There are a lot of television shows that film in front of a live studio audience in New York City. Tickets are almost always free and need to be reserved well in advance. If you’re not able to get tickets for the date you want or decided last minute to see a taping, there are often stand-by lines the day of the show. If people with tickets don’t show, they will fill up the audience with people from the stand-by lines.
Here are some of the most popular television shows you attend a taping for free in New York City.
Saturday Night Live
Tickets to Saturday Night Live (SNL) are a bit tricky to get, but not impossible. They only allow ticket requests during the month of August for the upcoming season. To be put into the ticket lottery, send them an email during the month of August. You can’t request specific dates. If your email is drawn in the lottery, you will receive a notice and two tickets to a randomly drawn date.
If you are only able to be in New York City on a specific Saturday, SNL does have a stand-by line for tickets to their dress rehearsal as well as their live show. Stand-by tickets are given out on the day of the show on the 49th Street side of 30 Rockefeller Plaza at 7:00 am.
Dress rehearsals tape at 8:00pm and live shows at 11:30pm. All shows are on Saturday nights.
Good Morning America
Photo of Good Morning America, New York City (modified) © all-systems-go
Tickets are not needed to attend a taping of Good Morning America. The live studio audience area is outside in Times Square (Broadway at 44th Street). Just show up the day of the show. Space with a good view is limited so show up early for a good spot.
Good Morning America is taped Monday through Friday starting at 7:00 a.m.
The View
Join Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie O’Donnell and others at a live taping of The View. The show is filmed at the ABC Studios at 320 West 66th Street. Reserve tickets online.
The View is taped Monday through Thursday starting at 9:30 a.m.
The Late Show with David Letterman
Photo of The Late Show with David Letterman, New York City (modified) © Dave Herholz
Tickets to The Late Show with David Letterman can be requested using their online form or in person at the theater, located at 1697 Broadway Between West 53rd and West 54th Streets, during specified times.
You can also request stand-by tickets by calling (212) 247-6497 starting at 11:00 a.m. on the day of the taping you wish to attend.
The online form allows you to choose three dates and they will let you know if tickets are available for one of the dates you chose. The Late Show with David Letterman tapes Monday through Thursday at 5:50 p.m. and a second taping at 7:30 p.m. on Mondays.
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Photo The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, New York City (modified) of © bettyx1138
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart accepts ticket reservations through their online system. If tickets for the day you want aren’t available, keep checking back to see if something opens up.
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart tapes Monday through Thursday at 5:45 p.m. at Daily Show Studios located at 733 11th Avenue.
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Photo The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, New York City (modified) of © The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon films at the NBC Studios in 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Tickets can be reserved online about two months in advance. Stand-by tickets are handed out starting at 9:00 a.m. on the some day as the show tapes. For stand-by tickets, go to the “NBC Studios” marquee on the 49th Street side of 30 Rockefeller Plaza (GE Building).
The Tonight Show tapes at 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Live! with Kelly & Michael
Tickets to Live! with Kelly & Michael can be requested through their online system. Tickets are released in month blocks, two months in advance.
It’s also possible to get stand-by tickets the day of the show by arriving at the studio before 7:00 a.m. and requesting a stand-by number. If people who have tickets don’t show and your stand-by number is called, you’ll be able to get into the show.
Live! With Kelly & Michael is taped Monday through Friday at 9:00 a.m.
The Rachel Ray Show
Tickets to The Rachel Ray Show must be reserved through their online system. Specific dates can’t requested but once you send your information in, a list of dates and times will be offered to you to choose from.
The Rachel Ray Show tapes Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
The Today Show
Photo of The Today Show, New York City (modified) © Dave Herholz
The Today Show tapes Monday through Friday starting at 7:00 a.m.
The Today Show live audience is welcome outside on the TODAY plaza in Rockefeller Center (between 48th and 49th Streets and 5th Avenue and the Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue). Tickets are not needed – just show up at 6:00 am for a good spot!
The Today Show tapes Monday through Friday starting at 7:00 a.m.