TCR 6/19 taping report
Queue banter, desk touching, Stephen speaking to me and the signed script.
We got up super early on this day because we were touring Yankee Stadium. I’m a Mets fan but this had to be done. Turned out to be awesome, we even saw inside the clubhouse. However it was not as awesome as what happened next.
As soon as we got out Yankee Stadium I made my parents practically run to get the D train (I was there a week and never took a C train :( ) back to our hotel then onto the TCR studios which were only like 3 blocks away from where we staying. Great place for a hotel in my opinion. So this is a mini recommendation for The Manhattan Club from me for anyone going to NYC to see TDS or TCR and wants to be close to the studios. /recommendation.
We finally got to the studios some time after 2pm. Around 10/15 people were there. Shishu had instructed me at TDS yesterday to ask the first person in line “Do eagles have eyebrows?” but it turns out I didn’t have to because after about 15 seconds standing there I hear the question and shout my answer back. Turns out Shishu is there and she invites me to sit in the front of the line beside her and ColbertisMyHero and her mum. In two days for both shows I’d gotten to the front of the line thanks to internet people. You guys rock! Shishu and I discuss the Mets, my “Jon” hat (which is the all black Mets hat that Jon always wears and the Mets hat which I wear the most now too) and some other stuff. Someone (and I apologise hugely for forgetting who) from OSCLA comes up to me in the front of the queue and says “Are you Susie?” I was like yeah. She said hi and went back to her group. At that point CMH says “Wait you’re Susie?” and it turns out CMH and me had “chatted” on LJ as we both had the same ticket problem. The world works in mysterious ways. CMH had been in constant contact with Truthy and at around 3 she finally arrived with her flag. More queue banter ensued, we saw Meg on the steps, we recorded our Ron Paul chant, had pics taken with the flag and then Shishu left because she was just there to have some fun and didn’t have a ticket.
After more banter they finalllly handed out tickets and let us in. They didn’t even look at me so again I beat the system thanks to tickets being in my parents’ name. I was only 4 days off 18 on that day but I was still majorly excited to have a ticket. I took number #4 so I was beside CMH, her mum and Truthy. We went through security, and sat in the waiting room for what seemed like an eternity. During that time pictures were taken, a note was left in the #1 ticket and more banter took place. Mark then came and announced they would be letting people in soon by ticket number. Squeeing ensued.
And when we got in wow. The studio is indeed much smaller in real life. The distance between the desk and interview area is nothing. I don’t know how Stephen makes it last that long when he goes to it. My seat had a great view of the desk (though I did have some problems with camera positions but I just leant over to one side and got a good view of Stephen). Once everyone was seated Pete came out and did his set and had me rolling with laughter. He was simply hilarious. The real audience coordinator checked our laughter levels and showed us the signal to cheer then Pete came out again and asked if the 4 of us (CMH, her mum, Truthy and me) would like to touch the desk. We screamed YEAH and ran over and molested the desk. CMH and Truthy even touched the chair. Pete noticed us going crazy and called us back.
And the moment of truth was upon us. Stephen came out and did his run around the studio, high five thing. I got him the first time but missed the second time round. He has so much energy! He asked if anyone had a question and CMH had her hand up right away so he played with her a bit moving closer asking if anyone had a question, anyone? Then he took a step back and allowed CMH to ask her question. She asked him about her DVD of fanvids which she had sent for his birthday. He didn’t get it because Viacom reads all his mail first. Viacom! They suck. Some point when Stephen was over the side asking questions I got the guts to put my own hand up (I don’t where from but I hadn’t asked Jon a Q yesterday so I wanted to ask Stephen something). I kept putting my hand up as he kept asking more questions. He came back to our side and ask some woman in the second row and she asked if he would ever do Even Stevphen on the Report. Way to steal my thunder. I kinda didn’t put my hand up after that but Stephen being the great guy he is pointed to me and said “yes you have something.” I blurted out “Yeah I was just gonna ask if you would ever have Steve on the show?” because I had been planning to since before even I came out NY and that woman stole my thunder. Stephen looked me right in the eye as he answered which was just amazing. He said he’d love to but Steve’s busy and he’d do a thing with his character and have to find out if Steve was acting before or if the anger was real. The actual full answer is lost on me because Stephen was looking at me right in the eyes.
The Q&A ended after that and he did the heel click and went to his desk. Some crew people came over to go over some stuff and I thought Stephen was making a change when he took out his pen and doodled something. Then he started folding the script into a paper airplane. I was like “whaaa?” then he points the paper airplane at us and we all hold out our hands and he sends it over and it lands right in front of me! I pick up, open it and realise he signed it. It was the most awesome thing ever. Audience coordinator guy reminded us to laugh at the Table of Contents and cheer when he did the signal. And filming began. We cheered really loud after the credits and gave him a standing O. Stephen tried to quiet us and when we finally quieted down he said “I wish I had a paddle so I could send your love back to you. Get on it science!” Brilliant. He did the opening bit with the NY Times next which was simply hilarious. I think you can hear me laughing and clapping at some point on the track. Then they filmed the eagle bit which was amazing. A live eagle in the studio and Stephen feeding it! Plus a Jon Stewart mention! They went to C-Break at which point some awesome music came out. Truthy, CMH and I were dancing along and Stephen joined us. He did loads of actions for the stuff too. I think it was Chumba Wumba. Totally amazing. They filmed the Alpha Dog of the Week segment after the break and Stephen almost broke twice because the delay of the sound effect. He managed to stay in character though. There was great in-studio reaction to the John Kerry bit. After that it was time for another C-Break. There was more music but this time Stephen was doing a bit more rewrites. Once he had got done with them he looked over at me (who had been gazing at him all this time) and gestured at me with his eyebrows. I did really almost faint. The interview was quite interesting. Stephen did a good job being in character with her. We had to chant “We’re #1!” though only twice while I was quite ready to go for a few more. Lol. Another C-break between the interview and the end. Stephen was again furiously writing but also taking time to note his audience which I really love him for. They got the ending done quick which meant they had no reshoots for the show. Stephen thanked us for being a great Tuesday audience then Meg told us how to file out. I still had my note for Jimmy because whilst I had asked Stephen a question the note was in my bag. I got the note out and handed it to Meg who said she’d try to get it to him. I hope he got it.
Once we got out we looked at Truthy’s signed flag which Mark had gotten for her and at my signed script. We all decided to stay and wait for Stephen but it wasn’t to be. Truthy left first, then CMH and her mum called it a night so they could see more of NY and finally at around 9pm my parents had had enough. Chinese had been delivered so we knew it’d be a while. We walked down to a restaurant and had a meal during which I told them I was gonna hook up with the JSX crew on Thursday and we were gonna meet Stephen. I told my dad I’d pay him quadruple the price of the Cyclones tickets we had for that night. He agreed and I got on the internets as soon as we got back to the hotel to share my fangirliness over the day and make sure I could tag along for the stakeout. All was good and we were set for Thursday.
The TCR taping was totally different from TDS. So much more energy most of which coming from Stephen who is so connected with his audience. My parents said they enjoyed TCR more and how Stephen was so great with the audience. My signed script is now safely in my bedroom waiting to be framed. Such a great memento of my trip. I love you Stephen! And it was great to meet Truthy and CMH.
The signed script complete with fold lines from the paper airplane.
6/21 - Hobocamp/the wait next.
We got up super early on this day because we were touring Yankee Stadium. I’m a Mets fan but this had to be done. Turned out to be awesome, we even saw inside the clubhouse. However it was not as awesome as what happened next.
As soon as we got out Yankee Stadium I made my parents practically run to get the D train (I was there a week and never took a C train :( ) back to our hotel then onto the TCR studios which were only like 3 blocks away from where we staying. Great place for a hotel in my opinion. So this is a mini recommendation for The Manhattan Club from me for anyone going to NYC to see TDS or TCR and wants to be close to the studios. /recommendation.
We finally got to the studios some time after 2pm. Around 10/15 people were there. Shishu had instructed me at TDS yesterday to ask the first person in line “Do eagles have eyebrows?” but it turns out I didn’t have to because after about 15 seconds standing there I hear the question and shout my answer back. Turns out Shishu is there and she invites me to sit in the front of the line beside her and ColbertisMyHero and her mum. In two days for both shows I’d gotten to the front of the line thanks to internet people. You guys rock! Shishu and I discuss the Mets, my “Jon” hat (which is the all black Mets hat that Jon always wears and the Mets hat which I wear the most now too) and some other stuff. Someone (and I apologise hugely for forgetting who) from OSCLA comes up to me in the front of the queue and says “Are you Susie?” I was like yeah. She said hi and went back to her group. At that point CMH says “Wait you’re Susie?” and it turns out CMH and me had “chatted” on LJ as we both had the same ticket problem. The world works in mysterious ways. CMH had been in constant contact with Truthy and at around 3 she finally arrived with her flag. More queue banter ensued, we saw Meg on the steps, we recorded our Ron Paul chant, had pics taken with the flag and then Shishu left because she was just there to have some fun and didn’t have a ticket.
After more banter they finalllly handed out tickets and let us in. They didn’t even look at me so again I beat the system thanks to tickets being in my parents’ name. I was only 4 days off 18 on that day but I was still majorly excited to have a ticket. I took number #4 so I was beside CMH, her mum and Truthy. We went through security, and sat in the waiting room for what seemed like an eternity. During that time pictures were taken, a note was left in the #1 ticket and more banter took place. Mark then came and announced they would be letting people in soon by ticket number. Squeeing ensued.
And when we got in wow. The studio is indeed much smaller in real life. The distance between the desk and interview area is nothing. I don’t know how Stephen makes it last that long when he goes to it. My seat had a great view of the desk (though I did have some problems with camera positions but I just leant over to one side and got a good view of Stephen). Once everyone was seated Pete came out and did his set and had me rolling with laughter. He was simply hilarious. The real audience coordinator checked our laughter levels and showed us the signal to cheer then Pete came out again and asked if the 4 of us (CMH, her mum, Truthy and me) would like to touch the desk. We screamed YEAH and ran over and molested the desk. CMH and Truthy even touched the chair. Pete noticed us going crazy and called us back.
And the moment of truth was upon us. Stephen came out and did his run around the studio, high five thing. I got him the first time but missed the second time round. He has so much energy! He asked if anyone had a question and CMH had her hand up right away so he played with her a bit moving closer asking if anyone had a question, anyone? Then he took a step back and allowed CMH to ask her question. She asked him about her DVD of fanvids which she had sent for his birthday. He didn’t get it because Viacom reads all his mail first. Viacom! They suck. Some point when Stephen was over the side asking questions I got the guts to put my own hand up (I don’t where from but I hadn’t asked Jon a Q yesterday so I wanted to ask Stephen something). I kept putting my hand up as he kept asking more questions. He came back to our side and ask some woman in the second row and she asked if he would ever do Even Stevphen on the Report. Way to steal my thunder. I kinda didn’t put my hand up after that but Stephen being the great guy he is pointed to me and said “yes you have something.” I blurted out “Yeah I was just gonna ask if you would ever have Steve on the show?” because I had been planning to since before even I came out NY and that woman stole my thunder. Stephen looked me right in the eye as he answered which was just amazing. He said he’d love to but Steve’s busy and he’d do a thing with his character and have to find out if Steve was acting before or if the anger was real. The actual full answer is lost on me because Stephen was looking at me right in the eyes.
The Q&A ended after that and he did the heel click and went to his desk. Some crew people came over to go over some stuff and I thought Stephen was making a change when he took out his pen and doodled something. Then he started folding the script into a paper airplane. I was like “whaaa?” then he points the paper airplane at us and we all hold out our hands and he sends it over and it lands right in front of me! I pick up, open it and realise he signed it. It was the most awesome thing ever. Audience coordinator guy reminded us to laugh at the Table of Contents and cheer when he did the signal. And filming began. We cheered really loud after the credits and gave him a standing O. Stephen tried to quiet us and when we finally quieted down he said “I wish I had a paddle so I could send your love back to you. Get on it science!” Brilliant. He did the opening bit with the NY Times next which was simply hilarious. I think you can hear me laughing and clapping at some point on the track. Then they filmed the eagle bit which was amazing. A live eagle in the studio and Stephen feeding it! Plus a Jon Stewart mention! They went to C-Break at which point some awesome music came out. Truthy, CMH and I were dancing along and Stephen joined us. He did loads of actions for the stuff too. I think it was Chumba Wumba. Totally amazing. They filmed the Alpha Dog of the Week segment after the break and Stephen almost broke twice because the delay of the sound effect. He managed to stay in character though. There was great in-studio reaction to the John Kerry bit. After that it was time for another C-Break. There was more music but this time Stephen was doing a bit more rewrites. Once he had got done with them he looked over at me (who had been gazing at him all this time) and gestured at me with his eyebrows. I did really almost faint. The interview was quite interesting. Stephen did a good job being in character with her. We had to chant “We’re #1!” though only twice while I was quite ready to go for a few more. Lol. Another C-break between the interview and the end. Stephen was again furiously writing but also taking time to note his audience which I really love him for. They got the ending done quick which meant they had no reshoots for the show. Stephen thanked us for being a great Tuesday audience then Meg told us how to file out. I still had my note for Jimmy because whilst I had asked Stephen a question the note was in my bag. I got the note out and handed it to Meg who said she’d try to get it to him. I hope he got it.
Once we got out we looked at Truthy’s signed flag which Mark had gotten for her and at my signed script. We all decided to stay and wait for Stephen but it wasn’t to be. Truthy left first, then CMH and her mum called it a night so they could see more of NY and finally at around 9pm my parents had had enough. Chinese had been delivered so we knew it’d be a while. We walked down to a restaurant and had a meal during which I told them I was gonna hook up with the JSX crew on Thursday and we were gonna meet Stephen. I told my dad I’d pay him quadruple the price of the Cyclones tickets we had for that night. He agreed and I got on the internets as soon as we got back to the hotel to share my fangirliness over the day and make sure I could tag along for the stakeout. All was good and we were set for Thursday.
The TCR taping was totally different from TDS. So much more energy most of which coming from Stephen who is so connected with his audience. My parents said they enjoyed TCR more and how Stephen was so great with the audience. My signed script is now safely in my bedroom waiting to be framed. Such a great memento of my trip. I love you Stephen! And it was great to meet Truthy and CMH.
The signed script complete with fold lines from the paper airplane.
6/21 - Hobocamp/the wait next.