Our 500th Episode behind the scenes

I was so pleased on Thursday morning when we taped my television show because we were celebrating the anniversary of our 500th episode! Our friend, Conan O’Brien appeared and was his usual hilarious self. He was so much fun.  Then, we were honored with a very special surprise guest – none other than President Clinton!  This was President Clinton’s second appearance on the show and he filled us in with the wonderful progress that is being made with his Clinton Global Initiative, an amazing organization that encourages people to give in various ways to help better the world.  You can learn more about it and find out how you can give at www.mycommittment.org.  It’s always so inspiring to be in President Clinton’s company.

Here’s another peek at behind the scenes.      

This fabulous ice sculpture was carved for the occasion by Okamoto Studio in Brooklyn, NY. www.okamotostudionyc.com

Here I am with Conan backstage, before his silliness on the show.

Conan enjoying a cappuccino in his dressing room.

Producer Peter Killeen anxiously standing by for President Clinton's arrival

President Clinton in the house being briefed for his appearance. What a wonderful, seasonal tie!

Eva Scrivo doing a little touch up.

President Clinton standing by for his big entrance watching me on the monitor as I introduce him.

Lights, camera, action

President Clinton Presented me with this beautiful basket made by Rwandan women who survived the genocide in that nation. It symbolizes friendship.

Sienna Tedesco - the lucky daughter of my trainer, Mary Tedesco.

Here's another peek at the control room with Conan on set.

Bill Herlihy - VP of Production, Lynn Goodwin - Facility Director, and Calia Vandyk - Studio Manager sharing a moment.

Geoff Rosen - a happy producer

Noel Rosselli and Producer Karen Kinney write out many, many cue cards.

This is Joey Meade, our long-time stage manager. He looks so dapper in his tuxedo!

Some of my very stylish style crew - Vinnetta, Nicole, and Deb.

A celebratory toast to my amazing crew.

Comments

[Renee Fitzgerald]

Martha, loved the show (you and Conan are always hilarious together) and the behind the scenes photos!!! It looks like you have a wonderful staff, who by the way, look very stylish and progressive. You all must have a lot of fun!

[Jeana]

Martha,
You are an amazing WOMAN with many great people behind you!, here's to many more!

Jeana Reichenberg
Evanston Wy,

[Dianne]

Congrats on 500 fabulous shows! I really enjoyed your photos too. Thanks for inspiring a domestic goddess in mushroom country of PA!

[Evelyn Ackbarali]

Let me be the first to say Congratulations on you 500th Show.
I have been one of your most loyal fans since you began your television career. I own one of the original Entertaining books. Your were gracious to autograph it for me several years ago. Your inscription read, "To Evelyn, Be entertaining always. Best Wishes to a wonderful cook." I treasure the book and thank you for entertaining me all these years.

[Theresa]

Congradulations on your 500th! It is nice to see all the wonderful folks who help to make Martha Stewart the special show that it is. thanks for the great entertainment and keep up the great job!

[Sharon Yeager]

Congrats to ya Martha!!!!!

[nadine]

"Eva Scrivo doing a little touch up."(!!!) Well, say no more!

[Tracey Selmes, England]

Congratulations on your 500th show I only wish it was broadcast over here in the United Kingdom. You're an amazing woman and it's a good thing !

[nicole lefaivre]

Dear Martha

Heartfelt congrats to you.
I was howling watching you and Conan. I do love silliness.
Cheers.

[Carolyn]

Congrats on 500 Shows!

[Kathy]

Hi, Martha,
Congratulations on your 500th show! It, too, was a good thing---with Conan and former President Clinton. Thanks for the wonderful photos of all the action and fun.
Kathy

[Marilyn Holle]

Martha
I love your show and thank you for all of the wonderful things I have learned from you.
Would it be possible for you to do a segment on high fructose corn syrup? I have read that it is very harmful and should not be in so many food products and sodas. Your research and thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
Marilyn

[Elaine]

MY HERO!!!

[Margie]

EXCELLENT, GOOD JOB, KEEP THEM COMING------spread the word and the show. They are the very best.

[Vanessa]

Martha,
Congratulations on your 500th show! Look forward to enjoying many many more
Vanessa

[MM1260]

Is this a different Joey ? I remember a guy with a beard, wearing glasses. Just wondering.

[Jon]

Congratulations on the anniversary of your 500th episode!
What a exciting milestone. Can not wait to celebrate your 1000th episode, it will be here before you know it.
Martha, isn't the charisma of President Clinton amazing, it's like an inter-glow or a feeling of veneration. Our former Governor of Texas, the late Ann W. Richards, had that same charisma. You know you are in the presents of someone who is truly awe-inspiring.
I am so happy for you, and wish you all the very best.
Have a marvelous Easter.

[Sherey]

What a wonderful celebration! You all looked very special...especially the Joey x2 guys in their dapper tuxedos.

My wish is that we are all blessed to experience many many more of your shows. They are always high calibre, informative and fun. We learn here!

[Joan Fluor Mason, OH]

Hi Martha,

Happy Easter and we are looking forward to 500 more of your wonderful shows. Your photos are so nice to look at and the educational part of your program is so interesting, and the food and crafts are wonderful. May God bless you and your employees.And all of your animals, too.

Joan Fluor, Mason. OH

[Andrew Ritchie]

It was a great show, Martha! I was lucky enough to attend your special "Good Things" show in September, 2006, and can attest to the fun and exciting atmosphere there.

Congrats! And here's to another 500!

-Andrew

[Jan Erickson]

Hi Martha, Congratulations on your 500th show. It was really great to see President Clinton on your show again. He was the perfect surprise guest{I was able to guess that it was going to be him! Good clues!}! It is amazing how well your shows are produced. They are run so smoothly that it's hard to believe that there are so many people so well coordinated behind the scenes. You have a very special crew! Thanks for showing us what goes on behind the scenes. I thought Joey Meade and Joey Kola looked spectacular in their tuxedos! Happy Easter to all of you at MSLO.

[Kathy]

Congrats on 500.... my that is a milestone.

Sorry I missed the show :(

Happy Easter to you and yours,

Kathy :)

[Nan Ashby]

Happy Easter and many more fabulous shows. I'll try not to miss any of the next 500. Hope Papa is feeling better and Sharkey and Francesca will behave long enough for him to get to feeling okay. Thanks again for your fabulous shows. Nan

[Trish]

It was a wonderful show Martha as are all of your shows and I look forward to the next 500 episodes! Conan makes me laugh with his goofiness although I didn't like that he ruined a perfectly good ham with glitter. I hope you won't let him do that again.

I think Jon summed up my feelings about former President Clinton. I also find him awe-inspiring and I like his snowy white hair! I'm a curious person so anytime you want to show us what goes on behind the scenes, I'm anxious to see!

Today's show was enjoyable also with Classic Easter segments with your mom making hot-cross buns and bobka. (Did I spell that right, Laura?) I know that you and your family miss her terribly but I hope you find it comforting to know that we loved and miss her too! Happy Easter to all! Trish

[Nazarina]

Dear Martha,
Congratulations on the 500th show.You can bet your bottom dollar that I shall be there for your next 500 shows!
You and all your guests bring so much joy and beauty into our homes! I love Conan and lets face it, it is all our idiosyncrasies that make us laugh and really enjoy life.
I learn soooooo much from your shows!

[Susan94]

Congratulations on your show. I can't wait to be in the audience one day. I hope you have at least another 500 shows. I don't think I missed any.

[Paula M.]

Congratulations on your 500th Show Martha! I've been a fan since your first shows from 1990 and your books from 1980's!
May you have continued success on your TV show and great guests. Conan and you were great, yes silliness is a "Good Thing"!!

Hugs to all the pets and may you have a very Blessed Easter. Love you Martha!(thinking of your Mom at Easter too! Still miss her a lot also!)

Love your number one fan!
Paula :)

[bpfster]

Congratulations and hoping you have 500 more!!!!!!!

[Pam From California]

Thank you to Martha & your producers for bringing back the two "sisters" from your very first show of The New Martha Stewart Show one request that I sent in many times and it was answered. Thank you very much for listening and bringing them back. I really enjoyed them again and I think they make excellent guests please bring them back LOL.
Happy bunny day hippy hop hop.
Oh and I love the field trip clips as always & the vintage clips from MSL.
Pam from CA

[Kathy]

Martha,
I enjoyed today's show, especially the segments with your Mom baking hot cross buns and babka. It brought back memories of cooking with my Mom. Thanks.
Happy Easter to all.
Kathy

[w]

Thank you for letting us get a glimpse of your life Martha. This really brings out a more casual side of you which I also like, as much as I like your professional and celebrity side.

God bless you.

[Patia]

Congrats on the big 5-0-0!

[Maureen]

What a wonderful show that was. Conan O'Brien was so funny. Must be the "Irish" in him.

Happy Easter to you and all your family.

[Mary Bultman]

Martha and Staff of MSO
Congrats on your 500th show, my mother and I watch your show everyday. The 500th show was outstanding with Conan and President Clinton and of course the many many other celebrates and unique chef's.We look forward to your 1000th show in the near future

[Sarah]

hi martha, the pictures are so adorable! you standing next to conan is hilarious itself, his body language and expressions are so cute!

pres clinton looks great, really dignified these days. is he a mac user too?

[Joseph Brennan]

Martha:

I can't believe it's been 500 shows already! Time passes so quickly, doesn't it?

I really enjoyed Friday's Easter show with the MSL segments of you and Big Martha making hot cross buns and babka. It was good to see the two of you smiling and working together again through the "magic of television".

I also really liked the thoughful way you compiled all of the MSL segments featuring your mom into a set of DVDs and presented them to your family a few months back. Please consider making these available to your viewers as well. I'm sure there would be quite an interest.

Although this Easter may seem a little sad without your mom, take comfort in your faith and in the promise of the Resurrection which we are celebrating. After all, you'll be together again someday!

A Blessed Easter to you and your Family!

Joseph Brennan

[Linda]

I have LOVED your Easter shows this week. Even though we have a good fresh foot of snow here I am excited for spring. I recently went blog hopping and came across this one: www.artsymama.blogspot.com. She has great crafted goodies on her blog. Apparently, she has a book coming out as well. I thought her crafty-ness (oh yeah, I am making words up) would be a wonderful eye treat for you and your staff.
Happy Easter.

[Linda Gail]

Martha:)
Congratulation on your 500th show! It was a real blast. You and your mom always make me smile and I'm glad that you are still showing segments of the show when she was on.
President Clinton always makes such an entrance. His presents is electrifying.
Conan was so funny EXCEPT when he ruined that beautiful ham. I wanted to cry.
Have a very "Happy and Blessed Easter" and know that we are all waiting for your 1000th show.
Linda Gail

[Joy]

Congratulations on your 500th show. Your drive and determination continue to inspire me - you are unstoppable!

Joy Zaczyk

[paula mello]

Congratulations for your program! Visit the first and unique comunity on Orkut dedicated to Martha, where I am very proud to be a moderator. We need you to come to Brazil, with your show and your magazines, please!! Best wishes
your brazilian friend
paula mello

[Tamara Leonard Merritt]

Martha, I loved Conan on the show. He is such a hoot!

Regarding glittering his ham...why didn't you use edible glitter like we do for confectionery items? Another way would have been to glaze the ham with a tacky glaze, and then use edible gold leaf.

As he did with the glitter, I can imagine him gold leafing himself *giggles*

My friends have always referred to me as the Southern version of Martha Stewart :-D

I thought of you over the Easter holiday, being the first one not having your Big Martha. My thoughts were with you. My Mom has passed on also, so I know the pain and void that it leaves.

Tamara

[Carrie]

Martha, I just got your Cookies book on Friday in my Barnes and Noble in Midland, Michigan. I got the LAST one!!! What a wonderful book, my family is very excited for me to try all of the recipes. I am starting with the Meringue Porcupines and will end with the Chocolate Cherry Crumb Bars.

[Robin Ebert]

Dear Martha,
My name is Robin Ebert and I am a disabled Combat Veteran of the Persian Gulf War. I am now studing to be a chef and will have earned my Associates Degree in Food Service/Culinary Arts from Texas State Technical College, Waco,TX.
I wish to offer my foremost congratulations to you on your 500th episode! I hope to one day, work in a fine dining establishment, while one day a week, hosting a one hour show in your format, but geared toward the mentally disabled of the community, here in Waco. Thank you for being such an inspiration in my life!

[Valdelice Machado de Almeida Lemos]

Dear Martha !
Congratulations for your program !
We need you to come to Brazil,with your shopw and your magazines, please!
Thank you for being such an inspiration in my life.
Best wishes your brasilian friend
Valdelice

[Dena Dunn]

We love your show...my three year old daughter and I tivo every episode and LOVE watching it together.

She recently was in the kitchen "teaching" my husband how to cook pasta and she said:

"Daddy, you have to let it cook for three minutes until it's tender. And you put the salt in the water...just like Martha says."

I can't even go in the kitchen to get a glass of water without her pulling up a chair and asking "what are we making today, Mommy."

So thank you to YOU and all of your crew who put together such an inspring show not just for me, a stay at home mom of 3, but to my precious little 3 year old--for the valuable skills she is learning so young.

[Donna Bowen]

Martha, Congrats on show 500! The ice sculpture was amazing! You looked terrific. Conan was hysterical as usual. And Pres. Clinton looked great and sounded so passionate about his new cause.I enjoyed the show greatly.
I also enjoyed the very entertaining show you staff put on for you this week. That quilt segment with you bleeding(ha ha) was so funny. Thanks for the memories. Donna

[Donnell Chambers]

Dear Martha, Congatulations on your 500th show. I am very happy to have been on one of your shows on October 11th 2006. It was a dream come true to have been in a baking segment together. I'm looking forward to your next 500 shows! Sincerely yours, Donnell Chambers