I didn't think we were going to get in at all, but we ended up "VIPs."I picked up Holly (who took the photo below) and we headed down 10th Street in St. Paul. When we saw the line beginning to snake around the History Theatre at about 2:30 p.m., she hopped out to get in line and I looked for parking.

Parking was surprisingly easy. Holly got in line by some very pleasant people who had an extra ticket. (Well at least one of us might be able to get in).

Daily Show: The banner outside the History Theatre in St. Paul

We headed to the front of the line to check what our ticket would get us. That's right, VIP status. We didn't have to wait in the long line. We went to get coffee at the Starbucks in Macys and came back at about 4 p.m.

When we got to Starbucks, someone with an earpiece came in and started looking behind the counters, in the back of the coffeeshop and lurking around the doors. We were hopeful that they were clearing the area for some bigwigs, but it appeared to be only Macy's security checking the doors.

Back to the line. Loud music played as we headed up to the theater. The woman at the door asked us for a name the tickets were under. We said the name of the friend who had got us the tickets, since we "work for a cable channel" and all. And that was it! We were in! I couldn't believe it! I was expecting to have to show some ID's & explain how someone had called for the tickets for us, etc., etc. But no! You can tell I don't get out much, but it was a little victory. I text a little "we're in" message with a photo of my VIP pass to my sister.

We were herded into two roped-off areas, one for the very important posers, like myself, and one for the rest of the audience. A woman (I think it was the one with a barb-wire arm-tattoo) came out and warned us that we shouldn't say anything stupid while the cameras were rolling. "Don't call out stupid stuff during the show," I believe were her exact words. She also discouraged us from asking for Jon Stewart's autograph or photo or anything creepy -- no hugs, etc.

I recalled my last celebrity encounter when all I managed to choke out was, "I really enjoy your work." Creative.

And we were in.To be continued ...