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Posted in comedy | music | video on December 4, 2006
I saw the Daily Show, but not Tom Waits or Tenacious D -- Videos
Last week my kind friend Andrew invited me to a taping of the Daily Show here in NYC (733 11th Avenue, between 51st and 52nd st). They were tickets he'd requested two months earlier by following the instructions on the Comedy Central website. I was psyched to see the Daily Show, but depressed that by some sick twist-of-fate, our tickets were for Wednesday November 29th -- smack-dab in the middle of appearances by Tom Waits (November 28th) and Tenacious D (November 30th). Tough luck, but hey, at least we got to see the still-sober George Clooney (and John Stewart of course).
The taping itself was fun, but unfortunately they make you wait in line for two hours first. Luckily the weather was still nice. Once inside you get an opening act by a local comedian. I forget who he was, but he was the kind of comedian that messes with people in the crowd - he was pretty funny, but what made it all worth it was the private show you get by John Stewart before the actual taping begins - that quickly erased all memory of two hours in line. Not sure if I'd go again.....maybe I would -- definitely if I knew the guest was gonna be someone like Tom Waits....
And he even performed...
Tenacious D's appearance from Thursday below....
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Posted on December 4, 2006 12:12 PM
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Comments (7)
I went a few years ago to a Daily Show taping (ex Python Terry Gilliam guested), and the thing that irked me more than witing outside was the 'forced laughter syndrome' that comes with a live taping - producers need you as laugh backdrop for the show, so everything's heightened for response. People around you are forcibly howling through bits you might simply chuckle to on your couch at home.
Posted by dfactor | December 4, 2006 2:38 PM
@dfactor: I can agree with the forced laughter thing. I've see its effect less on me than on others, but those others more than make up for those quieter in the audience. There was one guy in our row who was laughing so loudly you couldn't hear Jon at all until he stopped, and there was a little speaker right at my feet.
As for the warm-up act, I think the guy was Paul Mercucio (sp?), though I doubt you should solely trust my memory on that one.
Posted by Andrew Fischler | December 4, 2006 3:34 PM
Here's a trick for you if you go see wanna see TDS but don't want to wait in line. They always oversell the show so invariably they have to send people away. Get your tickets but don't bother showing up until the last minute. They will give you a raincheck ticket for the day of your choice and you get vip entry. All it really means is you don't stand in the long line, you get let right into the waiting room but that can make a huge difference in January or August!
Posted by littlejilm | December 4, 2006 4:46 PM
when i went to see the daily show, i found myself laughing without being prompted because i find jon stewart so witty and smart. i mean not everything is hilarious (those are the parts that don't get as much of an audience reaction)... but when it's good, it's good -- live or on tv.
Posted by jinners | December 6, 2006 12:37 PM
Yep, the warmup comedian is Paul Mecurio. He does a lot of stand up around NYC and on the road. www.paulmecurio.com
Posted by Megan | January 9, 2007 11:03 PM
I had online tickets to a taping of the Daily Show but didn't get in. How do I go about getting these VIP tickets?
Posted by ralph | August 15, 2007 12:59 AM
not too bad
nice!! i can't express how much I love IT, oh yeah, the nation are pretty good too.
Posted by WOW GOLD | December 3, 2008 12:42 AM