Trip Report

Late Show with David Letterman

May 8^th, 1997

Arrived at Penn Station, NYC at 11:15 am, via Amtrak. Took the E train subway to 7^th Avenue exit. After climbing the nearest stairway, we stepped out into a cloudless sky and 63 degrees at 11:30 am on 53^rd and 7^th. Half a block later, we saw the familiar marque and no line yet.

We then went to 'Rock America' and Sirajul was working the back counter, so I had him autograph the Late Show letter that accompanied the tickets. He was very friendly and wanted to know which taping I was attending ( Thursday night has a 5:30 and 7:00 taping; the latter is for Fridays broadcast. I attended the Thursday one.).

Next stop was "Sullivan's"; however, the doors were still locked, so we stepped into 'Characters', adjacent to 'Rock America'. Around noon, we went to the front of the theater and talked to a page who was handing out standby tickets. He said to come back at 2 pm to have our regular tickets numbered.

Next stop was the "Hello Deli." Rupert was working and autographed both tickets. Very, very personable. He says he never knows when Dave is going to call on him for a skit. Yes, the deli is as small as it appears on television.

After leaving the deli we ventured down 53^rd past the exit and stage doors. The roadies for the Bee Gees were out there as well as two biker babe Bee Gee groupies.

At this point we walked down Broadway to Times Square, up 41^st to Avenue of the Americas and followed that past the HBO building, TimeLife, Radio City, Hurleys, etc, to 55^th . And then it was back to the theater at 1:30 pm.

Sullivan's was open now, so we went in for beers while we waited for ticket numbering time. The line started forming quite quickly so I stepped outside and took our places at 1:45 pm. Promptly at 2:00 pm the CBS page came and started numbering the tickets. We got numbers 36 & 37 and were told to return at 4:00 pm to line up for the show.

On to Central Park, a hot dog from a street vendor ($2.00) and looking for Dave souvenirs. Ended up buying a hat and sweatshirt at the CBS store, which surprisingly was cheaper than 'Rock America'. Then it was back to 'Characters' to wait for the doors to open.

Incidentally, $3.50 for domestic beer at 'Characters', 4.50 a pop at 'Sullivans'.

At 4:15, we went and got in line for the show. The warm-up guy (Eddie Brill) was already out there giving the rules (No cameras, no cat calling, no bathrooms after seating, etc.). Alan Kalder made a cameo outside the theater and talked to the warm-up guy. At 5:00 pm after everyone had used the bathrooms, we were let in to the show. We had third row tickets left aisle in front of the band. Excellent viewing seats.  This was 'Know your current events night' and the seats, unfortunately, were a tad bit too far from the center aisle that Dave uses.

The warm-up guy explained to us how we were to applaud when he signaled and then we watched 'Dave talks to kids' to pump us up. Next the band came out one by one introduced by the warm-up guy, Eddie Brill. Then it was time for Dave.

There was no ham given away that night. The question asked from the audience was lame. Something along the line of "Can you get me a cab out of here?" To which Dave said, "Sure somebody get this guy a cab, right now!"

The monologue was well received as was the 

Rupert Gee's video ' 28 ways to be Successful' was hilarious.

Sorry, but nothing spectacular happened with Billy Crystal & Kristen Johnston.

The Bee Gee's provided the only behind the scenes story. Barry Gibb led the song off with a falsetto howl. After about 30 seconds he shut the production down, claiming he couldn't hear his voice through the 'wedge' in front of him. Dave responded with, "Oh, great what are we supposed to do now!" Barry kept on with the falsetto, annoying everyone. Meanwhile, Dave is in the background (off mike) saying, "Paul, can we get the real Bee Gees. Paul, can you cover this. We haven't got all night." ( Keep in mind the Minneapolis audience is due in at 7 pm, less than 20 minutes away). Finally, the stage hands set up a new 'wedge' and Dave reintroduces the group. The new intro never made it on the air. It went something like this..'Ladies and Gentleman we had a false alarm in the cockpit. A warning light went off. Just the hydraulics'. Everything is all right."

The Bee Gees played something off their new album. Then it went to commercials and they played 'Jive Talkin'.

At 6:45 we were back on the street.

Hey, if you don't like this story, or you just want to experience it for yourself. Here's how to get your own damn tickets.

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