SUNDAY

FOURTH AND FINAL NEW YORK SHOW

Going to the Garden was somewhat bittersweet.

It was a beautiful fall night — cool and clear.

I take one last look at the marquee — to which “sold out” has been added.

I enter the Garden and take my seat.

Amazingly, I am seated within rows of three of my best friends!

Um, what’s THAT about, LOL?

The guy I was sitting next to came all the way from Brasil.

She’s been coming on later and later!

The floor was packed — and I got a really good look at the Pod.

Madiva was in his usual outfit and usual seat. Even with the money, I do not understand how he gets the same seat over and over and over and over. I saw him sit there every night for Confessions, and twice this tour.

He was a few seats from Kelly Ripa. Kelly and Madiva posed for several pictures. There was also someone causing QUITE a commotion down front, but I couldn’t see who it was.

One of the security people told me that both A-Rod and Chelsea Clinton were in the house, but didn’t show their faces until the lights went out.

It was also Columbus Day — I’m really surprised that M didn’t comment on this! Shame on you, Miss Italians Do It Better!

Lights out at about 9:40.

The video really is fascinating — I like it more every time.

And it is just SICK the way it starts breaking apart. The farther you are away from this the better. It’s an amazing effect, and shrieks filled the arena. High drama.

Madonna swirls around on her throne and kicks into “Candy Shop” and “Beat Goes On.” Pushing the Rolls to the stage, she grabs the top hat and guitar and belts out “Human Nature.” I noticed that she is completely wet with sweat by this time. Yes, the room has been very hot every night, even with the cool weather.

“Vogue” is of course a huge crowd pleaser and it never fails. My entire section was singing along, and the dancers are very, very sexy. Madonna trots to the stage and vanishes into the floor.

I think this is the first time EVER that I saw Madonna’s entire engagement without seeing someone throw something onstage! She drew a very well-behaved crowd this time.

The “Die Another Day” video is so stupendous. My friend said he wanted to see the show again just for that. It flies by very, very quickly. Madonna takes virtually no real breaks during the Sticky and Sweet show.

I love the second section a lot.

“Into the Groove” is one of my favorite songs, and the way the video fills the room with colorful upbeat images is really terrific. It makes everyone happy.

The crowd roars the first time her body jerks awake to the sound of “Heartbeat.” Her moving ramp is back, and Madonna works the runway to this great song, probably my favorite of the show. The people in the first ten rows are really enthusiastic and Madonna gives them a lot of attention.

Everyone squeals and howls at the first sign of “Borderline.” It starts out pure punk, but there’s no mistaking the melody or M’s lyrics: “You just keep on pushin’ my love over the borderline.” Madonna seems ageless during this number.

“She’s Not Me” is also great fun. It ends furiously — Madonna pushes the ladies around, writhes around the floor, rips her shorts off, wears a wig, and crawls back to the stage.

Now in a black tank top and purple shorts, Madonna hops onto the gigantic subway that has appeared onstage and delivers a very satisfying “Music,” complete with that Dr. Dre hook. She wisely didn’t reinvent this song the way she has the last two tours — it’s a great number to dance to.

The second act ends fluidly — I noticed that Madonna isn’t talking as much tonight, commenting only that four shows have worn her out.

The “Rain” interlude continues to puzzle.

Madonna rises out of the center stage draped in black on a piano, surrounded by the video screens that erupt into rain, waterfalls, geysers for “Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You.”

She tears off her cape, revealing its shocking pink lining, and is now in her Gypsy look: a black mini with plenty of bangles.

She tears off to the main stage to give us a Spanish lesson (or two), then returns to the center stage for “Miles Away.” I notice that her makeup might be starting to run, the price of a hot room.

I would say she is wearing more makeup than recent tours, and her hair covers half of her face.

“La Isla Bonita” takes over the room, and it’s so great. I think it’s the best one she’s ever done.

At the center stage, Madonna takes a seat next to Paul and he pours her a shot from his flask — she toasts Kelly Ripa, and gulps it. It’s probably water.

She goes straight into “You Must Love Me” with barely a word — she’s not very chatty tonight at all.

The Get Stupid interlude shakes the room, and the opening notes of “4 Minutes” are quite dramatic.

Madonna reappears in her Warrior Look — her bangs are new tonight. They are very half of them are very short.

The entire room is now on their feet and dancing, and they do not stop.

The Garden explodes with light for “Like a Prayer,” and people just howl like mad. The entire main floor is bobbing up and down, and all hands are in the air.

Even “Ray of Light” is a lot of fun — a great song, great to dance to.

She forgot the words last night.

In fact, I would say tonight is the only night that she hasn’t flubbed at least one line.

“Are you friends with Sarah Palin” Madonna asks, pointing to a few people who were sitting (I didn’t see anyone sit.)

A LOT of people up front are prepared with request signs. One group seemed to be in unison with pink signs, but there was a group on the other side with white signs.

Madonna says, “No, an OLD song.” Then: “No, I hate that song.”

I think this is probably the funniest show she’s done.

She finally settles for “I Love New York” (again). It’s nice, not quite the event of last Tuesday.

During “Hung Up,” she says, “This is what Sarah Palin’s husband sounds like when his snowmobile won’t start.” Everyone cracks up. She can be funny.

“Give it 2 Me” takes over the room — and there are no celebrities tonight. Just Madonna dancing like MAD, working the runway with her mike getting people to sing. One guy actually did a very good job under pressure.

When the entire troupe assembles on the center stage, chaos ensues. Madonna rolls around on the floor, laughs hysterically, pushes everyone around.

They all dash to the main stage to end the number, Madonna climbing the stairs and saying Goodnight to New York for the last time.

For now.

QUITE a few people break into serious dancing to “Holiday,” and, again, it takes an absolute lifetime to get out of the arena.

I walk out into the cold night, text a few people, catch cab.

And here I am. It’s 12:58 a.m., and my four Madonna shows are over. It’s always sad saying goodbye to Madonna, but I have a funny feeling that she will be back real soon. No one’s gonna stop her now! She is in amazing shape and at the peak of her performing skills. I can’t say I spotted her lip-synching once. And her body is not showing the slightest trace of age. I think we’re stuck with her for a while.

Special thanks to DyeAnotherDay.