Gay New York ~ TV Show Tapings Tickets

Today (NBC)
The Today show is NBC's morning news and lifestyle program. The show—featuring Meredith Vieira, Matt Lauer, Ann Curry, Al Roker, Gene Shalit, Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford—tapes on the ground floor at the corner of West 49th Street and Rockefeller Plaza. Fans gather outside on the plaza to watch (and to try to snag some time in front of the camera).
Ticket Info: No tickets are necessary.
Location: 30 Rockefeller Plaza (bet. Fifth and Sixth Aves. and W. 49th and W. 50th Sts.)
Schedule: The show tapes Monday through Friday from 7 to 11am.

The Early Show (CBS)
The Early Show, CBS's morning news and lifestyle program, reports on the issues of the day and offers viewers the chance to be on national television by joining in on the fun outdoors on the plaza. After the show, you can even go backstage and take pictures inside the studio—for free!
Ticket Info: No tickets are necessary. For more information, call 212-975-2890 or send an email to brguest@cbsnews.com.
Location: The Early Show plaza is a ground-level set located in the General Motors Building at Trump International Plaza, next to FAO Schwarz, at Fifth Avenue and East 59th Street.
Schedule: The Early Show tapes Monday through Saturday from 7 to 9am. On weekdays, weatherman Dave Price gives the forecast outside in the plaza at 8 and 8:30am. Arrive no later than 7:15am.

Good Morning America (ABC)
Catch Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, Juju Chang and Sam Champion on Good Morning America, ABC's morning news and lifestyle program, live on weekdays at 7am.
Ticket Info: To receive tickets, submit your request online. For groups or parties larger than 15 people, contact the audience coordinator at 212-930-7855. For standby tickets, arrive by 6:45am.
Show Requirements: Studio audience members must bring a valid photo ID. Bags should not be larger than a basic purse. Gifts or cards for the hosts or guests are not allowed. Neither signs nor clothing should endorse a business or product, nor should they feature a website or an address.
Location: Times Square (at Broadway and West 44th Street)
Schedule: Good Morning America tapes Monday through Friday from 7 to 9am. (There is no studio audience for the weekend edition.)

Live! with Regis and Kelly (syndicated)
Live! with Regis and Kelly, hosted by Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa, is a popular syndicated morning talk show. It airs live on weekdays from 9 to 10am.
Ticket Info: The wait may be up to a year for advance tickets, but it is still possible to get same-day tickets. To obtain tickets in advance, fill out the ticket-request form online or send a postcard or regular-size envelope to:

Live! with Regis and Kelly Tickets
Ansonia Station
P.O. Box 230-777
New York, NY 10023-077

Include your name, address, telephone number, email address, the date(s) when you can attend the show and the number of tickets you'd like. To get same-day tickets, arrive at the southeast corner of Columbus Avenue and West 67th Street as early as 7am for a standby number. After ticket holders are seated, standbys are seated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Show Requirements: Children between 10 and 17 years old must be accompanied by an adult; those under 10 are not allowed in the studio. Cameras are allowed, but flash photography is prohibited.
Location: The studio is at 7 Lincoln Square, at the southeast corner of Columbus Avenue and West 67th Street.
Schedule: Live! with Regis and Kelly broadcasts live from 9 to 10am on weekdays. Ticket holders should arrive at the studio by or before 8am.

The Rachael Ray Show (syndicated)
On The Rachael Ray Show, the Emmy Award–winning host and celebrity chef talks with famous guests, welcomes music stars and—of course—cooks. Check local listings for channels and air times.
Ticket Info: To request tickets, visit the Rachael Ray Show website. For standby tickets, arrive at 10:15am for the noon taping or 2:15pm for the 4pm taping
Show Requirements: You must be 16 or older to be an audience member, and you may attend only one taping per season. Bring a photo ID. The show enforces a business-casual dress code.
Location: 222 E. 44th St. (bet. Second and Third Aves.) 
Schedule: The show tapes Tuesday through Thursday at noon and 4pm, and audience members must arrive an hour and 45 minutes early.

The Wendy Williams Show (syndicated and on BET)
On The Wendy Williams Show, the famously outspoken, wig-clad member of the National Radio Hall of Fame dishes outrageous celebrity gossip and interviews famous guests. She even invites audience members onto the set for a mini dance party before her show starts. Check local listings for channels and air times.
Ticket Info: Visit the Wendy Williams Show website to reserve up to five tickets. For standby tickets, arrive at the studio no later than 8:30am on the day of the show; if tickets are available, they'll be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Group-ticket information is available on the show's website.
Show Requirements: You must be 18 or older to attend. No hats, sunglasses, costumes, shirts with logos or writing, shorts or casual tank tops allowed.
Location: 433 W. 53rd St. (bet. Ninth and Tenth Aves.) 
Schedule: The program is broadcast live at 10am Monday through Thursday, and tapes another show Thursdays at 1:30pm. Audience members must arrive at least two hours early.

The View (ABC)
On The View, Whoopi Goldberg, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Joy Behar, Sherri Shepherd and sometimes Barbara Walters discuss current events and interview celebrity guests. The show airs weekdays at 11am.
Ticket Info: Apply for tickets online at The View's website. There is usually a one- or two-year wait for tickets. For day-of-show standby tickets, pick up a number from an audience associate between 8 and 9am at the audience entrance.
Show Requirements: You must be 16 or older to attend.
Location: 320 W. 66th St. (bet. West End Ave. and Freedom Place) 
Schedule: The show airs live Monday through Thursday from 11am to noon, and tapes an additional show during the week to be aired on Friday. Ticket holders must arrive by 9:30am.

The Martha Stewart Show (syndicated)
Host Martha Stewart joins celebrity guests and others to make crafts, share recipes and offer thoughts about home decoration on The Martha Stewart Show. Audience members sometimes receive gift certificates or other freebies. Check local listings for channels and air times.
Ticket Info: Visit the Martha Stewart Show website for tickets. Some shows are "special audience" events, with specific audiences (like fathers and sons); tickets for these shows can be reserved on the website as well. Reserve about one month before the show date. For standby tickets, if they're available, arrive at the studio about two hours before the shoot (check the website for each day's shooting schedule).
Show Requirements: You may attend the show only once every four months, and you must be 18 or older to attend.
Location: 221 W. 26th St. (bet. Seventh and Eighth Aves.) 
Schedule: Tapings usually take place Monday through Wednesday at 10am and 2pm and last for about an hour. Audience members must arrive an hour and a half early.

Whatever with Alexis & Jennifer (Hallmark Channel)
On Whatever with Alexis & Jennifer (which airs weekdays), Martha Stewart's daughter, Alexis, and co-host Jennifer Koppelman Hutt speak with each other and celebrity guests about relationships, current events and, of course, whatever else comes up.
Ticket Info: Visit the show's official website to reserve up to four tickets one to two weeks in advance. Group reservations for up to 20 require more notice.
Show Requirements: You may attend the show only once every two months, and you must be 16 or older to attend.
Location: 221 W. 26th St.
Schedule: Tapings take place Monday through Friday at 6:30pm.

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (syndicated)
On Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, all of the contestants are out to become, well, millionaires—and, if given the option, they'd probably settle for several thousand, too. Watch them go for the big bucks on this popular game show by answering questions posed by host Meredith Vieira. Check local listings for channels and air times.
Ticket Info: Visit the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire website for tickets and other details, or to sign up for an audition if you'd rather compete than watch.

The People's Court (syndicated)
On The People's Court, one of television's first reality shows, Judge Marilyn Milian presides over real civil court cases of ordinary people. Check local listings for channels and air times.
Ticket Info: To request tickets, email your name and telephone number to tickets@peoplescourt.com or call 888-780-8587.
Location: 401 Fifth Ave., 8th fl. (at E. 37th St.) 
Schedule: During its season, from September through June, the show tapes Tuesdays through Thursdays at 10am and 2pm. Audience members must arrive at least a half hour early.

The Dr. Oz Show (syndicated)
Dr. Mehmet Oz, vice-chair and professor of surgery at Columbia University, discusses health issues and dispenses advice in front of a live studio audience on The Dr. Oz Show. Audience members are sometimes contacted in advance and asked to participate in on-air segments. Check local listings for channels and air times.
Ticket Info: Call the NBC Ticket Line at 212-664-3056 between 9am and 5pm and choose option number 4 to reserve tickets two to six weeks in advance. For standby tickets, arrive under the NBC Studios marquee on the West 49th Street side of 30 Rockefeller Plaza at 8am on the day of the taping. Only one ticket will be issued per person.
Show Requirements: You must be 18 or older to attend. Tickets are nontransferable, so bring a photo ID. No cameras or recording devices allowed. The show has a recommended dress code, and those who don't follow it might not be admitted.
Location: 30 Rockefeller Plaza (bet. Fifth and Sixth Aves. and W. 49th and W. 50th Sts.) 
Schedule: During the season, the show tapes twice a day, three days a week, at 10am and 3pm (specific shooting days vary). Audience members must arrive at least 90 minutes early.

106 & Park (BET)
First things first: 106 & Park no longer takes place at its namesake intersection—it's far southwest of that address. If you can get past that, though, you'll enjoy the show, which counts down top rap and R&B music videos and often features celebrity guests. It airs weekdays at 6pm on BET.
Ticket Info: Visit the 106 & Park website to reserve up to four tickets.
Show Requirements: You must be 16 or older to attend. Bring a photo ID.
Location: 530 W. 57th St. (bet. Tenth and Eleventh Aves.) 
Schedule: Usually Monday at 1:30pm and 6pm, and Wednesday through Friday at 6pm. Audience members must arrive at least 90 minutes early.

The Marriage Ref (NBC)
On The Marriage Ref, host Tom Papa and an ever-changing cast of notable celebrities and comedians arbitrate real-life disputes between married couples. Panelists help guests settle their differences with humorous advice.
Ticket Info: For tickets, visit The Marriage Ref website and check for upcoming available dates.
Show Requirements: Audience members must be 18 or older and have a valid government-issued photo ID or passport with a visible date of birth. Guests should arrive 45 minutes before the taping. No digital or video cameras, books or food are allowed in the studio. Be sure to read up on the show's recommended dress code in the "Event Logistics" tab on its website.
Location: 528 W. 57th St. (bet. Tenth and Eleventh Aves.)
Schedule: Visit The Marriage Ref website for upcoming taping dates and times.

Late Show with David Letterman (CBS)
David Letterman has hosted Late Show, his late-night comedy show, on CBS since 1993. The program features celebrity guests and musical acts. Letterman is known for his nightly Top Ten list, along with sketches like "Stupid Pet Tricks" and "Stupid Human Tricks." The show airs weeknights at 11:35pm.
Ticket Info: To get tickets, you may register online. You may also register in person at the Ed Sullivan Theater box office Monday through Thursday from 9:30am to noon, or on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm. (Do not line up prior to 9am or you will not be eligible for tickets.) Tickets from the box office are awarded on a lottery basis. A limited number of standby tickets are also available on the day of the taping you wish to attend. For such tickets, call 212-247-6497 no earlier than 11am. The Late Show sometimes offers group tickets, too—visit the show's official website to check availability.
Show Requirements: You must be 18 or older to attend. If selected for tickets, you will be contacted via phone (which could be as late as the day before the taping) and must correctly answer a random trivia question about the show. Each person is entitled to two tickets (the guest's name must be on the online application; tickets are not transferable). Studio audience members must bring a government-issued photo ID (the name, address and birth date must match those submitted during the in-person ticket application). No cell phones, pagers, cameras or recording devices allowed. Due to the large volume of requests for tickets, you may apply for tickets only once in a six-month period; those who have already attended a show are not eligible to attend for another six months from the date of attendance.
Location: 1697 Broadway (bet. W. 53rd and W. 54th Sts.)
Schedule: Late Show tapes two shows on Monday at 4:30 and 7pm, one show each on Tuesday and Wednesday at 5:30pm and one show on Thursday at 4:30pm. For more information, call 212-975-5853.

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (NBC)
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon features comedy sketches, celebrity interviews and performances from musical guests—not to mention the show's Grammy Award–winning house band, The Roots. It airs Monday through Friday at 12:35am on NBC.
Ticket Info: You can request up to four tickets in advance by calling 212-664-3056; most episodes are booked about a month before taping. NBC also distributes day-of-show standby tickets, which do not guarantee admission, under the NBC Studios marquee on the West 49th Street side of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. If you want standby tickets, arrive no later than 9am; standby tickets are one per person.
Show Requirements: You must be 17 or older, and you may book tickets only once every six months.
Location: 30 Rockefeller Plaza (bet. Fifth and Sixth Aves. and W. 49th and W. 50th Sts.)
Schedule: Late Night with Jimmy Fallon tapes Monday through Friday at 5:30pm. (Arrive no later than 4:15pm.)

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central)
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart airs Monday through Thursday at 11pm on Comedy Central. It parodies politics, pop culture, entertainment and news. A celebrity guest is interviewed on each episode.
Ticket Info: The show is usually booked well in advance, but you can try requesting tickets through the show's online ticket-reservation system.
Show Requirements: You must be 18 or older to attend. Groups larger than four will be turned away at the door, even if they are separate reservations. Also, as ticket distribution may be in excess of studio capacity, admission is not guaranteed, even with reservations. No cameras or recording devices allowed.
Location: 733 Eleventh Ave. (bet. W. 51st and W. 52nd Sts.)
Schedule: The Daily Show tapes Monday through Thursday at 5:45pm. You can get to the studio early, but you must arrive no later than 4:30pm; doors open at 5:15pm.

The Colbert Report (Comedy Central)
Stephen Colbert, an alum of The Daily Show, has hosted The Colbert Report since 2005. The show parodies politics, pop culture, entertainment and news. It airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30pm on Comedy Central.
Ticket Info: Most of the scheduled tapings are already booked, but you can try to request tickets and check back for open dates online through the show's ticket-reservation system. You can sign up for standby tickets in front of the studio beginning at 4pm the day of the taping, but admission is not guaranteed.
Show Requirements: You must be 18 or older to attend. Tickets are nontransferable and may not be sold. Studio audience members must bring a government-issued photo ID. No cameras or recording devices allowed. As ticket distribution may be in excess of studio capacity, admission is not guaranteed, even with reservations. Individuals may attend the show only once every six months unless asked back to a specific show by a member of the production staff.
Location: 513 W. 54th St. (bet. Tenth and Eleventh Aves.)
Schedule: The Colbert Report tapes Monday through Thursday.

Huckabee (Fox News Channel)
On Huckabee, former Arkansas governor and Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee talks politics, welcomes celebrity guests and provides lighthearted entertainment—including live music from his house band, The Little Rockers.
Ticket Info: For tickets, call 877-225-8587 or email hucktix@foxnews.com. Include the number of tickets you'd like along with your contact information.
Show Requirements: Audience members must be 18 or older. No cameras, advertisements, signs, luggage, large bags or outside food or drink are permitted in the building, but food is provided to the audience beforehand. The dress code is business casual.
Location: 133 W. 47th St. (bet. Sixth and Seventh Aves.) The studio entrance is on the 47th Street side of the building.
Schedule: Call the ticket hotline for information on upcoming taping dates and times.

Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Saturday Night Live is a live comedy and entertainment show airing at 11:30pm on Saturdays. It features celebrity guest hosts and musical performances. The show is a hot ticket among visitors and New Yorkers alike.
Ticket Info: Tickets are given out once a year through a lottery. To enter, send an email to snltickets@nbcuni.com during the month of August only. Include all contact information and do not request a specific date. One email per household allowed. Winners will each receive two tickets for a specific show date and performance (dress rehearsal or live show). You will be notified only in the event that you are selected.
Standby tickets are distributed at 7am on the West 49th Street side of 30 Rockefeller Plaza on the mornings of the tapings. You may choose a standby ticket for either the 8pm dress rehearsal or the 11:30pm live taping. Standby tickets are limited to one per person and are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. A standby ticket does not guarantee admission.
Show Requirements: You must be 16 or older to attend. Standby-line members must remain in line at all times (aside from minimal, necessary breaks).
Location: 30 Rockefeller Plaza (bet. Fifth and Sixth Aves. and W. 49th and W. 50th Sts.)
Schedule: On Saturdays, arrive no later than 7:15pm for the 8pm dress rehearsal and 10:45pm for the 11:30pm live show.

Inside the Actors Studio (Bravo)
James Lipton interviews entertainers at Pace University on Inside the Actors Studio, which is actually a seminar for master's degree students at the school. Episodes consist mostly of one-on-one interviews between Lipton and the guests. Shoots last up to four hours (the conversations are edited down for television).
Ticket Info: Tickets are sometimes available to the general public. Register for Pace's mailing list to find out when there are extras.
Show Requirements: You must be 18 or older to attend. No food, beverages, gum chewing, knitting or hats allowed. Those wearing clothes with writing or logos may be required to sit out of the camera shot. No cameras or cell phones allowed.
Location: Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts, Pace University, 3 Spruce St. (bet. Nassau and Gold Sts.)
Schedule: There is no set schedule, but information about upcoming episodes is posted on the Pace website. Arrive one hour before showtime.

Information provided by NYCVisit.com, Subject to Change.