CALM helps TV 'Makeover'

extremecalm042: CALM helps TV 'Makeover'

With the cameras rolling, snakes start slithering into “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” Designer Preston Sharp’s shirt under the curious eye of CALM Animal Keeper Lloyd Klingenberg.

Oct. 20 started out as just another typical day at the California Living Museum (CALM). Citizens dropped by with sick and injured wild animals. Bears, raccoons, eagles, tortoises and all the other animal residents were fed and cared for. Crew members installed lights for the Nov. 30 opening of HolidayLights @ CALM. Then, the TV crew showed up.

“I don’t want Lloyd (CALM animal keeper Lloyd Klingenberg) sneaking up behind me with a snake,” said “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” Designer/Actor Preston Sharp.

“Don’t worry, he’s not like that,” assured Field Producer Emily Sinclair.

Sharp, Sinclair and five other crew members from the popular ABC-TV hit series had come to CALM to videotape a segment for the show being shot south of Bakersfield. It centered around the Elcano family who lost husband and father Glen in a fatal traffic accident on June 3. The show’s mission, with the help of hundreds of local residents, including Sweaney Construction, Inc., was to rebuild the family’s old, deteriorating house in one week.

“We got a call from one of the show’s producers, Chris, telling us about Michael Elcano, the 11-year-old son who collects and studies reptiles,” said Lana Fain, CALM program supervisor. “Chris wanted to shoot a segment at CALM that would show Sharp researching ideas to redecorate Michael’s room in a reptile theme. The producer added that every time they do a segment like this it is designed to provide education to the viewer about the subject, as well. We thought it was a great idea and would provide us with a national forum to promote CALM, too.”

About noon, the crew showed up. And the questions began.

“We would like to surprise Michael by presenting him with maybe a tortoise and a snake,” Sinclair told Fain.

“We have a tortoise hatchling that we would be honored to have Michael adopt,” Fain answered. “I’m sorry, but we can’t help you out with the snakes, although Lloyd can show Preston a couple in the reptile house.”

“Preston will want to handle them,” said Sinclair.

“Is he afraid of snakes,” Klingenberg asked.

“No, he loves them,” Sinclair replied.

Sure enough, when Sharp showed up a few minutes later, he was talking about Michael’s fondness for snakes and his own vision.

“Michael’s got a few rat and milk snakes, bearded dragon and tortoise,” Sharp said. “I’ve got this crazy idea of making a snake bed for him that will have a terrarium headboard and one at the foot of the bed. Will that cause nightmares and lawsuits?”

“Not if he loves snakes,” Klingenberg replied .

“That’s the right answer,” Sharp laughed. “Herb the herpetologist knows his snakes.”

As the camera whirred, Sharp and Klingenberg stopped in front of various enclosures inside the Al Robbins Herpetological Center to talk about various kinds of reptiles and their characteristics. The unscripted conversation was spontaneous, informational and even humorous, as the crew only stopped shooting a couple of times to get extra takes. One exchange involved eating habits.

“You know on these shoots Disney (ABC’s parent company) feeds us once a week,” said Sharp

“We feed the snakes twice-a-week,” came Klingenberg’s quick reply.

At one point, Klingenberg reached into a couple of nearby snake cages and produced a rosey boa and a kingsnake and handed them to Sharp. Without missing a beat, the actor placed them across a forearm and let them slither. As they did, the two men talked about how these were non-venomous snakes which still had sharp teeth but if handled correctly were generally harmless to humans. When the snakes got inside Sharp’s shirt, the crew and Klingenberg got a little nervous, but not Sharp.

"You know, I’m feeling a little wet. Are they doing something I should worry about,” Sharp asked.

“You don’t want to know,” Klingenberg replied. “Let’s just say they are more afraid of you then you are of them.”

“Herb the herpetologist should know,” Sharp said with a pained look to the camera.

“His name’s not Herb. You have called him that six times,” interrupted Sinclair.

“Holy cow,”groaned Sharp.

You can see CALM, Sharp, Klingenberg and the finished house when ABC airs Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on Nov. 21.


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