Not at Eight, Darling by Sherryl Woods

Author:Sherryl Woods
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781460392003
Publisher: MIRA
Published: 1986-10-09T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

As soon as the closing shot of the first episode of Goodbye, Again had been taped, and the audience’s enthusiastic applause was nothing more than a fading echo in the studio, Barrie heaved a sigh of relief and slipped out of the control booth. It had gone reasonably well, far better tonight than during the previous night’s dress rehearsal. The audience had been responsive, the laughs had come in all the right places, and Melinda had been absolutely superb as Karen Devereaux. Even if the show failed, she would emerge with a solid reputation as a talented comedic actress, a true television star. Barrie was sure of it.

“You were all magnificent,” she praised as the weary troupe virtually collapsed in the vacated studio. “I think a party is in order. When we go on the air next week, I want you all to come to my place for a celebration bash. You deserve it. I think we’re going to have a hit.”

“Do you really believe that we can make it even in this time slot?” Danielle asked quietly with a look of pure wide-eyed innocence.

Barrie’s brows shot up in horrified disbelief. She wasn’t particularly shocked by her friend’s question, only by the fact that she had voiced it tactlessly in front of the others on what should have been their big night to celebrate. Now, instead of excitement, their faces suddenly registered uncertainty. It was one of the few times she had ever known Danielle to display such lousy timing. Barrie tried quickly to undo the apparently unwitting damage.

“I believe this show is intelligent, witty and unique,” she said with heartfelt conviction, staring pointedly at Danielle as though daring her to disagree. “I’m convinced the critics and the audience will find it.”

Her comment effectively silenced Danielle, but not Heath. “Assuming they aren’t all out at the movies,” he muttered bitterly, echoing Danielle’s concern and reinforcing the depressing atmosphere.

“Don’t think that way,” Barrie chided him. “We are not going into this with a defeatist attitude. If we don’t believe in ourselves, we’ll never convince anyone else. Remember, All in the Family and Hill Street Blues weren’t hits when they first went on the air, either. They took time to build an audience, and they did it by word of mouth and critical acclaim. We can do the same thing.”

“Sure. But like you said yourself, first they have to find us,” he retorted, oblivious to the increasingly dismayed stares of the exhausted and increasing appalled cast. But when Barrie glared at him, he finally caught on to the effect his words were having, especially on the younger members of the cast and crew who hadn’t been around long enough to become used to the mercurial nature of working in television.

“Oh, all right. I’ll shut up,” he grumbled.

“Thank you,” she replied with exaggerated sweetness. “Now stop worrying and get out of here, guys. We have a new show to work on beginning Monday.”

Depressed by her admittedly ineffective attempt at a pep talk, Barrie started slowly back to her office.

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