TV Tapings

The trick to getting tickets for TV tapings in this city is to be from out of town. Visitors have a much better chance than we New Yorkers; producers are gun-shy about filling their audiences with obnoxious locals and see everybody who’s not from New York as being from the heartland—and therefore their target TV audience.

If you’re set on getting tickets to a show, request them as early as possible—6 months ahead isn’t too early, and earlier is better for the most popular shows. Most shows have “ticket request” areas on their websites, which will ask you the number of tickets you want, your preferred dates (be as flexible as you can), and your address and phone number. Tickets are always free. Even if you send in your request early, don’t be surprised if tickets don’t arrive at your house until shortly before the tape date.

If you come to town without any tickets, all is not lost. Because they know that every ticket holder won’t make it, many studios give out a limited number of standby tickets on the day of taping. If you can just get up a little early and don’t mind standing in line for a couple (or a few) hours, you have a good chance of getting one (note that the Letterman show no longer has standby lines; you have to call tel. 212/247-6497 starting at 11am on the day of the taping you wish to attend). Now, the bad news: Only one standby ticket per person is allowed, so everybody who wants to get in has to get up at the crack of dawn and stand in line. And even if you get your hands on a standby ticket, it doesn’t guarantee admission; they usually only start seating standbys after the regular ticket holders are in. Still, chances are good.

For additional information on getting tickets to tapings, call the NYC & Company at tel. 212/484-1200. And remember—you don’t need a ticket to stand on Rockefeller Plaza in front of the Today show.

If you do attend a taping, be sure to bring a sweater, even in summer. As anybody who watches Letterman knows, it’s cold in those studios. And bring ID, as proof of age may be required.

Who Wants to Be on a Game Show? -- The daily version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, hosted by Meredith Vieira, goes through a lot of contestants and is always on the lookout for smart cookies to sit in the Hot Seat. Check the website (www.dadt.com/millionaire) to see if auditions are being held while you’re in town (auditions usually start in Apr; taping for the season is Aug–Nov). You can sign up online to attend a taping/take the test on a specific date; you will receive an e-mail confirmation. When the show is taping, you’ll be expected to attend as an audience member for a couple of episodes in addition to taking the test (all the better to practice your skills on “Ask the Audience”). On your audition date, report to the ABC studios at 30 W. 67th St. (off Central Park West). Bring ID! You’ll take a multiple-choice test and if you score in the top 10% or so, you’ll have a brief interview with show staff. If you’re selected for the contestant pool, you’ll get a postcard telling you that you’re in contention for a spot. If you’re selected to go into the Hot Seat, you’ll have to plan another trip to New York City!