Join me on the set of my TV Show Today!
It’s been awhile since we visited the set of my television show for this blog. I thought that since the set is decorated so beautifully for the holidays, a little behind-the-scenes of the studio would be a nice diversion. These photos were taken on Wednesday afternoon, when we were taping the show that is actually seen today on Hallmark Channel.
1 This is the entrance to my television studio on West 26th Street in New York City.
2 Joanne Logan, our studio receptionist, greets staff and special guests so warmly.
3 Todd Schwartzman - VP of Broadcast Sales - visited my office, as usual, to discuss some of our clients.
4 Nora Singley - TV chef - readies the set for a cooking demonstration showing how to make persimmon pudding.
5 The studio set is decorated so festively for the holidays.
6 The white-ware collection looks wonderful with evergreens and silver.
7 Great candy everywhere
8 This table will be moved onto the set for a later segment.
9 This is our faux view from the TV studio. We thought it would be fun to look at our offices in the Starrett Lehigh building, which can't be seen from here.
10 Robert Diamond, our Lead Set Decorator, always does a great job.
11 A closeup of the window ornaments
12 A sweet woodland scene
13 A woodland themed Christmas tree
14 A quaint winter village
15 The floral refrigerator
16 Colored pencils in the craft area
17 Velvet ribbons
18 More spools of ribbons
19 A cubby filled with acorns, cinnamon sticks, twigs, pine cones, and more
20 Bowls of shiny chestnuts
21 This is our very busy craft area.
22 Annie Fisher, my wardrobe stylist and her intern, Katrina
23 Some of my TV wardrobe organized and neatly hung
24 Some of my shoes
25 More of my shoes
26 Melanie Lynch, my executive assistant at television
27 Jennifer Sawyer and Producer Barbara Fight
28 Joey Meade - Stage Manager and Joey Kola - Warm Up Artist - prepping the audience
29 I really love this festive white and red tree.
30 And these pink and red glittered reindeer
31 The bustling TV kitchen - Chef Pierre Schaedelin dropped in to rehearse for an upcoming segment.
32 Sarah Mastracco whisking away
33 Thomas Joseph looking very festive as he peels hard-boiled eggs
34 Nikki Elkins prepping for a paté segment with Molly O'Neill
35 Joel Cordenner, Assistant Stage Manager, waiting to escort the special guest from the green room onto the set
36 Our guests' hair and makeup artists Nicole Detweiler and Deb Jones
37 I stopped by the kitchen on my way to the set. I always enjoy seeing Pierre.
38 Getting my stage instructions from Joey Meade
39 Bernie Young - Executive VP and General Manager of Broadcasting
40 Calia Van Dyk - Production Manager - It was her birthday!
41 Here I am with our special guest, Lucy Liu. We made persimmon pudding together and she talked about her new romantic comedy, 'Marry Me.'
42 Charlie Green, my makeup artist, arrives on set.
43 Kristin St. Clair, from our craft department, and her bird, Pico, were also on the show.
44 Kristin showed us how to make these adorable pet ornaments.
45 A great shot of Francesca
46 AP - Noel Rosselli - writing cue cards.
47 Here I am on set with our guest GillIan Stevens of 'Dewdrop Designs' and her husband.
48 She uses leather in various colors and patterns.
49 After cutting the leather into bands, Gillian attaches pretty little buckles to the ends.
50 These are great bracelets! http://dewdropdesigns.com/
51 One of our holiday gift sleighs. It's filled with wonderful items. If you want to bid on it, visit http://www.charitybuzz.com/
52 Joey Kola knows how to keep the audience happy. Here he's handing out giveaways.
53 Set stylist - Chip Glynn
54 Sean Ennis from Design and Fabrication cutting with a circular saw
55 Chris Jensen prepping a can of paint
56 This young audience member wanted to simply compliment Joey Kola on how 'awesome' he is.
57 I agreed!
58 This is the staircase that special guests sometimes use to enter the show.
59 The window of the prep kitchen looks amazing.
60 The TV greenhouse is very lush.
61 Ferns and amaryllis
62 Holiday pointsettia
63 The ceiling of the studio with all of the lights and rigging
64 Our lineup of Emmys on display in the large green room
65 After taping two television shows, I have an hour of live Ask Martha radio on Sirius 112 and XM 157. That hour is spent in my TV office.
66 And here I am on air with my radio crew - Jocelyn Santos, Managing Editor and Neil Golub, Operations Manager
67 Kyle Ramdeen, Product Coordinator, busy at work.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
It is amazing how all of the different things come together to make a show. The decorations are beautiful.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | December 10th, 2010 at 12:39 am
Two times in one day! I just read mattbites' post about being on the set of your show and then this! I'm so happy to see your set, Martha!
Posted by: Lindsay | December 10th, 2010 at 12:46 am
I just ate a persimmon ten minutes before reading your post about persimmon. Great tree, too. And great pics of your shoes. Thanks again for letting me take a picture of your boots when you were in Toronto. I put it on my wordpress blog under "travel" Sex and the City.
Posted by: http://twitter.com/geotravel | December 10th, 2010 at 1:08 am
As much as I love all of the farm blog postings, I have missed seeing the studio so thanks for this. Another request: A complete technical tour of the studio and all of the equipment and people involved please.
Posted by: Sonya | December 10th, 2010 at 1:52 am
I have seen all of this in action!!! It takes an immense amount of people to make everything run smoothly! http://www.themalemartha.com It is an impressive thing to see! From the greeters at the door.. Joey Kola is an absolute riot.. he should actually have his own TV show!! He's really short.. but tall on funny! Nice to see this side of things!!
Dan Viger
Hollis center, Maine
Posted by: Dan Viger | December 10th, 2010 at 4:41 am
Hello there,
thank you so much for giving us a glimp of the life behind the show. Great to see all those happy looking people and warm smiles. Wish I could be there to join this lovely set ;o)
Greets from Holland!
Posted by: Monique | December 10th, 2010 at 5:11 am
My niece, Stacy Ann invited us to NYC for a taping of your show and will be a treasured memory of Christmas. Your blog is so good with all photos. Best wishes for joy of the season to you, Alexis, and your family.
Posted by: ann | December 10th, 2010 at 7:39 am
Great team work! The amyrillis is beautiful. Happy Holidays to the MSLO family! Thank you for all your contribution to my living!
Posted by: Teresa Touey | December 10th, 2010 at 8:05 am
I am visiting your set next week, for the first time, and these pixs just made me more excited! It is totally amazing all the details to get the show done! Can't wait to see it and you, Joey And everyone else in person! Thank you for the opportunity! Happy holidays
Posted by: Susan Ward | December 10th, 2010 at 8:44 am
Hi Martha and Merry Christmas! Our cable company doesn't get the Hallmark Channel and many of us have made our feelings known!Your show is fabulous!
Posted by: Brenda Arnold | December 10th, 2010 at 10:42 am
Martha, thanks for sharing this blog. I hope you and your staff are safe and sound.
Posted by: KLBrown | December 10th, 2010 at 10:50 am
Hi Martha,
I really enjoyed this amazing tour. Hands down, you have the best TV set anywhere and it is even more beautiful when decorated for any holiday, Christmas especially. The white feather tree all done in red and white is beautiful and so are the packages underneath. It’s a great spot to take pictures. Also, being the hard candy lover that I am, picture #7 had me salivating – I just mentioned the other day that I ‘needed’ to get some ribbon candy but I like every kind you have there. I agree, the white-ware looks great with evergreen and silver, and I like all the little decorated cubby holes. What a great set and it boggles my mind to know it takes all those people to put on a show!
~
I think about Chef Pierre from time to time and already I’m wondering what he might be mixing up in the picture you took – avocado or maybe green peas. We’ll know later! The kitchen staff looks great in their red and green colors. Well, thanks so much for the detailed and very clear pictures. I’m sure I’ve seen the painted faux wood doors in picture #53 but maybe not. I like them. Have a great weekend! Trish
Posted by: Trish | December 10th, 2010 at 10:52 am
I am so happy this morning...since we don't get the Hallmark Channel (unbelievable here in Vancouver, B.C.) it was a treat to see the set all decked out for Christmas...now i know what i'm missing! Loved all the whiteware with the boughs and silver...it does look both simple and stunning!
Posted by: sherey | December 10th, 2010 at 11:50 am
Martha
The set looks amazing. I am in love with all the white-ware. We are in the midst of renovation our farmhouse kitchen and i am doing shelves instead of cabinets on the upper walls where will be displaying all my White Ironstone. Thanks for the wonderful photo's and your inspiration!
Happy Holiday's
Posted by: Debbie Schrodt | December 10th, 2010 at 11:54 am
Hi Martha, You have the best TV studio and the best crew working there that I have ever seen anywhere! All of the decorations are terrific and it's fun to see these close-up views of every part of the studio including the faux window scenes. Every one of your crew members looks so happy and it's fun to see those that we don't see every day. I love everything about your TV Show and it runs so smoothly because of your fantastic crew! Kudos to all of you! Had fun viewing my iPad again last night and am learning more and more about how to use it everyday! Can't wait for your next apps! Have a great day and a wonderful weekend! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | December 10th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
So very fun to see it all.
You must continue until I can get to NYC and see it for myself! Happy Holidays Martha!
Posted by: robin ball | December 10th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Thanks for sharing more of your life. Can't believe the shot of the ceiling, the lighting etc. The the Christmas decor too!
Posted by: Frances | December 10th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Hello Martha Stewart. I love to watch and get ideas from your show because I too am a huge arts and crafts person. I have been forever. Most people my age think it's kind of boring but I'm quick to tell them it's only boring when you don't know what your doing. That's the truth...and they don't. I'm 19 by the way. I couldn't find any place else on here to leave my request of you except on this page. My request is if you could show how to design glittered shoes correctly. I have designed some but they are not up to my standard. I know if anyone can figure out how to do them correctly it has to be you. Please consider it. Have a nice day and Merry Christmas to you!
Posted by: Bianca | December 10th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Such a beautiful set for a great show. Do you ever take segment ideas? I have one and would love to share it. Thanks.
Posted by: Audrey | December 10th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
I always love to see behind the scene. I've been to your show and you capture the entire studio beautifully in these pictures. I especially like the REAL plants and flowers in the greenhouse area. You are such an inspiration to all of us.
Posted by: Nancy Hamann | December 10th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
So great to see the studio again! The people who work on your show are among the warmest, most enthusiastic people I have ever met. You have such a great team!
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | December 10th, 2010 at 9:11 pm
Great to see the set. Very distressing that I dont see your shows anymore, since Hallmark is not carried by my cable here in Fairfield County!
Posted by: Jayne | December 10th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Happy Holidays, Martha and staff! I've been off work for a short while and have ENJOYED your show on the Hallmark channel. I saw how easy it was for you to create the Christmas card using the MS Office 2010, so I am in the process of making mine this minute! Thank you for posting the template and video on your website. I hope to come visit New York City and your studio one day!
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas!
Posted by: Martine | December 11th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Hi Martha,
We love your show on the Hallmark Channel. Check out our cupcake toppers @ http://www.etsy.com/shop/thegypsyfactory. We think you'll like them. Have a great day.
Sue,
The Gypsy Factory
Posted by: Sue | December 12th, 2010 at 1:52 am
Martha,
Your blog is a joy. And a hoot to boot........
Thanks for all of the postings.
Enjoy the season.
Posted by: Margie | December 12th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
I miss you very much,Martha!! I watched you every day on NBC, but I do not have satellite TV now and cannot get the Hallmark channel. Actually I can only watch TV if the antenna gods are in a good mood and smiling on my house. I admire you very much for everything you have accomplished in your life. I am entering your giveaways and your merry giveaway every day, hoping and hoping for a win.I need a new mixer and toaster oven and chopper really bad and I cannot afford them right now and probably not in the very near future. Enough of that; have a great, wonderful, and loving holiday season, to you and yours from me and mine!!!!
Posted by: Betty Blevins | December 13th, 2010 at 9:10 am
As usual I am recording your show to watch
after work. I so wanted to be ahead of schedule this year - baking cookies and cakes
ahead of time after work or on weekends. I'm
wanting to ask you about baking early and freezing things. I don't want cookies & cakes
that don't taste fresh - So could you help me
with a few pointers on baking ahead - You would
be the ONLY one I would trust to know the in's &
out's of baked ahead cookies & cakes. I know you
are probably busier than all of us put together.
You always make everything you do look so easy
and elegant. If you have already gone over this
on your show, please tell me which one & I'll
watch it. Have a wonderful holiday - I'll be
watching & attempting "The Good Things" this
holiday.
Posted by: Sandy Duvall | December 13th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
HI MARTHA I just wanted to take a brief moment to say THANKS for all of the wonderful programming that you provide to us on Hallmark each and every day. I have always been a Hallmark fan and now that you are there its 10 times better!!! Youre the greatest. THANKS SO MUCH It is really great to see the behind the scenes as I think we all like to know what it takes to produce the Martha mystique.
Posted by: Ben Cass | December 14th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Hi Martha, I just watched your craft/Christmas deco segment on the Today's show with Meridith.
I had to write and ask about that gorgeous shimering jacket you were wearing. My husband and I loved it. Can you tell me who the designer is or where it may be available to purchase. Thank you. Loved seeing you on the show but Meredith was strange for pulling that "tree" decoration apart at the end after you had just glued it. But you were graceful as usual.
Posted by: Bea Kline | December 15th, 2010 at 11:07 am
I watched your show last week showing a rerun of you baking Christmas bread with your mother,Big Martha. It brought tears to my eyes and I hope you realize how very lucky you were to have her so many years. My mother died 20 years ago unexpectedly and I still miss her love of holidays. Just a thank you for still showing the two of you together.
Posted by: Janet Farley | December 18th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Love watching your show i love this epsoide you have on with the balloon ride and weaving rugs
Posted by: Veronica Russell | December 28th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
Hi, Martha! I'm so excited to come see the taping of your show on Tuesday! I wish I could have seen a holiday show, but I feel lucky to be there no matter!
Posted by: Tami | January 2nd, 2011 at 9:36 pm
Hello Martha, Just love your show and watch it on the Hallmark channel. I wish I could come to your life show but that will be a far away dream. My medical bills have to come first. Since July 31 I found out that I have bladder cancer that metastesized to my brain stage 4 cancer. They have removed the whole brain tumor and 95% of my bladder tumor. Am undergoing chemo and radiation now. My chemo is an all day adventure and is on Mondays. I get there early and turn on the Hallmark channel to watch your show. There is always such good food recipies but guess what while we are on chemo we have different taste buds. So I thought maybe you could do a show build around things for people around cancer treatments. For instance recipies for foods we can eat that build energy. Fashions around us like hats scarf since most of us loose our hair and fashions all around. For instance while on radiation 100 % cotton is preferred an loose fitting. Maybe you can help us make us look a little but more glamorous. Most of us are already feeling so low in selfesteem and we sure could use a boost!! Chemo and radiation make us very very tired all day and it looks so weird because we have not done anything. It is just that those chemicals in us are working inside our body so hard to get the cancer out that it uses up all our energy.
If you decide to do such a show could you please let me know so I can make sure I watch it. Maybe if I knew when you would do this and knew what day you would tape I might be able to get some help from friends and family to help finance a trip for me to your show. Would that not be a dream come true.
Thank you for listening.
Henny Tholkes
36061 Road 223
North Fork, Ca, 93643
Posted by: Henny Tholkes | January 4th, 2011 at 12:18 pm