I returned a few days ago from a whirlwind press trip to Los Angeles and one of the highlights was a visit to the set of ABC Family’s Mystery Girls, and hanging out with the cast, Tori Spelling, Jennie Garth, and Miguel A. Pinzon.
I had added this show to my DVR as I said in a previous post and enjoyed it from the start. Any show that I watch where I can relax, not think too hard, and especially laugh, is a must for me. I love my down time!
We started the visit as guests watching some rehearsals:
This may come as a surprise to you, my dear readers, but I have never been on the set of a TV show before. It was an absolute thrill to watch as make-up was touched up, lines were being recalled, and retakes were done when the girls had difficult scenes. I loved every minute of it!
And then we got to chat with the ladies! Tori shared how she had done a Christmas special for ABC Family and knew they were looking for new shows. She loved the old mysteries that her dad had produced and thought that pairing mystery with comedy would be a great fit for the network.
Tori and Jennie had stayed friends after 90210 was over and Tori thought Jennie would be a natural as her co-star, so she sent an email and hoped Jennie would be available to join her in the show. This is great casting, they play off of each other perfectly. They both also agreed that their history together made their work go so much smoother since they were almost always thinking the same thing. I love this from Tori: “I feel like the chemistry, like the bond we have, over twenty years of a friendship, you can’t replace that. I don’t feel like anyone else could really have that back story.”
Jennie agrees, ” We have fun. We have so much fun and it’s just really easy. You know we know each other very well so we’re past all the awkward getting to know each other and we kind of know each other’s ups and downs, when we need space, when we need comforting, we’re very familiar with each other already. And we already have that built in chemistry too as actresses.”
And between them, the girls have 7 children! Jennie said they love the flexibility of doing a sit-com locally so when school is over the kids can come over to the set if need be and be near their moms. Doing movies out of town is just too difficult when you are juggling multiple school schedules! And folks, parenthood is the great equalizer, this is what makes chatting with “celebrities,” like the above beautiful ladies, so much fun!
Lastly, we asked about Miguel. How did he fit into their world when they had this history together and could work in short hand a lot of the time. They said that he jumped right in and did not let their history together stop him from feeling right at home and within a short time they felt like they knew him for the last 20 years as well! You can see from the show that the chemistry is all there!
We then had a chance to talk with Miguel A. Pinzon who plays Nick. Nick is gay. As I have said before, and will repeat every time, having gay characters on TV is important for my family since my son has 2 dads. And the character is not in the closet, he is someone who is right out there and kidding about having a crush along with Tori on her possible love interest, the detective.
Miguel shared with us that when he got the original call to send an audition tape for the show he was in San Francisco and doing 10 million things at the time. He was shocked when he got the call 2 weeks later telling him to come in to see the producers.
And this was an extra special day for them on the set, just that morning Miguel had been nominated for a Teen Choice award. We were thrilled for him, and it made the day even more exciting for everyone!
His joy was contagious. It was really exciting to be chatting with someone who basically just got his big break, his “first time at the rodeo” as he called it. He had done little TV appearances here and there, but this was his first major show, and only a few weeks into the series, he already has a nomination!
We took some pictures with the stars before they headed back to take a break, and then we headed to the set ourselves!
You know when the cast left we all became Mystery Girls!
It was fun to visit the costume area and see parts of the set up close. It was also a hoot to look up to where the audience sits, to see the same view that the stars see when they are filming!
My first set visit did not disappoint!
I hope you will try this new show on the ABC Family channel if you have not seen it yet, it is a thoroughly enjoyable comedy and they aren’t afraid to make fun of the old mystery shows, for example, the scene with the disappearing/revolving bar in the haunted house! I loved that! And RuPaul is on a future episode! I can’t wait!
Tune in at 8:30pm ET/PT tonight on ABC Family! Joe E. Tata (“Nat of “Beverly Hills, 90210”) will guest star on Wednesday’s (7/23) episode!
Disclosure: Disney invited me on this press trip and paid all of my expenses. No other compensation was received. All opinions are always 100% my own and honest. The group picture and the interview picture are courtesy of ABC FAMILY/ Eric McCandless.
For more information check out the Mystery Girls on the net and social media!
abcfamily.go.com/shows/mystery-girls
Facebook.com/MysteryGirlsonABCFamily
Twitter.com/MysteryGirls (#MysteryGirls)
Instagram.com/MysteryGirls
It sounds like you had a wicked fun time. I can’t wait to check out Mystery Girls!
This is so much fun! I will have to check out this show!
When we lived in L.A., we always loved going to tapings/etc. and learning more about how the shows were made. Seeing the bloopers and mess-ups live was a hoot!
Being on set is a lot of fun. You have to “hurry up and wait” for most of the day, but it’s unlike any other experience.
It’s so cool that you got to visit the set! That must have been a lot of fun.
Seriously love Tori Spelling-she’s so funny!
I bet you had an amazing time Mitch! You are pretty fun to talk to, so I’m sure the girls had a great time as well. 🙂
I used to watch the original 90210 so when I heard about this new show I was excited. I have been watching weekly and am interested to see how it all plays out. I think I already love Miguel a little more than the girls…. shhh.
I haven’t seen this show as yet, but after reading this…I am definitely going to check it out now. I was a huge fan of 90210 when I was a teenager.
OMGosh!! I’m seeing all these posts, and I love all these pictures!! I would die to meet Tori and Jennie!!
I have never been on set before! looks like you had a blast!
I recognize some of those bloggers in the crowd! Looks like an awesome time.
What a fun opportunity! I would be so tickled to see Jennie and Tori in person. 🙂
It is so cool that you got to visit the set of Mystery Girls! And even cooler that you got to interview Jennie and Tori!
Looks like a fun movie. How fun to interviewthem.
Now you can cross another thing off your bucket list – visit TV show set 🙂 It must have been nice to see their chemistry in person and get a feel for what they must feel like when working.
I have been dvring the show. Love it. Jennie Garth has been a favorite since I was 10.
This is fabulous! I didn’t know anything about the show, but now I”ll be sure to watch! Sounds awesome!
You always look like you are having so much fun, Mitch! Jennie Garth is a personal fave since I grew up watching 90210!
Looks like you had lots of fun on set. It’s great that the two of them have remained friends over the years. I’ll have to check this show out.
Looks like you had a blast. If I’d been there you’d have seen me trying to smuggle out that office decor. I love it. The pink and white…a girl can dream.
Looks like you had a lot of fun. Can’t wait for the show.
Sounds like you had an amazing time! What a fun experience.
OMG, this looks like SO MUCH FUn! I’ll have to go watch the show now.
I love your photos on set- what a ham! I’ll be sure to check out the show!
I love Tori Spelling and now I’m looking forward to seeing this show! What a cool experience for you…I have a funny feeling we’ll be seeing you on TV sets more often in the future!
Great photos! A little jealous here! Jennie Garth has always been one of my favorites so this show I need to tune into. Looks great!
What a moment! Love seeing your take on the experience and so glad we got to share it! Great trips become amazing ones when you get to hang out with the people you adore! 🙂
You fit right into that set!! I think the Mystery Girls will be calling you soon 🙂
You look like you had such a good time. I love that they’ve stayed friends through the years too.
I have not seen one episode so I am thinking I am going to watch it on Netflix or on Demand, I loved these girls on Beverly Hills 90210.
Sounds like you had a blast! Heck,I had fun just reading about the fun you had,lol! I am off to check out the episodes I missed.
As someone who grew up watching BH 90210 I am thrilled to see Jenni and Tori together again. I also am a huge fan of ABC Family and hope this is a show I can stream or get on Hulu Plus as we don’t have cable.
What a very cool experience. I bet it was interesting to see the behind-the scenes!
Pairing mystery with comedy does sound like a new twist on tv. I can’t think of one other show that does it. How cool is this post!! I would love to visit the costume area too. Fun!
I’ve never heard of this show before. It’s cool that you got to visit the set.
That is soo fun! Looks like you had a great time!
Look at you Mr. VIP! That looks like it was really neat. Glad you enjoyed!
Sounds like a great time! Holy 90210 flashbacks for me!
I have to say – I loved ALL of them, but Miguel stole my heart. He is so much fun and a ball of energy.
So nice meeting you!
What a great opportunity! I’ll have to check it out.
So fun! I’m looking forward to seeing these two together again!
What a cool experience. I have the show dvr’ed!
That is awesome that you got to hang out with the cast. Looks like you had a lot of fun.
I am having trouble finding it
What a fun experience! I love the picture of you behind their computer!
what a great show. i must find it so i can schedule it on my dvr it looks like something my daughter and I can watch together.