Cleveland rolled out the red carpet for the cast of Hot in Cleveland - literally. 

We screened the premier of Where's Elka? at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and hundreds of fans were there to greet us on the red carpet. Rock Hall staff members said the crowd that cheered us on was comparable to the turn-out they've had for rock bands! How cool is that?

But more surprises were in store: As Jane, Wendie, Betty and I walked down the red carpet, I got a huge surprise when my mother-in-law, Helen Vitale, popped up! We had planned to visit with her and the family during our stay in Cleveland, but she wasn't supposed to be at the Rock Hall. Instead, Tom's cousins had brought her to the party. It was such a treat.

Before taking a private tour of the museum, Jane, Wendie, Betty and I gave interviews inside the "Cleveland Rocks" focal-point, highlighting the important contributions that the city and region have made. Did you know that the term "rock and roll" was first used on a Cleveland radio station in the 1950s? Today, that building houses Cleveland's public radio and television stations! Inside the Cleveland Rocks exhibit, we uncovered another connection between Hot in Cleveland and its hometown: Rachel Sweet, who rocked Ohio while performing in the 1970s and 80s, is now a writer and producer for our show! Her album cover was on display in the Hall!

Check out my photo album from our night at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has an amazing collection of memories and memorabilia: (My ex-husband Ed and his band Van Halen were inducted in 2007 - so visiting the Hall was a wonderful time for our son Wolfgang). We were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the "Vault" - where items are stored and curated for exhibition. The Rock Hall just opened its new Women Who Rock exhibition, and we got an up-close look at Lady Gaga's infamous "Meat Dress," which she wore to the 2010 MTV Awards. The dress had been "cured" - or should I say "curated?" - by a taxidermist to ensure it was safe for viewing. 

Jane and I were able to inspect the Meat Dress and matching booties before it went on view for the general public, but Wendie understandably demured, being a vegetarian and animal rights activist. Though the Meat Dress was a highlight, my favorite part of the visit to the Hall was getting a chance to hold Elton John's jacket. 

Luminaries from across Northern Ohio came to the premier party, including Cleveland Cavaliers president Len Komoroski. Everyone was buzzing about their "second-favorite" team - the Dallas Mavaliers - I mean, Mavericks - who had just defeated LeBron James and the Miami Heat to win the NBA Championship. In talking with Len and so many of the guests at the Hall, I was struck by how invested our adopted hometown is in our show - and I hope we will be able to feature them as guest stars on Hot in Cleveland in the future!