JGIWC does SNL

I had an incredible weekend, largely in part to the fact that one of my New York City dreams finally came true - I attended a taping of Saturday Night Live!

I first started watching SNL when I was 13. I was in 7th grade and when I'd get home from Bar and Bat Mitzvahs around midnight on Saturday/Sunday, my parents would be watching and I'd sit and watch with them. (I wasn't cool and didn't do the whole "let's have a huge sleepover" thing that I'm sure all the other girls were doing... I liked sleeping in my own bed and waking up in my own home. Loser.)

Perri and I on our way up to Studio 8H.

I've loved the show ever since and have wanted to see the show live for years but was never sure how to go about it. My dad happens to have some great connections and was able to secure VIP tickets for a us a few weeks ago. There are only a few weekends left in 2012 that we're all actually in town, and we were fortunate enough to see the show before the next flurry of travel begins. (In the following weekends I have a wedding, another wedding, Thanksgiving in Florida, a Bar Mitzvah, a dear friend visiting from Florida, a romantic getaway, and another trip to Florida. Literally.)

When I found out the host was Louis CK and the musical guest was fun., I was indifferent. Certainly wouldn't have been my first choice, but I knew the experience would be incredible no matter what. Well, color me surprised. He was wonderful! There is something about Louis CK I actually find so likable, and I really didn't see that coming. I'd love to go out to dinner with him... just a non-date meal to see what it was like. Though I have to say... the best skit may have been the ONLY one he wasn't in... Bloomberg's Hurricane Sandy Address Cold Open. I was falling out of my chair. Classic. If you have not watched it yet you must must must. NOW.

Snapped this right before I stepped into the studio.

(They have a very strict No Photography rule inside of the studio which explains why I have so few.)

Suffice it to say. it was an amazing experience! The studio is not that big and watching them assemble sets during the commercial breaks was like witnessing a large jigsaw puzzle being put together. Some highlights included Jason Sudekis coming out first to talk to the audience (I've had a crush on him since Horrible Bosses)... watching Lorne Michaels waddle around in his suit like a cute little Jewish penguin... a few of the cast members performing a song and dance before the show began. It's all so quick and real and I will never watch SNL the same away ever again. I feel like I know all the secrets now!

Definitely crossing this off of my bucket list. Such a fun experience, and I'm so happy to be able to say that I did it and never even had to camp out in the cold for tickets! +1 for Teddi.