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6:39 pm: 32°F / 18°F » 5-Day Forecast

So, how was it?  What did they look like in person?  Was it cool?  These are just a  few of the queries I received upon returning to the office from Powell Symphony Hall.  That's where, at 8:00 this morning, we all found out that "Perky" and "Dude, "who we now know are Amber and Todd, would not be married. 

Here are a few things you didn't see on the webcast of the "2 Strangers and a Wedding" finale. First, the look of relaxation in the faces and body language of the other brides and grooms who applied, but didn't make it this far.  They all seemed to be genuinely enjoying themselves and each other's company as the drama unfolded in front of them.  I think the most interesting take came from Donelle, the runner-up bride who Cornbread called "Package."  I asked her if, after all the drama, grooms pulling out, a criminal record emerging on the finalist, if she was a little relieved that she was not chosen.  "Definitely," she told me.  She pointed out that sometimes things happen, or don't happen for a reason, and that maybe not being chosen was a lucky break.

As for the would-be bride and groom, there were varying levels of suspense.  Todd tells me he didn't know he wasn't getting married until he turned around and saw Amber for the first time.  The fact that she wasn't wearing a wedding dress was the tip.  What was it like when the realization hit that, after all this, Amber wasn't going to be married?  "It sucked," she responded rather succinctly.  

The closest thing we had to an ugly incident came compliments of WIL morning show host Cornbread.  They were broadcasting all morning from a second floor balcony, and Cornbread kept putting his stainless steel travel mug of coffee on the ledge.  (I'm told Producer Annie kept trying to remove it to no avail.)  Anyway, at about 7:45 the inevitable happened, and Cornbread sent the mug plummeting to the floor below.  The added problem:  the poor photographer for Fox 2 who was standing there. There was a loud crash, and Fox-guy nearly jumped out of his skin as the cup crashed on the tile literally inches from him and his $50-thousand dollar camera.  The guy could have been hurt!  Fortunately he wasn't and the show went on. 

John Rich from "Big and Rich" actually showed up and did a song before the bride and groom were revealed.  I hope he stuck around long enough to hear the best man (I forget his name) do an original composition.  The guy wasn't much of a singer, but the song he wrote was pretty good.  Maybe "Big and Rich" will pick it up.

By the time it was all over, you caught a genuine sense of relief among a lot of the people involved.  The radio station people will move on to other projects now, and our fearless bride has very little time to recuperate from all this.  She tells me she'll be starting a new job on Monday.  Will she go on a date with the man she nearly married?  "Yes," she says.  "But he hasn't asked yet."

P.S.  Watch for the ToastedRav video documenting the drama behind the scenes.  It will be up Thursday!

Tags: 2 Starngers and a Wedding Powell Symphony Hall John Rich Cornbread Fox 2