How To Get On TV (Maybe) In New York City

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

29 Apr 2006 08:12 AM

This is a follow up to my blog: "A Trip to the Today Show--How to Say Goodbye to Katie Couric In Person." It dawned on me that some of you may have no desire to bid farewell to Katie Couric, or for that matter, you may have no interest in seeing the Today show live.

No problem. There are many other shows that broadcast live or are taped in New York City. If you are planning a trip to the Big Apple and want to experience what it's like to be a part of the audience of a nationally televised show, then read on. Some require tickets, others, like the morning shows merely require arriving early, having comfortable shoes and a strong bladder (as you will likely be standing for a long period of time).

The CBS Early Show has a ground-level set (similar to the Today show), located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 59th Street. The studio is in the General Motors Building at Trump International Plaza next to FAO Schwartz. Like the Today show's Al Roker, the Early Show's weather person also broadcasts from the plaza weekdays from 8a.m.-9a.m.

Good Morning America broadcasts live from their studio located at Times Square at 44th Street and Broadway, Monday-Friday from 7a.m.-9a.m. If you want to see Diane Sawyer and Charles Gibson in person you need tickets. You can reserve tickets on-line.

The Late Show with David Letterman broadcasts from the Ed Sullivan Theater, located at 1697 Broadway between 53rd and 54th Streets. To get tickets to see Dave in person, you may register at the Late Show's official web site (www.lateshowaudience.com) or show up at the Ed Sullivan Theater box office Monday - Friday 9:30a.m. - 12:30p.m. and Saturday - Sunday 10a.m. - 6p.m. The Late Show also puts aside an allocation of tickets for guests who submit applications in person at the Ed Sullivan Theater. Tickets from the box office are awarded on a lottery basis. The Late Show tapes one show per night Monday - Wednesday at 5:30p.m. and two shows on Thursday at 4:30p.m. and 7p.m.

Late Night with Conan O'Brien tickets are available only by calling The Late Night with Conan O'Brien ticket office at (212) 664-3056. You can request up to 4 tickets. For standby tickets report to the NBC Studios located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 50th Street and Sixth Avenue; arrive no later than 9a.m. on the morning of the taping under the "NBC Studios" marquee on the 49th Street side of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Only one ticket will be issued per person. The bad news: a standby ticket does not guarantee admission. Also, all audience members must be at least 16 years old. You may only book tickets every 6 months. Tapings are held every Tuesday through Friday at 5:30 p.m. Standby ticket holders must arrive by 4 p.m. and regular ticket holders must arrive by 4:15 p.m.

Live With Regis and Kelly is broadcast from the ABC Studios located at West 66th Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West. Heads up-there is a 12-month wait for mail tickets, so you are better off standing in line for same-day tickets. ). Same-day tickets are available by getting to the corner of 67th Street and Columbus Avenue as early as 7a.m. to request a standby number. After ticket holders are seated, standbys are seated on a first-come, first-served basis. Children under 10 are not allowed in the studio.

To obtain tickets in advance, send a postcard to: Live Tickets Ansonia Station P.O. Box 230777 New York, NY 10023-0777 Include your name, address, date of the show you'd like to attend, telephone number, and number of tickets you'd like (no more than four tickets to each person requesting).

The View is broadcast from the ABC Studios located at 320 West 66th Street just past West End Avenue. To obtain free tickets in advance, send a postcard to: Tickets, The View 320 West 66th Street New York, NY 10023. Include your name, address, and daytime phone. You can also obtain tickets by going to The View's web site and clicking on request show tickets. The show airs live Monday - Friday 11a.m. - 12 noon.

Good Luck!

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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