Who doesn't love Carl Kassell?

I found myself really, really wanting to see a live taping of NPR's news quiz show, 'Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me,' which was visiting Boston this week. And I really wanted to see how the show was put together and most of all listen to Carl Kassell down below. Kassell, who is the show's score keeper and judge, is loved by many. Oh yea, he'll also record something on your home answering machine if you win at one of the quiz sections.

This was the second time the show was coming through in as many years. And gosh darn it I was not going to miss it.I eagerly waited to buy tickets, but being a graduate student I had no money for such frivolous things. Tickets sold out early and I couldn't find a cheap ticket online.

I figured that it might be worth it to head down there in the off chance someone had an extra ticket.

I walked through the scenario in my head. I wouldn't leave until 20 minutes into the show just in case someone ran up with an extra ticket to spare. And I would swallow my pride and ask strangers for a little kindness. And it would be a fun experiment. And if it failed, since many of my ideas are not always the best thought out, I would have a story to tell other public radio fanatics. And being a former newspaper reporter, I'm quite used being shot down so emotionally I was ready.

As soon as I arrived at the theater I walked around hoping to see someone awaiting a die-hard fan like myself to his or her extra tickets. No such luck. These public radio listeners clutched firmly onto their tickets and Blackberries communicating with friends who were arriving late or having trouble parking.

I was starting to sweat and wondering if I had wasted my Thursday night trying to get into my favorite show. I thought about leaving and not being a beggar. Part of me felt a little foolish. But part of me felt giddy just standing outside waiting for something spectacular to happen.

I figured I'd create a sign from my notebook that read, "Wanted - Extra Ticket to Wait, Wait...

-Big fan dying to get in." And then I stood near the theater holding the sign and hoping someone had an extra ticket to unload. People walking past smiled and wished me luck. I shouted out to a few friendly faces saying, "Got an extra ticket?" I kept smiling and thinking, "These people think I'm nuts."

Eventually a young couple came up and said they may have an extra ticket. They wanted to check with a friend before they made any promises. And five minutes later the returned with ticket in hand! Aha!

Quickly realizing that fate was shining upon me, I put the sign away and thrust $50 into the guy's hand. It was two dollars above face value. I leapt for joy as I wandered through the lobby and up three flights of stairs to center balcony.

There I was several hundred yards from the stage. I was going to be part of the audience to yell, scream and holler at the jokes and wisecracks. It was amazingly fun and I laughed and yelled so hard my throat was sore.

I stayed through the question and answer session and at times stared at the ceiling with a silly grin on my face. Ah, there is nothing like ending a stressful week with your favorite radio show.