Hubster Sharilyn has sent us this wonderful “Taping ReporT” of her trip to the March 11, 2016 taping of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”.
It’s been a long six months! I was last at the show for the premiere on Sept. 8. That was a long wait in an extreme heatwave, followed by a show that turned out to be an editing nightmare for the crew. This time around? Well, at least the weather was perfect. My condolences to the editors.
I had the pleasure of attending the show with three members of the Hub staff, who pointed out that I’ve kinda ghosted on the comments sections lately. Hence me being the one to write this up. (Are we even, guys??)
Getting Inside:
The first person in our party of 4 (actually 2 parties of 2) arrived at 11:45AM, and since it was a lovely spring day, the line was already healthy. At 2:00PM sharp we were checked in, stamped, given tickets 19-22, and instructed to return at 3:40PM. We came back on time, and didn’t have to wait long before going in. According to the audience coordinators, security will “maybe, maybe not” confiscate water. They didn’t, so we got to stay hydrated — always important for maximum cheering and laughing ability.
Since there were two security stations, the re-combined line got a bit jumbled. We self-policed the numbering after (the ladies behind us were supposed to be in front of us), but it seems that once you’re in, they don’t care.
The first 24 people in line were taken into the area immediately outside the studio, and we waited against the back wall. There’s access to the bathrooms at that point, which is great. More audience members were packed into the main (dark) lobby area, and then three more lines were added parallel to ours. Those three lines were the first to enter, and were taken upstairs to the balcony. I don’t know if they were all VIP (that’s where they stick ‘em), or a mix of VIP and general.
As we awaited our turn, Stephen’s brother Ed walked into the room. All four of us hardcores recognized him instantly, because we’re ridiculous.
The wait wasn’t bad (unlike on premiere night). Felt like maybe 30-45 minutes tops. We were led in, and mercifully seated in a fair manner (unlike on premiere night): the first two rows were filled with the first people in our line. Our party split in two directions: two of us in the middle of the third row, and the other two across the aisle on the third row in front of the band. Excellent seats all. The rest of the audience piled in, and brother Ed was seated in the standard ultra-VIP row, off the aisle in front of Stephen’s desk about four or five rows back.
Pre-Show:
Paul Mecurio came out and did his standard warm-up. He sure seems to know how to pick audience members to bring up on stage, because everyone was game without being attention-whorey. An enjoyable warm-up, during which he instructed us to not chant “Stephen” at the top of the show. This is a recent change, and one I agree with wholeheartedly. We then watched the first “Who Am Me?” segment on the monitors, and Jon and the band were introduced.
The band lined up across the stage and did their thing, with each member of Stay Human doing their killer solo (highlight: Joe Saylor’s tambourine destruction). Jon sat down in the guest chair and did his “Hello, Stephen” bit, and he came in through the garage door that he normally enters through.
The Q&A:
Our foursome discussed options in advance, and determined I’d represent us with mine. I have a personal rule not to ask anything that we’ll eventually find out the answer to regardless. I made an exception, because this one’s been driving me crazy. I was quick on the trigger with the hand-raising, so Stephen called on me first.
“Yes, young lady in the lovely red pashmina.”
*blush*
“Question about the old show …”
“Yes, the old show over there, the Colbert Report.”
“There’s a ‘Behind the Scenes of the Colbert Report’ documentary listed on Jeff Cooperman’s LinkedIn.”
“Yes, we made a documentary all about the last three months of producing the show.”
Stephen explained this to the audience and then turned back to me, awaiting my question. (Which I had thought would be obvious, but …)
“How and when do we get to see this?”
“Whenever Comedy Central is willing to license us the clips.”
I clutched my chest to communicate my crushing disappointment.
Stephen assured me that we’ll definitely get to see it eventually. I’m going to hold you to that, sir.
The other questions were:
Does improv still help you in your performance? Yes, because in an interview you have no idea what’s about to happen.
Someone brought up the bulb outside on the marquee, and he explained that the one CFL bulb in the sign burned out very fast.
Favorite interviews so far? He said Amanda Peet was very enjoyable, mentioned Joe Biden, and a few others that you’d expect.
What are the books on your shelves, and have you read them all? Stephen said he asked for a lot of science fiction books to be put in there. He then pointed out Ed in the audience, and said that Ed left all his sci-fi books behind when he went to college, so they became Stephen’s.
There was a young guy near the aisle of the second row, frantically waving his hand. If Stephen had more time, he surely would’ve been next. But as we’d later discover, not all was lost for this kid.
Stephen had two final instructions for us. First, he explained Friday Night Fights, and had us practice throwing our fists in the air and chanting. Next, he said that during the monologue, he was going to be interrupted by someone in the audience, but that it was a pre-tape and we shouldn’t look around to see where it was. “And what happened was a complete surprise to me,” he said.
The Show:
As promised, the monologue wasn’t as it appeared. Stephen’s dialogue was live, but Bill Murray was pre-taped during that day’s rehearsal. They obviously got every available warm body in the studio to fill the seats: you’ll notice Barry Julien in the plaid shirt right behind him, Paul Dinello and Matt Lappin in the row behind that, and Tom Purcell in the light jacket over Matt’s shoulder. Also, if you blink you’ll miss him: recognize the guy near the back in what looks like a yellow cardigan? He’d make an appearance in a sketch later on, for a bit that will air this week.
Stephen later explained that he was rehearsing, looked down, and Bill Murray really was just sitting there in the front row. Total surprise. He asked Bill if he wanted to do a walk-on that night. He said he had to leave, but told him to put the cameras on him and he’d do it then and there. And that’s what we saw.
Next, Friday Night Fights. Paul F. Tompkins is one of my favorites, a hilarious and decent person (a trait of all South Carolinians, it seems). Years ago he graciously gave me carte blanche to photograph him backstage at a small venue here in Toronto, so if you enjoy him, you may enjoy these.
This week’s Friday Night Fights was sponsored by TGI Friday’s Endless Appetizers! “They’re endless, and [a joke I don’t remember]!” Stephen offered some snacks to Paul, who grabbed a wing, pretended to eat it, but actually just dropped it back on the platter. Once all their appetizer-related banter was out of the way, Stephen put the platter down behind his desk.
Thankfully everyone got to see Stephen say “evah” instead of “ever.” Later in the show they had him re-record the audio to drop in, but I’m glad they kept it as-is. Fun moment, and we all love how quick he is to laugh at his own mistakes.
When Stephen cued us to close Friday Night Fights, we couldn’t hear him very well and ended up giving a pretty poor performance. Emmy hopes dashed.
Jeff Daniels made quite the entrance. What you saw of the interview was what we got, and they came in on time (I was watching Mark McKenna’s countdown flipboard).
They had to pause while the crew brought out the set for the Community Calendar bit. Stephen went and sat in the second guest chair next to Jeff, and asked if anyone had any more questions. The same kid from earlier frantically waved his hand again, with the people on either side pointing at him.
His question: could he ask a girl to prom on the show? Bold, my friend. Very bold.
Stephen asked him a few questions about the girl and their relationship (“best friend” was how he described her), and turned to his producers to ask if it was possible. Surprisingly, they said yes. Stephen said it would be at the very end, and that he’d have him pop up from the desk and say the line that he eventually delivered. After a pause, Stephen then laughed to himself, and said “I know what I’m going to say after that.” During the breaks that followed, a staff member went to him with paperwork to sign.
I had a perfect unobstructed view of the Community Calendar. It seemed like they might not have rehearsed it with Jeff, because before they started, Stephen gave him some camera directions.
Audra McDonald is enchanting, and I’m certain Stephen agrees. He seemed fully engrossed in the clip of Lady Day, and just plain fascinated with every word she said.
During the next break, a wardrobe guy came out and changed Stephen’s tie. Stephen explained to us that they’d tape a sketch to air next week, because the actor in it was only available to do it that night. No spoilers: Stephen introduced a supposed “astronaut,” and the comedian you’d spot in the background of the Bill Murray bit walked on (no doubt will surprise some people). It was a fun piece, and Stephen was laughing a lot. Glad he enjoyed himself while he could, because …
Uh-Oh:
When I saw Stephen say “that’s not my problem” to Paul Dinello during the next break, it was obvious something was wrong.
I was informed afterwards that this was related to the TGI Friday’s appetizers used in Friday Night Fights. And indeed, the finished product was stripped of all references to it, leaving behind a few random shots of the food on the desk (and then suddenly not).
I don’t know anything more than that. But based on Stephen’s demeanor – and how hard he was gnawing on his pen – it was a significant issue. Producers came and went from Stephen’s desk, delivering what seemed like progressively worse news, and at one point he simply got up and marched backstage. It has to be a terrible feeling knowing that the thing you made is eff’d, but you still have to go to air with it in a few hours.
It’s natural that our foursome would notice the abnormal stress level (we have over 30 TCR/LS tapings between us), but the people sitting around us picked up on it too. Over the next 5 minutes or so, focus slowly drifted from the band over to Stephen, and we became an awfully quiet group as everyone waited for this storm to pass.
And it did. Stephen quickly put himself back into performance mode, laughing to himself and chucking his now-decimated ballpoint towards his producers’ alcove. Meredith Scardino caught it mid-air, ninja-like, which prompted a welcome moment of elation.
Back to Work:
The promposal kid had been taken backstage before things ground to a halt, probably sweating bullets. Stephen brought him out, and could not have been more wonderful to him. He calmly and simply explained to him where to be, what his cue was, where to look, and what to say. They did it in one take, and the audience was really on his side. He seemed like a genuinely nice fellow.
There’s video on Youtube of him watching it with his now prom date, Devica (she said yes, of course).
Stephen walked Isaac back to his seat, said goodnight very quickly, and dashed off the set, no doubt anxious to finish putting out the fire from earlier.
(The Mary Elizabeth Winstead segment was pre-taped the night that she was originally supposed to be a guest, and was bumped. There was no mention of her appearance other than during the monologue, and we did not view it on the monitors.)
When it was safe to put our phones back on, it was 6:58. Not bad! Incidentally, we aren’t played out of the building by the band anymore; seems that was just for the first few months.
I hung around a bit afterwards to say hi to a few staffers I hadn’t talked to in ages (who then went back upstairs to deal with their long night ahead), and meet a few others for the first time.
Overall, a really lovely taping experience. Though the editors – and perhaps the folks TGI Friday’s – may disagree.
Life Hacks:
-The Hello Deli now has CD copies of the Late Show EP.
-The souvenir shop just north of the theatre (next to Angelo’s) sells LS mugs, so hit them up if you’re in the area late at night or on the weekends when the Hello Deli is closed. They’re open ‘til midnight.
-If you’re visiting a from out of town, stay nearby. It makes a huge difference to be able to put your feet up for an hour, and just pop back downstairs. I stayed at the Ameritania hotel which is literally around the corner from the Ed Sullivan Theater. I can also vouch for the Courtyard Marriott/Residence Inn just across 54th St. If you can get either for under $200, don’t hesitate.
March 11, 2016: The Taping ReporT!
It’s been a long six months! I was last at the show for the premiere on Sept. 8. That was a long wait in an extreme heatwave, followed by a show that turned out to be an editing nightmare for the crew. This time around? Well, at least the weather was perfect. My condolences to the editors.
I had the pleasure of attending the show with three members of the Hub staff, who pointed out that I’ve kinda ghosted on the comments sections lately. Hence me being the one to write this up. (Are we even, guys??)
Getting Inside:
The first person in our party of 4 (actually 2 parties of 2) arrived at 11:45AM, and since it was a lovely spring day, the line was already healthy. At 2:00PM sharp we were checked in, stamped, given tickets 19-22, and instructed to return at 3:40PM. We came back on time, and didn’t have to wait long before going in. According to the audience coordinators, security will “maybe, maybe not” confiscate water. They didn’t, so we got to stay hydrated — always important for maximum cheering and laughing ability.
Since there were two security stations, the re-combined line got a bit jumbled. We self-policed the numbering after (the ladies behind us were supposed to be in front of us), but it seems that once you’re in, they don’t care.
The first 24 people in line were taken into the area immediately outside the studio, and we waited against the back wall. There’s access to the bathrooms at that point, which is great. More audience members were packed into the main (dark) lobby area, and then three more lines were added parallel to ours. Those three lines were the first to enter, and were taken upstairs to the balcony. I don’t know if they were all VIP (that’s where they stick ‘em), or a mix of VIP and general.
As we awaited our turn, Stephen’s brother Ed walked into the room. All four of us hardcores recognized him instantly, because we’re ridiculous.
The wait wasn’t bad (unlike on premiere night). Felt like maybe 30-45 minutes tops. We were led in, and mercifully seated in a fair manner (unlike on premiere night): the first two rows were filled with the first people in our line. Our party split in two directions: two of us in the middle of the third row, and the other two across the aisle on the third row in front of the band. Excellent seats all. The rest of the audience piled in, and brother Ed was seated in the standard ultra-VIP row, off the aisle in front of Stephen’s desk about four or five rows back.
Pre-Show:
Paul Mecurio came out and did his standard warm-up. He sure seems to know how to pick audience members to bring up on stage, because everyone was game without being attention-whorey. An enjoyable warm-up, during which he instructed us to not chant “Stephen” at the top of the show. This is a recent change, and one I agree with wholeheartedly. We then watched the first “Who Am Me?” segment on the monitors, and Jon and the band were introduced.
The band lined up across the stage and did their thing, with each member of Stay Human doing their killer solo (highlight: Joe Saylor’s tambourine destruction). Jon sat down in the guest chair and did his “Hello, Stephen” bit, and he came in through the garage door that he normally enters through.
The Q&A:
Our foursome discussed options in advance, and determined I’d represent us with mine. I have a personal rule not to ask anything that we’ll eventually find out the answer to regardless. I made an exception, because this one’s been driving me crazy. I was quick on the trigger with the hand-raising, so Stephen called on me first.
“Yes, young lady in the lovely red pashmina.”
*blush*
“Question about the old show …”
“Yes, the old show over there, the Colbert Report.”
“There’s a ‘Behind the Scenes of the Colbert Report’ documentary listed on Jeff Cooperman’s LinkedIn.”
“Yes, we made a documentary all about the last three months of producing the show.”
Stephen explained this to the audience and then turned back to me, awaiting my question. (Which I had thought would be obvious, but …)
“How and when do we get to see this?”
“Whenever Comedy Central is willing to license us the clips.”
I clutched my chest to communicate my crushing disappointment.
Stephen assured me that we’ll definitely get to see it eventually. I’m going to hold you to that, sir.
The other questions were:
Does improv still help you in your performance? Yes, because in an interview you have no idea what’s about to happen.
Someone brought up the bulb outside on the marquee, and he explained that the one CFL bulb in the sign burned out very fast.
Favorite interviews so far? He said Amanda Peet was very enjoyable, mentioned Joe Biden, and a few others that you’d expect.
What are the books on your shelves, and have you read them all? Stephen said he asked for a lot of science fiction books to be put in there. He then pointed out Ed in the audience, and said that Ed left all his sci-fi books behind when he went to college, so they became Stephen’s.
There was a young guy near the aisle of the second row, frantically waving his hand. If Stephen had more time, he surely would’ve been next. But as we’d later discover, not all was lost for this kid.
Stephen had two final instructions for us. First, he explained Friday Night Fights, and had us practice throwing our fists in the air and chanting. Next, he said that during the monologue, he was going to be interrupted by someone in the audience, but that it was a pre-tape and we shouldn’t look around to see where it was. “And what happened was a complete surprise to me,” he said.
The Show:
As promised, the monologue wasn’t as it appeared. Stephen’s dialogue was live, but Bill Murray was pre-taped during that day’s rehearsal. They obviously got every available warm body in the studio to fill the seats: you’ll notice Barry Julien in the plaid shirt right behind him, Paul Dinello and Matt Lappin in the row behind that, and Tom Purcell in the light jacket over Matt’s shoulder. Also, if you blink you’ll miss him: recognize the guy near the back in what looks like a yellow cardigan? He’d make an appearance in a sketch later on, for a bit that will air this week.
Stephen later explained that he was rehearsing, looked down, and Bill Murray really was just sitting there in the front row. Total surprise. He asked Bill if he wanted to do a walk-on that night. He said he had to leave, but told him to put the cameras on him and he’d do it then and there. And that’s what we saw.
Next, Friday Night Fights. Paul F. Tompkins is one of my favorites, a hilarious and decent person (a trait of all South Carolinians, it seems). Years ago he graciously gave me carte blanche to photograph him backstage at a small venue here in Toronto, so if you enjoy him, you may enjoy these.
This week’s Friday Night Fights was sponsored by TGI Friday’s Endless Appetizers! “They’re endless, and [a joke I don’t remember]!” Stephen offered some snacks to Paul, who grabbed a wing, pretended to eat it, but actually just dropped it back on the platter. Once all their appetizer-related banter was out of the way, Stephen put the platter down behind his desk.
Thankfully everyone got to see Stephen say “evah” instead of “ever.” Later in the show they had him re-record the audio to drop in, but I’m glad they kept it as-is. Fun moment, and we all love how quick he is to laugh at his own mistakes.
When Stephen cued us to close Friday Night Fights, we couldn’t hear him very well and ended up giving a pretty poor performance. Emmy hopes dashed.
Jeff Daniels made quite the entrance. What you saw of the interview was what we got, and they came in on time (I was watching Mark McKenna’s countdown flipboard).
They had to pause while the crew brought out the set for the Community Calendar bit. Stephen went and sat in the second guest chair next to Jeff, and asked if anyone had any more questions. The same kid from earlier frantically waved his hand again, with the people on either side pointing at him.
His question: could he ask a girl to prom on the show? Bold, my friend. Very bold.
Stephen asked him a few questions about the girl and their relationship (“best friend” was how he described her), and turned to his producers to ask if it was possible. Surprisingly, they said yes. Stephen said it would be at the very end, and that he’d have him pop up from the desk and say the line that he eventually delivered. After a pause, Stephen then laughed to himself, and said “I know what I’m going to say after that.” During the breaks that followed, a staff member went to him with paperwork to sign.
I had a perfect unobstructed view of the Community Calendar. It seemed like they might not have rehearsed it with Jeff, because before they started, Stephen gave him some camera directions.
Audra McDonald is enchanting, and I’m certain Stephen agrees. He seemed fully engrossed in the clip of Lady Day, and just plain fascinated with every word she said.
During the next break, a wardrobe guy came out and changed Stephen’s tie. Stephen explained to us that they’d tape a sketch to air next week, because the actor in it was only available to do it that night. No spoilers: Stephen introduced a supposed “astronaut,” and the comedian you’d spot in the background of the Bill Murray bit walked on (no doubt will surprise some people). It was a fun piece, and Stephen was laughing a lot. Glad he enjoyed himself while he could, because …
Uh-Oh:
When I saw Stephen say “that’s not my problem” to Paul Dinello during the next break, it was obvious something was wrong.
I was informed afterwards that this was related to the TGI Friday’s appetizers used in Friday Night Fights. And indeed, the finished product was stripped of all references to it, leaving behind a few random shots of the food on the desk (and then suddenly not).
I don’t know anything more than that. But based on Stephen’s demeanor – and how hard he was gnawing on his pen – it was a significant issue. Producers came and went from Stephen’s desk, delivering what seemed like progressively worse news, and at one point he simply got up and marched backstage. It has to be a terrible feeling knowing that the thing you made is eff’d, but you still have to go to air with it in a few hours.
It’s natural that our foursome would notice the abnormal stress level (we have over 30 TCR/LS tapings between us), but the people sitting around us picked up on it too. Over the next 5 minutes or so, focus slowly drifted from the band over to Stephen, and we became an awfully quiet group as everyone waited for this storm to pass.
And it did. Stephen quickly put himself back into performance mode, laughing to himself and chucking his now-decimated ballpoint towards his producers’ alcove. Meredith Scardino caught it mid-air, ninja-like, which prompted a welcome moment of elation.
Back to Work:
The promposal kid had been taken backstage before things ground to a halt, probably sweating bullets. Stephen brought him out, and could not have been more wonderful to him. He calmly and simply explained to him where to be, what his cue was, where to look, and what to say. They did it in one take, and the audience was really on his side. He seemed like a genuinely nice fellow.
There’s video on Youtube of him watching it with his now prom date, Devica (she said yes, of course).
Stephen walked Isaac back to his seat, said goodnight very quickly, and dashed off the set, no doubt anxious to finish putting out the fire from earlier.
(The Mary Elizabeth Winstead segment was pre-taped the night that she was originally supposed to be a guest, and was bumped. There was no mention of her appearance other than during the monologue, and we did not view it on the monitors.)
When it was safe to put our phones back on, it was 6:58. Not bad! Incidentally, we aren’t played out of the building by the band anymore; seems that was just for the first few months.
I hung around a bit afterwards to say hi to a few staffers I hadn’t talked to in ages (who then went back upstairs to deal with their long night ahead), and meet a few others for the first time.
Overall, a really lovely taping experience. Though the editors – and perhaps the folks TGI Friday’s – may disagree.
Life Hacks:
-The Hello Deli now has CD copies of the Late Show EP.
-The souvenir shop just north of the theatre (next to Angelo’s) sells LS mugs, so hit them up if you’re in the area late at night or on the weekends when the Hello Deli is closed. They’re open ‘til midnight.
-If you’re visiting a from out of town, stay nearby. It makes a huge difference to be able to put your feet up for an hour, and just pop back downstairs. I stayed at the Ameritania hotel which is literally around the corner from the Ed Sullivan Theater. I can also vouch for the Courtyard Marriott/Residence Inn just across 54th St. If you can get either for under $200, don’t hesitate.