It’s lengthy, but packed full of UBER FANGIRL MOMENTS! ;)

http://forum.colbertnation.com/tcr/board/message?board.id=TCR&thread.id=2379&view=by_date_ascending&page=1

http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp151/Fiend4Colbert/100_0402.jpg

Anyway, here we go… FanGirls, get ready! :)

So, after a 9 hour drive to New Jersey from North Carolina with my wonderfully awesome mother on Tuesday, we chilled the night before the show at the hotel. Our Wednesday morning started with a very indirect route from Newark into Manhattan (public transporation has it’s inconvenient downfalls, but is so much cheaper than taking cabs around everywhere).

We arrived at 34th street, via Subway, around noon. Might I add that since the 20 block walk to 513 West 54th Street was a long one (although always worth it, of course), I am pretty sure that once we got to the studio, my wind-blown hair was literally frozen to my cheeks and face from the cold. It was *so* cold up there. I mean, it gets cold here in NC, but nothing like it was up there this past week.

Anyway, enough with the tangent on the weather… because this story gets hotter than a “co-ed clam bake”… ;)

After arriving at the studio around 12:30pm, we walked over to the General Audience/Stand-by line locations, where we found no one waiting yet… so, we decided to walk around the corner to get some good ‘ole Bo-Mar (Boston Market, hehe) for lunch, as well as warm-up for a bit before getting back out into the elements. The second time we checked the line (a little after 2pm), we were still the only ones out there, but I caught someone walking out of the only main door at the studio, who noticed us and asked if we were waiting to get into the show, to which I politely replied “I do not want to bug you, but when do you think an ideal time would be to come back to get in line for the show, since it’s so cold out”. He implied that it would be best to come back between 3:30 and 4:00pm. Therefore, we did just that.

Another walk around the block led us to some deliciously warm Dunkin’ Donuts, where we grabbed a hot chocolate and coffee, and took a seat and patiently waited for what was to come later in the evening. :)

We got back to the studio around 3:20, due to me getting antsy, which I couldn’t control (c’mon ladies, we know how us fan-girls are when it comes to Stephen, can you blame me for my excitement!?). I was also very excited for my mom since this was her first time (my second) at the Report.

Three young ladies beat us to the front of the line, since we had left and come back, so we walked inside the “alley” and filed in behind them. Since we were “ticket-holders”, we were in the general audience line. We were the only ones there for a while, but it wasn’t long before the line started getting longer and longer, and the excitement only built up more from there! There was a super long wait (which we later discovered was due to rehearsals) outside, but we finally were asked to go in around or a little after 6pm.

Once we walked into the building, we went through the normal “security” process. Mark Malkoff (isn’t he just adorable?!) was at the door and looked at me, almost with a glance that I looked familar to him, and said “it’s good to see you”, to which I replied, “you too, and when I passed Ikea on the way up here, it made me think of you”. He smiled, and mentioned it was thoughtful for me to think of him.

Once everyone was in the holding area, we basically stood on top of each other (the holding room is sooo tiny) and cheerfully watched and laughed classic snippets of “The Best of the Colbert Report” on the TV hanging from the wall.

Mark (the audience coordinator) finally came out again, informed us that we were about to go in, apologized for the long wait, and let us know that since we were so patient and waited so long, we would all receive our very own “WRIST STRONG” bracelets, which made everyone very happy! There was a knock on the studio door, which was his que that they were ready for us to come onto the set. We lined up, and were seated according to our ticket numbers! My mother and I had ticket numbers 4 and 5, which meant something super awesome… we were seated in the *FRONT ROW*!!! At this point, i’m sure my feelings of excitement was written all over my face…

The warm-up comedian came out, gave us some laughs, and introduced the one and only…

So, out runs Stephen, smiling and energetic as usual, and everyone went wild with applause! Everyone who has attended a taping knows that prior to its start, there is a short Q&A session between the *out of character* Stephen and the audience, where we get our chances to either inquire about anything we wish, or attempt to “nail” him, which i’m sure we would always fail at miserably.

My mom, who is normally rather vocal, would not raise her hand to ask the question I had already discussed with her to ask him, since I knew if I was called on, I would probably jumble my words terribly and go into complete *fan-girl-shock-mode*. Knowing this was a “once in a 6-month” chance for me to ask my favorite comedian a question on a somewhat intimate level, I went with my GUT and raised my hand! A couple of people asked him some random questions, and he did not call on me the first time my hand was up, so I raised it one more time, giving myself another chance…

This was a huge moment for me. He briefly scanned the audience for hands, looked down in my direction, then directly at me *OMG… let me tell you, he was so gorgeous that close!*, while pointing and says “young lady”… I was so in shock at that moment that I was acknowledged, that I almost forgot what I wanted to ask him… so after a few LONG seconds go by, I piped up and said, excitedly, “me and my mom are from North Carolina, and…”, well, before I could even get the words out… he goes into Colbert mode and picks on me for my southern accent (which I never TRY to reveal when speaking to someone, but I guess you can’t always deny your roots) by saying “Nuh uh! She’s from North Carolina”, or something along those lines! I am pretty sure that at that point I was beet-red with embarassment and shock, but yelled out, “c’mon, i’m not that southern”! Of course, he mocked me again, smiling, and I continued my question, by saying “my mom and I are from North Carolina and since you are from South Carolina, I was wondering if you knew anything about beach music…” He began to break out into song, by singing the Embers lyrics, “I love Beach Music…” I said, can you please sing the song “Carolina Girls” by Chairmen of the Board to me and my mother. He then said that he didn’t know that one, and asked me how it went! Another fan-girl moment had overcome me, and I couldn’t even speak… so my mom, who is not in the least bit timid, starts singing Carolina Girls!!

After her singing some of the lyrics, he informed us that he was not familiar with that particular song, but then looked at me again, and asked me if I knew how to Shag (which is a popular southern beach music form of dance, for those who may not know!). In my mind, i’m screaming, ZOMG Stephen Colbert just asked me if I knew how to SHAG!, but of course, nothing ever happens how we expect, and since I was in such a state of shock, I said, “my mother does”. That was probably one of the dumbest and most regretted things i’ve done in my life, because, his response to that was saying to my mother, “come Shag with me”! My mom had a very surprised look on her face, but did not hesitate to get on stage to break it down with the man! He grabbed her, she had her arm around him, and began to dance in a regular/waltz fashion, as opposed to the traditional shag. He went to twirl her once, and then, get this… KISSES HER ON THE CHEEK! Ahhh! As happy as I was for her, I was so jealous, of my own mother, since the question was originally directed at me! I couldn’t believe I got that nervous, but I was hypnotized by his charm! :)

She sat back down, with tears about to form in her eyes and told him that she had just recently turned 50 years old and that he had just made her birthday complete! He had a very cute look on his face, saying Happy Birthday to her.

The show started shortly after… and as you all know, it was wonderful! I am still having trouble picking out my favorite segment, as the entire show was such a success! After it ended, before going offstage, he told us that he appreciated our patience and waiting out in the cold, and said a second goodnight.

Mark then took over, informing everyone where to exit the set, and people began to leave.

Since my ultimate goal of the evening was to get a photograph with Stephen, I told Mark I would wait outside for him for a few minutes, to which he informed me that he was not sure how long it would be before he came out, but I was determined to wait! I had already gotten this far, so why not, right?

As me and my mother were waiting outside the studio, we noticed one of the security guards coming down the steps, who walked up and informed me that he knew I wanted to try to see Stephen one last time before leaving, and apologized in advance if he would not take the time for a quick photograph, since his wife had called once and he has to get him home to tuck his children in. That made me only respect Mr. Colbert even more, the fact that despite how busy he is, he is still able to be such a great father figure for his children. I told him I understood completely.

A few more minutes go by, and down the steps walks out a couple of others from the crew, as well as Stephen himself behind them, wearing a very casual outfit. I love the fact that once he leaves the set, he has an image of “just an ordinary guy”. He looked just as attractive as he is when dressed up only wearing a North Face Denali jacket, pants, and a ballcap on. I am trying to hide the undeniable emotions I am feeling from my facial expression while watching him come down the steps!

He then says, “Hey Ladies”, and I said, “I don’t want Evie to be upset, but can we please get one picture before you go”? He said of course and told both my mother and I to come together for the picture. We gathered around him, handed his security guard the camera, and with one click, it was done!

We thanked him for taking the time for it and we both told one another to have a good night, and that was it! He got in a car parked outside the studio and his driver took him to his next destination.

As we walked down the street to catch a cab, I turned my phone on and called my best friend, and I could hardly speak with all the tears of joy I began to shed. It was a great ending to a wonderful night!

Told you this would be lengthy, but very much worth your reading! :) I can’t wait to go back again!

Here we are with the wonderful Stephen Colbert himself! :) (Me on left, mom on right)

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I would love to share my entire story with you fellow Zoners, per DB’s instruction of where to post it! Pardon my delay in disclosing my experience, but the hotel I was staying in had a HORRIBLE WiFi connection…

It may be rather lengthy, but I promise, it will be worth your reading!

Thanks, LaN, for jogging my memory!

QQ: Do I have to do this test thing for every comment?