Are They Really Drinking Whiskey on Blue Bloods? A Look Behind the Scenes
The popular CBS drama, Blue Bloods, features a family deeply entrenched in law enforcement, often gathering for dinner filled with familial drama and, seemingly, copious amounts of whiskey. But are the actors actually imbibing the hard stuff during filming? The answer, for the most part, is a resounding no.
While the show certainly depicts the Reagans enjoying whiskey, it's highly unlikely they're consuming real alcohol on set. Several factors contribute to this:
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Professionalism and Safety: Maintaining a professional environment on set is paramount. Allowing actors to drink real alcohol would be risky, potentially leading to impaired performance, accidents, or unprofessional conduct. The production wouldn't risk jeopardizing the shoot for the sake of realism.
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Consistency and Control: For continuity's sake, the show needs to ensure the actors are consistently performing at their best, day after day. Real alcohol would introduce unpredictable variables. The production team maintains strict control over the actors' performance and overall shooting schedule.
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Legal and Insurance Implications: Serving alcohol on set brings a host of legal and insurance complications. Liability concerns would likely outweigh the perceived benefits of using real whiskey.
What Are They Drinking Instead?
So, if it's not the real McCoy, what are the actors sipping on? Most likely, they're using a non-alcoholic substitute, such as:
- Water: Plain water is a simple and effective substitute, easily disguised by the glass and lighting.
- Tea or Coffee: These beverages also mimic the appearance of whiskey in a dark-colored glass.
- Near Beer: A low-alcohol or non-alcoholic beer alternative could be used, offering a similar mouthfeel and color.
The show's production team likely employs skilled camera angles and lighting techniques to create the illusion of whiskey being consumed. The amber glow of the liquid in the glass is easily achieved through clever lighting and post-production effects.
Are There Scenes Where Alcohol Consumption is More Realistic?
While the majority of "whiskey" drinking scenes likely involve substitutes, there might be exceptions. For instance, in scenes where an actor is portraying intoxication, the production may choose to use diluted alcohol, but under extremely controlled conditions and with professional medical supervision. However, this would be rare and carefully considered.
Why the Emphasis on Whiskey in Blue Bloods?
The frequent depiction of whiskey drinking on Blue Bloods contributes to the show's overall atmosphere. It serves to:
- Convey a sense of tradition and family: The ritual of sharing whiskey after dinner reinforces the family's bond and traditions.
- Establish character traits: The choice of beverage and manner of drinking can subtly hint at personality traits.
- Enhance the dramatic effect: The image of whiskey can add to the tension or relaxation of particular scenes.
In conclusion, while Blue Bloods masterfully creates the impression of the Reagans enjoying their whiskey, it's highly unlikely that the actors are actually drinking real alcohol during filming. The use of substitutes and skilled filmmaking techniques creates a convincing illusion that enhances the storytelling.
