Several of America’s top television programs are filmed in New York City. Many of these shows provide free tickets to live tapings of the show. But because these tickets are free, they are often quite difficult to come by. Some of the most popular shows can have waiting lists that are over a year long. The following is a list of some of NYC’s most popular television shows that offer free tickets along with the procedures on how to get free tickets to the show.
 | Getting Free tickets to Late Show with David Letterman For standby tickets to the Late Show with David Letterman, you can call 212-247-6497 before 11am on the day of the show. Phones will be answered as long as tickets are available. (Ed Sullivan Theater, 167 Broadway, NY, NY, 10019. 212-247-6497. www.cbs.com) |
 | Getting Free Tickets to Live with Regis and Kelly For advance tickets, you must send a postcard to Live with Regis and Kelly Tickets, Ansonia Station, PO Box 230-777, NY, NY, 10023-077. Please note that there is a 12-month wait. You can also try for same-day tickets at the corner of W. 67th St. & Columbus Ave. at 7am. Further details can be obtained at www.bventertainment.go.com |
 | Getting Free Tickets to Live for Saturday Night Live For stand-by tickets to Saturday Night Live, you must arrive at the W. 49th entrance of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, just under the NBC Studios marquee before 9am on the day of the taping. Saturday Night Live Tickets are popular and available once a year by lottery in August for both live tapings and dress rehearsals. NBC studios no longer accept ticket requests by mail. (212-664-3056. www.nbc.com) |
 | Getting Free tickets to Late Show with David Letterman
You can get free tickets to the Daily Show with Jon Stewart by emailing The Daily Show at requesttickets@thedailyshow.com, request tickets online at The Daily Show’s official site, or try to get standby tickets the day of the show. Just choose a date and enter your information to reserve your studio seats for a live taping. The Daily Show studio is located at 733 11th Avenue in New York City between 51st & 52nd. The Daily Show lets the audience in around 4:30, and it’s recommended to get in line around 3:00-3:15. |
 | Getting Free Tickets to The Colbert Report
In order to get free tickets to the Colbert Report, you can either go to colbertnation.com to request tickets online or try to get standby tickets on the day of the show. The Colbert Report lets the audience in at 6:00 p.m., but many people get in line starting at 4:00 p.m. or even earlier. The Colbert Report 513 West 54th Street between 10th Ave and 11th Ave. |
Tips for Free Tickets
Please note that you must be 18 or over to attend any of these shows and that you should bring some type of government ID to be admitted. The policy is usually one standby ticket per person and having a standby ticket does not guarantee entrance. You are not permitted to eat or drink in any of these studios and picture taking is prohibited.
No Tickets? Be Part of the Background Audience
Several TV shows in New York City allow background audiences to gather outside their studio’s plate glass. All you have to do is arrive early outside their studio. Some of these TV shows include:
- The Early Show: 767 Fifth Ave. at E. 58th St; Monday to Friday 8am-8:30am. 212-975-4061. www.showbiz.cbsnews.com
- Good Morning America: Times Square at W. 44th St. & Broadway; Monday to Friday 7am-9am. 212-580-5176. www.abcnews.com
- The Today Show: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, between Fifth and Sixth Aves; Monday to Friday 7am-10am. 212-664-3056. www.nbc.com
