The Tonight Show- Back in New York!

Over the past few months, there has been a lot of talk about the changes in NBC's late night lineup. Jimmy Fallon was to take over Jay Leno's spot as host of The Tonight Show, and Seth Meyers was chosen to succeed Fallon on Late Night.  As of February 2014, both shows were to be taped in 30 Rockefeller Plaza, bringing The Tonight Show back to its New York roots!

Last week, I was lucky enough to score tickets to the final test taping of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon before it began airing on February 17th.  Having been to tapings of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in the past, I knew that I was in for a day filled with a lot of waiting, but it would be worth it for the cool experience!

My group lined up to pick up our tickets and wristbands and then spent some time wandering around 30 Rock before heading back upstairs to line up for the taping. The anticipation built as we went through security and waited on line until we were finally allowed to enter the studio. It was exciting to be a part of a group that was able to see the revamped studio 6B before its big, televised reveal!

My group was seated in the second row on the left side of the studio, where we were able to see the "on-screen action," as well as some of the behind-the-scenes action in the nearby hallway and with the cameramen.  Lorne Michaels even came out to watch part of the show from right next to our seats!

For this taping, Jimmy Fallon performed his monologue, did Thank You Notes, Jon Oliver was the guest, and the Roots performed a Jimi Hendrix cover as the musical guests (serving, also, as the house band throughout the show).  Although it was never to be televised (since it was a test show), it had the same format as the actual show.

I really enjoyed the entire experience and am thrilled to be able to say I've seen The Tonight Show in the same New York studio where Johnny Carson used to host!  It was an awesome, quintessential New York City experience that I'll remember for a long time to come!