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Page 2 January 26 - February 1, 2015 It's the end of 'Parenthood' as NBC series concludes By Jay Bobbin © Zap2it Fans of "Parenthood" are sorry to see the se- ries end, but its creative talents are happy they got one more season to end it properly. Loosely inspired by the same-named 1989 movie, NBC's saga of the Braver- man family concludes its six-season run Thursday, Jan. 29. While showrunner Jason Katims and the cast members understandably have hesitated to detail what happens just before the end credits appear for the last time, it's no secret — thanks especially to their social-media accounts — that filming the finale drew tears from virtually everyone involved. "Our last days were very emotional," confirms Lauren Graham, alias the show's Sarah Braverman, "plus, without giving too much away, we were in a lot of unfamiliar places. This is a show with a real family feeling, and as we began to wrap, the physical pieces were being pulled away. We were literally losing the sets that have been our homes, so it was very symbolic." So were the dismissals of other cast members after they did their last scenes ... from Peter Krause (Graham's sig- nificant other in real life), Monica Potter and Erika Christensen to Dax Shep- ard, Sam Jaeger and Mae Whitman, who has played Sarah's daughter Amber. "A lot of people got 'wrapped' at the same time," Graham reports. "They announce when it's some- one's final day, so there were a lot of families there, with people taking pictures. I quickly had to come to New York for work afterward, so it all felt strange." As for the way "Parent- hood" does end, Graham — whose Sarah has been romantically involved with photographer Hank (Ray Romano) — maintains she's "very happy with it. I apologize for weeping through much of the last two episodes, but it felt unavoidable because there were so many things re- solved, and so many truly emotional things going on. "For fans who like a good cry, I don't think they'll be disappointed, but it's earned. You don't want the story to feel manipula- tive, and to me, it's a very real ending." A "Parenthood" series was tried by NBC and ex- ecutive producer Ron How- ard before, in 1990, with a cast that included David Arquette and a then-teen- age Leonardo DiCaprio. Graham originally wasn't set for the second, ulti- mately more enduring at- tempt; Maura Tierney ("The Affair") was to play Sarah, but health matters led to the part being recast. Graham didn't get the same sense of series fi- nality from "Gilmore Girls" after her seven years on that WB/CW show. "We shot a finale that could have worked as a series finale, but also had some loose ends," she recalls. "I was at a restaurant and the waiter said, 'Your agent's on the phone' ... which tells you how long ago it was, because I hardly carried my cell phone on me. "I went to the bar and picked up the phone, and my agent was like, 'It's over.' There was some ne- gotiating going on, and con- flicting pieces of information, so it was a very different feeling. (With 'Parenthood,') this was definitely satisfying, and it has closure." For a life and career filled with accomplishments, Debbie Reynolds is being honored appropriately. The true veteran of screen and stage – and very specifically of such classic MGM musicals as "Singin' in the Rain" and "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" – becomes the latest recipient of the Screen Actors Guild's Life Achievement Award when the organization's 21st annual ceremony is televised Sunday, Jan. 25, by both TBS and TNT from Los Angeles' Shrine Exposition Center. The accolade salutes the honoree for both professional triumphs and humanitarian efforts, the latter signaled in Reynolds' case by her crusades for mental health and the nurturing of dancers. "It's very nice, really a surprise," the pleasant Reynolds says of her award. "They do it kind of secretly, and it was very kind of them to include me. I've been a member (of SAG, which merged with the TV and radio performers' union AFTRA in 2012) since my start at MGM. Everybody talks about the 'good old days,' and I was a part of them. And it's fun to still be a part of this." In more recent years, Reynolds has appeared in HBO's Emmy-winning "Behind the Candelabra" and the feature film "One for the Money." Many of her earlier pictures turn up regularly on Turner Classic Movies, and she appreciates their ongoing accessibility to both longtime fans and new viewers. "I was there at the MGM auction, when they didn't know what to do with all these films," Reynolds recalls. "They were all in the archives in the basement, and that was before (TCM founder Ted) Turner stepped in to take over the purchase. We were very fortunate that he saw an opportunity and a necessity. They were exciting pictures, and they've held up all these years. And SAG stood by their people and has done a good job of protecting them." The mother of actress-writer Carrie Fisher ("Star Wars") – who will present the award to Reynolds –and producer Todd Fisher, Reynolds has done her own part to preserve Hollywood history by gathering memorabilia, much of which she has sold to private collectors. "In a way, I feel like a baby who takes as many steps as it can before it can walk," reflects Reynolds. "There are many trials with different moments in life, and I've certainly had my wonderful times with all of it ... and all of the great names who helped me and helped so many, and did such great, innovative work." BY JAY BOBBIN Screen legend Debbie Reynolds gets a big salute Debbie Reynolds The series finale of "Parenthood" airs Thursday on NBC.

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