The Real O’Neals is back for Season 2, and I was able to visit the set while I was in Los Angeles last month for the #QueenOfKatweEvent and #ABCTVEvent. All travel expenses were covered, but all thoughts are my own.
I’ve been to the Walt Disney Studios lot dozens of times now, but it never ceases to amaze me how much goes on there! You never know what magic is happening behind each door you pass. In fact, ABC’s The Real O’Neals, which is back for Season 2, is filmed right there at Walt Disney Studios, and we had the chance to visit the set and a few of the people involved in the show.
David Windsor, Creator & Exec Producer, led us around the set, and actors Bebe Wood and Matt Shively, who play two of the O’Neal children (Shannon and Jimmy) joined us as well. They were all so generous and open. I loved seeing Bebe and Matt’s reactions to the holiday decorations, which had miraculously appeared in the 24 hours prior to our set visit. I can’t believe how quickly they can work their magic on a set and turn it into a winter wonderland…right in the middle of Los Angeles, no less!
Even though the Halloween episode will be airing this week (more details on that episode below), the cast was getting ready to film the Christmas episode while we were there. As you can see in the collage above, there’s something new in the O’Neals’ backyard – a tiny house! We haven’t seen the tiny house in the show yet, so I won’t say who’s living there….who do you think it may be for?
David Windsor let us know that it takes a crew of around 125 to make an episode happen, from start to finish. That’s a lot of people! It takes about 5 days to film on episode, and of course it takes even longer for the editing and formatting to be finished before the episode is ready to air.
I loved the “REAL” feel of the O’Neal’s home. No corner was left undecorated, the tree was filled with homey, handmade ornaments, there were family pictures and Christmas cards everywhere….It was really easy to imagine a real family living there (despite the fact that when we looked up, there was studio lighting instead of a roof!).
The Real O’Neals Season 2
The O’Neal family continues its journey of self-discovery and growth, resulting from Kenny coming out and his parents, Eileen and Pat, getting divorced. After finally coming out, Kenny will discover that life outside the closet isn’t that easy. Luckily for him, his older brother, Jimmy, will always be there to offer his often-misguided advice. And finally, there’s Shannon, the youngest O’Neal, whose unique views on life make her wise beyond her years. Eileen and Pat will continue to deal with starting their separate lives while still living under the same roof. Through it all, Aunt Jodi will be there offering her unusual brand of support, as the O’Neals continue to explore new relationships, friendships and acceptance of one another in the next, messier chapter of their lives.
“The Real O’Neals” stars Martha Plimpton as Eileen, Jay R. Ferguson as Pat, Noah Galvin as Kenny, Matt Shively as Jimmy, Bebe Wood as Shannon and Mary Hollis Inboden as Aunt Jodi.
The Real Halloween
THE REAL O’NEALS – “The Real Halloween” (ABC/Eric McCandless)
MARY HOLLIS INBODEN, MARTHA PLIMPTON
When Halloween arrives, or what Kenny refers to as “the gay Super Bowl,” he plans to go to Boystown to watch the festive costume parade. In an effort to prevent Kenny from attending, Eileen agrees to let him throw his own Halloween party at home. Eileen’s tolerance is ultimately tested when Kenny recruits Stuart and his gay friends to join the big party, and he makes a BIG costume change. Meanwhile, Jimmy and Shannon plan to pull off an epic Halloween prank.
THE REAL O’NEALS – “The Real Halloween” (ABC/Eric McCandless)
MARTHA PLIMPTON, CALEB PIERCE
Halloween Takes Over ABC TV!
Halloween is ‘spooktacular’ as the entire roster of ABC comedies, as well as “The Chew,” “General Hospital” and more, celebrate everyone’s favorite scary holiday. Other highlights include the holiday classic “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” celebrating its 50th anniversary. All times listed are EDT.
Starting MONDAY, OCT. 24
The Chew – Week of October 24-28 – Boo! All week long “The Chew” features recipes, cocktails and insider tips on making this year’s Halloween your best ever! Highlights include the world premiere of the newest Chew book, “The Chew Approved,” on Tuesday, October 25; Chef and author Ina Garten on October 27; and actor Colin Hanks (“Life in Pieces), on Friday, October 28. (1:00-2:00 p.m.) (Check local listings)
TUESDAY, OCT. 25
“The Middle” – “Halloween VII: The Heckoning” – As Halloween approaches, Frankie is taken aback when she discovers that if the circumstances ever arose where she and Mike got divorced, the kids would all choose to live with Mike. Meanwhile, Sue tries everything in her power to get her room back from Brick, and having to be so nice around girlfriend April (Greer Grammer) all of the time leads Axl to lash out at his family. (8:00-8:30 p.m.)
THE MIDDLE – “Halloween VII: The Heckoning” (ABC/Michael Ansell)
PATRICIA HEATON, EDEN SHER, CHARLIE MCDERMOTT, GREER GRAMMER
“American Housewife” – “Westport Zombies” – Katie, jealous of Taylor’s friendship with neighbor Viv (Leslie Bibb), reluctantly competes in the Westport Halloween “Zombie Run” after she finds out they’ll both be running. Meanwhile, Greg and Anna-Kat get a little too much in character for the zombie part of the run’s obstacle course. (8:30-9:00 p.m.)
AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE (ABC/Tony Rivetti)
JULIA BUTTERS, DIEDRICH BADER, DANIEL DIMAGGIO
“Fresh Off the Boat” – “Louisween” – It’s Louis’ favorite holiday, and he makes every attempt to scare Jessica into the Halloween spirit, but she is buried in her word processor, drafting her first horror novel. Meanwhile, Emery and Evan debate costume choices, and Eddie and his crew are excited to party with high schoolers at Nicole’s house.(9:00–9:30 p.m.)
FRESH OFF THE BOAT – “Louisween” (ABC/Eric McCandless)
CHELSEY CRISP, CONSTANCE WU
“The Real O’Neals” – “The Real Halloween” – When Halloween arrives, or what Kenny refers to as “the gay Super Bowl,” he plans to go to Boystown to watch the festive costume parade. In an effort to prevent Kenny from attending, Eileen agrees to let him throw his own Halloween party at home. Eileen’s tolerance is ultimately tested when Kenny recruits Stuart and his gay friends to join the big party, and he makes a BIG costume change. Meanwhile, Jimmy and Shannon plan to pull off an epic Halloween prank. ESPN sportscaster Neil Everett guest stars. (9:30–10:00 p.m.)
THE REAL O’NEALS – “The Real Halloween” (ABC/Eric McCandless)
MARTHA PLIMPTON, RAMONA YOUNG, NOAH GALVIN
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 26
“The Goldbergs” – “Stefan King” – Adam’s love of Stephen King inspires him to try his hand at horror writing. After learning the monster in Adam’s story is based on Beverly, she forces Adam to stay in on Halloween and rewrite it, hoping he depicts her as a better mother. Meanwhile, Erica is desperate to find a date to the costume dance and forces Barry go with her. (8:00–8:30 p.m.)
“Speechless” – “H-A-L- HALLOWEEN” – Jimmy is upset that the kids no longer want to participate in the family tradition of dressing up for Halloween. Maya tries to cheer up Jimmy by allowing him to take things off the family “Dead to Me” list. Meanwhile, Ray recruits Dylan to help work the school’s haunted mansion, while Kenneth is scared of losing his job when JJ gets drunk at a party. Even though Maya is furious, she is thrilled to see JJ having a “normal” life. (8:30–9:00 p.m.)
“Modern Family” – “Halloween 4: The Revenge of Rod Skyhook” – Luke’s Halloween party isn’t the monster bash he dreamed of, and he is at risk of having the worst party of the year. Sensing trouble, the rest of the Dunphys realize that all his party needs is a visit from Rod Skyhook, a little promotion and some adult supervision to get it started. Meanwhile, at the Tucker-Pritchett home, Cam faces off with his Halloween nemesis, while Lily and Mitchell try to save the day and work to keep him from going to the darkside. Finally, when Jay finds out that Manny is going to a party at the home of an old enemy, he enlists him to deliver a trick he will never forget. (9:00–9:30 p.m.)
“black-ish” – “The Purge” – After Junior embarrasses Dre during a basketball game, Dre decides to remind Junior of his master pranking skills so he’ll never challenge him again. Meanwhile, the neighborhood participates in a “mischief night” during Halloween, where petty crimes become legal, and Ruby takes it too far with the kids. (9:31–10:00 p.m.)
FRIDAY, OCT. 28
“It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” – (Full-length version) The 50th anniversary of “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” features the full-length special, including the bonus cartoon, “You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown,” which features the Great Pumpkin. (8:00–9:00 p.m.)
“IT’S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN” (©1966 United Feature Syndicate Inc.)
MONDAY, OCT. 31
“The Chew” – It’s an hour of food, frights and fun when “The Chew” celebrates its 6th Halloween in ghoulishly delicious style. Co-hosts Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly and Daphne Oz reveal the costumes they selected for each other and welcome country superstar Kellie Pickler also in full masquerade! (1:00-2:00 p.m.) (Check local listings)
“General Hospital” – On “General Hospital,” residents of Port Charles celebrate Halloween at the Metro Court hotel. Franco and Jason clash, while Sonny has a big reaction to one of the Halloween revelers. (2:00-3:00 p.m.)
“Dancing with the Stars” – “Dancing with the Stars” treats viewers to a thrilling ‘spooktacular’ night filled with scary and chilling performances, live. The remaining couples will perform an individual Halloween-themed routine. (8:00-10:01 p.m.)
“Jimmy Kimmel Live” – Jimmy, Guillermo, Dicky, Cleto and the Cletones and all of the show’s guests will be dressed for the occasion. The 11th Annual Half & Half Halloween Costume Pageant will be part of the evening’s festivities, where the show takes half of one costume and half of another, weaving them together to form one amazing hybrid costume. Past creations include Trumpty Dumpty, EmoJesus, The Walking Bed and Wilmer Valder-llama, to name a few. Kimmel will ask parents to join in on the YouTube Challenge ‘I Told My Kids I Ate All Their Halloween Candy,’ one of the show’s most cherished holiday traditions with over 200 million combined views on YouTube. (11:35–12:30 p.m.)
© 2016, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
Leave a Reply