James Takes Manhattan

[bondguy007]

Note: The following was posted by me on JerryLewisFans.com - I just thought it was also worthy of sharing with you.

August 14, 2008 - 11 AM

Hi all!

I've decided to do some blogging here on JLF.com with regards to my return to Manhattan for the first time since pre-9/11/01. I figure if you're going to go back, it better be for some fun, damn good reasons. I've had trips to Westchester, Queens and Long Island to prepare me for this.

Tonight I will be at Caroline's on Broadway seeing the very funny Josh Blue. For those who don't know or forgot, Josh has CP (my disability) and was the winner of Last Comic Standing, Season 4. We've talked on mySpace and he is aware of the fund I have. He's invited me to bring my camera after the show - he'll be signing DVD's and CD's. I got his head shot from Google Images and put it on photo paper, though in true "palsy" fashion, my printer would only work if I had the side with the Kodak logos up! (The reverse of what it's supposed to be! ) Expect a report from me here by Friday afternoon.

Monday night, the 18th, is the first of two auditions I'm taking with my dad for Millionaire. I filled out the contestant form with as many interesting things as I could think of - they asked what charity I'd like my winnings to be matched with, and you know what I put. The audition on Monday is somewhere in the ABC studios in Manhattan, not on the set of the show, as Meredith Viera is still with NBC in Beijing for the Olympics. This is good because dad and I will just go in, take the test (it is timed and on a scantron bubble sheet), and if we pass, we'll be interviewed by the producers. If we do not pass the test, I have a second shot August 26th at the studio, and my friend Jessica will be with me. If we pass the test and the interview, I won't have to audition a second time and it means I could be in the contestant pool. Waiting for a reply could take anywhere from three weeks to a year (!!!) to know whether I'm on the show or not.

After that, there's a visit to MDA Summer Camp, school starting and the telethon with Tony Orlando, so it should be pretty busy.

Feel free to wish me luck with all this!

Later,
James

[MarleysGh0st]

Thanks for sharing the update, James.

Good luck on Monday!

[a1mamacat]

I'm so sorry!


I'll make him give it back.

[tlynn78]

I'm so sorry!


I'll make him give it back.

lol - that scalliwag!

t.

[sunflower]

The audition on Monday is at the ABC studios in Manhattan, not on the set of the show, as Meredith Viera is still with NBC in Beijing for the Olympics. This is good because dad and I will just go in, take the test (it is timed and on a scantron bubble sheet), and if we pass, we'll be interviewed by the producers. If we do not pass the test, I have a second shot August 26th at the studio, and my friend Jessica will be with me. If we pass the test and the interview, I won't have to audition a second time and it means I will be in the contestant pool. Waiting for a reply could take anywhere from three weeks to a month to know whether I'm on the show or not.

Just a few points of clarification...I'm surprised no one else has chimed in yet!!

The auditions are NEVER on the set of the show. On a tape date audition, the test is in the ABC cafeteria. I'm guessing, although not 100% certain, that your evening audition will be there as well. It's a good spot with a lot of tables. On a tape date audition, yes, you will be in the studio for the tapings of the show, but your test and any subsequent interviews are held in the very non-glamorous (but well lit) cafeteria.

If you pass the test, you will be interviewed. If you are interviewed, you have no idea that day how you did. Interviewing does not equal contestant pool. You could wait several weeks to find out if you are in the pool. Unless you get a quick call to be on the show (like I did), I am guessing that as of August 26th, you will not know if you are in the pool or not.

Then if you are in the contestant pool, I'd extend the timeline to hear about being on the show for a period of up to one year or longer! Yes, some people get the call quickly, but others are in the pool for a long time. Many of the people with me on my tape dates were in the pool for well over a year before getting the call.

I just want you to go into this with the right expectations!!!

[bondguy007]

Thanks for the info, sun. Edited my post accordingly.

[frogman042]

You want me to wish you luck for free? Is it ok if I charge it?

As Sunflower said, the testing is in the cafeteria - that's where it was held when I took the test when they weren't taping. Also, if they do the testing in 1/2 hour shifts - don't be surprised if they hold the interviews while in the very same room they are annoucing the instructions for the test - as well as don't be distracted taking the test while people near by are being interviewed - they overlap and sometimes the noise between the different activities can be distracting - don't let it phase you.

OK, you twisted my arm - here it is for free: GOOD LUCK!

---Jay (The number of human chromosomes == number of days to my scheduled air date)

[bondguy007]

Question. The audition on the 18th is at (looks it up...)

The ABC Building 57 West 66th Street, New York City. I know that's not the same as the studio. Do they have a cafeteria at the ABC building? I'm trying not confuse myself.

[Bob Juch]

Question. The audition on the 18th is at (looks it up...)

The ABC Building 57 West 66th Street, New York City. I know that's not the same as the studio. Do they have a cafeteria at the ABC building? I'm trying not confuse myself.

That's the cafeteria.

[sunflower]

It is all the same building, just different entrances, depending on what you're there for.

When you go for a taping, you'll go in the designated studio entrance (not a public entrance) and you will wind your way through the building, coming out through the cafeteria, if you take the test again.

[sunflower]

I'll be sending good luck vibes from FL!!!

[MarleysGh0st]

Just a few points of clarification...I'm surprised no one else has chimed in yet!!

The auditions are NEVER on the set of the show. On a tape date audition, the test is in the ABC cafeteria. I'm guessing, although not 100% certain, that your evening audition will be there as well.

Maybe someone who only had to audition once isn't an expert on what they do or never do?

For taping auditions (at least for the past several seasons), it depends what session you go to. Those who go for the 12 pm tapings file into the studio and take the written test right there in the audience seats. Then, after those three episodes are taped, the APs also have interviews for the passers right there in the studio. I can't address what they do for the second, videotaped interviews; those might be in another room.

For the 3:30 pm session, they wait until the tapings are over to bring auditioners to the cafeteria for the written test and the (first) interview.

[sunflower]

Just a few points of clarification...I'm surprised no one else has chimed in yet!!

The auditions are NEVER on the set of the show. On a tape date audition, the test is in the ABC cafeteria. I'm guessing, although not 100% certain, that your evening audition will be there as well.

Maybe someone who only had to audition once isn't an expert on what they do or never do?

For taping auditions (at least for the past several seasons), it depends what session you go to. Those who go for the 12 pm tapings file into the studio and take the written test right there in the audience seats. Then, after those three episodes are taped, the APs also have interviews for the passers right there in the studio. I can't address what they do for the second, videotaped interviews; those might be in another room.

For the 3:30 pm session, they wait until the tapings are over to bring auditioners to the cafeteria for the written test and the (first) interview.

Fine, I'm not an expert.

However, as somoneone whose boyfriend sat in the studio for two entire days through all of the tapings, I can say that on those two days in October, there were no tests given in the studio.

I was also in the studio during the break between epidsodes 3 and 4 (between the morning session and the afternoon session) and I was among the last out of the studio while I was waiting for a AP to take me back upstairs. No audience members remained in the studio, other than on-air companions, and they were being rounded up for their escorted bathroom break.

So in my experience, which includes 3 separate visits to the studio last year, there were no auditions done in the studio.

[bondguy007]

OK. I'm back from Carolines. Everybody at JerryLewisFans.com, say hi to the folks at WWTBAMBored.com. Go ahead, say hi to your computer screen. I'll wait for the Millionaire folks to do the same.

Good, we're all friends.

First off, I sat 20 feet from the stage. The show was everything I could have asked for and more. Josh was downright incredible. He looked a little different than when he was on NBC; he joked he was the only comic wearing a bouffant, which he thought should be a new curse word. He came out after the warm up guys and his first remark? "Damn it's hot up here, I feel like a Chicken McNugget" A lady in the front row came in five minutes late, so he repeated everything up to that point. Everyone howled. The best joke he told all night was that he was applying IcyHot to his neck...and it dripped down to his butt crack. "For four hours, I was waiting for the Icy!"

After the show let out, he was at a table in the lobby and (eventually) I got to meet him. We couldn't talk much because it was loud and cramped, but he must've liked me because he signed the Kodak prints I made for me and the MDA campers, posed for a picture and threw in a signed CD. Even my dad who had never seen him before was like, man, he was funny. In fact, I watched dad during moments of instability I had and he was doubled over in laughter, especially when Josh talked about the Paralympics.

It was a fantastic night. Now, back to me studying for Millionaire Monday!

[MarleysGh0st]

Everybody at JerryLewisFans.com, say hi to the folks at WWTBAMBored.com. Go ahead, say hi to your computer screen. I'll wait for the Millionaire folks to do the same.

Hi, Jerry Lewis Fans!

[hermillion]

What a fantastic night for you! I LOVED Josh on LCS, and am delighted that he's making his own dreams come true.

I'll add my good wishes for your audition on the 18th. JMHO, but judging from your writing -- I think the interviewers will adore you. Your personality is charming, and you communicate experiences in a very interesting manner. Go in with confidence, do your best on the test, and WOW 'em in the interview.

Oh, and . . . have fun!

Nancy Christy

P.S. HI! to JerryLewisFans.com

[frogman042]

Everybody at JerryLewisFans.com, say hi to the folks at WWTBAMBored.com. Go ahead, say hi to your computer screen. I'll wait for the Millionaire folks to do the same.

Hi, Jerry Lewis Fans!

You didn't go with the obvious greeting of Heeey Laaaaaaaady!

BTW, the hotel were I got married in, the Brown's in the Catskills (also my father-in-law was head pastry chef there - and we had the best wedding cake and desserts of any wedding). Jerry Lewis got his start at the Browns, when he was a busboy there. They would always be the local call-in host for the telethon and Jerry would always speak with Charles and Lillian Brown during the broadcast. If you ever drove up to the Catskills in the 60's or 70's you couldn't miss the Brown's hotel billboards with the huge picture of Jerry Lewis proclaming it his favorite hotel.

Prior to going to the Brown's hotel, my father-in-law was the head pastry chef at the famed Concord hotel - here are some photos of him with a whole slew of stars - Bob Hope, Sammy Davis Jr. Zero Mostel, Phil Silvers among others - for your viewing pleasure: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11155423@N ... 032033950/

And of course, yet another good luck to 007.

---Jay (If you know how many years ago 'It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World' was released - you will know the number of days until my scheduled air date)

[MarleysGh0st]

Everybody at JerryLewisFans.com, say hi to the folks at WWTBAMBored.com. Go ahead, say hi to your computer screen. I'll wait for the Millionaire folks to do the same.

Hi, Jerry Lewis Fans!

You didn't go with the obvious greeting of Heeey Laaaaaaaady!

I didn't want to give them the impression that we're weird or anything!

[bondguy007]

Hey everybody, thanks for the well-wishes and advice. I'm treating tomorrow as an experience / adventure. If I pass, yay me. If not, no big deal, plus I have a second crack anyway. Been playing some light games of Millionaire / Buzztime on Facebook to keep in fighting shape, lol. My dad is also auditioning with me (not together for 3 gen week, though) so don't be surprised if Bob puts up "bondguy007's father" as auditioning too. I can only try my best. I'll report back here sometime after I get home.

[bondguy007]

Back from ABC:

The bad news is, my father and I DID NOT pass the test. The good news is, we're auditioning again on the 26th. The test was relatively hard for me. Dad didn't know what a downward dog was (a yoga pose) and I wasn't sure whether the Cohen's directed Ratatouille or No Country For Old Men. (I guessed Old Men, he guessed Ratatouille.) We were both stumped on what symbol was used for the stomach in the game Operation.

About 80 people were in our group in the cafeteria, I'd say 10-12 people moved on to the interview process. I had a great time though, it was very interesting, and I can't wait for my 2nd shot next Tuesday at the tapings.

[Snaxx]

Back from ABC:

The bad news is, my father and I DID NOT pass the test. The good news is, we're auditioning again on the 26th. The test was relatively hard for me. Dad didn't know what a downward dog was (a yoga pose) and I wasn't sure whether the Cohen's directed Ratatouille or No Country For Old Men. (I guessed Old Men, he guessed Ratatouille.) We were both stumped on what symbol was used for the stomach in the game Operation.

About 80 people were in our group in the cafeteria, I'd say 10-12 people moved on to the interview process. I had a great time though, it was very interesting, and I can't wait for my 2nd shot next Tuesday at the tapings.

Too bad about the non-pass, but good that you're coming right back with another shot. Maybe you'll get the same test again though I think they have several different tests as they did when I was in the pool. Good luck next week!


John C (Snaxx)




.

[frogman042]

Jason,

Thanks for taking the time to let us know how it went - and I'm glad to hear though that you will get another shot at it. I think I can speak for everyone on the bored in wishing both you and your dad the best of luck next week (and even if I can't, I'm doing it anyway).

I had the same downward dog question on my test, at the table I was at was me another male and two members of the opposite gender (guessing by all overt clues - I didn't actually verify these assumptions) and the two females knew that one cold, while me and the other guy missed it - in fact every female seems to know this fact and I get looks like - duh, what else could it be. I may or may not have had the other questions you had - but it's the ones you know you missed that stay with you.

It's good to hear that you had a great time and the plus is that you have a better idea of what to expect - which I think will work to your advantage.

---Jay

[bondguy007]

Frogman: It's James, not Jason; don't worry, as long as I'm not late for dinner, who cares.

I hope to have photos from MDA Camp VIP Day up somewhere by tomorrow or the weekend. It was very moving. I got to pose with about 20 campers and they gave me a special "camp cheer" for all the money I've raised for MDA. It's on days like this that you sit back and think, thank goodness I am blessed to be healthier than other people. Case in point: One adorable youngster who couldn't talk. He could only moan to his counselor in his wheelchair while the counselor tried to make him play with silly putty. There was a drum and fife corps, face painting, a balloon maker and a barbecue like last year. No Mick Foley from WWE or David Wright from the Mets, but it was still so heartwarming to see the smiles on these kids' faces. Like I said, when dad develops that group shot, I'll post it for everyone to enjoy.

James

[frogman042]

Frogman: It's James, not Jason; don't worry, as long as I'm not late for dinner, who cares.

I hope to have photos from MDA Camp VIP Day up somewhere by tomorrow or the weekend. It was very moving. I got to pose with about 20 campers and they gave me a special "camp cheer" for all the money I've raised for MDA. It's on days like this that you sit back and think, thank goodness I am blessed to be healthier than other people. Case in point: One adorable youngster who couldn't talk. He could only moan to his counselor in his wheelchair while the counselor tried to make him play with silly putty. There was a drum and fife corps, face painting, a balloon maker and a barbecue like last year. No Mick Foley from WWE or David Wright from the Mets, but it was still so heartwarming to see the smiles on these kids' faces. Like I said, when dad develops that group shot, I'll post it for everyone to enjoy.

James

Yikes, I was thinking of James Bond's younger brother Jason 003.1415... (he's kind of irrational).

Speaking of which I have a son Jason, who is a virtual identical twin in both looks and personality with his brother Daniel who is 11 years older then Jason. I once had to take Jason to a doctors office that we had not visited before and had to fill out the medical information form. I filled it all out correctly but didn't realized I put in Daniel's name for Jason's. So we are waiting and then I hear them call out 'Daniel Rosenberg - Next!' and I turn to Jason and say - isn't that funny, someone here has the same name as your brother. A few moments later I remembered that I was an idiot and I must have put in Daniel's name for Jason's. I then had to explain to them why I don't know my own kids name. So you got off easy by me calling you Jason as opposed to James.

That camp day sounds truly special and moving. Sounds like a wonderful time. It really is great when you can experience the joy you bring to others. BTW, are you familar with Paul Newman's Hole In The Wall camp in CT? My nephew who has MPS (Mucopolysaccharidoses) attended for many years and I heard nothing but great reports from it. He is now 27 and a CPA, but it is still rough going for him and my sister.

Looking forward to seeing the photos.

---Jay

[bondguy007]

Yes Jay, I certainly have heard of Mr. Newman's Camp. As a matter of fact, I tried (unsuccessfully this year) tapping his Newman's Own Foundation for money. To your nephew, I wish nothing but good health and happiness.

One of the families of a little boy with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy that I help just wrote me:

Hi James,

It is so very nice to hear from you. I was just thinking about you today. Glenn & I really wanted to attend the camp today; not to check up on Cody; but to see you and everyone else we have met this past year. God Bless you James for the great job that you are doing. Cody is in the trial (for a possible Duchenne treatment), he started on the medication June 5th, 2008 and God willing be in the trial for a year. I will let you know what time we will be at the telethon. I will try better at keeping in touch with you. Please keep in touch with us.

God Bless You!
Marcia, Glenn & Cody

(James' PS: That makes it all worth it, my friends. To have a family bless you for the work you do really means a lot.)