By Meg Peters
Review Co-Editor
A Lake Orion diner dear to Gingellville’s heart has finally made its television debut on CW50.
Baldwin Caf?, a television series dedicated to the madcap characters sometimes found at the diner scene, premiered last Saturday at?3:30 a.m.’The television series, written and directed by Mike Sneed from the greater Detroit area, was shot and produced at Lake Orion business owner Dave Chapell’s restaurant at the Baldwin and Waldon intersection.
The Baldwin Caf?, famed for its coneys, turkey clubs and fabulous breakfasts, now has its own sitcom,’Saturday’mornings in the early time slot of 3:30 a.m.
‘Set your DVR, VCR or alarm clock and get up and enjoy the show,? Sneed said.
With a cast of six main characters, including two Lake Orion actors, this funky group has met for over a year, after hours, at the caf? shooting the film.
Caroline McClure plays Candice, a waitress and one of the main characters, and Gingellville resident Neil J. Patterson plays Bert. The sitcom also showcases Lauren Candela, David Pesce, Tim Oestreich, Rocco Guirlanda, John Tynan Jr., Victor Pytko, Allison Megroet, Kellie Tate’and Sneed himself, each having secured a main part in the series. All actors are from Michigan, and many extras seen on set are from Lake Orion.
With one episode down, the first series still has 12 to go and another season on the way.
For more than a year Sneed has looked for sponsorship to secure the funding needed to air his television series, and finally decided it was now or never. He struck a deal with CW50, paid for a timeslot, and hopes more funding comes along to bring season two to life.
His main incentive was to reward his actors and actresses.
‘Now they have something to show for all their hard work and can call their mom and say, ‘hey, I’m on TV.? That’s a big deal,? Sneed said.
Sponsors needn’t have their own commercial, he continued, because his producers can procure one at a very low cost.
Commercials will air throughout the episodes, which Sneed said are packed with quick witted humor.
‘It’s really about the interaction of these zany characters that ended up all at one place, this caf?,? he said. ‘If you like clever dialogue you will really like the show.?
Sneed first found the caf? opportunity working on one of his other movies, ‘A Grain of Sand.? Once he found the Baldwin Caf? location everything fell together like a well-prepared coney.
He already has seven episodes written for season two, and invites any Lake Orion resident to step up and be an extra in the series’just contact him first at their Facebook page Baldwin Caf?.
‘Everyone is pretty darn excited,? he said. ‘For me, I was just so happy to get it out for my actors. When I started to see it coming up on the cable guide, and listed my name as director, that’s pretty exciting stuff.?