“It’s a love triangle between two boys and a girl. Zach Gilford and me and Ashley Springer, Alan Cummings is in it, Sandra Bernhardt...it’s kind of like a dark, sexy comedy.”
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.
I watch this exact same scene every week on The Game, the CW show about Football player's wives. Only they are sitting in a skybox. But same plush seats, "well" put together, the carefully arranged supportive, yet not trying TOO hard facial expression that just ends up looking insipid, and also, no one is wearing any team clothing.
Possibly the most ingenious idea ever. I mean, what, he has got to be getting a ton of press. NPR has already done a story on him for goodness sakes. Doug Quint- who yes, is gay- a classically trained bassoonist, has only had the business for a few months. He sees it as a fun summer gig while most orchestras are on break.
