Sorry peoples, had to bump this thread because I just got back from the taping of "The Colbert Report." It was, in a word, awesome.
So, there's a lot of waiting that goes on before the show. Waiting in line, waiting in the holding pen while they rehearse and then rewrite some jokes (this took awhile). The audience manager held a Q&A session with us while this went on, which was pretty interesting. Then we were led on stage. I got probably the best seat in the house - front and center.
They explained how to cheer before the commercial breaks, and that we needed to be energetic and all of that good stuff. A stand-up comedian came out and got people laughing. Then Stephen came out and did the 'toss' with Jon Stewart - got to see how they test the connection before the thing goes live - Colbert said something pretty funny about a debate between a crackwhore and Ralph Nader (I forget the details, but it was funny) and then they did the actual bit with the hat. He just snaps into character. He left, the comedian came back briefly, and then Colbert returned for a quick Q&A with the audience before the taping began.
He actually screwed up the Salinger segment and had to redo it, starting just before the woman says of Ghandi, "but he's dead." After the show he thanked the audience for laughing the second time through.
During all of the pre-taped segments (Guam, interview with KC lady) Colbert mimes along or tries not to laugh at himself. It was very amusing. Completely worth going.
So, there's a lot of waiting that goes on before the show. Waiting in line, waiting in the holding pen while they rehearse and then rewrite some jokes (this took awhile). The audience manager held a Q&A session with us while this went on, which was pretty interesting. Then we were led on stage. I got probably the best seat in the house - front and center.
They explained how to cheer before the commercial breaks, and that we needed to be energetic and all of that good stuff. A stand-up comedian came out and got people laughing. Then Stephen came out and did the 'toss' with Jon Stewart - got to see how they test the connection before the thing goes live - Colbert said something pretty funny about a debate between a crackwhore and Ralph Nader (I forget the details, but it was funny) and then they did the actual bit with the hat. He just snaps into character. He left, the comedian came back briefly, and then Colbert returned for a quick Q&A with the audience before the taping began.
He actually screwed up the Salinger segment and had to redo it, starting just before the woman says of Ghandi, "but he's dead." After the show he thanked the audience for laughing the second time through.
During all of the pre-taped segments (Guam, interview with KC lady) Colbert mimes along or tries not to laugh at himself. It was very amusing. Completely worth going.
Fun to watch though.
