Live From New York...

Four years ago, my friend Noelle helped fulfill a lifetime dream of mine: to see "Saturday Night Live" in person. We went to a rehearsal show. Cameron Diaz was the host, Green Day the musical guest. Special guest cameos included Jimmy Fallon, Drew Barrymore and Justin Timberlake. That experience single-handily rejuvenated my love of television.

Next to Letterman, "Saturday Night Live" is my greatest TV love.

Getting tickets to "SNL" is next to impossible. To enter the "SNL" ticket lottery, you can enter one e-mail during the month of August. The show is assigned, and you have no choice if its the live show or the rehearsal. I've been trying for the past five years to win the lottery to no avail.

That changed a couple of weeks ago, when NBC sent me an e-mail, saying I had two tickets reserved for the March 14th live show. A week later, I discovered that the host would be "SNL" alum Tracy Morgan, musical guest Kelly Clarkson. I decided to take my cousin Bevin, as we agree a long time ago, whoever got tickets would take the other.

We got to 30 Rock around 9. We stood and stood and stood some more in the lobby. We then took the elevator to the 9th floor to the hallway to studio 8H. More standing and waiting ensue. Wearing my heeled boots was not the best idea. While waiting, former cast member Chris Parnell and "Big Love" actor Bill Paxton passed us. A little after 11pm, we were seated in the historic studio 8H.

I was content just being in the room and reveling in the history and that pretty much everyone I have loved has passed through that stage. The legendary announcer Don Pardo comes on stage while the "SNL" band plays. Don Pardo has to be about a bazillion years old, but his voice saying "It's Saturday Night Live!" is just as clear as it was 34 years ago. Jason Sudekis came on stage for warm-up. Next was Kristen Wiig and Fred Armisen dueting Blondie's "One Way or Another". Then...showtime!

There was a cameo by Tina Fey in the opening. Andy Samberg, Bill Hader and Bobby Moynihan waved to us before a sketch. From there, I didn't really watch the show. I was watching Lorne Michaels skulk around the stage, the stagehands set up sets while another skit is going on, and the the precision of the cue card guys. I was absorbing everything I could with the behind-the-scenes action. It was truly incredible. The 90 minutes flew by.

It was over before I knew it. It was such an incredible experience. I hope to be able to go again.

Quote of the Day:
"It's Saturday Night Live!" -Don Pardo