NBC Studio and Bryant Park
An early wake up for Penny and I because I was heading to Rockefeller Center for the Megyn Kelly Show! I had requested a ticket about a month ago, an easy process to do online. I had to be at the studio by 7:30 so Penny was a trouper since I had to walk and feed her early. When I lived in Chicago I had been in the studio audience for Oprah and Phil Donahue (remember him?). But Megyn Kelly is a LIVE show so I was curious as to the differences. It was a really good experience. The staff was very nice and they have the system down. We got there and stood in line to check in. We needed our ticket, ID and had to go through security. They exchanged your ticket for another ticket - some beige and some blue. And then they had certain symbols on the tickets that didn’t make sense until they started calling groups to enter the studio. We also got a wristband. Once we checked in they didn’t allow any photos and in fact said if you didn’t follow the rules you would be removed.
Waiting in line to check in and our wristband.
When we entered the studio they directed us to where they wanted us to sit and I was placed on stage in the first row! That was fun! They instructed us to stay focused on the host and guests and try not to be distracted by the cameras and commotion going on behind the scenes or we would look silly on TV. I went home later and watched the show online and snapped this picture of me right behind Megyn.
It looks fake to me, like I photoshopped myself in - but I really was there!
It was an interesting show. First up Michael Cohen’s lawyer the day after he was convicted of all those charges. Then a group of teens featured in a documentary called Shelter which is about a home called Covenant in New Orleans. They get homeless kids off the street and it was really inspiring. Then last a female lawyer called the Meanest Woman in America that wrote a book to help woman get more respect in work and life. Then each of us received a $100 gift card to Otterbox - nice!
Next I headed to Bryant Park to meet a friend for a literary event she had invited me to attend with her. Bryant Park is a big park directly behind the huge New York Central Library on 42nd St between 5th and 6th Ave. I had been there in the winter when they turn it into a big Christmas market and ice skating rink, and then if you ever watched Project Runway you might remember it is also used for Fashion Week.
Care for some ping pong? Or maybe a bite to eat? All available.
There are events going on in Bryant Park all through the summer and fall - the schedule looked amazing. The one we were there for was called TV Writers Gone Novelists. It was a great lineup of authors and a pretty well known moderator - also an author. The moderator was Jesse Kornbluth. Each of the writers had just published a new book, and they all sounded interesting. Here is the list. Peter Blauner who has written for TV Law and Order and Blue Bloods. His book is Sunrise Highway. Kevin Fox who also wrote for Law and Order. His book is Until The Next Time. And Seth Greenland who wrote for Big Love. His book is The Hazards of Good Fortune. It was interesting to hear them contrast writing for TV versus writing a novel. It was totally free and had a pretty good turnout. One of the many advantages of living in such a big city.
Left to right - Jesse Kornbluth, Peter Blauner, Seth Greenland and Kevin Fox.
My friend Mary Kelly wanted to show me Grand Central Station and treat me to lunch at a famous restaurant located there so it was just a short walk away. Grand Central is where commuter trains from the north like Connecticut and Long Island commence. And also lots of subway lines connect through so it’s a busy place.
What a beautiful concourse! The picture doesn’t do it justice. Just incredible.
Lunch at the famous Oyster Bar. It’s a throw back to another era - in business for over 100 years. I have never seen such an enormous selection of types of oysters. We ate in the saloon which is a little smaller and quieter. There’s also a bar you can sit at and an old fashioned lunch counter.
Scallop and mussel salad for Mary and a lobster and shrimp Caesar salad for me. Delicious!
On our way out through the station we happened across a bride and groom. It seemed pretty normal for a Weds.
Nice to see the Fascinator making a comeback😊
Lastly we headed over to the New York Central Library also called the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. An enormous spectacular building that opened in 1911. There are two big lion mascots that face 5th Ave that are called Leo Astor and Lady Lenox in honor of the founders. There are 4 floors in the building with lots of reference rooms you need special access to enter. Beautiful reading rooms and special exhibits.
Incredible ceilings, windows and art work. It would be worthwhile to take a tour I’m sure.
A super fun day! Thanks for lunch Mary and for being a great tour guide. Thanks for letting me share my day with you!