It wasn’t my first time to watch a “live” taping of a show in New York. Back when my sister was here, (sometime 2001), we watched the then “Live with Regis and Kelly”. I’ve been very determined to watch David Letterman after he announced him impending retirement from “Late Show,” and I thought I’d pick a “light week” and signed up for tickets.
The thing is that when I signed a few weeks back, they only allowed you a choice of the next 4-5 weeks of taping coming up. In addition to that, they required I give not only my name but the name of my guest as well. I had put in Alan thinking he’d be in town, but I didn’t know then that he had a conference coming up. So they called the day before I was to watch. I didn’t even catch the call because it came after office hours and I was on the bus. I did return the call when I got home but didn’t get a call back, so I thought that was that.
But they DID call back the next morning, and I was told to bring a government-issued ID and to identify myself as being on Karen’s list. I was told to appear at the theatre between 2pm and 3pm and identify myself, get my ticket, and line up. The taping itself was 4:30-5:30 the same day.
I ended up seated on the left side of the lower level, four rows from the front by the aisle. (Which, I guess, was orchestra in a formerly three-level audience seating>) It worked out because the front has the camera obstructing your view of the band and of Dave at his desk. There was a lot of pep talk and cheering and rehearsing, but you go in trying to have fun and can have a ton of it if you let yourself go.
The CBS pages worked really hard and are a bunch of talented young people who will try to get you primed for your hour-long date with the big guy himself.
I’ve been watching David Letterman for years even when I was back in the Philippines. I can actually say we grew old together, although I’m not quite as old as he is. (HA!) As a New Yorker, you find yourself surrounded by a flock of tourists from all over. As a “native”, I actually felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb. But I think it would be a shame to be called a New Yorker without ever watching an icon like David Letterman “Live”.
Another one I would want to watch (someday) is Saturday Night Live. Their ticket sweepstakes run in August (I must check that out), or you can brave the line and try for the rehearsal show or the show itself. I would take either one anyday. (But they only tape on Saturday — literally.) One day.. some day…
D, this was the last show I watch before I hit the sack each night when I lived there. And I still do whenever I can. But I’ve never watched it “live”. It’s sad that he’s retiring. Got to enjoy him while it lasts.
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JJ, isn’t it funny how we tend to disregard all those great things that happen on a regular basis in this city because we live here? I keep saying I should do this more.. I only watch Broadway plays once a year at most.. and the last time was only because my BFF Donna Pineda was here from Australia with her family… (Note to self: Watch another play!)
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I would have wanted to see Barbara Walters’ last show.
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You know, I heard of her retirement but it caught up with me too fast. She announced it last year and then it’s ‘now’. Oh, well… You had Oprah there in Chicago for the longest!
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