Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Fans Line Up For 'Late Show With Stephen Colbert' Premiere

By Anton K. Nilsson | September 8, 2015 5:56pm
 About a hundred hopeful fans lined up outside the Ed Sullivan Theatre in Midtown on Tuesday afternoon.
Fans Line Up For 'Late Show With Stephen Colbert' Premiere
View Full Caption

MIDTOWN — Dedicated Stephen Colbert fans lined up outside Midtown's Ed Sullivan Theater on Tuesday afternoon, hoping for a chance to attend the taping of the very first episode of the "Late Show."

Mila Pierorrti, 22, took an eight-hour bus trip from Ontario to make it in time to see her comedic hero, she said.

"Colbert is amazing," said Pierotti, who had been waiting in line since 7 a.m. and was one of the first people in line at roughly 1 p.m. "He is so charming and personable. He puts things into words like no one else can. I just love him."

Most of those in line already had tickets for the taping, but even so, there was no guarantee of getting in because all shows are book above capacity to ensure that there's a full audience for the taping, according to the show's website.

At the back of the line stood Justin Shepherd, 36, with his wife Claire Cook, 33. After scoring tickets online "minutes after they were announced" the couple booked flight tickets from Nashville, Shepherd said. As for their chances of getting in, Shepherd described his feelings as "cautiously optimistic."

Another, more chaotic line was formed by the hopefuls without tickets, who were standing by for a chance to see Colbert in action.

"We stood in the wrong line for one-and-a-half hours, before someone told us we had to go stand over here," said Markus Hallin, 31, a Swedish tourist who waited with a friend.

"They told us 'form a line,' and being the good-natured Swedes we are, we lined up and everyone else proceeded to cut in front of us," Hallin said with a laugh. "We would be disappointed if we didn't get in."

"But we're just here because it's fun to see a TV premiere," Hallin explained. "It doesn't really matter who is hosting."

Andrew Tyndall, 22 and Chris Deacon, 22, had flown in from New Bern, North Carolina for their chance to watch the "Late Show" live. They were more excited to see Colbert than tonight's guests, Jeb Bush and George Clooney.

Tyndall mentioned that a few secret guests have been promised by CBS. "It'd be cool to see Jon Stewart come out," Deacon said.

After getting a stamp on her hand guaranteeing her entry to the taping, Pierotti walked away happily. The taping was not due to start for another three hours. Apart from attending the "Late Show," Pierotti had only one more mission in New York. 

"After the show I'm going to Target to look for a Star Wars pajamas, and then I'm going straight back home to Cornwall," she said.