We just wrapped up taping of the pilot for Hot in Cleveland - an original program for TV Land - and I can honestly say, I haven't had this much fun on a set in a long time. From writer / executive producer Suzanne Martin (Frasier) to director Michael Lembeck - whom I worked with on One Day at a Time - this project feels like a family reunion.

The premise is a fun one - I play Melanie, a recent divorcee who has authored a book about 200 things every woman should do before she dies. To cross off one of those things, I've cashed in my airline miles to take a trip to Paris with my two best friends: Wendie Malick, who plays Victoria, a daytime soap star; and Jane Leeves, as Joy, the eyebrow waxer to the stars. Our plane crash-lands in Cleveland, giving us L.A. ladies a crash course in middle America, and introducing us to a heartland heart-throb: My co-star (and love interest) John Schneider.

Check out these fun photos from the pilot taping!

I won't tell you what happens next, but I will say this is one of the funniest scripts I've ever read. My brother Patrick and my boyfriend Tom were in the live studio audience, and they laughed so hard their faces hurt - even on the third, fourth and fifth takes. There is a huge buzz about Hot in Cleveland: 75 fans were turned away from the pilot filming because we had filled up, and fans were standing in the rain, waiting to get in!

Part of the buzz comes from our special guest star, Betty White - yes, THE Betty White! The studio audience didn't know she was involved and when she came out for her first scene, she couldn't deliver her lines because of the thunderous applause. We had to tell the audience to settle down! What an honor to work with Betty - she is so funny and whip-smart. Her delivery is just so sweet and gentle, and yet she delivers some of the saltiest lines in the script.

Hot in Cleveland is a little different for me because I am playing the "straight man" - while Wendie and Jane deliver the laughs, but Michael has been outstanding helping me adjust to keeping the script grounded. You've seen Wendie as the outrageous Nina Van Horn on Just Shoot Me among countless other credits. I've known Jane since Wolfie was a toddler, and I am thrilled to be working with such a good friend and great comic actress.

I am just so excited about Hot in Cleveland, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we get picked up. I hope you enjoy these backstage photos of the taping! Keep an eye out for our executive producer, Sean Hayes: You've seen him before on Will and Grace, and as brilliant as he is as an actor, he has an amazing vision as a producer. Sean and his partner Todd Milliner at Hazy Mills Productions have assembled an amazing group of people behind the scenes. I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with Sean, Todd, Michael, Suzanne and the whole team at Hot in Cleveland.