NBC Studio 8G…’Late Night With Seth Meyers’

Yesterday, I showed you the “smoke machine” and described the theatrical effect of bringing the light beams into play. You can see that on the right.

On the left is the 8G camera crew with some real pros! Two of these names will be quite familiar to the ABC family as Paul Martens and Gene Kelly have spent many years there before becoming part of the new NBC crew assembled for the Meyers show.

Left to right are Paul Martens (camera), Buck Buchanan (jib), Ryan Fox (utility), Gene Kelly (camera), Kenny Coyle (utility), Mike Knarre (camera) and Mike Zecca (camera).

When I was in 8G last Wednesday, I didn’t get to meet them but to my great delight, Mike Knarre invited me back to say hello. When I got there Monday morning, Buck Buchanan’s jib had been remounted on a Vinten Fulmar pedestal for smoother action and better control. Paul spent thirty five year at ABC and his first camera was a Norelco PC70. Gene was at ABC nearly thirty years.

The one thing I forgot to do while I was in 8G was to get a few pictures of Bob Friend, but I hope Mike will help me with that. Bob has been the head electrician in 8G since 1992, but his service at NBC started long before that. As I have said before, Bob Friend has the perfect last name…he’s a nice as they come and knows 30 Rock like the back of his hand.

For the record, although we in the south have the better known reputation for hospitality, I am here to tell you that northern hospitality is alive and well! I can not fully express my gratitude for the warmth of the reception that I had in New York. Everyone at ABC, CBS, NBC and NEP (the Colbert and Stewart show homes) were gracious and friendly beyond description. I did not encounter even one “grumpy New Yorker” anywhere…even on the streets! For yankees, they’re actually pretty good people! Bobby Ellerbee

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