The Internet and social media are such an interesting arena, especially the small micro-communities that have found their spaces online. While I was scrolling through my Twitter feed this weekend, I came across a tweet from @DrMeowMix, another diehard Stephen Colbert fan and follower of the No Fact Zone blog, who was giving away a ticket for this Tuesday’s taping. A couple of DMs later and I had my ticket for Tuesday’s taping thanks to her!

As with any live show taping, the waiting is the worst part. I have to thank Laurie and her parents for saving our great stop (we had tickets #5-8). After you get through security, you are herded into the holding pen. Since I had been there last, they have updated this area with more interactive things, including: a picture of Stephen making the ‘I’m friends with this guy’ pose.

In addition, they play a ‘best of’ DVD and have various other paraphernalia that can pass the time. Finally, we were ushered into the new studio. This is my first time back since they updated and they’ve made some major updates. Whereas the former audience seating was split into 2 sections, one by his desk and another by the interview table with an aisle in between, there have been some major renovations/expansions. The entrance is located by the interview desk and the audience seating goes much higher and is split into 3 sections (effectively taking out the middle aisle). It seems as though there are more seats and the set in general is much splashier.

Not only had the set changed, but the former warm up comedian, Pete Domenic, is not there anymore. The new warm up guy is named Julien and is pretty funny. I think that he’s still getting his feet wet…and be careful if you’re Swedish. It seems as though he’s a part-time matchmaker!

Then Stephen Colbert ran out and danced around the stage until we shut up and sat down. This is the time when you get to ask him questions out of character and in my great streak of luck, I was able to ask him another question (making this 4 for 4 from all of the tapings I’ve been to). I spoke on behalf of DB Ferguson, the webmaster extraordinaire of NFZ. She wanted to have me ask this question: “When you interviewed the Gorillaz, how did you come up with the idea of interviewing the out of character Gorillaz with the out of character “Steve Colbert”?” (referring to the rare out of character, erm, cartoon interview that Gorillaz recently did on the Colbert Report).

Stephen first explained the whole Murdoc taping say “These guys aren’t the band, man…they’re just the backup band”. He mimicked did the entire recording in the British accent and then said, “Well, if Gorillaz is going to be out of character and ‘real’, then Stephen should be out of character and ‘real’.” However, he said it was an interesting thought that his character would want to be ‘fake’ real. And Colbert said when he came out in his street clothes and watched the interview later, he remarked ‘Wow, I played myself as being far too nice!’

There were a few other good questions that Laurie posted here, but otherwise it was somewhat silly stuff lke “I told my sister that I’d tell you that she loves you.” To which Colbert went, “That’s nice, is she here tonight.” The guy answered, “no.” So it was kinda of a dead end. Another person asked if he had one drink to go with, what would it be. To which Stephen asked, “One drink and then go, or a drink for the start of a loooong night?” She wanted to know his one drink and then go would be, which was a bourbon and soda.

Then the taping- the McChrystal segment was great. When he did the NASA segment, he was watching the segment and drinking some tea. He especially laughed at the point when he ‘used the bathroom’ and the ‘air hockey technology’. Then onto the ophthalmology segment. There was quite a bit of setup and we figured there would be an animal as someone brought out a cage with a black cloth covering it. Professor Buttons was very cute and everyone in the audience clapped as his owner took him offstage.

Finally, the Gloria Steinem interview was awesome and after the interview was over, we all gave her a standing O. She clapped and thanked us. To end the evening, Stephen finished the ending. After we did the obligatory cheering for the credits, he wanted to thank us for all of our laughter and energy, saying how on days like this when he is sick, it truly lifts his spirit and makes the taping that much better.

Overall, another fabulous taping experience (minus the Stepford-cheery intern girl who was helping out with the audience, as mentioned here and here). Even when Stephen Colbert is sick, he puts on a helluva show!