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BY MIKE THOMAS -- Chicago Sun-Times -- May 10, 2006 There's no doubt about it: Chicago's nuts for Conan O'Brien. Long lines formed by late Tuesday afternoon for the first of four 4:30 p.m. "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" tapings at the 3,600-seat Chicago Theatre. Tuesday's began late because of the time-consuming task of steering massive crowds through a buzzing rush-hour city. 'Conan for President' Folks dressed in business garb and casual chic and everything in between crushed together to view the lanky late-night comic who'll one day sit on Jay Leno's throne. "Conan! Conan!" a pumped group chanted on the way into the venue. Others held a large handwritten pro-Conan sign, and one young lady wore an "I ?254-240? Conan" T-shirt. Another wore one that read "Conan for President." 'What's all the hubbub?' Wearing wristbands and holding tickets and e-mail confirmations, the first wave of revelers slowly made their way inside, guided by crowd-control specialists with bullhorns who yelled, "Ladies to the left, men to the right!" and "Watch the policeman!" They also warned that all bags would be checked and all edibles must be tossed. The policemen did their best to keep foot and car traffic flowing -- and oblivious jaywalkers from dying. Miraculously, they succeeded. Said one puzzled pedestrian, "What's all the hubbub?" When informed that O'Brien was taping nearby, she flashed a blank look and replied, "I'm just trying to catch the L." Expressions on the faces of other non-Conan hoofers ranged from amused to miffed as they dodged both cars and the giddy tide of Conan fans eager to secure a seat and see the red-headed quipster do his thing. Waiting is the hardest part Alongside Potbelly Sandwich Works at the southwest corner of State and Lake, stand-by hopefuls clutched tickets and gazed across the street, where general admission lines had dwindled. "Yes!" a woman up front exclaimed when it became apparent there was room for her inside. She was small but her smile was big. On the sidewalk, mixed in with discarded magazines and a brown-bagged liquor bottle, empty cans of Monster Energy drink and Dunkin' Donuts coffee cups were evidence of the recent caffeinated campout. Those who'd left them behind would be even more hopped up in a couple of hours. |