What you do not see on the broadcast are things like the promo spots they shoot at the end. Jay kept flubbing his lines. After about the sixth try, Russell moved Jay into his spot and stood in front of the "guests" doing a sort of impression of Jay, and nailed the promo in one take. It was very funny. He remained on the couch, as he always does, speaking to Jenna Bush during the ads and giving us fans a lovely wave – he had to lean out to see around those huge floor cameras so thanks for that Russell!

Afterward, a handful of fans waited with many autograph peddlers. Keith and Mickey got out of the car and helped direct everyone into an orderly line. Russell gave autographs or a photo op to everyone.

Then it was my turn. "Hey, Ta mah ra," he says, twinkling. (Have I said how much I adore this man?) I have quite enough autographs now, and as much as I loved his work in both 3:10 to Yuma and American Gangster,  he's made it plain he doesn't feel he "rates" that sort of attention so I selfishly asked about what I really care about most - the possibility of the band coming to Jacksonville. Such a tease. He said he was working on something but was not ready to say anything definitive, but that if it comes together like he wants, "I think you'll love it, you're going to dig it."

Image thanks to Tracy