That whole process was a serious pain in the butt. We were told to get to the CBS studio early (3 or 4 am), but our flight was delayed and we didn't even get to LA until 2 am, so we waited a bit. We arrived at the studio at 5:00 am with tickets in hand (tickets I had printed from the CBS website weeks before), only to be told those aren't actually "tickets" per se, but just - well, they are nothing really. Some people didn't even have them and still got in. So - in line at 5, finally make it to the front of the line at 7, and then we were told to pick which taping we wanted to see - the 12:00 or 4:00. My "tickets" were for the 12:00 show, but Alex, the super-nice intern wearing a coveted red CBS blazer, was kind enough to let me know that he would take my nicely-folded piece of paper that meant nothing and was giving out new "tickets" (numbered from 1-300) and had already given out 250 tickets for the 12:00 and 'wink wink, nod nod', there are alot of "groups" attending the 12:00 who are not required to go through the grueling process of waiting in line, so our best bet is to choose the later show. We took the tickets for 4:00 and went back to our hotel to eat breakfast and nap before we would have to return.
Back at the hotel we realized that we hadn't asked when we should return for "processing" before the 4:00 show. I checked online and learned that we would need to be back at CBS studios by noon. We ate, napped, and got in the car at 11:00 to head back to the studio - totally forgetting about LA traffic. We still managed to make the short trip in about 30 minutes, so we felt good about being there on time. That is, until we saw another LONG line. We paid $24 to park the car at The Grove and RAN to get in line.
When we arrived at the studio another uber-sweet intern in a red blazer was calling out numbers into a megaphone - "We are now seating numbers 60 through 75. 60 through 75." I glanced down at my ticket - CRAP! We were numbers 51 and 52!! I found Alex the intern and told him of our dilemma. He, being the accommodating, helpful person that he is, told us to have a seat, and all was good. We were in!!!
From here we sat on long benches and filled out note cards with our names, addresses, SS# (gotta get those taxes!), and our "story." This is also where we were given our TPIR name tags! After an hour and a half we were shuffled to another long row of benches where we waited another 90 minutes. During this time, Brian, another red-blazer-wearing intern began calling groups of 15 to be interviewed by the producer. This was it. Our time to shine. The impression made here is what will determine if we are called to "Come on Down!"
Jerret and I were at the very end of our group. The producer started with the first guy in line and asked questions such as "Where are you from?" or "What do you do?" One by one he asked each person, and those he thought were interesting enough were asked follow-up questions. We had some very interesting people in our group - a piano player from New Orleans, a girl who just finished law school, a tour director from Hawaii....I couldn't stand it!! I was trying so hard to stay calm...The producer then turned his attention to Jerret - "Hey Jerre! Is it Jerry or Jerr-A, or?" Oh, double CRAP - the chick filling out name tags forgot the "T" at the end of Jerret's name! No big deal, we roll with it. He asks Jerret what he does, Jerret says he is a glass engineer, to which the producer seemed genuinely interested in. Jerret explains his job, they exchange banter, and - AH! It's my turn!!! So Lori, what do you do? "I uh... I'm a federal proposal writer...a proposal writer for the government....a federal government proposal writer." Total flop.
Dunzo. And I knew it.
But Jerret did really well in his interview, so I still had hope for him.
So we go back to our benches, wait another half hour and are then told to file into the studio where the show will be taped. It was so cool to actually be there, to walk in with Olivia Newton John and John Travolta blaring from the overhead speakers - "you better shape up, do do, cuz I need a man..." I digress...
The stage is much smaller in person than anyone would think! We sat in our seats and danced to the overhead music until the producer came out to give us our instructions - go crazy, be nuts, celebrate, have fun, yada yada.
The theme music played, Drew stepped out, and the show was underway! It was so crazy loud in there that you literally can't even here if you are told to "Come on Down!" so there are two stagehands with posters that have the name of each contestant written on them ahead of time. We had all kinds of fun, but were disappointed to learn that we would not be called up on stage. The guy sitting right next to Jerret did get called though, so you will definitely see us on TV. October 8.
The remainder of our trip was great. Very relaxing (oh- except that J and I had bad lobster bisque after TPIR taping and were totally sick until the next day at about noon). We drove to Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Laguna. It was fantastic. We visited three places that we found watching the Food Network - Pink's (Throwdown w/Bobby Flay), Baby Blue's BBQ (Diner's, Drive-Ins, and Dives), and Father's Office(The Best Thing I Ever Ate). Father's Office is known for the Office Burger, and let me tell you folks, if you ever make it to LA - try this. If you are a picky eater, this burger is not for you. There are no substitutions allowed and no ketchup either! Not even for the fries. But it is some good stuff. Seriously.
We also took a trip to Pasadena to check out the Rose Bowl, went to the USC stadium, and shopped on Robertson Blvd. where I bought JJ and Lynde some overpriced gear from Kitson Kids, but I didn't mind, I loved it. Laguna Beach was by far my favorite part of the trip. It is such a little tourist town, but everyone lives in million dollar homes, and according to Wikipedia the median household income is about $100K. Doesn't seem right. Bedroom communities like this fascinate me though. The people living there have such a different pace of life than the hustle and bustle most of us are used to. So laid back. I talked to a 15-yr-old boy at the beach who was surfing and he said he surfs every day (and has been for 7 years)! Every Day! Can you imagine? Now THAT's the life!
No real celebrity sightings unless you count Jessica Smith from Laguna Beach (at the beach), Drew at TPIR, and Javid Best of the Detroit Lions (on our plane home).
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| Guy's Signature at Baby Blues |
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| mmmm...Sprinkles cupcakes. So good. |
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Pulled Pork and Mac&Cheese at Baby Blues - good stuff!!! |
