Monday, October 12, 2009

Getting Into SNL.


The NYU Local had a fun article in today- how to get into SNL. It is articles like this that make me wish I lived in New York. However, it is pretty much only this- I'm really not a city mouse.

It is however, one of my dreams to go to an SNL taping. Can you imagine? Le sigh, it would be wonderful. I might die from happiness. Anyways, for any of you who are in NYC/ are going there and want a chance, you have your work cut out for you. Here's the inside scoop:
  • Get to 30 Rockefeller Plaza late Friday night The line should be obvious by the makeshift fences and devoted fans already there. Depending on who’s hosting tomorrow night’s show, you should get there anytime from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. When the Jonas Brothers were musical guests last year, the line formed on Thursday. If Duane “The Rock” Johnson is hosting again, you don’t exactly need to build a fort a year in advance.
  • Bring something to watch, read, or drink. If possible, pack a tent or sleeping bag Hours don’t go by quickly when spending the entire night on the sidewalk. So you’ll need to keep yourself entertained (and possibly intoxicated). Friends can rotate for visits to McDonald’s or trips to Times Square. And keep the weather in mind — I once waited in torrid rain without a tent, then proceeded to puke my sickness out the next two days. 
  • Grab a ticket at 7 a.m. SNL staff begins handing out tickets at exactly 7 a.m. You’ll be offered a ticket (with a number corresponding to your place in line) with your choice of either the rehearsal show or the live taping, but remember, admission is not guaranteed. The choice is tricky: you’ll probably have a better chance of getting into the rehearsal, but from experience, it’s much less of a thrill when your laughs aren’t being heard on national television. Yet a ticket for the live taping is risky — SNL staff has been known for not admitting anyone at some shows (again, depending on the host).
  • Go home and pass out Arrive at your lovely mattress around 8 a.m. and pass out for a few hours. That is, if you haven’t already from all the alcohol you secretly consumed in your tent.
  • Return to Rockefeller Plaza an hour before showtime Convert to every religion possible and pray that you’re let into the studio. If you have a lower ticket number — say, ticket #15 — you shouldn’t worry too much, but if you came late — ticket #120 — you’re better off trying out for a spot on the SNL cast. Also, please remember that nobody is allowed to use the restroom once the show begins, or you might actually pee yourself laughing.
  • If not let in, you just wasted your weekend Remember how I told you I waited in line during horrible weather and got the flu? Well, Christopher Walken was hosting and even with a decent ticket number, we were denied admission into the live taping. Prepared to murder Lorne Michaels, we went to a nearby bar. I forget what else happened.
-CE

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