Viewers Voice, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Contributions received from individuals, foundations and corporations are tax-deductible.  If you wish to support the work of Viewers Voice send donations to:

Viewers Voice, Inc.,

P.O. Box 27758

West Allis, WI  53227-0758

Please make checks payable to Viewers Voice, Inc.

Or

You can use PayPal, just click on the logo below.

Coming Soon !!!!

Watch for Viewers Voice ebay items

All the years I’ve been flying it has been pretty enjoyable; I could never really complain about the service. So I guess it was time to catch up with me. When we left for our trip to Los Angeles for the Viewers Voice Conference on a great clear October morning everything thing seemed to be going great. I was traveling with my husband Jim, my daughter Debbie, her husband Gary Saugstad, my 18 month old grandson Matt and two Viewers Voice Board Members, Joe Strzyzewski and Roland Krieger. We all managed to arrive at the airport on time and after going through security for the first time with my artificial knee and not knowing what to expect, everything seemed to be going smoothly. We even had time to catch breakfast at the airport cafeteria, and then we boarded the plane. We were on Midwest Express so the only thing we were unhappy about was that our flight was too early to get some of those nice warm chocolate chip cookies.

We were in the air about 20 minutes when the Captain came on the speaker and informed us we were turning back to Milwaukee because of engine trouble. At first when we landed I was just happy we were all in one piece, little did I know the nightmare was just beginning. We were delayed in Milwaukee for three hours before boarding American Airlines heading for Colorado. Our first flight was direct to L. A. so this was a little discouraging but at least we’d be back in the air or so we thought. After being seated they then informed us we couldn’t take off because there was no water on the plane for the commodes. So we sat another hour on the plane before we took off for Colorado.

I was starting to get excited by this time because I had an interview with Sharon Gless (Cagney & Lacey) at the hotel at five o’clock and had no way of getting in touch with her or for that matter with the members that were expecting us to arrive at noon. I was also concerned about catching our flight in Colorado to L. A. When we finally did take off they informed us that our connecting flight would wait for us. We did arrive in time to catch our next flight, just barely and we arrived in L.A. around eight o’clock at night. That wasn’t the end of it though because when we went to pick up our luggage we found out they lost it.

At the airport I was able to get a hold of Sharon Gless and she was just happy to hear we arrived safely and we set up the interview for the following night. She was so sweet she offered to lend me some of her clothes if our luggage didn’t make it in and offered to help any way she could.

We arrived at the hotel around nine o’clock at night and what really bothered me was I had to make calls that afternoon for set visits and now wasn’t sure what to expect. We did have an appointment to go on the set of 7^th Heaven at one o’clock the following day and that was already a done deal. Now it was a concern for our luggage making it to Los Angeles. We signed into our room at The Sportsmen’s Lodge Hotel and then went to get something to eat. When we got back to our room I called the air port and they did find our luggage and it would arrive first thing in the morning. I guess it could have been worst we could have crashed with the bad engine, so with everything said and done it all turned out for the best.

The next morning was beautiful and warm and our entire luggage arrived at the hotel, what more could I ask for. We had a leisurely breakfast and then got ready to head over to the 7^th Heaven Studio in Santa Monica to present the first of our Viewers Voice Awards. When going anywhere in Los Angeles you always allow enough time for the heavy traffic and this day was no exception. We did manage to arrive at the studio on time and were greeted by the publicist in the parking lot. She took us into the studio where we waited for our award winners. We brought my grandson Matthew with and I wasn’t sure they would allow him on the set since he is only eighteen months old but it wasn’t a problem. They have quite a few children in the cast so they were well prepared to have Matt attend; in fact he was a big hit.

The first to enter the studio was Stephen Collins who plays Rev. Eric Camden and he was as friendly and lovable as always. After receiving a big hug and a kiss from him I introduced him to the rest of the Viewers Voice members. Jon Krieger, V. V. board member asked him about his appearance on Celebrity Poker. Stephen made it to the champion round but lost out to female comedian and actress Kathy Najimy (Hocus Pocus). He very seriously discussed his downfall in the finale round.

We were waiting for fifteen year old Mackenzie Rosman (Ruthie Camden) to arrive before making any presentations. There were four awards in all; Favorite Animal Performer, Happy, Favorite Young Performer Awards (female and male), Mackenzie and Tyler Hoechlin (Martin) and to Stephen for Favorite Actor in a Primetime Drama Series.

7^th Heaven is in its tenth record-breaking season and still going as strong in the ratings as ever. It is still undetermined whether the show will be back next year but my guess is that The WB can’t afford not to have them back. It’s one of the best series for family entertainment on television.

When Mackenzie made her entrance she appeared a little shy and quiet, but we were told she was preparing for a very emotional scene. After talking to her for a few minutes we got down to business of presenting the awards. The first Viewers Voice Award went to Mr. Collins and he graciously accepted saying: “I thank you so much for coming and delivering this and for a group that pays as much attention to television as Viewers Voice does, to have won this award several times is a huge honor, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the attention. The fact is as you can see 7^th Heaven kind of grows up in real time. Actually a lot of the stories this year focus on Mackenzie’s character Ruthie and the fact that she is growing up and becoming a young woman. This is just great I can’t thank you all enough it really means a lot to me, plus they’re really nice looking (award plaque), they look great in my office on the wall, thank you.”

We then presented Mackenzie with her award plaque for Favorite Young Female Performer. She accepted saying: “Thank you guys very much for coming here and this really means a lot to me and I’m really grateful for all you guys who care so much about the show and I’m really honored to get it. Thank you very much.”

I then asked Stephen about his new CD and he eagerly replied: “My band has made an album called The Hits of Rick Nelson, particularly for those of you who are “boomers” and old enough to remember Rick Nelson. This is the twentieth anniversary of the year he died. It’s old fashion, good time, melodic, toe tapping rock and roll and I’m really happy with it.”

I asked how his band was doing. “Oh great, we don’t get to play as often as I’d like but we get out there a few times a year. It’s more fun than anyone should ever have a right to have. The guys I play with in the 7^th Band are truly some of the best musicians on the face of the earth. I don’t know why they like doing it, but they do. I think it’s kind of a holiday for them, and it’s just great fun.”

I turned and asked Mackenzie if she went to see him and she replied: “After all this time I still haven’t seen him, I heard him though, play on the show. I keep hearing everyone say you got to go see Stephen playing here and they’re always like saying how great he is and I never get to go.”

Stephen: “It’s old people’s rock and roll, I don’t know if you’d like that.”

Mackenzie: “I like old people’s rock and roll”

After the presentations, Stephen and Mackenzie stayed around a while longer for us to get some photos.

There were still two more award to be presented but the dog Happy wasn’t on the lot this particular day so the publicist said she would make sure he would receive his award.

There was a little mix up in communication and Tyler Hoechlin wasn’t aware he was also getting an award. He was on the set and the publicist went to see if he was available. This wasn’t the first time we met Tyler, he was at a Viewers Voice Kids Luncheon a few years back and won a Viewers Voice Award for his performance in the movie Road to Perdition. When he entered the studio he was all smiles and stopped to take time to shake hands with everyone.

I presented the award to Tyler and he thanked everyone for the honor. He told us: “I’m planning on going off to college next year, so we’ll see where I end up going. I have no idea, it’s the most confusing thing I ever done in my life so I’ll figure it out along the way.

For all the young girls Tyler will still be on 7^th Heaven next year if the show returns. His response to this was: “They’re not going to lose me, not yet, not yet. They tried to get rid of me but I said no.”

This young has the personality, charm and good looks to make it big in the entertainment industry. I predict you will be seeing a lot more of him in the future.

So that was our trip to the set of 7^th heaven and as always we were made to feel very welcome. It’s been a pleasure all these years going over there where the cast and crew are always so genuinely nice and friendly.

My next column we will go over to the set of the NBC television show Medium. Until then let your voice be heard.