The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

L Aptly listed by the New York City 'Iburist Bureau among the Big Apple’s top ten attractions. the Late Show with David Letterman remains the hottest ticket on Broadway. The quest for the Holy Grail of televi- sion tapings began months ago. online at the show’s oficial website. Detailed information is dutifully entered and submitted over the Internet. Yet, hope springs eternal. And, is answered in the form an unexpected phone calllastweekfmmlisaGold. anaudience relations staffer. . “I’m calling from the Late Showwith David Lettennan,” sine said. “You've been randomly selectedforachancetogetticketstothe Achance? “Yes, you have to correctly answer a Late Show tfivia question," she explained. “We get alotofrequestsandliketo makesunetickets go to fans. Ready? " Ms GoflasksMmeupertleemtks. Any Letterman aficionado knows it’s The Hello Deli, nexttothe'IheEdSullivan'Iheater wheretheCBSshawistapedforairweek- nightsat1123§p.m _ _ “Congratulations,” she offered on the pass- es six days hence. “That’s the only day aVail- able. Bring photo identification. You have to be inNewYorkby 11 3.111. on the dayofand at the theatre by 2 pm." Pop culture pilgrimage to Letterman complete Umm, it’s not like I’m on the show, merely in the audience. I sheepishly ask if there's any- thing deepe; into the summer. “Kpril 15,” Ms Gold asserts politer “Can I confirm them in your name?" 7 _A few steps ‘frém Times Square and at the assigned hour, the line for the favoured weaves from the box oflice around to West 54thStreet Yes, I reply biindly. 'Ib decline would be pop culture Only 400 seats are available. a Late Show page informs us. Once you’ve flashed gov- emment issued photo [1), you are handed a numbered ticket. Many giddin flaunt the passes at the for- lorn line waiting for stand-by ticketa Ticket holders are told to return an hour before the 4:30pm. taping. Viglant against scalping. you, your ID and ticket must be inseparable. Prior to entry, mustered in a serpentine ‘I’m calling fiom the Late Show with David Letterman ...’ rioeles’s andrare, coveted bythou- ‘. sandsandavailablcfieetofew,l wondlelettermanlottery. ‘It’s the enthusiasm of our audiences that make the Late Show a success.’ BY CHRIS TRADER ctraberOyrmgxom APRIL 22, 2009 line inside the dark lobby of the venerable theatre built by Oscar Hammerstein’s son, Arthur, between 1925 and 1927, a Late Show standup warns and warms the crowd. “N0 C611 Phones- cameras, 100d Whistling Writer Chris Traber with Late Show’ 5 Bifl' Henderson outside The Ed Sullivan Theater. or shout outs,” he say “And, for those with beepexs. 1 just want to finfomg yo_u it’s 2909.” Restlesé, the crowd is asked to neheaxse loudmmbashedapplausg. The same stage where Elvis Presley and The Beatles debuted and what appears to millions of television viewers as an expansive ammisreaflyanhfimateclosepackedset abuzzwith activityand awash in lights, moniâ€" torsandcameras. “It’s the enthusiâ€"aâ€"sm of our audiences that make the Late Show a success," we’re told Ushemd in, the first impression is both surreal and The theatre is bright, shinyandaltogedier opmpaci, Paul Shafier and his CBS Orchestra mem- bers are introduced. Mr. Letterman strolls out to thunderous applause. He sports his nademarksuit,tieandlighthuedsocksand appears remarkably taller and thinner in per- son. A few quips, a welcome and he excuses Taped in real time, the house lights dim and announcer Alan Kalter’s familiar intro- duction, “From New York. the greatest city in the world, it's the Late Show with David Let- terman," gives you the same gut chum as the first motion of a theme park thrill ride. Afier30years, thepast lGinthe historic Ed Sullivan Theater. the production is as smooth as a botoxed forehead. After the sarcastic and prickly monologue and before the anticipated Top Thu list and guest Drew Barrymore, the band kicks it loud through commercials while a swarm of crew members set up the next segment. Mr. Letterman talks with stage managers, casually inspecting his Blackberry. Seconds before the camera trains on the iconic host at his desk, each worker retires out of lens 1h reality, a battalion of stafi surmund the stage, awaiting the next commercial break and their choreographed duties. It’s a very fast’hour, several shows in one, all in a routine day’s work for Mr. Lettennan and company. But, for legions of fanatics, it’s a pilgrimage completed. ‘Many giddin flaunt the passes at the forlorn line waiting for stand-by tickets.’ GIVE IT UP FOR THE BAND AUTO TRAILER wwNonhPoflTrailersoom Locally Owned Operated 905-985-9330 Toll Free 1-866-985-9330 131 mm mm nu, Pom PERRY on