Day 6 - ...screw it I can't think of anything that rhymes with six, but today was AMAZING!!!!!!
Today is one of those days in which later on, you look back, and you wonder, "Was I really there?"
When I was maybe eleven or twelve I had chronic bronchiatis. I'd cough way into the night, unable to fall asleep because of it. Eventually my parents eventually just started letting me stay up and watch TV or movies. That's when I first really discovered Jay Leno. Maybe none of you remember, my Mom certainly would, but since then I've been saying how much I desperately wanted to be in the audience for Leno. 10 years of hoping and planning. When I heard he was going to retire in 2010 I freaked out. I had to get there. I sent away for tickets last February. I waited and waited, nothing came. I was nervous, I didn't have US stamps so my SASE was going without postage - which I assumed meant they wouldn't bother with me! Then the day before we left last week I found my self addressed envelope, still stampless, sitting in the mailbox with three Leno tickets for today. You should have seen how excited I was. It was like fate. The envelope wasn't stamped, but I guess because I had my address in the return to sender space, they had to send me the envelope. And it made it just in time.
Anyways. today was the day. We slept in because the show didn't tape til the afternoon. We left Anaheim around 11:30 and headed for Burbank. We made it in about 45 minutes and started looking for somewhere to grab some lunch. We ended up finding a Subway. Then we headed for the NBC studios. Dad and Tabi stayed in the car to look for parking while I jumped out and got in line - this was bout 12:30. It took them half an hour to finally get back to me. Stupid NBC has absolutely no visitor parking. We were probably around 40th in line. I made us get there so early because the tickets had warned that they give out more tickets then they have seats.
We had to sit around for about an hour and a half before anything happened. A bunch of, I guess pages (like the wimpy guy on 30 Rock) eventually came out and started counting the line, checking to make sure everyone had tickets and that everyone was over 16. Then they let the first 30 ppl in. By the time all them were gone, we were super close to the front and the line was stretching way way behind us.
We got in just after 3pm. They seated us about 6 rows back on the left hand side of the stage if you were Jay Leno looking out at the audience. They were awesome seats. Great view of everything but Kevin Eubanks and the band.
About half an hour later Jay came out dressed in jeans and a button up denim shirt. He talked a bit about how the show runs and took some pics with some of the VIPS down front. Then he disappeared to get dressed and John Melendez came out to throw souveniers into the audience. He then called for audience members to come down on stage and do a mini talent show. Those people won things too.
After that was done he gave some last minute reminders and right at four the Tonight show music started and out came Jay Leno, all suited up. The monologue was pretty funny. He talked about being in the hospital and then some current stuff. The commercial break. The band played Satisfaction. The break ended and Jay was back with Headlines. This was an extra special bonus as Headlines is like my favorite thing Jay does. I try and watch every Monday just for Headlines. Some funny ones in there, then onto another commercial break.
Its funny to watch what happens during the breaks. The camera men sit, the stage is swarmed, Jay gets his hair brushed and tries to shake off the brusher. Once some old guy came at him with makeup I think. Or maybe just a pad to blot his sweat.
The second break ended and it was time for Guest #1 - ERIC BANA. If you haven't seen a pic of Eric, go look now. He is amazingly hot. I've loved him for ages. He was in the Ang Lee Hulk from a few years back. He was the lead in Lucky You. He's done much more, but those stick out to me. I love him. He's hot. ANd has the best Australian accent. He was there to promote Star Trek - he plays a not so hot bad guy. It was a funny interview. I spent much of it drooling.
Another commercial break, then back with Eric for more chatting. A clip of the movie. Another commercial break.
The second guest was that old lady that bakes. She's tiny and funny. They were making a Birthday cake for Jay - oh yeah today was his b-day. The best part was that Eric Bana stayed in his chair and all the camera men moved, so clear view. LOL. Okay I'm not that bad. I watched the cake making. It was really funny actually.
Another commerical break. Big Bag Voodoo Daddy was the band. I've heard of them but don't care for them. They played, Eric, Jay and the old lady walked up and watched. Then the show ended. They filmed a short promo with the guests, then Eric Bana disappeared. Jay stayed onstage to take pics with more VIPS I guess. As we were leaving we passed within just a few feet of him.
It was probably one of the best hours. It went by so quickly and looking back, it doesn't feel real. I feel like I watched the show on TV, not in person. But I was there. And it was awesome. And I finally got my 1/2 life dream of being on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Well not on it. I doubt I'm seen on camera. But I was there.
After we left NBC we drove back to Anaheim...hit rush hour and it was yucky. We ended up at The Block, a big outdoor mall, and did a bit of shopping. Then left there and came back to the resort. We had dinner at The House of Blues, just a five minute walk from our hotel room.
Now we're back in the room chilling, waiting for Leno to come on. I think we're gearing up for Universal Studios tomorrow. Should be fun. More tomorrow I'm sure.
Hope you all watch Leno tonight. It's a good one.
Brynna
When I was maybe eleven or twelve I had chronic bronchiatis. I'd cough way into the night, unable to fall asleep because of it. Eventually my parents eventually just started letting me stay up and watch TV or movies. That's when I first really discovered Jay Leno. Maybe none of you remember, my Mom certainly would, but since then I've been saying how much I desperately wanted to be in the audience for Leno. 10 years of hoping and planning. When I heard he was going to retire in 2010 I freaked out. I had to get there. I sent away for tickets last February. I waited and waited, nothing came. I was nervous, I didn't have US stamps so my SASE was going without postage - which I assumed meant they wouldn't bother with me! Then the day before we left last week I found my self addressed envelope, still stampless, sitting in the mailbox with three Leno tickets for today. You should have seen how excited I was. It was like fate. The envelope wasn't stamped, but I guess because I had my address in the return to sender space, they had to send me the envelope. And it made it just in time.
Anyways. today was the day. We slept in because the show didn't tape til the afternoon. We left Anaheim around 11:30 and headed for Burbank. We made it in about 45 minutes and started looking for somewhere to grab some lunch. We ended up finding a Subway. Then we headed for the NBC studios. Dad and Tabi stayed in the car to look for parking while I jumped out and got in line - this was bout 12:30. It took them half an hour to finally get back to me. Stupid NBC has absolutely no visitor parking. We were probably around 40th in line. I made us get there so early because the tickets had warned that they give out more tickets then they have seats.
We had to sit around for about an hour and a half before anything happened. A bunch of, I guess pages (like the wimpy guy on 30 Rock) eventually came out and started counting the line, checking to make sure everyone had tickets and that everyone was over 16. Then they let the first 30 ppl in. By the time all them were gone, we were super close to the front and the line was stretching way way behind us.
We got in just after 3pm. They seated us about 6 rows back on the left hand side of the stage if you were Jay Leno looking out at the audience. They were awesome seats. Great view of everything but Kevin Eubanks and the band.
About half an hour later Jay came out dressed in jeans and a button up denim shirt. He talked a bit about how the show runs and took some pics with some of the VIPS down front. Then he disappeared to get dressed and John Melendez came out to throw souveniers into the audience. He then called for audience members to come down on stage and do a mini talent show. Those people won things too.
After that was done he gave some last minute reminders and right at four the Tonight show music started and out came Jay Leno, all suited up. The monologue was pretty funny. He talked about being in the hospital and then some current stuff. The commercial break. The band played Satisfaction. The break ended and Jay was back with Headlines. This was an extra special bonus as Headlines is like my favorite thing Jay does. I try and watch every Monday just for Headlines. Some funny ones in there, then onto another commercial break.
Its funny to watch what happens during the breaks. The camera men sit, the stage is swarmed, Jay gets his hair brushed and tries to shake off the brusher. Once some old guy came at him with makeup I think. Or maybe just a pad to blot his sweat.
The second break ended and it was time for Guest #1 - ERIC BANA. If you haven't seen a pic of Eric, go look now. He is amazingly hot. I've loved him for ages. He was in the Ang Lee Hulk from a few years back. He was the lead in Lucky You. He's done much more, but those stick out to me. I love him. He's hot. ANd has the best Australian accent. He was there to promote Star Trek - he plays a not so hot bad guy. It was a funny interview. I spent much of it drooling.
Another commercial break, then back with Eric for more chatting. A clip of the movie. Another commercial break.
The second guest was that old lady that bakes. She's tiny and funny. They were making a Birthday cake for Jay - oh yeah today was his b-day. The best part was that Eric Bana stayed in his chair and all the camera men moved, so clear view. LOL. Okay I'm not that bad. I watched the cake making. It was really funny actually.
Another commerical break. Big Bag Voodoo Daddy was the band. I've heard of them but don't care for them. They played, Eric, Jay and the old lady walked up and watched. Then the show ended. They filmed a short promo with the guests, then Eric Bana disappeared. Jay stayed onstage to take pics with more VIPS I guess. As we were leaving we passed within just a few feet of him.
It was probably one of the best hours. It went by so quickly and looking back, it doesn't feel real. I feel like I watched the show on TV, not in person. But I was there. And it was awesome. And I finally got my 1/2 life dream of being on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Well not on it. I doubt I'm seen on camera. But I was there.
After we left NBC we drove back to Anaheim...hit rush hour and it was yucky. We ended up at The Block, a big outdoor mall, and did a bit of shopping. Then left there and came back to the resort. We had dinner at The House of Blues, just a five minute walk from our hotel room.
Now we're back in the room chilling, waiting for Leno to come on. I think we're gearing up for Universal Studios tomorrow. Should be fun. More tomorrow I'm sure.
Hope you all watch Leno tonight. It's a good one.
Brynna