The world’s leading exhibition of contemporary television production has begun! Friday night, the curtain went up on PaleyFest at the Saban Theater. Crowds lined up around the block for the sold out screening and cast and crew dialog for the AMC hit “The Walking Dead.” Programs continue through Friday, March 15 and tickets are available for most performances.
Seeing a screening at PaleyFest is and ideal time to see the Paley Center, the world’s largest exhibition and research center for the study of broadcasting history. The Paley Center organizes PaleyFest, as well as dozens of education and professional development programs about radio and television. It is located about a mile from the Saban Theater in downtown Beverly Hills and is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
The featured exhibition at the Paley Center this year is “Television Out of the Box.” The historic archives of Warner Brothers, Lorimar and the Hanna-Barbera animation studios come alive with props, costumes, scripts and memorabilia dating from the television debut of Bugs Bunny to many popular shows on the program of PaleyFest today.
These historic displays include hospital uniforms and a stethoscope used on the set of “ER.” The attention to detail is impressive and connects the dots between the efforts of the staging departments and talented actors who convey authenticity with every motion -- from J.R. Ewing’s checkbook used in filming “Dallas” to a ball costume worn by actress Blake Lively appearing as Serena van der Woodsen in an episode of “Gossip Girl.”
Visitors can experience icons of television production. The set for the Central Perk Café meeting spot on the show “Friends” has its own corner. And for those who dream big, there is a T.V. program director’s chair that just might be big enough for you.
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