My Morning @ Cityline

What does someone who spends many hours of a workday booking guests, looking at runsheets, in studio and interviewing do on her day off? How about sit in a live, studio audience? Yuppers!

Today I was given an opportunity to attend a taping of Cityline and blog about it. The show is inviting mom bloggers to visit the show and share their experiences. I was absolutely thrilled and honoured to be picked.

It may seem odd why I would be so interested in being an audience member on a television show when I host and produce my own show. But I've watched Cityline for as long as I can remember. And even though I work in TV, I am still fascinated by what it takes to make TV. 

Cityline is a show broadcast nationally and taped right downtown at Yonge/Dundas Square, just a block away from my old stomping grounds at the Ryerson J-School. The new-ish Rogers studio is a beaut.

Our day started quite early, and despite leaving the house with 1.5 hours to spare, the lovely Toronto traffic and convenient drizzle almost made us miss the show! Eek! We finally arrived and were seated and here's our selfie! Everyone in the audience today was so vibrantly dressed - there was definitely a spring energy, despite the end-of-May drear that was outside.

Me and Marliese in our seats waiting for the Cityline taping

While we were waiting to begin, I took the time to scope out the studio; just like our studio at Rogers TV, the folks at Cityline use every bit of the floor and make it look like many different sets. All the pieces are on wheels, ensuring quick set transformations. 

Producers and crew prep guests before the taping

And this is a shot for all our male readers - yes, even guys wear make up when they're on camera! 

Dino applying some powder

Today's show was a make-over show, complete with beauty segments and a fashion segment with Lynn Spence. I love her spots - she always showcases fashion that can transcend various ages and demographics, and price points too! Today she did a whole fashion segment on pattered pants, with fashions from Melanie Lyne. I think I may have to take a trip to ML this weekend and try them for myself!

Lynn Spence on Cityline set, before fashion segment

Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the host of Cityline, Tracy Moore. Tracy was simply lovely. She's quite personable with the audience and took time to take photographs with each and every guest after the taping. Here's a shot of her reading over her script:

Taping promos before the show

And a great one of the two of us:

With Tracy Moore, Host of Cityline

And before we headed home, I had the opportunity to chat with JC Chessell. JC is Cityline's floor director, and a breast cancer survivor. I know her story as we honoured her at the Celebration of Hope Luncheon a couple of years back. At 33 years old, she underwent chemo and radiation. She let me know that this summer she's having a mastectomy. 

JC was a little bit surprised I wanted to take a photo with her - as I can attest, few people ask to take photographs with producers and floor directors. But through the taping of the show, JC was very much a force and the audience was really hanging onto her every word. She was funny and bubbly and someone I would really love to work with one day. You never know, I guess!

Here's a shot of me and JC.  As we parted, she joked, "At least I don't have to wear a bra this summer!" Wishing her all my best for a smooth surgery and a speedy recovery. To read Tracy's blog post on JC's Celebration of Hope honour click here.

With JC Chessell, Floor Director 

As you can see, it was a fabulous morning at the Rogers Media studio. If you'd like to request free tickets to watch a taping of Cityline, you can visit their website.