what the hell, I'll post the question although I bet I know the answer...

has anyone here ever been one of the goofy wavers on the Today Show? for the day after Thanksgiving, what's a good time to show up to actually get on camera/be up front? I'm betting it's very crowded, given that everyone gets the day off.

I'm gonna try to work this, so if anyone's bored on Black Friday, check out the today show, you never know, I might be there waving! Bonus points to anyone who can come up with the best (PG-13) idea to draw attention to myself, thus securing an actual live camera shot.

I've never done it myself, but used to work nearby. It's likely to be very crowded on the day after Thanksgiving due to the number of tourists in NY. I would get there pretty early (at least 6 am) to secure an up-front spot if you want to be on TV.

Seems to me that the easiest way to get on camera is to be near the end of the crowd (on one of the sides), have a cute baby with you, or be proposing marriage/celebrating an anniversary/birthday/etc.

If there is a music act, get there earlier. If it is a very popular music act, middle of the night.

I've done it before, Flygirl. I found that having a goofy sign helped, too. It was cheesy, but fun as well.

We got there about an hour and a half before the show and had a good view for the duration.

hour and a half?? as in, 530 AM? lordy. I'll have to get up at 330 just to get up, get dressed, and get there from New Joisey. yipes.

We went this August around 7:00 a.m. and yes it would help to be there about an hour early (6:00 a.m.) if there isn't a musical guest.

Otherwise, probably much earlier. We were able to wiggle very close to the front within 1 hour or so of standing (even at 7:00 a.m. arrival) But if you have short people or young kids, they probably won't see very much. The place is actually a fairly small surface area, even though it looks much bigger on TV.

Even going at 7:00 a.m. I got a good view up close of Matt and Willard, as they chatted with the people within 5 feet of me. As people stood there for about 45 minutes or so they get tired and slowly started to drift off, so you do make progress to the front if you have the stamina.

In November it could be interesting with people wearing heavy coats and pressed together though -- if it is reasonably warm I would try to wear something thin and hope the body heat of everyone keeps you comfortable.

Have fun, it's an experience.....

I'll admit it... went there one morning this past June when Steve Winwood was performing. I got there around 5:00 or 5:15 a.m. (I think) and got to hear a great pre-show concert in addition to the real one. Took some nice close-up pics of Steve and his band and got an autograph from Steve after the show. There were several times the camera sweeped by me during the show. I was in NYC for the Cardinals/Yankees series and lots of other Cardinal fans were in the crowd that day. It was really a great time.

At least the "goofy wavers" on the Today Show are real. The wavers on Good Morning America look like robots. They wave and have their mouths open but there are no voices or cheering. Its almost like they tell people to wave and act happy, and shut up! IMO.

Yes I admit I was a goofy waver - and felt that way too. It is very strange to stand there quietly visiting then all of a sudden scream (no I am too shy for that but others did) and wave at one guy with a camera then stop. However, I do watch it every morning so felt it was a NYC thing to do.

We did get up early and got 'second row'. It is COLD, I forget NYC doesn't get sun except when the sun is directly over head. So dress warmly and drink hot chocolate. (It was late summer when I was there)

Often crazy hats get on and of course babies or a sign that says something creative but even without that, they'll show your face as they pan by.

Be sure to tell us what your plan is so we can watch for you - though I'll be shopping that day so will probably miss it.

On Halloween I saw some people with dressed up dogs and wondered if Scarlett was there with Pup - were you Scarlett?

Dress up like a turkey! That will most likely get yourself on tv.

Roker told me to take off my turkey mask.
Nice guy...I wasn't wearing one.

When you get to the cattle pen look for a man with long white hair and flowing mustache.Stay next to him and you are pretty sure to be on.

good ideas! bring em on.

why stand next to the guy with white hair? is he part of the show/crew? or a camera man?

One day Roker pulled a Vikings helmet from someone in the crowd and tossed it on the ground proclaiming NY was the best. Turns out that the guy was an ancore from a newly acquired NBC affiliate in Minneapolis. Roker wasn't told about the promo and looked really stupid.

The guy with the white hair and mustache (I think he looks a bit like Einstein) is there every day. In fact so regularly I was worried when he missed about a week last year. They mentioned him once but I forgot his name. If you watch he will often give the thumbs up sign. There is another guy there every day named Lenny. He is tall and often wears a big gray down jacket, hat and glasses. I don't know why they are there - guess they just like to see the action.

Katie's Mom hadn't seen Lenny for a while and was worried so they talked about him, guess he was sick but was doing better. So I am not the only one who watches for them.

Another goofy waver! Did this for the regular Today show and the weekend one.

I agree with the posters about getting close to Lenny (Einstein). He is always on and Katie and Matt chat with him regularly. Getting there early and chatting with the crew helps too.

My brother and I went but didn't have a sign ready. We found cardboard on the sidewalk and bought some markers. We made it on. Katie and Matt were both super nice but I have to say that Ann Curry was EXTRA nice - real geniune.

My weekend Today show experience is more memorable for me. There were not that many people so we were on several times. Soledad and David were the anchors still. Soledad went over to every single person and chatting with them or took pics with them. I remember David being really nice too - shocked when he died this spring.

I know it's cheesy but I found it fun to meet people from all over the country. It was just a fun atmosphere. Enjoy!

I just found out Chicago is playing Friday. UGH! even though they are a has been band, will this mean a total mob scene? (don't answer that!!)

still haven't decided what to do to embarrass myself yet! (if I even go, now...)

flygirl,
Chicago a "Has Been Band"!

Then we must be "has been band fans".

We saw them at Wente Vineyards this year and for a bunch o' "beens" they can still play and really enjoy what they are doing. They do miss a bit w/o having Pete Cetera/Terry Kath.

OK...who here DOESN'T have a special memory when you hear "Colour My World"?


I'll have to set the VCR. Thx for the 411.
chiKalgo.

so let me get this straight... the main players from Chicago, are now GONE?

Chicago, is now a Chicago COVER band?

<shudder> I never liked them in the first place. in fact the only band I like with a PLACE name is Texas..

flygirl,
:-? Bob Wills?

As long as they have Lamm, Loughnane, Parazadier and Pankow they will still be my favorite bunch o' beens.