Conan Is Here

That was fun.

Thanks to NBC11, I was able to avoid the massive line that stretched from the Orpheum Theater to, apparently, the Ferry Building (or so it seemed) and instead just had to stand around in the "V.I.P" area of the theater for an hour. An area that had a bar that was, alas, closed, although it was fully stocked, and just sitting there, taunting us. The seats for this particular group of V.I.P.s were on the mezzanine level which, while not the floor, were still pretty good and allowed full view of the action.

It was a tight show, and it's always amusing to see what goes on when it's commercial time. The band plays, lots of people wander around the stage, and Conan just kind of mills about, at least when he didn't have Dana Carvey sitting next to him. They had some technical difficulties with the fake San Francisco backdrop (which was a video image of the skyline) so it will be interesting to see how they cover that, if at all, in tonight's broadcast. I won't give away too much about the show, but there's a pretty funny video bit taken around the City, as well as a little cameo as featured in the above picture. You can guess the joke...

Hopefully I'll be able to attend Friday's taping, which would be great--taking in both the opening and closing night shows, how very circular. I'll keep you posted. And if you want to freeze your TiVos and look for me in the crowd shots, like I said, I'm on the mezzanine level, in the middle, wearing a red sweatshirt. And a rainbow wig.

Photo copyright 2007/Dana Edelson/NBC

Karma

This week's reality TV locals post is now up on SFist.

Today's my Conan day, and I'll be leaving for the show in a couple of hours. I'm not sure if I'll be posting about it on SFist or not (someone else might) but if I don't, I'll be sure to post a rundown here as soon as possible! In either case, be sure to watch the show tonight at 12:30!

But You ARE In That Chair!

On Friday I dined once again at the Nob Hill Cafe, this time with the full intention of sitting near the twins and eavesdropping. Things worked out perfectly, and we were seated right behind them. I wasn't quite close enough to hear what they were talking about, but my friends were, and man, oh man. What you think in your wildest dreams that those two sisters would talk about after a few glasses of wine is, indeed, what they talk about. And fight about.

"I could have had a baby!"
"Oh sure, you WOULD want something like that, wouldn't you??"

"When you're gone, that's it for me. That's it."

"I just want to see this tiramiSUUUUUUU they keep talking about!!"

Truly awesome. I highly recommend it. Go on a Tuesday or Friday around 7, and request a table in the room away from the kitchen. It's the real San Francisco treat.

In the Year 2007

I've got a post up on SFist about the Conan O'Brien show coming to SF next week. I snagged a "VIP" ticket for Monday's taping, and I'm pretty excited about going, although when I heard about the guests they've got scheduled for other shows, I got kind of jealous. I know, I know, beggars can't be choosers and all that. But still!

Couches Will Be Leaped In a Single Bound

Here's a kind of interesting article about the supposed similarities between last night's episode of "Heroes" and the comic book "Watchmen."

I took two things away from it. First, I'm pretty tired of Tim Kring's pulling out the "I don't even read comics!" card every time something like this comes up (although in all fairness, they couldn't actually get him to comment on this article). We all know if he wasn't reading comics back when he first created the show, he's at least glanced at some since.

And secondly, Tom Cruise as Ozymandias?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[via TV Tattle]

Bevin? Will You Accept This Tacky Timepiece?

This week's reality TV locals post is now up on SFist!

I can't believe it's already Monday.

This Is Garry Shandling's Face, Garry Shandling's Scary Face

Quick! If you didn't watch the Letterman show last night, go over to their Web site and click on the show highlight featuring Garry Shandling. He has had some of the worst plastic surgery I've ever seen. It even looks like he has trouble opening his mouth wide enough to speak.

What is wrong with these people?!

Stop It. NOW.

In the past two days, as part of my job, I have had to look at over 1,000 different Web pages, and I have come to the conclusion that anyone who creates a Web page--be it on MySpace, or an entire Web site for some band, or even a lame little Angelfire page (who knew those still existed?)--and has it play any kind of music automatically when it loads, well, those people should be banned from the Internet.

Permanently.

You Bastards!

I was incredibly bored by last night's "Lost," and I'm not entirely sure why.

I was hopeful during it's first few minutes when --SPOILER ALERT!--Charlie got that arrow through the neck. But then it turned out to be a fake-out, so it was really NOT A SPOILER, and I groaned and the episode went on, and I found myself staring at my toenails, realized they had gotten a little too long, so I trimmed them, and that was a lot more exciting than anything that was going on on screen.

But maybe that's just me.

Bewiched

I just saw Russell from "I'm From Rolling Stone" eating a sandwich with a lady friend at 'wichcraft. Thrilling, no? Perhaps not, but there was something so very meta about seeing a reality TV "star" inside a restaurant that was plugged on a reality show, and features a sandwich created by a contestant on said reality show. If I were braver and a tad more obnoxious, I would have taken a clandestine cameraphone pic. Alas, I am not, and did not.

But speaking of 'wichcraft, I finally decided to give it a try. It has certainly been much maligned since its opening, and every time I walk by, its cavernous space is virtually empty. Having ventured into the mall to pick up a book and, of course a cream puff, (I can't be within the same building as a Beard Papa, and NOT get one!) I realized I could probably use some dinner, and 'wichcraft was on the way to the bus stop, so why not. I got a chicken salad sandwich that's supposed to come on whole grain bread, but they were out of that, so I got it on some kind of "country bread." I opted for a cold sandwich, even though the hot sandwiches were more appealing, because I wasn't going to be eating it there, and was afraid a hot 'wich wouldn't travel well.

The total was over 10 bucks. Just for the sandwich, (well, and the tiny bag of chips that come with it) and while I balked at the price, I reserved judgement until eating. Once I got home, I was a little disappointed to see it wasn't the size of my head, or at least larger than the average sandwich. As for taste, it was...fine. There was way too much pepper on it (although I will admit I am a pepper wimp) but the pickled onions were tasty, the chicken wasn't dry, and the frisse soaked in vinaigrette was a nice alternative to lettuce. But it was not the most amazing sandwich I've ever had, and wasn't even terribly memorable. I'll probably give one of the hot sandwiches a try before writing the place off completely, but I really think they'd do a lot better if they either made the sandwiches just a little bigger, or cut a buck or two off the price.