Top of the Rock

9/12/08

Whilst waiting for the Conan show, went up the Rockefeller centre. For the "Top of the rock"
I also went to Empire state building a couple of days before, but I couldn't get any good shots (it was snowing though, which was pretty cool)

The Rockefeller Xmas tree


The Rockefeller centre has got to be one of the yuppiest places I have ever been to... It's up there with Mori Tower in Tokyo.


H.

Conan

9/12/08

The morning after the letterman show, I lined up outside rockefeller centre get the free Conan O'brien tickets (7:30am!)
So how does Conan compare to Letterman.. Well, they didn't take us to Roseland ballroom to psyche us up, there was none of that. We didn't need anyone to tell us to laugh at Conan's jokes because Conan is actually... funny :)

Like Letterman, they introduce the band first and they play a couple of tunes. Then Conan rocks up to greet us before the taping. Conan was awesome, he made 2 total strangers in the audience hug. He was also very tall, and his hair was unbelievable.

Hugh Laurie was the guest:
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=iULiXHrkpmY


H.

Lennon Anniversary

Ok.. This occurred BEFORE the letterman show. I got my timeline mixed up!

Went to Strawberry Fields in Central Park to see the John Lennon memorial. By pure coinincidence it was also the day that he got popped. 8th December!

These guys were apparently doing this (playing Lennon/Beatles tunes) until night. It was a somber yet very magical moment.

H.

Letterman

8/12/08

I was lucky enough to score a ticket to the late show. The staff were handing them out on the corner of 47th and Broadway. Providing you've answered their trivia correctly. They asked me "Name 2 members of the CBS orchestra" I could name like 5 :) I know, I'm such a nerd.



Before the show, I had lunch at Hello Deli (www.hello-deli.com), and Rupert was there!
He was very nice, answering our questions about the show and posing for photos.
The sandwich was very nice too, I had the "New Yorker Club" Corned Beef, Pastrami, Swiss and Russian on Rye.

The late show experience was quite unique.. One hour before the show, the staff take you to the nearby Roseland Ballroom to 'pump' you up for the show. An ultra loud-mouthed staff explained how to applause (they don't want any 'oohs' or 'aahhs' Just 'YEAH!!!!!' )
He also asked us to be as enthusiastic as possible at the same time. He wanted us to laugh as loud as we can at Dave's jokes, even when they're not funny.

"Remember, Dave feeds off the audience. So the more you guys go nuts, the better Dave performs. So, are we pumped for the show!?!?" "YEAH!!!" etc etc


Before the actual taping, they introduce the members of the CBS orchestra and they play a couple of tunes. I can remember one tune was a green day song.
It seems like a fun gig.. Will Lee was very energetic, apparently he throws his picks into the audience every night.
Then Dave arrives to greet us for a very short q & a. It was very short to the fact that he only answered one question before showtime... He was cool, just as you see him on tv really.

The guest was the lovely Jennifer Connelly.
The interview can be seen here -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEcHvhL5t3U
One of the skinniest people I have ever seen...

The other guest was CNN's Anderson Cooper
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBwsx-LYwA4
Talking about the 'planet in peril' series. (good series... depressing at times)


I forgot the band which closed the show, they weren't in my tastes.

H.

Hotel Chelsea - Spring Awakening

Afternoon of 7/12/08

After the knicks match I walked down to the legendary Chelsea Hotel.
It's a hotel where all these rockstar/artist lived (and died)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_Chelsea#People_who_live.2Fhave_lived_at_Chelsea

It's now a normal hotel. Where normal people stay (I think)


Night of 7/12/08

Saw the broadway musical, Spring Awakening at Eugene O'neil Theatre. Didn't know what to expect as I've never been to a musical. 't was very impressive.
Didn't know it was possible to sing and dance simultaneosly without sounding off-key (or worse yet, lip-synching) The cast can act too.. they were all great.
The storyline is a bit controversial (to some)
It's set in the late 1800s in Germany with all these ultra horny teenagers discovering everything, and they do pretty much everything onstage.
The music is very rock, featuring a rock band and small string section. Music was composed by Duncan Sheik, lyrics by Steven Sater.

Got to meet the cast outside the venue, the stage door was kinda next to the main entrance. They were what you expect, very friendly people who's having a blast at what they're doing.

Freezing (-3 degrees) with male lead, Hunter Parrish (who's also a tv star, apparently)


Would of loved a photo with the beautiful Alexandra Socha, but didn't get to meet her! :(

7/12/08
Saw the New York Knicks vs Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden.
The Americans definitely know how to put a show on. The atmosphere was crazy the entire duration of the event. They would have all these audience participation games during the breaks, such as the 'air guitar competition'
The crowd itself was also a very enthusiastic bunch. Considering the fact that the knicks have been struggling this decade. A few celebs were there courtside (where I was watching, not!) Steve Schirippa from the Sopranos, David Duchovny w/Tea Leoni and their kids!

Photos from nba.com/knicks



Oh, knicks beat pistons 104-92'