New York: Martha Stewart's Show

We managed to score tickets to Martha Stewarts Show! We were really excited to get them because there are only a limited amount each day and although we could have rocked up that morning to be put on a standby list, that would not have guaranteed us a spot. Our tickets did. Alex got the tickets about a month before our trip. On top of being able to be on a live recording of the Martha show, the audience usually gets freebies too. Talk about two bonuses in one! Guess what we got? :)

We started queue-ing up under the striped awning of Martha's studio at 8.30am. It was cold but worth it. The staff were very efficient in coordinating our movements.. you know how it is, first timers on a live tv show, all really excited and not knowing what to expect. I suppose they are very very experienced having do this every morning for the daily recording of the show.

Alex at the queue lines

Our ticket for Jan 19, Number 49 & 50

We were first shown into a room to get our numbered/sectioned sitting, followed by a security check under a metal detector. They then took our coats, gave us numbers to recollect them after the show and gave us a release form to sign. After that we were asked to take a seat in another room while waiting for our next instructions.

Joey Kola, Martha's warm up guy was our prepper for the morning. He was really energetic, lively and definitely knew how to get the crowd excited. He gave us directions on how to clap ( to fade out rather than end abruptly) how to Oooh, ahhh and how to Yummmm.... :) It was all really funny. He has a great sense of humour. Definitely the right person to set up a mood for an event.

Joey doing the prep talk

Soon we were sheperded into the recording studio. And boy, did everyone go "Wow..."

It was my first time seeing that many video cameras and lights. Take a look at the number on the ceiling. And this only 1/7 shot of the ceiling!



The studio was brightly lit and the atmosphere in there was definitely electric with all the staff running around doing their job preparing the place, the food, the videos, the script, the placards..etc

One of the staff writing on her run sheet

Behind me, bedroom set up for the show

The show was divided into 7 segments and after every segment was a commercial break. We would cut back in after the commercial and its quite amazing to see all the work that goes into producing a 1 hour tv show.

Martha answering questions from the audience after the live show

Joey bringing the mic to the person with the question

Also being on the show thought us a few things about the tv business. Remember how we said we were really glad to be able to score the tickets? And if you noticed, with live tv shows, the camera sometimes cuts to the crowd? Well..... it turns out, some 'Manhattan ladies' (the quotation marks here imply young, pretty, made up, hip) were invited to attend the Martha show and were lured in with the promise of sitting up front and being given freebies. We know this because we heard the girls gossiping among themselves as they waited to go in. I managed to get some shots of the pretty ladies. Sorry my shots don't do much justice cos I didn't have the flash on. Shaky hand syndrome.

How is that?? Well obviously the cameras needed to show a 'cool' crowd and probably make the show to look like it has a younger following that it really does. I guess housewife, simple dresser types don't sell a show.

So yes, if you ever watch live tv shows and caught sight of some really pretty ladies in the crowd, chances are... they probably didn't really want to be there. Just there for the free stuff.

Oh and there were other men there too. Alex wasn't the only one :) Although I must say half of the others looked kinda gay... hehe.

Anyway, we enjoyed ourselves. I like the experience of being in a live recording. Coordinated clapping, oohing, ahhing, yumming is not a difficult thing to do especially when we are paid in gifts!

So what did we get? Well..

1. Breville Juicer Fountain Plus - Valued at USD149.99 (we checked it out at the website!)

2. Estee Lauder Limited Edition Inauguration Pressed Powder

3. Estee Lauder Signature Powder Blush

4. Estee Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick

5. Estee Lauder Sumptuos Mascara

And last but not least, Barack Obama trading cards!

Apparently as soon as the Obama's choose their family dog, we can send in our ticket to get those trading cards too!

:)

We took a photo with Joey after the show

It's great to experience a live tv recording is it not? Remember to try go for one if you ever visit New York or LA. Shows are mainly recorded in LA. New York has a limited selection.

This trip has really been full of first experiences for me..

cheryl