Over the course of a typical day in LA, dozens of shows -- ranging from sitcoms to talkshows such as "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" to reality competitions like "Dancing with the Stars" -- may be taping in front of a group of people getting a first live look at a TV star, especially if it's during peak production season between August and March.
There are also TV pilots being shot, giving a chance for bragging rights for an audience that watches a future hit. Best of all, TV show tapings are free, making them a part of anyone's to-do list. Here’s a quick how-to guide.
ORDER IN ADVANCE
The best way to get tickets is to order in advance through vendors such as Audiences Unlimited or hollywoodtickets.com, both of which feature
sitcoms and talk shows. Tvtix.com and 1iota.com are also good resources for talk shows, and On Camera Audiences specializes in reality TV shows. For groups of 10 or more, Audiences Unlimited, which distributes tickets for shows like "The Big Bang Theory" and "Dr. Phil" has a group department general number. Call 818.260.0041, ext. 7321.If you can’t find tickets through any online vendors, check the show’s website. Some talk shows such as "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and "The Bonnie Hunt Show" offer tickets directly through their sites.
STANDBY TICKETS
Another way to get tickets is to try your luck with standby tickets. Just like with airlines, standby means you wait in line and if any seats open up, you’re free to go in. Here are a few shows that offer the possibility of "flying" standby:
- "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno"
- "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
Get the most out of your TV show taping experience by knowing before going. A few helpful tips:
- Get there early…really early: Studios overbook their tickets, so it’s a good idea to show up at least 90 minutes early to wait in line. If you get there too late, you may not get in.
Plan to be there for about three to four hours: Sitcoms can take a while to film, and the audience is required to stay for the entire time.- Bring layers: Studios are notoriously cold, since all the lights and cameras heat everything up.
- Dress for a cameo: Want to get on camera? Studio staff place the best-dressed audience members up front, where you’re most likely to get filmed.
- Be ready to get carded: Kids shows like "Pair of Kings" allow anyone 12 or older, but "Dr. Phil" has an age minimum of 16, and the age minimum for shows like "America's Funniest Home Videos," "The Big Bang Theory" and "The Price is Right" is 18. And make sure to bring ID.
- Location, location, location: "Hollywood" doesn't always mean Hollywood when it comes to TV taping locations. While shows like "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and "Dr. Phil" are taped in Hollywood, "The Big Bang Theory" is taped in Burbank while "America's Funniest Home Videos" is taped in Manhattan Beach.
LINKS
- "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson"
- "Dancing with the Stars"
- Free Things to Do in LA
- Audiences Unlimited
- Hollywoodtickets.com
- tvtix.com
- 1iota.com
- On Camera Audiences
- "The Big Bang Theory"
- "Dr. Phil"
- "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno"
- "The Ellen DeGeneres Show"
- "The Bonnie Hunt Show"
- "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
- "Pair of Kings"
- "America's Funniest Home Videos"
- "The Price is Right"
