Though everyone in the TV Land family is thrilled for Betty White to have been nominated as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for the 63^rd Primetime Emmy Awards, Hot in Cleveland also received a well-deserved technical nod.

Congratulations to Production Designer Michael Andrew Hynes and Set Decorator Maralee Zediker for their nomination for Outstanding Art Direction for a Multi-Camera Series. Our TVLand / Hudson Street Productions team received the nomination for their work on “Sisterhood of the Traveling SPANX;” “I Love Lucci: Part Two;” and “LeBron is Le Gone.” 

While the technical categories don’t grab the spotlight the way the acting or writing awards do, Art Direction gives the show that warm, comfortable feel that fans enjoy each week. 

According to MediaMatch USA, the official definition of an art director is “serving as project manager… for all the locations and sets that eventually give the film its unique visual identity.” On the Hot in Cleveland set, this means transforming the sound-stage into a soap-opera hospital – in the case of “I Love Lucci: Part Two” – or a polar bear swim club on “LeBron is Le Gone.” 

They have to make these magical transformations while remaining within a budget, so the team is very resourceful and creative, building some items by hand or visiting prop houses for others.

“The stage feels like a second home to me,” Valerie explained. “One of the reasons is because our art department is so talented at making our set comfortable and colorful. I'm constantly asking them about pieces they bring in for different sets, like an amazing antique dentist's cabinet they placed in Wayne Knight's character’s bedroom. Unfortunately, I couldn't buy it, because it came from a prop house.”

The art team sets the stage, literally, for how Valerie, Betty, Jane and Wendie work each week: They are also responsible for everything from their cozy, but fashionable, living room to their our friendly neighborhood bar – and all the little details that give the show a sense of authentic, Midwestern charm. 

“I've got dibs on the pig on top of our fridge, but I'm not the only one on set that wants it!” Valerie said.  “Oh, and the lettered mugs in Stormy's bar? I snagged a B and a V...”

You can check out the Art Direction team’s Emmy-nominated work via these links to the cast’s backstage tour of favorite places on the set:

TV Land Video Clip: What is your favorite place on set?

TV Land Video Clip: What would you take home from the set?