How to be part of a live studio audience in New York City

There's nothing like live television, especially when you get to be part of the fun. Live TV depends upon audiences filled with people like you to bring the energy. And unlike on New York City streets – where you should act like New Yorkers by leaving celebs alone – at live tapings you’re not only allowed to cheer for your favorite stars; you’re encouraged to do so.

The best part? Joining one of these tapings is free.

So forget tuning in from your living room. Here’s everything you need to know about joining a live studio audience.

Which shows to see

There are three types of live tapings you can join in NYC. For weekday programming, look out for Today (NBC’s cheery news-and-entertainment broadcast), Live with Kelly and Mark (ABC’s talk show featuring the famous wife-and-husband duo), Good Morning America (news headlines reported live from Times Square), The View (distinguished gals gabbing about hot topics), along with humor and heart-filled talk shows hosted by Kelly Clarkson and Drew Barrymore. 

There’s also a number of weeknight comedy talk shows, which tape in the afternoon and early evening, including NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, plus ABC’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Comedy Central’s The Daily Show and HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, which airs once a week. 

Finally, there’s Saturday Night Live (SNL), NBC’s long-running late-night sketch show, which offers two Saturday performances: the live broadcast at 11:30pm and the dress rehearsal at 8pm, featuring sketches that get cut before taping – an exciting look at what makes it big or bombs.

How to find tickets

You’ll find most tickets on 1iota, the go-to platform for live tapings. To score tickets through 1iota, make an account, submit a ticket request then cross your fingers for a confirmation. Most shows list a guest star for each taping, so peruse different dates to see who might be in the studio. Just don’t pin your hopes on this – guests occasionally change at the last minute.

Some shows are easier to see than others. For instance, you won’t need a ticket to wave at Today’s hosts from the Today Plaza, where people get standing-room spots on a first-come, first-served basis. Other shows require serious preparation, like SNL, which opens a ticket lottery in August. If you’re selected at the end of the month, you’ll receive a set number of tickets for a random show between October and May, so expect to plan accordingly. For most shows, planning a few weeks ahead reaps rewards.

Don’t assume that tickets guarantee seats, however. All productions overbook their shows to ensure packed houses. Note your ticket’s check-in time and plan to arrive at least 30–45 minutes before that time, if not earlier. If you’re late to the party, you might get turned away.

How to get same-day tickets

Most shows have standby lines or issue same-day standby cards (check details your favorite shows since all have different policies). Many lines form around 8am – and while early birds are most likely to snatch seats, it’s important to remember that standbys only get into tapings when there are enough extra tickets or cancellations.

Audience requirements

Most shows have a minimum age requirement (usually 16 or 18) and ask for a valid, government-issued ID like a driver’s license or passport upon entry. Use of cell phones, cameras and other electronics is almost always prohibited, as are outside food and drink. Prepare to turn all your devices off before entering the studio. 

What to expect when you’re in the audience

If you received a ticket and arrived on time, plan to go through airport-style security and wait in a holding room before the taping begins. Use this time to take any last-minute bathroom breaks. Most shows don’t let audience members leave their seats during filming. 

Inside the studio, a team member or stand-up comedian will warm up the crowd, reminding you of your role: playing the World’s Best Audience Member, which includes laughing and applauding on cue. The hosts of most talk shows chat with the audience for a few minutes prior to taping. Aside from that, expect limited interaction with big-name talent. 

Tapings usually last between 75 and 120 minutes, but you should budget roughly four hours for the entire process – from getting in line to leaving the studio.

What to wear to a taping

Always check your ticket for clothing requirements and dress accordingly. If you don’t get any show-specific guidance, remember that you might be seen on broadcast television. Wear something to make your favorite elementary school teacher proud (think semi-formal with a conservative slant). Stick to solid dark or bright colors. Avoid logos, busy patterns and white tops – they’re all on-camera no-nos. You’ll also want a light jacket or sweater. Studios are notoriously chilly, to overcompensate for the heat of film lighting. 

As for footwear, opt for comfort. You might end up standing for hours or walking through long studio hallways. Save tight shoes or high heels for another time. 

When to travel for live tapings 

Visit in autumn, early winter or spring, when most shows air. Thanks to mild weather, these are also the best seasons to brave long standby lines while exposed to the elements. Many shows including SNL, take a summer hiatus.  

Where to dine and drink near the studios

If you’re around NBC Studios, keep your visit on-brand by popping into Pebble Bar for classy cocktails (SNL funnyman Pete Davidson is one of the investors). If you want something fast-casual, roll into Ace’s Pizza for a square-cut, Detroit-style slice, then grab a bombolone (jelly doughnut) from Italian spot Lodi. In nice weather, patio seats spill onto Rockefeller Plaza, right across from Today’s picture window. 

For those who find themselves on Manhattan’s far west side for The Daily Show or Last Week Tonight, continue your political musings over a beer at As Is NYC or hike down to The Waylon to sample Tex-Mex at the bar where Seth Meyers interviewed Post Malone for Late Night’s “Day Drinking” segment. 

If you’re visiting ABC’s studios on the Upper West Side, drop into Old John’s Luncheonette for NYC diner classics like egg creams and burgers. Alternatively, follow the taste buds of Art Moore, the executive in charge of Live with Kelly and Mark – according to Time Out New York, he loves the nearby Italian spot Pomodoro Rosso. 

What to do if you can’t join a live taping

There’s plenty to see at NBC Studios even when the cameras aren't rolling. Learn what happens behind the scenes by joining a tour of 30 Rock, where guides recount the building’s history while showing off its studios. Unlike live tapings, these tours are hands-on and include an opportunity to "produce" your own show in collaboration with fellow guests.

You can also take a trip down memory lane by visiting the Paley Center for Media, a Midtown video library with daily screenings of popular television classics. If you want to see old-school talk shows, including The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, flip through the archives, which are packed with roughly 160,000 TV and radio programs, as well as advertisments. 

Film buffs should also consider heading to Astoria, Queens, for the Museum of the Moving Image. Dive into director retrospectives, practice DIY sound mixing or learn about Jim Henson, the man behind The Muppets.

You never know who or what you’ll run into on NYC streets, either. Hundreds of movies and TV shows film in New York every year (and many of those locations get posted by @now_filming_nyc). Get out and explore – a simple city stroll can quickly become cinematic.