Kevin Can Wait Set Tour And Cast Interviews Including Kevin James

Earlier this week, I had the chance to visit the set of Kevin James’ new CBS comedy, “Kevin Can Wait.” So much fun! Not only did we have the opportunity to sit down and interview Kevin alongside his costar, Erinn Hayes, but we also got a set tour from none other than Executive Producer / Director Andy Fickman.

WHAT! So great to see such incredible people take time out of their busy schedules.

Now – a little backstory. My husband and I were actually extras in Kevin’s movie, Hitch, many moons ago. When I became a stay-at-home mom in 2005, I thought it would be fun to do some extra work with some of the local NYC studios and so for a few years, I hopped around from sets like The Sopranos, Sex and the City, Hitch and the Day After Tomorrow. Whatever was filming, I found my way in … without a headshot. LOL! A girl on a mission is a powerful thing.

After baby number two, we stopped because blogging became my slow jam and the work monopolized all of my time. But the memories still survive! So, when we were asked to visit the ‘Kevin Can Wait’ set, I jumped at the chance.

We’re such huge fans of Kevin’s work and honestly, he just reminds me of simpler times in our lives. Remember what it was like with just one kid? Nah – me neither.

In case you haven’t caught the new show, tune in on Mondays at 8pm  ET/7pm CT on CBS. DVR that puppy RIGHT NOW because it is super funny and worth your time. 

Interviewing the cast was so much fun because NATURALLY they were hilarious without forcefully trying to be while answering our questions. I don’t watch a lot of comedies at night and I was reminded during our little chat that we could all use a little more laughter in our lives during these times.

Check out my weekly VLOG to see the clips of our chat.

Onto the set tour and some facts I’ve learned about the show filming on Long Island.

If you look closely – there are Mets and Jets goods everywhere including the bedroom desk, kitchen, and living room. 

Product placement is something the team has to worry about, so odds are labels are going to be turned IN while filming.  Want to know what kind of ketchup Kevin James likes? Never gonna happen!

The pictures that are featured throughout the house are genuine… like this high school photo of Kevin James playing football. WHAT?!

And over the mantle was one of the first group shots that the new cast took together for the show. It has to look believable, right? You need those family photos. It makes sense that the official fireplace one would revolve around the METS. 

Every area of the set has to be camera ready. Guest have to be able to walk through and shoot and the section needs to be able to show in any scene. It’s very open even though it looks like a regular house on TV.

Here’s the view from the back of the kitchen. As you can see the audience is super close to the action. Basically, the cast gets the script at the beginning of the week and they shoot some scenes on Thursday and then the vast majority of the rest of the script on Friday in front of the live audience.

There is a really quick turnaround and I was getting nervous just HEARING ABOUT IT. I can’t imagine what it feels like to be part of this process for an entire season. The energy must be palpable. 

You can see the backyard from the kitchen – so they always have to have it camera ready. 

You really forget that the entire show is shot inside a studio. Even the front door isn’t really outside! The magic of TV!!

Even the bar that the cast visits is on set – it’s all right at their fingertips. I’m telling you… if other studios start to replicate this feel on Long Island, they can start a filming revolution! Everything was completely contained. The audience could see everything and the actors just have to walk a few feet to get to each new set. I LOVED IT.

To try to get tickets for the live taping, use up one of your genie wishes. Just kidding! Click here and check back often for a date to open up. I’m right there with you, sister!

SO VERY HAPPY I was able to walk through the set, interview the cast and see firsthand how the new CBS show is set up on Long Island. I’m going on my 9th year as a resident on this island and I love to see great things happen in my neck of the woods. Manhattan usually gets all the noise! It’s our turn to have some fun!!! 🙂

Special thanks to Andy Fickman for walking the group around the Kevin Can Wait set. And if you ever want to carpool… I’m game!!

Tune in Monday, October 31st at 8PM – CBS

“Hallow-We-Ain’t-Home” – On Halloween, Kevin and Donna’s neighbors “trick” them in holiday style when they pretend not to be home to avoid giving out candy. Also, Chale has an altercation with a man dressed as a Viking (Noah Syndergaard), on KEVIN CAN WAIT, Monday, Oct. 31 (8:00-8:30 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

This set was nothing like when we visited the set of A Safe Haven in North Carolina! Always love to see different behind the scenes looks! 

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