Entertainment

What happens behind the scenes of a hit NBC show as it airs live

Jethro Nededog

2016-01-29T19:29:21Z

nbc undateable bts main — Bridgit Mendler and Chris D'Elia on the set of NBC's "Undateable." Adam Sztykiel/NBC

NBC comedy "Undateable" is doing something no other scripted comedy on TV is doing. It airs live every week, twice a week for both the East Coast and the West Coast.

In recent years, the live-aired episode was used as a special event and ratings boost by shows like "30 Rock." Last season, the show ended with a live finale episode. Then, NBC renewed it for a third season of all-live episodes.

Airing Friday at 8 p.m., "Undateable" follows a group of close-knit friends living in Detroit, helping each other figure out their lives.

Approaching its third season finale, the "live" airings of the show have evolved to include weekly guest performers, like last week's musical guest Weezer. It has also become very driven by social media, and departs from traditional TV sitcoms by breaking the fourth wall.

Creator and Executive Producer Adam Sztykiel agreed to give Business Insider's readers a behind-the-scenes look at a night when it was airing live.

Here's a look at what goes down when the cameras aren't running on "Undateable":

4:30 p.m. PT: Chris D'Elia (Danny) and Ron Funches (Shelly) wait to be announced during the cast introductions.

undateable Chris D'Elia danny behind the scenes

4:40 p.m. PT: David Fynn (Brett) gets last minute touch ups before the show.

4:45 p.m. PT: The cast and crew try to stay loose before the show starts.

4:55 p.m. PT: David Fynn shows off his American Flag sweater in an episode about Brett's citizenship.

5:45 p.m. PT: Brent Morin (Justin) and executive producer Bill Lawrence hang out in Brent's dressing room between shows.

nbc undateable brent morin bill lawrence

6:30 p.m. PT: Brent Morin (Justin), Bridgit Mendler (Candace) and Chris D'Elia (Danny) relax in Brent's dressing room between the East and West Coast shows.

nbc undeateable brent morin bridget mendler chris delia bts

6:56 p.m. PT: Creator/Executive Producer Adam Sztykiel in the "Undateable" control room.

nbc undeateable creator Adam Sztykiel bts

6:56 p.m. PT: Director Phill Lewis makes camera notes on stage between shows.

8:15 p.m. PT: Ron Funches (Shelly) and Bianca Kajlich (Leslie) tweet with fans during a commercial break.

nbc undateable ron fuchs Bianca Kajlich bts

8:45 p.m. PT: Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo, far left, hangs out with the writers during the after show party on-stage.

The "Undateable" one-hour season finale airs live on Friday at 8 p.m. on NBC.

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