Cue the Laugh Track

I know, I know, it's Finals Week. That means I should be studying super hard. But the audition tapings for America's Got Talent were free admission. And I got four tickets. Did you think I would study instead?

Have you ever been to the taping of a television show? It's exhausting. We lined up to get in at 5 pm, finally got in the doors around 6, got sat, and then waited until 7 for the show to begin. Because America's Got Talent uses shots of the audience, we had to wait in line to sit down so that they could group by clothing color and other factors.**

About 30 minutes before the show started, one of the producers came up to our section and said, "You guys are right behind the judges. Expect the taping to go until 11. None of you are allowed to leave. This section CANNOT change. If you need to use the restroom, you will use it NOW. If you need to go get a drink, you will get it NOW." We all looked at each other, afraid of the commitment-heavy turn this fun night out had suddenly taken. "You will go apesh*t over EVERYTHING. Good, bad, I don't care. If someone stands up, you ALL stand up. Got it?" Then he walked away. Just left.

After that, the executive producer walked on stage and "trained" us in proper cheering and booing. By the time the 15 minute study session was over, I was already exhausted. And taping hadn't even started yet.

When the judges walked in, the sound was INCREDIBLE. It was insanely loud. Oddly, they all look taller in person, even if the stage looks MUCH smaller. And they were all so nice! Really, they must cut the footage to make the judges look cruel. Even Piers is absolutely sweet.

There were so many acts that I can't even recall them. (Good for NBC's intellectual property rights, I guess.) There were, however, a few standout acts in my mind, and if you watch the episode you'll know which ones they were. And you may even hear LSBFF's arab "Ay-ayayayayay!" yell.

I guess it's back to studying for the rest of the week.

But if you do tune in come June, I'm the tall one in green exactly 3 rows behind Piers Morgan dancing to the music.

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**Most of the older people were in back. I know that's ageism, but it totally worked out for me.