After eight successful seasons on ABC, the cast, crew and producers of Touchstone Television's long-time hit series "Home Improvement" completed production on the series' final episode on Friday, April 9, 1999. The emotion-charged finale taping was followed by a gala wrap party on Stage 2 of The Walt Disney Studios, a step back in time to a soundstage draped in maroon and gold velvet art deco decor and the swingin' beat of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy filling the air.
("Al Borland")
RK: Al? In the final episode?
Q:Yeah.
RK: I don't think so!
("Wilson")
Q: Do you think audiences will have a chance of seeing Wilson's face during the last episode? Can you tell us anything about that?
EH: You will not see his face during the last episode, but you will see his face during the last show. We're doing a three-parter. And in our last of the three parts, there is a blooper reel. And so my last curtain call will be without any fence, without anything, because it's over. So now it's me, and here I am! We didn't do it in the show, we didn't want to do it in the show, because I didn't want to compromise the integrity of the character. We don't have to worry about doing it to get ratings, because we get large ratings, this is our last show, and it will be heavily promoted. So yeah, they'll see it, but it won't be in the context of the show.
Q: Where do you think Wilson will end up ten years down the road, after the show ends?
EH: I don't know. I would have a feeling he'd probably still be there. We don't even know for sure if the Taylors move, you know. I hope to still be there, God willing, you know, dispensing advice to whoever comes along.
("Bradley Michael Taylor")
Q: I imagine emotions were running high in there. How did you feel when the director yelled "Cut!" for the last time?
ZTB: That's not when it really hit me, to be honest. You know when it hit me was when we were doing our final bow, the curtain call. And they introduced us to the crew, and we ran through the entrance of the door, and looked at the audience there,. They were standing up, applauding for us. Tears were flowing, man, I was crying and crying. It was pretty insane, man.
Q: We've watched you grow up on "Home Improvement." How do you think you've changed during the duration of the show?
ZTB: I've grown up, you know! I've grown up on this show. As far as I can remember, "Home Improvement" has been a part of my life. And it's kind of interesting. I can't remember before "Home Improvement", you know? I can't. I don't remember what my life was like before.
