This past Thursday I got to go see this man. Doin his thang. With Drew Barrymore. And it was free. Anderson for FREE my friends! Get in on this. Stat.
Show tapings are always a surreal experience… you watch these mega personalities light up your TV, and then BAM – they’re standing 5 feet in front of you. Just doing their job… which happens to be entertaining millions as a TV host. And then walks out some A-list superstar celeb just being herself and talking… 5 feet from you. It’s as if all of a sudden your TV exploded and became your real life. And it’s awesome.
I should disclose that as a host/producer myself, I totally nerd out on set. I mean… the studio! The camera! The control room! The teleprompter!! I was in my element. But please – Just look at Anderson’s studio! How could you not be in love?!?
Everyday, he looks out over New York City. Absolutely breathtaking.
One more time… this time with my super hip, old hollywood filter. Makin it happen. Come on… just please.
So yes, I loved my experience at the Anderson taping. Clearly. Buuuuut one of the best kept secrets in NYC is that you can go to any show that tapes in NYC… FOR FREE.
Some of the best and most iconic shows on TV film right here in the Big Apple: Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, SNL, Late Show with David Letterman, Daily Show with John Stewart, The Colbert Report, Kelly Live, Wendy Williams… just to name a few. All of these shows need audiences – and this is where you come in my friend.
They need audiences… you want to be entertained. This elusive, mutually beneficial relationship is something that rarely occurs in NYC – but when it does, you gotta get on it.
So if you want in on this piece of awesome (and yes, you do) here is what you do:
1) Figure out what shows you wanna check out. And your answer should be all of them. Show tapings are high energy, exciting and a one of a kind experience. Honestly, there’s no such thing as a bad taping. No matter the host, no matter the guest, no matter the show… I promise – you will be entertained.
2) Check out the show’s website for information on tickets/audience. Most shows have an entire department committed to audience relations (they want you!) Normally, you can either apply online or call the show directly. Many shows also offer standby tickets for day-of sales.
3) Now comes the waiting… it’s here that you remember that however badly a TV show needs an audience, they will always have the upper hand. In most cases, you request tickets from your chosen show and wait until they contact you with the date of the show you can attend. Sometimes you can request a span of dates you would prefer… but that’s if you’re lucky.
4) So now you’ve got your date, you fill out all the necessary paperwork and confirmation, and you arrive on the day of the taping. Now it’s time for some BIG TIPS: Make sure you read all the directions in the email confirmation. Make sure you print out and bring your ticket with you. Make sure you are there EARLY.
Waiting in the cattle call line nice and early for my tickets!!
5) More on that early point. TV is a stickler for this one. They give away more audience tickets than actual seats. So if you want into the show you have already planned your entire day around… get there early.
6) Wait in line some more and then start the seating! My big tip here – go to the bathroom before you sit down!! Yes, even if you don’t have to. They won’t let you leave your seat once you sit down, and you do not want a full bladder ruining your experience.
7) You’re in your seat… the warm up comic has warmed you up… and it starts. BAM. You’re part of TV. And it’s free 
Let’s take it to the Blogs:
- NYTix lists all the shows that tape in NYC annnnnd they give you the links to get the tickets. They can’t make this any easier!
- Fodor’s provides a step by step guide for getting TV show tickets.
- Can’t get enough of entertainment in NYC? Whatsgoodinny says star tours around NYC are a must for locals and tourists alike.
- If you’re interested in checking out Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, make sure you read Mark in the City‘s post about his studio audience experience first!
- Cityscoopsny breaks down the ticket process for NYC’s hottest shows by degree of difficulty.
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What shows can you just not wait to attend??
ANNNDDDEEERRRRRSSSSOOOOONNNNNNNN!!!!!!
This is great! I had no idea it was so… easy, maybe not, but CHEAP!!!!! Your blog is fantastic and desperately making me want to move to NYC. Thanks for the tips!! Looking forward to reading more soon!!!
Thank you so much!! When you finally make the move to NYC you’ll have to hit up some of the city’s Ramen places – they are AMAZE. Although the homemade version you have on your blog looks pretty darn fantastic
Great tips! I’m super excited to be attending a taping of The Chew in a couple of weeks (Mario Batali… awesome, Michael Symon… awesome). I’ll make sure to get there early and hit the bathrooms before sitting down!
You’re going to The Chew – JEALOUS!! I’m gonna want all the details… maybe you’ll get free food samples! Can we expect a blog post about The Chew taping??
So, finally went to the taping of The Chew… ended up being the Red Carpet Oscar special! It was awesome. No free food samples BUT some cool give-a-ways, including the official Wolfgang Puck mini chocolate Oscar statues dusted in 24K gold! I did the whole write-up on Shared Appetite: Ticket To The Chew I also gave you a shout-out in my post