TCR taping report: 6/15/2010
This was my third time in 4 years seeing The Colbert Report taped. I've had awesome fun the past two times and last night was no exception.
I am currently interning at Beyond Our Reality Productions in NYC and yesterday I was the only intern in as the other intern was out on a shoot. I had still had a pretty leisurely day just running a few errands. Then of course the editing guys wanted me to transcribe something and I'm an intern so I don't say no. It was 3.30pm (I had originally wanted to ask to leave at 3.45pm/4.00pm to get me up to the TCR studios in good time) and it took me an HOUR to transcribe 95% of a 9-minute show. Transcribing is a bitch.
The TCR confirmation emails advise arriving no later than 5.15pm. I left the office on W 24th St, between 5th and 6th, at 4.30pm. I ran, jogged and sped walk all the way. I ended up in Times Sq which slowed me down considerably, damn tourists (I'm kinda over Times Sq now, it's too busy and all the tourists are so slow) but I reached 513 W 54th St (between 10th and 11th) at 5.10pm. 30+ blocks in half an hour, averaging a block a minute. Oh yeah!!! Did I mention it was near 80F yesterday? Not the weather to run 30 blocks but I did it and I made it.
Turns out I got ticket number 96 out of the 115 they let in. It's not as cool as ticket #1 but it's a ticket and it gets me in. The newer tickets are bigger and more reinforced than they used to be (In the older, smaller tickets that were less reinforced the person before you use to leave a little note and you had a connection to them. I miss that). On the way in the security check I checked the wall right at the front of the line and found myself and Kristin's writings from 2009. Made me smile big. Alas writings from 2007 and Hobocamp were nowhere to be found as they had repainted the white part of the wall. I was gutted.
So we got in and did some more waiting. The security guy (the shaved headed one) remembered me from last year, when he had remembered me from 2 years ago. haha. We had a bit of banter. I was convinced last night the wait was longer and the reason why is pretty special.
We finally got in like half 7-ish and got our seats. For being ticket #96 I ended up with a pretty good seat. I was 4 rows back on the far on end but had a great view of the desk and the interview area. The warm-up guy was Julian something and I was interested to compare him to the others I've seen, he came out and I was ready for him to do his bit and not expecting much. However the tvs around us begin to flicker and there's Jon Stewart in the TDS studio going over the script with his guys. Julian tells us something pretty special is going to happen and that we're gonna get to see a toss!!! Tosses used to be daily, then twice weekly and now they are every few months. Getting to see one makes us a very lucky audience. I'd seen a toss from the TDS end in 2007 but it was cool to see it from Stephen's end. When he came out he was his usual adorable and excitable self and I pretty much turned into a ball of squee at this point. He said hi and told us we were going to be a great audience then sat down in his chair and waited for them to be ready over at TDS. When they were ready Stephen and Jon just started shooting the shit which is one of the greatest things to watch. They compared stories about writing books and how much it takes out of you (gave me memories of Hobocamp and waiting till 1am whilst Stephen finished up his book in 2007) and they talked about their kids. Jon's son Nate was finishing up school and was sad about and conned his dad into getting a day off and Stephen's son Peter is at camp in North Carolina. He got a call and they said "You're son is fine but he got kicked straight in the head, he's bleeding heavily and got two black eyes but we don't think anything is broken" Jon was asking Stephen why he wasn't up there already to go get his son and Stephen was like "he's fine, he's fine. He got's two black eyes, a bloody nose and a big smile". Jon said he's a Jew and he's going NOW! Then they did the toss which was very funny and I hope you enjoyed it.
Stephen thanked us and went off again and Julian came and did his bit. And it seemed really longggggg. Maybe because the audience wasn't gelling so well with him. He asked if anyone was from outta town and there were two Australians in. The guy was like the Australian Louis Theroux, I swear the spitting image. Julian talked to them for a while about how long they were on vacation for (5 weeks!!), etc, etc. He asked again if anyone was from far away so I stuck my hand up but he called on this guy who was 3 rows behind me from Hawaii. If it's the same country it doesn't count and this guy was not a conversationalist at all so Julian was clutching for stuff. The rest of Julian's bit went on and on and on and on. It seemed like forever until finally Stephen came out again.
Stephen came out and thanked us again. Then he did his Q&A. The questions I remember are "Who's Jimmy?" (really people?) and Stephen got Jimmy to say hi over the speakers which was really cool. Stephen said he had a fan and to say hi. I was like no he doesn't actually have a fan, someone doesn't get your talking to the director, I'm Jimmy's fan! Heck I gave one of the interns a fan letter for Jimmy in 2007 (yes I'm sad. Chuck at TDS got one too). Someone asked what his favourite book was and he ran a fair few off, the guy reads some good stuff. Someone asked what his favourite dance move was and Stephen showed some off for us. It was amazing. Someone asked who his idol was and he said George Carlin. That's all I can remember but quite a few people got to ask questions, they seemed really slow last night in starting up and everything. I finally thought of a question and stuck my hand up but I didn't get called on. If anyone is going to TCR in the near future please ask Stephen if he's watching new Doctor Who and what he thinks of it. Before they were ready to start taping Stephen pinged Wriststrong bracelets into the crowd but I didn't catch one. And as hair and makeup person was fixing his hair he started fixing hers, it was funny.
Finally the taping began. Well they were starting but we were loud too early. Stephen told us we could get loud but let him get one line out. Hehe. So they did the opening and it was funny so of course we laughed then we got really loud during the credits and on the main opening. I was quite amazed Stephen got through the first segment, it seemed he struggled once or twice and I thought he was gonna break. Alas he didn't. However when he was putting the boxers in the microwave he fucked up the line (his words.) so he did that again. That's why you may hear us cheering a little louder then. Also during his interview with the woman (I forgot her name already) the microwave actually beeped so the little ripple of random laughter in the interview was because of that. We got Tip/Wag for the next segment which I've not seen done before so that was cool. He struggled on the name of the couple with the story about the fates bringing them together which I think would be obvious (I haven't watched yet) and I thought he was gonna break but he didn't again. He was pretty solid last night. During the breaks he was dancing along the music being piped through the studio which was brilliant fun. I found that a lot of people were watching him rather than talking amongst themselves. During the break between the 2nd segment and the main guest they piped through Holland 1945 by Neutral Milk Hotel and I immediately flashed back to my first TCR taping when they played this and Stephen sang along. So I sat in my seat singing all the words, garnering looks from other audience members but I didn't care because I was so happy. Sadly didn't manage to catch Stephen's eye as he was going over stuff with his guys. I caught his eye when he went over and did the guest bit though. His eyes are so beautiful. I'm not sure if they cut the interview down or not but it seemed slightly long last night. It was good though and Stephen pwned him pretty early. Always great to watch.
We finally got out at around half 8. The wait so they could do the toss put us around an hour behind of when TCR usually lets out. But I wasn't complaining because TOSS!!! So after the show I decided I was gonna wait around to meet Stephen because he's frankly awesome and I know he doesn't mind his fans at all. Security were actually really nice about me waiting last night and kept giving me updates. Makes a change from 2007 when they hated us. I think I actually managed to catch Jimmy leaving this time but I didn't want to seem crazy or hassle him so I didn't shout him or whatever. Stephen finally came out around 9.30pm and said "Hey kiddo" and of course he'd sign stuff and take a photo. I thought I didn't have any paper but I had my UoD name card from the welcome night so he signed that for me on the back. My sharpie sucked but it's out of commission now anyway since Colbert has used it. Then even though his security guy was there he took my camera held out his hand and took the photo of us himself. Yes Mr Colbert has touched my camera with his soft, soft hands. He messed up first time but got it second time. We said goodnight and I finally headed for food. Thankfully I knew the area as I'd stayed around there last time.
Photo time:
Ticket #96. If you get this next time, remember I've had it. :) I was gonna leave a note if I could find any paper but damn those tickets are really reinforced now.
Myself and Kristin's writings from 2009. Sigh the memories.
This is where the 2007 writings use to be. But they are no more. Gutted.
Me and Colbert. Greatest photo ever!
The Colbert autograph
Enough squee and rambles for you?
I am currently interning at Beyond Our Reality Productions in NYC and yesterday I was the only intern in as the other intern was out on a shoot. I had still had a pretty leisurely day just running a few errands. Then of course the editing guys wanted me to transcribe something and I'm an intern so I don't say no. It was 3.30pm (I had originally wanted to ask to leave at 3.45pm/4.00pm to get me up to the TCR studios in good time) and it took me an HOUR to transcribe 95% of a 9-minute show. Transcribing is a bitch.
The TCR confirmation emails advise arriving no later than 5.15pm. I left the office on W 24th St, between 5th and 6th, at 4.30pm. I ran, jogged and sped walk all the way. I ended up in Times Sq which slowed me down considerably, damn tourists (I'm kinda over Times Sq now, it's too busy and all the tourists are so slow) but I reached 513 W 54th St (between 10th and 11th) at 5.10pm. 30+ blocks in half an hour, averaging a block a minute. Oh yeah!!! Did I mention it was near 80F yesterday? Not the weather to run 30 blocks but I did it and I made it.
Turns out I got ticket number 96 out of the 115 they let in. It's not as cool as ticket #1 but it's a ticket and it gets me in. The newer tickets are bigger and more reinforced than they used to be (In the older, smaller tickets that were less reinforced the person before you use to leave a little note and you had a connection to them. I miss that). On the way in the security check I checked the wall right at the front of the line and found myself and Kristin's writings from 2009. Made me smile big. Alas writings from 2007 and Hobocamp were nowhere to be found as they had repainted the white part of the wall. I was gutted.
So we got in and did some more waiting. The security guy (the shaved headed one) remembered me from last year, when he had remembered me from 2 years ago. haha. We had a bit of banter. I was convinced last night the wait was longer and the reason why is pretty special.
We finally got in like half 7-ish and got our seats. For being ticket #96 I ended up with a pretty good seat. I was 4 rows back on the far on end but had a great view of the desk and the interview area. The warm-up guy was Julian something and I was interested to compare him to the others I've seen, he came out and I was ready for him to do his bit and not expecting much. However the tvs around us begin to flicker and there's Jon Stewart in the TDS studio going over the script with his guys. Julian tells us something pretty special is going to happen and that we're gonna get to see a toss!!! Tosses used to be daily, then twice weekly and now they are every few months. Getting to see one makes us a very lucky audience. I'd seen a toss from the TDS end in 2007 but it was cool to see it from Stephen's end. When he came out he was his usual adorable and excitable self and I pretty much turned into a ball of squee at this point. He said hi and told us we were going to be a great audience then sat down in his chair and waited for them to be ready over at TDS. When they were ready Stephen and Jon just started shooting the shit which is one of the greatest things to watch. They compared stories about writing books and how much it takes out of you (gave me memories of Hobocamp and waiting till 1am whilst Stephen finished up his book in 2007) and they talked about their kids. Jon's son Nate was finishing up school and was sad about and conned his dad into getting a day off and Stephen's son Peter is at camp in North Carolina. He got a call and they said "You're son is fine but he got kicked straight in the head, he's bleeding heavily and got two black eyes but we don't think anything is broken" Jon was asking Stephen why he wasn't up there already to go get his son and Stephen was like "he's fine, he's fine. He got's two black eyes, a bloody nose and a big smile". Jon said he's a Jew and he's going NOW! Then they did the toss which was very funny and I hope you enjoyed it.
Stephen thanked us and went off again and Julian came and did his bit. And it seemed really longggggg. Maybe because the audience wasn't gelling so well with him. He asked if anyone was from outta town and there were two Australians in. The guy was like the Australian Louis Theroux, I swear the spitting image. Julian talked to them for a while about how long they were on vacation for (5 weeks!!), etc, etc. He asked again if anyone was from far away so I stuck my hand up but he called on this guy who was 3 rows behind me from Hawaii. If it's the same country it doesn't count and this guy was not a conversationalist at all so Julian was clutching for stuff. The rest of Julian's bit went on and on and on and on. It seemed like forever until finally Stephen came out again.
Stephen came out and thanked us again. Then he did his Q&A. The questions I remember are "Who's Jimmy?" (really people?) and Stephen got Jimmy to say hi over the speakers which was really cool. Stephen said he had a fan and to say hi. I was like no he doesn't actually have a fan, someone doesn't get your talking to the director, I'm Jimmy's fan! Heck I gave one of the interns a fan letter for Jimmy in 2007 (yes I'm sad. Chuck at TDS got one too). Someone asked what his favourite book was and he ran a fair few off, the guy reads some good stuff. Someone asked what his favourite dance move was and Stephen showed some off for us. It was amazing. Someone asked who his idol was and he said George Carlin. That's all I can remember but quite a few people got to ask questions, they seemed really slow last night in starting up and everything. I finally thought of a question and stuck my hand up but I didn't get called on. If anyone is going to TCR in the near future please ask Stephen if he's watching new Doctor Who and what he thinks of it. Before they were ready to start taping Stephen pinged Wriststrong bracelets into the crowd but I didn't catch one. And as hair and makeup person was fixing his hair he started fixing hers, it was funny.
Finally the taping began. Well they were starting but we were loud too early. Stephen told us we could get loud but let him get one line out. Hehe. So they did the opening and it was funny so of course we laughed then we got really loud during the credits and on the main opening. I was quite amazed Stephen got through the first segment, it seemed he struggled once or twice and I thought he was gonna break. Alas he didn't. However when he was putting the boxers in the microwave he fucked up the line (his words.) so he did that again. That's why you may hear us cheering a little louder then. Also during his interview with the woman (I forgot her name already) the microwave actually beeped so the little ripple of random laughter in the interview was because of that. We got Tip/Wag for the next segment which I've not seen done before so that was cool. He struggled on the name of the couple with the story about the fates bringing them together which I think would be obvious (I haven't watched yet) and I thought he was gonna break but he didn't again. He was pretty solid last night. During the breaks he was dancing along the music being piped through the studio which was brilliant fun. I found that a lot of people were watching him rather than talking amongst themselves. During the break between the 2nd segment and the main guest they piped through Holland 1945 by Neutral Milk Hotel and I immediately flashed back to my first TCR taping when they played this and Stephen sang along. So I sat in my seat singing all the words, garnering looks from other audience members but I didn't care because I was so happy. Sadly didn't manage to catch Stephen's eye as he was going over stuff with his guys. I caught his eye when he went over and did the guest bit though. His eyes are so beautiful. I'm not sure if they cut the interview down or not but it seemed slightly long last night. It was good though and Stephen pwned him pretty early. Always great to watch.
We finally got out at around half 8. The wait so they could do the toss put us around an hour behind of when TCR usually lets out. But I wasn't complaining because TOSS!!! So after the show I decided I was gonna wait around to meet Stephen because he's frankly awesome and I know he doesn't mind his fans at all. Security were actually really nice about me waiting last night and kept giving me updates. Makes a change from 2007 when they hated us. I think I actually managed to catch Jimmy leaving this time but I didn't want to seem crazy or hassle him so I didn't shout him or whatever. Stephen finally came out around 9.30pm and said "Hey kiddo" and of course he'd sign stuff and take a photo. I thought I didn't have any paper but I had my UoD name card from the welcome night so he signed that for me on the back. My sharpie sucked but it's out of commission now anyway since Colbert has used it. Then even though his security guy was there he took my camera held out his hand and took the photo of us himself. Yes Mr Colbert has touched my camera with his soft, soft hands. He messed up first time but got it second time. We said goodnight and I finally headed for food. Thankfully I knew the area as I'd stayed around there last time.
Photo time:
Ticket #96. If you get this next time, remember I've had it. :) I was gonna leave a note if I could find any paper but damn those tickets are really reinforced now.
Myself and Kristin's writings from 2009. Sigh the memories.
This is where the 2007 writings use to be. But they are no more. Gutted.
Me and Colbert. Greatest photo ever!
The Colbert autograph
Enough squee and rambles for you?