LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Rosie, Ring Dings, and the NRA or, "Frankly, I enjoyed the day!" |
by Cathin Bishop |
"It figures. After weeks of beautiful weather, the one day we're going to New York to the Rosie show it's going to rain." But, no matter how many times I checked the AOL weather site, the forecast remained the same. "OK, I can cope with this, we're just sitting in the audience, it's not like we're going to be discovered by Ron Howard, we're not going to meet Rosie. Get a grip, girl." "We also have limo service, so what's the problem?" This from Laura, my partner in this adventure. She with the wavy hair that looks even better in the rain. She just doesn't get it. This all started at the Sundance Auction last Labor Day. It was our second year to attend and we decided to take the plunge and actually bid, should something catch our fancy. Something did, and we ended up getting three things in the live auction. It was like finding a half price special at Home Depot. Once we saw the "Rosie" package included a signed Rosie doll, limo service in New York, and two tickets to the show, there was no way we were going to just stand there and watch the action. The bidding started at a feverish pace, but as the price climbed, those with faint hearts and sensible checkbooks dropped out. Finally, it was the two of us against an unseen opponent across the room. Every time he bid, that side of the room would cheer and I would lean forward to encourage Laura. "It's only another $100...It's for a very good cause...This is ROSIE we're talking about here!" She would then up the bid and our side of the room would cheer. When the gavel fell, we had made some new friends, had helped SCAC and CAMP Rehoboth, and were on our way to see Rosie! We chose May 19th for the big excursion. There then followed weeks of angst over who would be the guests that day. As the date approached, teasers from the show began to give us hints of what was to come. "She's already done a Party of Five show, so we won't see them." "Helen Hunt is on the day after we're there! Darn!" "Looks like we're going to see the kid from Star Wars and Tom Selleck. Hey, he's an NRA member, this could be interesting!" We stayed with friends outside of Philadelphia Tuesday night and got up at 4 a.m. on Wednesday to take the train into the city. One of us is an early morning person. One of us was chipper and just bursting with enthusiasm. One of us wanted to chat merrily on the train. The other one of us was just this side of comatose and, while incapable of conversation, able to contemplate acting out a variation of Throw Mama from the Train. Not a good combination. Thankfully, Scott, from Imperial Limo, was waiting at the station with a dry, comfy Town Car to take us to 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Just having a reason to enter the NBC studios was a real kick. We found the line of Rosie attendees and were directed to the special line for VIPs. Since we were there by 7:45 and didn't actually get seated until 9:30, we had a chance to get to know those around us. Rosie fans are a breed apart, and just being among the devout means you are with family, in several senses of the word. The reality of where we were set in when Rosie's hairdresser, David, and her driver, Jimmy, arrived. At around 8:45, we were directed through the metal detectors and upstairs to yet another line. Those who were there because they know someone who knows someone whose cousin works on the show, were gathered in an area just outside the studio. The VIPs were lined up down the hall. I have absolutely no idea what they did with the "regulars" who were somewhere way behind us. Staff members roamed up and down the line collecting Rosie dolls for her to sign during commercials. We had brought our Chub Club t-shirts with us (I have been directed to inform you that the only reason we have those shirts is we are habitual joiners), but Rosie only signs Rosie dolls. We immediately became aware of how grossly uninformed and unprepared we were. Here we were, so close to the great R with nothing to send back to her! Frantically, we racked our brains for a way to let her know we were there. At an undetermined point we had somehow decided that she would want to know. Maybe part of it was the hysteria of being in that tiny hall with all those rabid fans. Perhaps it was being that close to Rosie and seeing all those other people sending things back to her. Whatever the reason, we knew we had to make contact. Suddenly, it dawned on us. THE LETTER! We had a letter from the Rosie staff on official Rosie letterhead paper. Quickly, Laura dug it out of her backpack. Hey, YOU go to New York City for the day in the rain with just a fanny pack! Further digging produced a pen with which we scribbled a note to Rosie about how we had gotten our tickets. Staff member Jason read the note and told us to be sure to give it to the warm up comedian, Joey. Joey took one look at the note and said, "Rosie will want to know about this. I'll see what I can do." Yes, yes, yes she wants to know about us, Rosie cares! We had officially made the leap from excited audience members to raving Rosie revelers. Five minutes later we were back on earth with a thud because Joey returned to say that they were taping two shows that day and it didn't look like Rosie would have time to meet anyone. "But I'll be sure she sees your note." Though disappointed, we were actually relieved. Now we could go back to just enjoying the experience. That is, until the moment when we entered the hallowed arena that is The Rosie O'Donnell Show. At each seat was a copy of a book, The Love Letter, a package of Ring Dings and a carton of milk. I hadn't eaten Ring Dings since I was 12 (forgive me, Rosie, I've led life in the Slim Fast lane) but I ate them that morning because they were from Rosie! Joey waited for the sugar to hit 200 already hyper fans before coming out to whip us into the proper frenzy. We learned how to be a well behaved but enthusiastic studio audience and practiced cheering, clapping and standing ovations...what, you think all that adulation is spontaneous? We met the band and all the producers, and learned the most important informationwhich camera was used for audience shots! The final countdown to air time began. Two kids from some daytime soap did the intro, much to the disappointment of a white haired lady in a nylon warm-up suit who apparently felt she was a candidate to do it. "And now, HERE'S ROSIE!!" And here she was indeed, actually smaller and softer looking in real life. She chatted with the kids, named the guests, and we went to a commercial. Immediately, about a dozen staff members stormed the stage to touch up makeup, fix hair, and adjust clothing. Where were these people when I was getting ready at 4 a.m.? When we returned, Jake Lloyd came out to pitch the new Star Wars movie. He's a cute kid and a capable actor, but the Oscar should go to Jar Jar Binks. Once again, we went to a commercial and the fix it crew did its thing. Stars are obviously high maintenance. Next up was Tom Selleck. Everything was fine while he pitched his new movie The Love Letter and then we went to a commercial. I doubt that there are too many people in this country who haven't heard something about what happened when we returned. There was supposed to be a discussion between Rosie and Mr. Selleck concerning guns in our country and the NRA's position on gun legislation. Everyone watching at home saw Mr. Selleck give his opinion for 4 minutes without interruption. They saw Rosie ask rather pointed questions and heard the discussion about what it means to be a spokesperson for a group. What they didn't see was the head to head conversation between Rosie and Tom during the next commercial, after which she apologized on air. And they didn't see her leave her desk and all the assistants who had converged there during the commercial after Mr. Selleck left. She walked right out to the audience to ask if she had done something wrong, and to express her concern about the interview. We welcomed the next guest, Bob Barker, and the fun returned. We cheered an audience participant in a version of The Price is Right and we were all winners. We also did our level best to smile and wave at the camera even when it wasn't pointed at us. After all, we had a duty to our friends watching at home. All too soon, it was over and the house lights came up. The ever courteous staff began to gently herd us out of the studio. Even the promise of Star Wars gifts couldn't tempt us to leave. We all held out hope for an extra glimpse of Rosie. Those of us who were sly enough to dawdle were rewarded when she came back on stage to talk to the kids who had been taken down to meet her. But, since we were decidedly over the age limit and weren't smart enough to rent a kid, we finally had to leave. Laura and I sloshed through the rain to Sardi's for lunch to complete the "show biz" experience. Afterward, Imperial sent driver Eric to pick us up in a white stretch limo. Since my high school prom date picked me up in the family station wagon, I enjoyed climbing into a limo! Climbing out was even more interesting, because when we arrived at Madison Square Garden to catch our train home, we discovered that President Clinton was there that day. Frankly, we were not impressed. We had seen Rosie and, to us, Bill was just another cutie patootie wannabe from DC! Cathin and Laura, having confirmed the rumors that Rosie tickets will be auctioned again this year, will be at SUNDANCE 99 with check book in hand. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 9, No. 10, July 30, 1999 |