The Nate Berkus Show was my first awesome NYC experience. The taping was on a Monday and I went with my friend Lia Romeo. We didn't know what the episode would be about, but I hoped it would be about refurbishing and it was! A few days before the show I told Lia to dress up and wear bright colors because, "I want to sit near the front, and the audience coordinator picks who sits where - so look good!" Lucky for us as we were standing in line waiting to entry the studios, the audience coordinator selected us to sit VIP!
After we were seated I noticed a tv screen that read Mr. Goodwill Hunting. As I read it I gasped and said to Lia, "Oh my gosh I love him! I think this show is going to be about thrifting and refurbishing! Mr. Goodwill Hunting is an expert in thrifting and refurbishing." The show was great and I even learned a few things, but I will say the only downside to sitting VIP is how close you are to the cameraman. He was next to us the whole time and blocked our view half the time, but don't get me wrong I loved every second of it. Blocked view and all!
My next amazing NYC experience was going to the dress rehearsal for Saturday Night Live with host Charlie Day (musical guest Maroon 5) and sitting VIP! First you should know SNL tickets are extremely hard to come by and are only available via a ticket lottery. My fabulous friend Rachael Block won tickets and took me as her plus 1. Thank you RACHAEL! I should also tell you the VIP seats (the seats on the stage) are not available to the general public. They are reserved for guests of the actors, host, executives and other SNL people. So our being selected to sit VIP was a mini miracle - especially since we arrived late. We were told to arrive no later than 6:45pm for the 8pm dress rehearsal taping. Well we arrived at 6:50pm and literally in a panic thinking they would give her tickets away, but thank goodness they did not. Nevertheless, we were the last two in line. Soon after an audience coordinator came out to give everyone instructions, and people started to enter. As we moved to the front the coordinator tapped me on the arm and asked, "Can you and your friend go stand over there against the wall near that couple?" "Sure, no problem," I said. Rachael and I looked at each other with confused looks on our faces and walked towards the other couple. As I walked over I asked the couple laughinly, "Is this the time out section?" The gentleman said smiling, "Yes, this is were the bad people go." As we stood there, I said to Rachael, "I think we are in the VIP line!" She said, "Are you sure or did we do something?" "No! What could we have done?" I said. I should also tell you that earlier that day I told Rachael we needed to really dress up more then we usually do, because if we look really cute then hopefully we can get picked for VIP. Well it worked because soon after Rachael and I were entering the 8th floor and being handed VIP wrist bands.
Attending the dress rehearsal was the most exhilarating experience I have ever had. I was a gitty school girl grinning from ear to ear the whole evening. My face litterally hurt after two hours of non-stop smiling! Sitting VIP is the best way to experience SNL, but much like the Nate Berkus show, the cameraman is right next to you and sometimes blocking your view. But next to the cameraman can be Kristen Wigg and Jason Sudeikis which totally makes up for it! I was also very impressed with the stage crew. The way they built and changed sets within seconds was like watching a NASCAR pit crew. Of course they probably have the best in the business working there, but either it was an impressive sight.
I also saw Loren Michaels, the SNL comedic genius, at the beginning of the evening and Danny DeVito as a surprise guest!
All and all both shows were amazing experiences and a big check off the life bucket list!
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