumped at the chance. Mathison said the character he plays on the show is a bit of a “word shortener,” which, according to some people, is “a little bit annoying.”
“But he’s 6-foot-2 and gorgeous at the same time so we can overlook the word shortening,” Leeves joked.
The cast gets just a few days to rehearse before taping in front of the audience, but during one of the breaks, Mathison took the opportunity to get the scoop on what really goes on behind the scenes.
“So, who tells the dirty jokes on set?” Mathison asked White and Bertinelli.
“This one, this one! It’s true,” White said, referring to Bertinelli.
“Yeah, it’ true,” Bertinelli agreed.
“Who’s the most likely to crack up in a scene on set?” Mathison asked.
Both women just pointed at each other and laughed.
With a cast as comedic as this one, Mathison had a hard time keeping a straight face on set. But after a week of rehearsals, a little last-minute studying, makeup and wardrobe, he was ready to go. “It’s showtime,” Mathison said.
Everyone’s hard work got the ultimate stamp of approval thanks to a hearty laughter from the audience. The only bad thing, Mathison added, was that the night had to end.
The season premiere of Hot in Cleveland airs Wednesday night on TV Land.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio