Kevin Can Wait – Mondays at 8pm EST/7pm CT on CBS stars Kevin James as a newly retired police officer looking forward to spending carefree, quality time with his wife and three kids, only to discover he faces tougher challenges at home than he ever did on the streets.
Long Island Television Studios!
Who knew right in my backyard a multi camera sitcom was being taped every week!? In Los Angeles they’re a dime a dozen, in New York City they’re common but on Long Island!? It’s a first!
When I was invited to visit the set of Kevin Can Wait I couldn’t resist. Besides loving the show it was literally eight minutes away from my house.
Kevin Can Wait Set Tour
The set tour was so cool. Especially, since I’ve never been on a sitcom set before. I loved walking through the “rooms” of a show I watch weekly and recognizing the props from where I saw them last – my living room!
I was amazed at the level of accuracy and authenticity the set had to the characters. Dressed like in a real family home with three kids, there was non-stop Mets memorabilia, nursing slogan water bottles, and even assembled Magna-Tiles at the base of the stairs juuust like in my house.
Q & A With Kevin James & Erinn Hayes
While on set we were lucky enough to sit down with the show’s two stars Kevin James and Erinn Hayes and the show’s Executive Producer/Director, Andy Fickman.
As you can imagine in a group of parent bloggers many questions came up about how the stars themselves parent both their real children (Kevin has 4, Erinn has 2) and their TV children. It was interesting to hear that the TV kids are older than both Erinn’s kids and Kevin’s kids so it’s fun for them because teenagers are unchartered territory.
Stars are just like us
And yes! Stars are just like us. I loved hearing how Erinn too used to drive around in a plotted out highway route so her kids could nap, while looking for a coffee drive thru. It was also nice to hear that just like our kids – their kids also get carsick and act like nuts!
Here are a few more highlights from our Kevin Can Wait Q & A:
Who are your comedic influenced?
Kevin: Jackie Gleason and John Candy – both big guys.
Erinn: Carol Burnett and Madeline Kahn. Goldie Hawn in Overboard – I just rewatched it recently, it was a Great performance.
(I agree it’s one of my favorites! I like it when she goes Buh Buh Buh Buh – which is how I feel at the end of the day with my three kids!)
How do you like doing a TV show vs. a movie?
Erinn: there’s longevity on TV and only one story in a movie. On a TV show you are exploring the lives of these people and are curious what’s coming. You can add to the characters as the show goes on.
Kevin: in a movie you can’t change the character once it’s over but with TV you can evolve the characters. There’s also a rhythm with a live audience – like with live stand-up comedy. With a movie there is no audience watching, with TV you get an immediate audience reaction.
How do you like filming on Long Island – for a show that takes place in Massapequa?
Kevin: I love filming on Long Island. It brings total authenticity. It’s just a different energy. Plus since this is the first show filmed here it’s like an exciting event. My wife is starting to love Long Island too. We love the change of seasons.
Erinn: I like the change of season too but my family is in Los Angeles so I go back every weekend.
What would you do when you really retire?
Erinn: I’d love to get a Volkswagen camper and go on little adventures.
Kevin: I have no end in sight. I love what I do.
Erinn: Me too!
Favorite places to eat on Long Island?
Kevin: Robkes, All American Burger, Umberto’s, Chris & Tony’s.
Erin – I was so shocked that strip malls have great food!
How does your Mets fan pride carry through?
Kevin: Before every show we sing “Meet the Mets” with the audience. We also have some players making cameos.
So what is the big thing “Kevin Can Wait” for?
For his retirement plans! You think life will go one way but it goes another. As Kevin (James) said – Want to make God laugh? Tell him your plans.
Now, isn’t that the truth…
Check out this week’s episode – “Hallow-We-Ain’t-Home” on Monday, October 31st at 8PM – CBS. 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).
They spelled my name wrong – but they gave me a Gyro Bowl (Inside joke from the pilot episode)!
