John Vs. Conan…

Two of the most interesting things we did in New York had to have been attending the taping of a couple of shows. The shows that we got into were Late Night with Conan O’Brian show (unfortunately he didn’t pull out the Walker Texas Ranger Leaver) and Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with John Stewart. Both are on about the same time, late at night. The first most people are familiar with. It airs on NBC affiliates and is similar to the Tonight Show, and David Letterman. The second is cable only and is a news show that mocks current events. Interestingly enough the Daily Show is becoming more and more popular and I’m not sure they even know how to handle the success.

The one thing you need to know about going to tapings of television shows is be there early. We also went to The Today Show and only got there about 40 min before the show started. That show we saw (well I did RB couldn’t see much because of all the tall people in her way) from several rows back and could not work our way forward. So for the Daily Show we arrived 2 hours early. The Show tapes at 5 and showed at 3. We were far from the first. In fact we were behind about 50 people or so. The building for the Daily show is a non-descript 3 or 4 story building on the West side. You would have no clue it was a TV Studio except for large banners hanging from the second floor that say “Comedy Central” or “The Daily Show”. Waiting in line was kind of boring though we did me some grad student from Duluth. He was going for his masters in Fine Art… What are you going to do with a masters in Fine Art?

After about one hour and fifteen minutes then started to hand out tickets and move people inside. These tickets were just yellow pieces of paper with “The Daily Show” and a number printed on them and laminated. Everyone was marched in groups down a flight of stairs into a little holding area. After a few minutes of milling about a couple of staff members came down and gave the rules. Pretty simple stuff really: Sit where they tell you, don’t yell obscenities, and no cameras or recording. Then we waited some more. After a while we were brought up into the studio. It was a pretty large room with high warehouse style ceilings. There were 3 sets of bleachers making a semi-circle around John Stewart’s desk. We sat in the largest one directly in front of the desk. After everyone was seated the reiterated some of the rules (no filming or photos) and then a guy came out to warm us up.

The Comedian that came out was pretty funny. They really needed to get people to be loud because the space was so big and swallows sound. After that John Stewart came out and talked with the crowd, he seemed like a nice guy and was really funny. He is also very short. 5’8” I would guess. That night his guest was Caroline Kennedy JFK’s daughter that runs some organization. The interview was not all that but the rest of the show was hilarious. John Stewart is very animated during the show and it is totally different seeing it live then on the Television. We really had a good time there and after it was all over a snapped a quick picture of the stage. What I found really interesting is they don’t really realize how popular they are and don’t really know how to handle it. Talking to people in line as recent as two years ago you didn’t even need to call ahead to get tickets, just show up. Also the whole process of getting tickets (sending an eMail… that was the whole process) and then getting people in line into the studio show that this is all really new to them.

We saw The Daily Show on Monday night and the next night we had tickets to Conan O’Brian. These tickets were hard to come by because you had to call on the day they were taking reservations for the week you wanted to see the show. They don’t post when they will be taking reservations either. So you have to repeatedly call the reservation line and check the message. They only give ½ weeks notice of when they will take reservations so I think I called in no less than 10 times! But I did get tickets so it worked out. Conan films at NBC studios which is located in Rockefeller Plaza just a few blocks from our hotel. The building is amazing and a must see even if you don’t go see Conan. We knew how to get there as it is the same location that they film The Today Show at. The nice thing about Conan is that they have been doing this for more than a decade and while it was a hassle to get tickets the rest of the process was pretty nice.

Again we arrived at about 3 when the show taped at 5. But this time there were only a dozen or so people in line ahead of us. After only a 15 minute wait or so a staff member came and gave everyone in line tickets to the show with the place in line indicated on the back and wrist bands. Then you could leave and you were guaranteed your place in line in a little over an hour when you came back. That was nice as the building was kind of stuffy. So we left went and saw St. Patrick’s and checked out the NBC store. The tickets were real looking tickets too. Once we came back and got into our place in line they had us go through security (a reoccurring theme in New York) and took us in groups up the elevators to the studio. Another nice perk was a free t-shirt for coming to see the show, as the tickets were free that was really cool.

Conan’s studio was tiny. I mean tiny. His desk only sits about 3 feet high and is no more than 4 feet long. He must literally sit on his legs to get behind it. The whole room was no more than 30ft across. The Band was squirreled up in a corner and they must use wide angle lenses to capture everything because everything is so close together. Again we heard the rules, they were almost identical to The Daily Show’s and again a comic came out to warm up the crowd. I have to say thought the comic at the first show was better. After that Conan came in and worked the crowed. RB and I got to shake his hand (we were in the 3 row!) and he hugged the guy sitting behind RB. He then had another guy hug the first and then hug Max Weinberg the band leader. It was pretty funny. RB was funny because she thought, and I agree, that Conan has a really weak hand shake. Not only that but he is really, really tall, skinny, and in real life looks a lot older than he does on TV.

His guests that night were Will (I don’t know the actors name) from Will and Grace and Jean (again not so good with names) from the new X-Men movie with musical guest the Drive by Truckers. The show was fun and seemed to go by super fast. When it was over Conan didn’t seem to want to leave so he grabbed a microphone and just started singing for us. It was kind of weird and really funny. Not really sure what that was all about but it was fun. I have to say that I had a little more fun at The Daily Show but it was a great time both nights. I would recommend trying to get tickets to either or both shows.

What did we do in New York

Even thought there is some much to see and do in New York our tour was such a world wind – I have to say RB was an amazing sport putting up with my jam packed plan – it probably is still easier to summarize what we did do verses what we didn’t! We averaged about 3 – 5 different activities and generally were out and about town from early morning to evening. We didn’t go out and partake in much of the nightlife beyond the hotel bar, going to shows, or dining out. We did try to see all of the big items of course. Here is a brief list of those items and the day we went there.

Thursday Day 1

This was our first day and we spent most of it traveling. But we did get into town and checked in rather early so we went out exploring.

Grand Centeral Station – We ended up seeing this multiple times as it was a subway hub

New York Public Library – this building was amazing and they have a ton of free exhibits

Times Square – Amazing, crazy, mostly good for pictures and basic tourist places like the Hard Rock, Planet Hollywood, and all the chains across from you local mall. I think this is a must see at night when lit up but there is not much to do here unless you want to shop at the same stores or eat at the same restaurants as you do at home.

Friday Day 2

Our first day out we slept in a little bit and because of it missed our chance that day to visit the Statue of Liberty (we go there at 10:30 or so and all the tickets to go into the statue were sold out by 8:30 that day!). We also missed out on seeing the gold vaults in the Federal Reserve because I did not check out how to schedule a tour correctly. So we saw all the other sites in the area including many we did not plan to see and moved on to a couple of sites planned for other days.

World Trade Center site (Ground Zero) – This was a very interesting thing to see. It was hard to get a good view because of the security fence. The displays and memorials were very interesting though kind of sad.

Wall Street – Wall street is really small. It feels more like an alley than the financial center of the US if not the world. It is in one of the oldest parts of town and that probably has to do with the crazy size of things.

Federal Hall – Bummer, this was actually closed for remodeling. I did look through the windows.

Federal Reserve – Again we didn’t get into what we wanted but it had a cool free museum. FYI you have to arrange a tour 5 (business) days in advance.

Brooklyn Bridge – You have to do this. And there are great delis in Brooklyn.

United Nations – Much smaller than it looks on TV.

City Call / Federal Buildings – Cool buildings and nice parks not much to do though.

Trinity Church – Really cool old church.

Saturday Day 3

Just made the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and it started raining, and we had no umbrellas. So we toured Chinatown and Little Italy in the rain. We also tried to go to the Empire State building, but there was no visibility so we waited.

Statue of Liberty / Ellis Island – Had to do it but probably won’t go again unless I am taking kids or something.

China Town – Never ends. Growing growing and growing

Little Italy – Great Italian Restaurants… Go figure.

Flat Iron Building – It is cooler to see in person than in the 2 or 3 million photos, TV shoots, and movie clips.

Dangerfield's – Totally did this on a whim, the great late Rodney Dangerfield’s comedy club. The oldest continuously running comedy club in the US. A bit raunchy but a lot of fun anyway.

Sunday Day 4

I think this was the best day of the trip and we did the least. I think I need to make trips longer so I can do the same amount of stuff at a slower pace. But I think everyone knows that is probably not going to happen.

Empire State Building – Very cool. Must do. The view of New York is awesome.

FAO Swartz – Eh, saw the big piano from Big.

Central Park – Who new there was a castle in the middle of New York.. Not me that is for sure. One surprise after another that’s central park. How ‘bout dancing roller skaters, I kid you not!

Monday Day 5

We were going to go to the Ukrainian museum today but found out it wouldn’t be open until Wednesday so maybe next trip. The area around the college looks and feels like an area around the college, it was pretty dead in the morning but I’m sure the place rocks after dark.

McSorley's Bar oldest in NY – Smelled quite a bit but very interesting place. We were there in the afternoon but the real parting is at night from what I hear.

Radio city Music Hall -- $17 per person for the tour! That was more than the empire state building, the Guggenheim, the Met, the statue of liberty or any other site. So we looked in the windows, it’s not $17 cool.

Daily Show With Jon Stewart – This was one of the best things we got to do. You have to get in line early but it is worth the wait. We had more fun here than at Conan. If you are in town you have to try and get tickets. Actually you have to try and get tickets a month or so ahead of time from the website.

Today Show – No more Katie, but we did see Matt and the weather guy (still no Willard Scott). The tape shows the top half of our sign… Bummer if you want to be on camera you need to be there at like 5 in the morning. We just were not that ambitious.

Tuesday Day 6

At this point we were trying to take it easy. There was still a bit of running around but not as much.

St. Patrick's Cathedral – Very cool, pretty famous

Conan O'Brian – The nice thing about Conan is they give you a place holder for you spot in line starting a couple hours before the show so you can leave and do other things instead of waiting in line. Little known fact – Conan has a Weak handshake.

Metropolitan Museum Art – Wow very big. Unlike in Chicago and similar to Minneapolis the Museums in New York specialize mostly in classic or modern art. The Met is of the classical tradition. It did have a cool exhibit on pop culture but beyond that it was mostly exhibits from Egypt, early American Colonial period, Spain, Europe, and other more classic art. They had a few impressionist and a couple Picasso but not much.

Rockefeller Center – Very cool. Not much to say it’s a neat building. If you see the today show, Conan O’Brian, or do the NBC tour you also get to see this very interesting plaza.

Wednesday Day 7

Oh no the last day of the trip. It was really to short. Normally I am not that much into modern art but the Guggenheim is really amazing. Even if you just go for the building it self you have to go. The floor plan is one continuously upward loop from the first floor to the top. No stairs a couple of side galleries but the main gallery is the main room along the spiraling ramp.

St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral – Closed but still worth walking a few blocks to see it because the architecture was so unique.

The Producers – This was a lot of fun, but in all honesty the shows back in Minneapolis are just as good and theaters are just as nice (if not nice as we had to wait outside in the rain before the show). However there is a larger selection and there is a better chance you can see a bigger name at work.

Guggenheim – The building itself is worth the trip. The main gallery is on large room about ten stories tall. There is a single ramp (no stairs) that spirals from the first floor to the top. Along this ramp is the main exhibit. Every other floor or so there is also a side gallery normally dedicated to either an artist or a style. There is a lot of variety and even though I am not an avid fan of modern are this was a very interesting place to go.

So that is the executive summary of our whirlwind trip to the Big Apple. I am really glad I went and can’t wait to go back at some time. Maybe next time I will stay in a calmer area (we stayed in Times Square) and stay longer. Since I saw all this stuff this time I probably wouldn’t repeat much; another show, central park, and the museums but not the other sites.

Forget A’Bout it – Little Italy is Very Little

Two of the most famous areas in New York City are its ethnic centers of Little Italy and Chinatown. These areas have been dining, shopping, and day trip destinations for both New Yorkers and tourist a like for at least the last century. But in the last 20 years they have defiantly changed quite a bit. Chinatown is literally taking over New York’s Little Italy. Years ago, from what I have read, Little Italy was similar in size to Chinatown. Close to 8 or 9 square blocks. As Italians in the area have assimilated or blended into all of the other burros Little Italy has diminished; while Chinatown has grown and grown.

When we visited on a rainy Saturday we started on Canal street off of the number 4 subway. You notice the difference from most of New York. Everything is written in Chinese. Not Chinese and English, just Chinese. Even the Mc Donald’s sign has the famous golden arches over Chinese characters! Along Canal street all of the buildings first floors have been turned into outdoor market style boots with rolling steel doors for when they are out of use. There are easily a half dozen or more of these in each building fronting the street. These booths have new immigrants trying to make a living off of people looking for knock off Gucci and Channel bags and merchandise, cheap sun glasses, exotic foods, New York Souvenirs, or necessities such as the $3 door umbrellas we purchased.

As you walk along the side of the road the side walks are packed with people looking to by these items. After a time you see open lots have been turned into flee markets with more booths. Once you turn off of Canal Street to either the north or south you start to see a whole other world. All of the stores are designed now to service the large immigrant population. Still everything is written in Chinese but now the stores sell suits, electronics, fresh duck, fish, and other items. The big difference is that with the exception of in the various restaurants you don’t see many White, Black, Indian, Latino, or any other ethnicity that is not Asian. Except for the New York style buildings you feel as if you are in another County. We had the best Tai food I had ever had and shopped at an interesting Tibetan rug shop. It was quite an experience.

After some time of walking we finally got out of Chinatown, or so we thought. In fact we had unintentionally wandered into Little Italy; though after 3 blocks we crossed right back into Chinatown. It has grown around Little Italy and Little Italy really only consists of Mulberry street and the first block or two directly East or West. The interesting change was all of the signs, banners, store fronts, and so on change from being in Chinese to being mixed English and Italian. Walking down the street with the people and architecture now felt like walking around in any coming of age or mob movie filmed in New York in the last 60 years. There were older immigrants and their offspring living, working, and socializing in what was left of their part of town. Many of whom were sitting on the stoop or watching the tourist go by from there windows occasional calling out to friends as they past by. Along Mulberry street you find mostly Italian restaurants, gelato stands, Italian markets, and of course more souvenir stands.

We actually had other things to do in the afternoon and had just eaten Tai food so we decided to return later for dinner. The scene that night was very festive and quite different that from the day. The police actually had blocked the street to auto traffic and large groups of people walked up and down the streets in packs. There were many, many more tourist than before. Also while we had noticed that during the day there were decorations strung up from building to building across the street we did not get the full affect. At night these decorations are lit up with lights and go for blocks. At one end of the street there were even game booths set up similar to at a fair. Though it was very touristy it was a lot of fun and even with the large numbers of people roaming the streets and looking for a place to dine there are so many eateries, pizzerias, cafes, and restaurants we did not have trouble finding a place to eat.

The restaurant we chose was being run by a early middle aged immigrant who spoke English with a thick accent, talked to the cooks and waiters in Italian and the bus boys in Spanish. We had our pick of the outdoor seating including candle light, table cloth, and all the expected classic design cues. RB ordered a dish I had never scene before with sea food and pasta the she absolutely loved and that looked unbelievable. I ordered a typical alfredo pasta that was the freshest and probably the most authentic I have had. All of the ingredients in both meals were very fresh and the sauces I assume were made from scratch because they were so good. We had an absolutely wonderful experience even if the host neglected us a little while he tried to entice more diners. I personally enjoyed going to Little Italy that evening more than Chinatown, even if there is much of the area remaining.

No Matter How You Plan

Before vacation I like to plan everything that I would like to see. Fun because it used to drive me crazy when I was a kid and my dad did the same thing. I would think ‘why are we getting up early during vacation just to see….’. Now I am the one waking everyone up so we can be the first ones to see this or that and we can get everything in. Most places you can plan pretty well and the biggest worry is going to be the weather. But even this can be planned for by have alternatives and such. When we went to Vegas it was pretty easy to figure out what to do each day, it was the same with Chicago, and Sandusky (Cedar point). But I do have to admit that New York was a different story.

Even with quite a bit of flexibility built in I’m not sure anyone can actually plan too much in New York. New York just has too much going on and there are too many variables and unknowns. Plus, I was surprised to find out that information was relatively hard to come by for many of the things I wanted to; plus, I just had so many things to keep track of it was hard to take everything into account. That being said we on missed out on four of the activities we wanted to do. One was closed for remodeling and the others we found and where either closed or we could not get in for some reason or another. From day one we started shifting things around and moving activities from day to day. Really with the exception of the three shows that I had tickets lined up for we really only used our plan as a list of things we were going to try and see.

The first afternoon actually worked out well because we were able to see more than we had planned so we thought we were off to a good start. Unfortunately the next morning we slept in a little bit and all of the tickets to the Statue of Liberty were taken, this by 10 in morning (we slept in but not that late). So now we were behind a few items. The same day when we found we could tour the Federal Reserve Bank because you need to make a reservation 5 days in advance so that came off the list. Soon we had to double back not just for the Statue of Liberty but also for the Empire State Building. We also couldn’t get into the Ukrainian museum because it was only open certain days of the week. If was funny we were always one site off from our plan everyday, but we ended up seeing more than we planned because we just happened to be in the area of something.

So guess all I can say about planning a trip in New York is it is good to research on each site (pay attention to when they are open and if you need to get there early) but also you really have to kind of go with the flow and maybe just have some idea of what you want to see and where it is so you can try to do a bunch of stuff on the same day. Other than that no matter how plan I think the city will throw a monkey into the wrench.