{"id":531,"date":"2007-11-28T19:50:00","date_gmt":"2007-11-29T01:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2007\/11\/new-york-vacation-celebrity-spotting-secrets\/"},"modified":"2018-03-24T14:47:23","modified_gmt":"2018-03-24T19:47:23","slug":"new-york-vacation-celebrity-spotting-secrets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2007\/11\/new-york-vacation-celebrity-spotting-secrets\/","title":{"rendered":"New York vacation: Celebrity-spotting secrets"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Samantha Chapnick<\/em><\/p>\n

As Letterman<\/strong>\u2019s stage door entrance becomes ever more popular among visitors on a star-seeking New York vacation<\/a>, it’s time to learn a few new insider places. They\u2019re more niche, but I’ve found them to be more accessible.<\/p>\n

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Even on days wherea b-list star is making an appearance, at least 10 or 20 people are waiting at 53rd between Broadway and 8th (Avenue) with the hope of glimpsing someone appearing on “The Late Show.”<\/a><\/p>\n

On days when Mick or Paris is popping in, the people and paparazzi are so thick that only fans who get there before 2:15 p.m. are going to see anything but the dandruff on the head of the guy, who stood behind the guy, who stood behind the woman, who got an autograph.<\/p>\n

The stage door for “Good Morning America”<\/a> at 44th Street and waiting outside a Broadway theater when a favorite famous person is in the cast are lesser known but still over-discovered. So it’s time to find fresh fields.<\/p>\n

The stage door for the lesser-known show, Center Stage is completely ignored since it\u2019s broadcast on a small sports channel (YES, the Yankee TV network). It does have more elite athlete guests than most mainstream shows (recent guests include Roger Clemens<\/strong>, Martina<\/strong> Navratilova,<\/strong> and Joe Namath<\/strong>), but that\u2019s no reason to dismiss it as just for sports fans.<\/p>\n

The one hour\/one guest format appeals to the more intellectual celebrities. If you\u2019d gone recently, you might have had a quick photo or chat with Ethan Hawke<\/strong>, LL Cool J<\/strong>, Kevin Bacon<\/strong> or Larry David<\/strong>. Check the Web site for details on where the show is taping and to find upcoming guests or e-mail centerstage@yesnetwork.com<\/a> for tickets.<\/p>\n

The stage door of Martha Stewart<\/strong>\u2019s new show<\/a> (Chelsea Television Studios, 221 W. 26th Street) is another sleeper celeb spot that I’ve found.<\/p>\n

The show has serious star power \u2014 and most have nothing to do with entertaining or homemaking. Can you see Bill Clinton<\/strong>, Chris Matthews<\/strong>, Chevy Chase<\/strong>, Morgan Freeman<\/strong>, Sharon Stone<\/strong> or Diana Ross<\/strong> making Pom Pom bunnies?<\/p>\n

All were recent guests along with Aidan Quinn<\/strong>, Whoopi Goldberg<\/strong>, Amy Sedaris<\/strong>, Vince Gill,<\/strong> Joan Rivers<\/strong> and many many others.<\/p>\n

Of course, this is also the ideal place to finally meet that chef you have beenstalking.<\/p>\n

Related Orbitz resources:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n