TV Stars Every Which Way You Look at the NBC Upfronts

It’s going to be a bit before I’m able to upload my pictures from last night’s NBC Upfront party, but I thought I would share a few of the highlights and set the scene.

Because NBC already had revealed their 2008-09 primetime schedule a few weeks ago, they didn’t have their traditional Upfront presentation.  This year it was more of a sensory experience.  We entered Rockefeller Center and walked into the NBC Experience.  As we made our way through we were greeted with videos, artwork and even the Deal or No Deal ladies sharing the story of next year’s primetime schedule.  It was a lot to take in, but not a bad way to spend some time in line.

The next part of the experience was TV come to life.  The cooks from TOP CHEF were making appetizers, Janice Dickenson from THE JANICE DICKENSON MODELING AGENCY was taking glamour shots with us as we walked through.  The gladiators from AMERICAN GLADIATORS were jousting each other (and from what I hear, the party goers as well).  There were a lot of fun kiosks where we could pick up buttons (a few I snagged as a future giveaway), get our pictures taken as if we were in the cast of our favorite shows (which I can’t wait to show you), and even get mini footballs signed by the NBC NFL guys (I got one for my Dad).  A great time.  And did I mention this was all before we entered the party?  Yup.

The party itself was insane.  Much more crowded than last year, but a lot more celeb sightings.  It’s kind of strange to be having a drink with your friend, just chatting it up and then brushing shoulders with Christian Slater or Kyle Chandler as they walked by.  Very surreal.  A few of my favorite celebrity sightings:

• The first time the camera was shipped out was when my friend Kelly and I found ourselves standing next to most of the cast of 30 ROCK.  We didn’t want to let the moment pass so we shimmied up next to Tina Fey (Liz), Jack McBrayer (Kenneth), Scott Adsit (Pete),  Keith Powell (Toofer) and Katrina Bowden (Cerie).  As we were taking the picture, Tina asked if I was in advertising (remember, the point of the Upfronts is to woo the advertising big wigs and the media buyers).  I said no, and I mentioned that I’m a TV blogger (because when you are unemployed and the only income you get is from your blog, I guess it technically makes it my job).  She asked which site, and I told her.  She then said, ‘No way! I read Give Me My Remote and I love it.’ I of course brushed her off thinking she was just being polite, but then she turned to Jack McBrayer and said ‘Jack, you read Give Me My Remote, right?’ He said, ‘Yeah, why?’ and then Tina told him I was the girl behind it.  Kill me now.  Seriously Tina Fey and Jack McBrayer?  Damn, I might have to actually start putting in some real effort here.

• After we took the pics we just walked around and saw a bunch of familiar faces including: Allison Sweeney (The Biggest Loser, Days of our Lives), Kathy Griffin, Judah Friedlander (30 Rock),  Damian Lewis and Sarah Shahi (both of ‘Life’), all the Desperate Real Housewives of New York City, Molly Shannon and Selma Blair (of the new NBC show ‘Kath and Kim’).  Christopher Meloni (of SVU) who kindly picked up my camera when I dropped it…sigh.

• James Kyson Lee, Jack Coleman and Sendhil Ramamurthy were the only HEROS I spotted although Masi Oka, Milo Ventimiglia, Zachary Quinto and Adrian Pasdar (and maybe others) were there.

• I finally got to meet Kyle Chandler of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS – definitely the most handsome man of the night.  Hands down!  I told him how glad I was that FNL was coming back and what a fantastic show it truly is.  He thanked me and said no one was happier that the show was coming back than him (and his wife and kids).  We snagged a quick pic (in which I look horrible, but hey it’s evidence that I met him, right).  I spotted Kyle throughout the night and sighed each time.  I think my friend Jen said she saw Zach Gilford, but I can’t be sure.

• The first of many OFFICE sightings was Oscar Nunez chatting it up with Sendhil Ramamurthy.  But soon after it was a heavenly Dunder Mifflin experience.  Kelly and I walked right by BJ Novak and then saw Mindy Kaling talking to a few fans.  I was so happy to run into the always fantastic Kate Flannery and talked to her for a few.  Then before you know it, most of the cast was situated on the couch ready to take pics with fans (who by the way got into line 45 minutes before the cast was even supposed to show up).  So who was there?  Ed Helms, Craig Robinson, Rainn Wilson, Paul Lieberstein, Mindy Kaling, Leslie David Baker, Phyllis Smith, Kate Flannery, Oscar Nunez, Jenna Fischer, John Krasinski, Brian Baumgartner, and Creed Bratton.  Rumor has it that Steve Carell was there very briefly but he went back to SNL rehearsals. Needless to say  was beyond thrilled to get to see the cast from my favorite show.  Kelly and I even snagged some individual pics with Jenna, a group one of Ed, Brian and Paul, one with Craig, and I managed to get in a pic with Mr. Krasinski just as he was leaving.  They were so nice and stayed the whole time to take pics until every fan was left satisfied and smiling (yep, go for it…). THE OFFICE makes me so happy that being able to see those folks up close and personal just thrills me to no end. It will never get old. Oh and I told Paul Lieberstein that I’m convinced Toby isn’t going anywhere this week.  He gave away nothing, but gave me a coy smile and say that I was just going to have to wait for Thursday to find out.

• Speaking of funny people, there were a lot of SNLers in the house last night.  We got to meet Kristin Wiig (gorgeous by the way), Will Forte (also gorgeous by the way), and Bill Hader (who I tried not to gush over when telling him how much I enjoyed ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’).  I also spotted Fred Armisen briefly as he jumped over to talk to Krasinski while the cast was taking pics.  I was hoping for a Jason Sudekis sighting but it seems some of the cast was back with Carell getting ready for Saturday night.

• Although there were celebs all around, my last big “win” of the night came when we got to meet and take pictures with Zachary Levi and Yvonne Strahovski of CHUCK. Yay!  You know how I love me some CHUCK.  I was so excited.  I talked to Zachary about shaving (finally) and he asked if I preferred the beard.  I was honest…nope.  I like my Chuck Bartowski clean shaven and adorable. I can’t wait for that show to come back.

No one should be allowed to have a night like that…certainly not me.  It was insane and I thank those who made it happen for me.  I am truly, truly thankful.

I’ll be posting a few pictures as soon as I have time to upload them. And I’m sure there will be more celeb sightings to report back on soon (once the wine fully leaves my system).

Have I mentioned that I love Upfronts week?!