TV show tapings in NYC are just as exciting as Broadway shows and cool concerts. Even better? They’re free!
Whether you’d like to stop by one of your favorite late-night programs or get up with the birds, our guide to scoring audience access is easier than you might’ve imagined. Don’t stress — we’ve got all the intel you need. Why watch on the couch when you could be right alongside the SNL cast? (The dream!)
If you’re looking for more free things to do in NYC, we’ve got you covered there, too, but we can’t guarantee celeb appearances à la Kelly Clarkson and The Tonight Show.
1. The Kelly Clarkson Show
Get tickets: You can request up to four tickets online. Once you do so, you will be added to a request queue where you will be invited by if email if you are chosen to attend. (Fingers crossed!)
When: Weekdays 11am to 1pm (morning tapings) and 3-5pm (afternoon tapings)
Where: NBC Studios, 30 Rockefeller Center (50 W 50th St entrance)
2. Saturday Night Live
Get tickets: You can enter a once-a-year lottery by emailing snltickets@nbcuni.com during the month of August. (Pressure’s on!)
If you miss that, you’ll have to try the old-fashioned way: standing on line at 48th St and the South Plaza for a standby card (distributed at 9am on Saturday before the show). You’ll choose a standby card for either the 8pm dress rehearsal or 11:30 pm live broadcast for the 50th season.
When: Distribution of standby tickets starts at 7am on Saturday, but most people are on line starting Friday night! If you get standby tickets, you will need to arrive by 7pm for the dress rehearsal and 10:30pm for the LIVE show.
Where: NBC Studios, 30 Rockefeller Center
3. Good Morning America
Get tickets: Fans can join the live Good Morning America broadcast Monday through Friday at Broadway and 44th Street.
When: Weekdays from 7 to 9am.
Where: Broadway & 44th St in Times Square
4. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Get tickets: Request a ticket online, and you’ll be added to the request queue. You’ll be invited via email if your request is accepted. Those vying for tickets must be 16 and up.
When: Weekdays at 5pm, but you’ll have to get there no later than 3:45pm.
Where: NBC Studios, 30 Rockefeller Plaza (50 W 50th St entrance)
5. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Get tickets: You can request two tickets online (roughly four to six weeks in advance) online. Must be 16 and older. Tapings typically last 75-120 minutes.
When: Weekdays at 4:30pm
Where: Ed Sullivan Theater, 1697 Broadway
6. The Daily Show
Get tickets: Request up to two tickets online (two months in advance) online. Those attempting to snag a spot must be 18 and older.
When: Monday to Thursday at 6pm, and check-in starts at 4pm
Where: 733 11th Ave (corner of 52nd St and 11th Ave)
7. Late Night with Seth Meyers
Get tickets: Request up to four tickets online (a month in advance) HERE. Must be 16 and older. There are also standby cards (one per person) handed out on a first-come first-served basis from 8 am – 1:30 pm on the mornings of tapings in front of the Shop at NBC Studios.
When: Monday to Thursday at 4 pm, but you’ll check in between 2 and 2:45 pm
Where: NBC Studios, 30 Rockefeller Plaza
8. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Get tickets: Request up to four tickets HERE. Weekly lottery opens on Tuesday at 3 pm. There’s also a standby option where you can lineup outside the studio any time after 3:15 pm on the Saturday of the show taping.
When: Saturdays at 5 pm.
Where: CBS Broadcast Center, 530 W 57th St
9. The View
Get tickets: Request up to 4 tickets (around a month to two weeks in advance) HERE. Must be 16 and older.
When: Weekdays at 10 am
Where: ABC Television Studios, 57 W 66th St
10. Live with Kelly and Mark
Get tickets: Request up to 4 tickets HERE. There’s also standby tickets on the day of the show, where you can arrive as early as 7 am to queue. Once ticket owners are seated, standbys are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
When: Weekdays at 7:45 am and 10 am
Where: 7 Lincoln Sq
11. The Today Show
Get tickets: There are actually are no tickets for The Today Show, hosted by Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker, and the rest of the crew. Fans can show up near Rockefeller Plaza during the first two hours of the show (7–9am) to see a small segment shot outside in Rockefeller Plaza with fans. During the second half of the show (9 – 11 am), you can still watch the show through the glass windows of Studio 1A. On the weekends it’s less likely they will do an outdoor segment but it is possible.
When: Monday – Friday from 7 – 11am and Saturday from 7 – 9 am
Where: 35 W 48th St