Free Tickets to Your Favorite TV Show Tapings in NYC: Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, SNL & More!

January 31, 2019June 27, 2020 NewYorkerTips

Always wanted to attend the tapings of the Best TV Shows shot in NYC? Here’s how to get your FREE Audience Tickets to attend your favorite TV Shows! So cool, right? Your chance to be part of the studio audience! Plan ahead of time since some sell out pretty fast & have a waitlist. How to get your TV audience tickets below show by show.

Things you should know first:

Tapings are for ages 16+. A few are for 18+.
Phones and cameras must be turned off.
No large bags, suitcases or shopping bags allowed.
Tickets are non-transferable and not for sale or resale.
Food and beverages are not permitted inside the studio.
Bring valid Photo ID.
The name on the ticket reservation must be present.
Many shows are overbooked so arrive early to secure your spot! First-come, first-serve.
Check frequently on the sites of the popular shows that are always sold out!
If you’re planning to attend any show: avoid wearing logos on your clothing!

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

The entire experience can last about 3 hours from the moment you check in.

Dress code: smart casual. Remember that you could be on camera!

You can request tickets to attend the Live Taping and also the Monologue Rehearsal or Standby tickets to sold-out shows.

You can only attend monologue rehearsal once every 3 months. You can’t attend the monologue rehearsal & live taping the same day.

Tickets are released one month at a time. They usually announce the release date the first week of the prior month.
Most tapings begin 5pm. Check-in time: 3:15pm.
Up to two tickets per person.
Get Free Jimmy Fallon Tickets.

30 Rockefeller Plaza using the 50 West 50th Street entrance (between 6th & 5th Ave) & proceed up the Grand Stair to the check-in desk.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

It’s hard to get tickets for this show! Check frequently and sign up to their waitlist!

If you’ve already attended a show, you’ll have to wait 6 months to be eligible again.

Dress code: broadway casual.

Tapings for Stephen Colbert’s show are usually Monday – Friday at 5:30pm.
Check-in no later than 3pm.
Book your tickets 4 to 6 weeks in advance or join the waitlist!
Up to 2 tickets per person.
Get Free Stephen Colbert Tickets.

Ed Sullivan Theater, 1695 Broadway between 53rd & 54th Sts.

Saturday Night Live

For this show, tickets are given out once a year through a lottery!
How to get tickets for SNL: email snltickets@nbcuni.com ONLY DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST! For the upcoming SNL season. One email per household!
On the email: Explain why you’re a fan of the show along with your home address & phone number. Don’t request any specific dates. You’ll be notified only if you win (2 tickets per winner for a random date).

Standby tickets: distributed at 7am on the West 49th St side of 30 Rockefeller Plaza on the mornings of tapings.

Inside the Actors Studio

For actors, this is a must! James Lipton interviews celebrities & entertainers at Pace University. Interview to celebrities such as Bryan Cranston, Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis, etc!

Shoot lasts up to 4 hours.

No schedule. Taping dates are announced through a mailing list. Sign up to the mailing list here. You can also check Schimmel Center’s Website to see if you find future tapings announced. More info here.
Age: 18+.
Tickets: Pace students, faculty, alumni get priority.
Standby tickets are sometimes available. You have to wait in line the day of the show to see if there’s any availability.

Schimmer Center of the Arts at Pace University. 3 Spruce St. between William & Gold Sts.

Good Morning America

The check-in for this show is SO early! But if a celebrity that you really love is coming to the show, it’s worth it!

Tapings: Monday – Friday at 7-9am. Check-in in advance.
Get Good Morning America Tickets.

Times Square: Broadway & 44th St.

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (Comedy Central)

Age for this show: 18+.
Visit the site frequently. Tickets are released some weeks in advance and on a regular basis.
Check-in opens at 4:30pm. Arrive no later than 5pm.
The show ends at about 7:30-8:30pm. You must stay for the whole show.
Get Tickets Here.

733 11th Ave. between 51st & 52nd Sts.

Live with Kelly & Ryan

Ages 10-17 must be accompanied by an adult.

Tapings last an hour plus another hour shooting promos & other segments.

Dress code: as if you’re going to a nice dinner. Solid bright colors preferred.

This TV Show broadcasts live 9am to 10am on weekdays. Ticket holders should arrive at the studio by or before 7:45am.
Find an open date here to get tickets.
Standby tickets: you’re encouraged to go to the studio as early as 7am for a standby ticket.

7 Lincoln Square: SE corner of West 67th St & Columbus Ave.

Late Night with Seth Meyers

Once you’ve attended a show, you have to wait 4 months to be eligible again.

In general you can book 4 to 6 weeks in advance.

Most tapings are Monday – Thursday at 6:30pm, with check-in from 4:45pm – 5:30pm.
For Free Tickets call 212-664-3056. Ticket lines are open Monday–Friday: 9am–5pm NY Time.
Book free tickets online here.
Standby tickets (one per person) are handed out at 9am on the mornings of tapings in front of the store; arrive early.

Studio 8G at 30 Rockefeller Plaza between 5th & 6th Aves. and 49th & W. 50th Sts.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

If you attended a show during the last 4 seasons, do not apply for tickets again.

Apply once in every lottery. If you enter multiple times, you’ll be eliminated.

Tickets available about a month in advance. Most tapes are on Sundays 6:15pm.
You must arrive 40min early.
Age: 18+
Get John Oliver tickets here.
Standby tickets: they don’t offer official standby tickets but you’re welcome to try on any Sunday that they tape. Don’t line up for Standby prior to 5:30pm.

CBS Broadcast Center: 530 West 57th St between 10th & 11th Ave.

Full Frontal with Samantha Bee

Tapings are on Wednesdays at 5:45pm.
Check-in: at least 40min in advance.
Get your tickets here.

CBS Broadcast Center: 528 West 57th St between 10th & 11th Ave.

The View (ABC)

Dress code: Upscale casual. Dress your best in solid vibrant bright colors as if you’re going to a nice dinner. A chic dress, dressy pants or trendy and fashionable outfits are suggested. NO solid black or white clothing.

The whole experience could last up to 4 hours (an hour taping, an hour shooting promos and additional stuff, plus 1-2 hours before being seated).

Show: Monday – Friday 11am to 12pm.
The majority of the wait time is outdoors!
Get your tickets here.
Standby guests are encouraged to come to the studio (57 West 66th Street) as early as 9:30am. After the ticket holder guests are seated, it’s first-come, first-served.

57 W. 66th St. between Columbus Ave. & Central Park West.

The Dr. Oz Show

Tapings are 3 times a week morning & afternoon.
Age: 18+.
Get Dr. Oz Tickets.
Standby tickets are available most Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays at 8:50am and 1:50pm.

320 W 66th St. between West End & Riverside Blvd.

The Wendy Williams Show

Show time: Monday – Thursday at 10am & Thursdays and Some Tuesdays at 2pm.
Check-in 2 hours before.
You can request up to 4 tickets.
Get tickets here.
For standby tickets, arrive at the studio no later than 8:30am on the day of the show

Chelsea Television Studios: 221 West 26th Street between 7th & 8th Ave.

The Rachael Ray Show

Submitting more than one ticket request will result in cancellation.

Tapes are usually on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays.

Show times: 11am, 2:30pm & 4:15pm. Arrive at least an hour in advance.

Dress code: dress your best! Business casual. You’ll look your best wearing solid, jewel-toned colors (deep blues, reds, greens, etc.).

Request your ticket here.
Standby tickets: availability varies daily. The arrival time to receive a standby voucher is 10am (for the 11am taping), 12pm (for the 1:30 p.m. taping) & 3:15pm (for the 4:15pm taping) A standby voucher does not guarantee a ticket to the show.

Chelsea Television Studios: 221 West 26th Street between 7th & 8th Ave.