Summary
There is perhaps nothing that says “That’s Hollywood” more than attending a free TV show taping in Hollywood, California. It is a great opportunity to see your favorite television stars live and in person. It is one of the best free experiences in LA. A majority of TV shows tape in Burbank, Studio City, or Culver City, but there are still plenty that tape right in Hollywood. There are sometimes opportunities to be a “crowd filler” in a movie, too.
There are seasonal highs and lows with most shows taking the summer off and beginning taping in the fall, but you can usually get TV show tickets for something taping somewhere in LA, even in the offseason. There are a variety of shows to choose from such as talk shows, game shows, sitcoms, reality shows, and children’s shows.
Most production studios are smaller than they appear on TV. The audience is no more than 20 or 30 feet away from the actors or talk show host, providing a very intimate experience. Most shows have audience etiquette guidelines regarding what to wear and what not to bring. You should plan to spend three to six hours attending a taping.
You can get tickets by writing to the show, applying online, or using a ticket broker, also known as an audience services company.
How to Get TV Tickets
All TV show tickets are free. However, having a ticket does not always guarantee a seat at the show, with some exceptions like the free ticket service site, 1iota.com.
Since some people who make reservations flake out, shows and service companies usually over-book an audience. Besides overbooking, another reason you might get bumped from the audience is if the cast or crew has a large number of guests for a particular show, leading to fewer seats available for the public. Therefore, you should arrive early for the best chance of getting in.
Reserving Tickets
A few shows require you to write in or call for tickets, but most are represented by an audience company that makes tickets available online in advance. You can order your tickets and print them out at home. Alternatively, if you are staying at a hotel, you can ask the concierge or front desk to reserve and print the tickets for you, or use the hotel’s business center if available.
For shows that have not filled up online, you can often find audience hunters in front of Hollywood’s Chinese Theatre distributing same-day tickets.
Online Reservations with Audience Services
Multiple online audience services companies offer tickets for some of the same shows. Tickets are usually released 30 days in advance. Popular sitcoms and talk shows may sell out the day they are released.
- Audiences Unlimited represents a variety of sitcoms like “The Big Bang Theory,” “Dr. Phil Show,” “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” and more.
- On Camera Audiences specializes in providing audiences for talent shows like “Dancing with the Stars,” “America’s Got Talent,” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” among others.
- TV Tix makes arrangements for “Wheel of Fortune,” “Jeopardy,” “Real Time with Bill Maher,” and other sitcoms and talk shows.
- 1iota provides tickets to “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” “The Late Late Show with James Corden,” “Conan,” “The Voice,” and more.
- You can apply online for tickets to the Ellen Show or contact the studio to see if you can get a standby ticket.
Reality shows book up quickly. On Camera Audiences, the agency with the most reality show tickets, lets you sign up for email updates to notify you when tickets become available.
Audience Etiquette
When you attend a taping, each studio will have specific instructions for you. Most studios have general rules that apply across the board.
Food
Most studios prohibit bringing food into the studio. Thus, have a good meal before you go, as you may be in the studio for six hours or more. If the taping runs very long, you might luck out and receive a slice of pizza, a half sandwich, or a piece of candy from the production team. Some studios may allow a sealed bottle of water or a sealed protein bar. If you are standing in line outside the studio, eat all food while waiting, as you will need to toss out remnants when entering.
Attire
Some studios require business casual attire, especially if the cameras often show the audience, as is common for reality and talk shows. Read the instructions on your tickets carefully, as improper attire may lead to being seated behind a pole or in an overflow room. Moreover, well-dressed individuals have a better chance of getting prime seating and appearing on camera.
For sitcoms where the audience is rarely seen, shorts and t-shirts should suffice. Most studios tend to be cold due to the hot stage lights, so bring a sweater or jacket, even if the weather outside is warm.
Leave Recording Devices Behind
Leave cameras, recorders, and cell phones with cameras in your car or hotel room, or else check them with security at the studio. Verify your ticket instructions for specific guidance on cell phone usage.
How to Act
If you appear intoxicated, the studio will not allow you in. Opportunities to use restrooms are limited, so it’s best to go before being seated.
At a sitcom taping, it feels more like attending a live theater performance than watching TV at home. Therefore, you can’t yell at characters or commentate with your neighbor. When the camera rolls, silence is crucial, or you risk being ejected. Nevertheless, laughing when something is funny is encouraged. You may receive cues or prompts from studio personnel to laugh or applaud.
Reality shows and talk shows foster different levels of audience participation, sometimes encouraging exclamations from viewers. Pay attention to the warm-up person’s instructions and behave accordingly. Note that enthusiastic audience members might earn more camera time.
Sitcom Shows
Attending a sitcom taping can be enjoyable, even if you are unfamiliar with the show. It is akin to watching live theater, allowing you to see actors flub lines and retry jokes or scenes. This behind-the-scenes access can be exhilarating. Generally, the age limit for most adult sitcoms is 18, though occasional opportunities may come with a lower age limit.
Sitcom Taping Times
Most sitcoms tape on weekdays with call times between 3 and 7 p.m. While there used to be a defined taping season, you can almost always find something taping now.
Expect to stand in line for about an hour or be directed right to the studio. First, you will pass security and have your recording devices checked. Seats are filled in order upon entry, with seating limited to around 10 rows, ensuring no one is too far from the action. Multiple seating sections may exist for different sets, where you might view events on a TV screen if not seated at the active set.
The studio aims to complete filming generally within two hours; however, unforeseen issues can prolong the process, as evidenced by lengthy tapings for shows like “Friends.” Attendees are expected to remain until the production concludes, necessitating a commitment to stay for the outlined duration.
Some story parts may take place in other locations and could have been pre-recorded. The studio may show missing scenes on a TV screen.
Audience Warm-Up
Once seated, a warm-up person, typically a comedian, will engage the audience to create a lively atmosphere. Often, the warm-up acts as entertainment during pauses, such as when cast members change costumes or crew alters camera angles.
This entertainment is usually interactive, inviting audience participation. Occasionally, cast members may come visit the audience between scenes.
Sitcom Audience Attire
Typically, sitcom audiences do not appear on screen, so the dress code is lenient. Shorts and t-shirts are acceptable; however, studios can become cold, making long pants and a sweater advisable.
Talk Shows
For select talk shows, you can learn about the scheduled celebrity guests ahead of time. If your dates are flexible, check the show’s website before seeking tickets from brokers to see if they list upcoming guests.
Some talk shows record multiple episodes in one day, and nighttime shows targeting college students typically avoid taping on Fridays, assuming their audience is out.
Talk Show Seating
After queueing, possibly for an hour or more, you’ll enter the studio, which often features more comfortable seating than sitcoms, as the audience is visible on camera. Areas most visible to cameras receive first consideration.
If your goal is to be on camera, plan on dressing nicely and arriving early. Audience coordinators determine seating, and studios enforce a stricter dress code given that audiences are visible on camera. As studios understand that many attendees are tourists, they attempt to accommodate them as long as attendees are presentable.
Audience Warm-Up
During tapings, a warm-up person stirs excitement among attendees. There’s typically less downtime in a talk show because camera moves are fewer in number than sitcoms.
Nighttime talk shows often showcase comedy bits pre-recorded beforehand, with studios displaying these segments on TV monitors for the audience.
Live Music
A distinct perk of attending an evening talk show is the presence of musical performances in the studio. “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is unique, utilizing a separate outdoor concert stage that necessitates a separate ticket. Moreover, audiences may experience more of the musical performance compared to the televised show.
Game Shows
Game shows usually tape multiple episodes in one day, often in the morning, afternoon, or both.
Game Show Audience
Like sitcoms and talk shows, waiting in line is a typical part of the experience. Notably, CBS Television City, the birthplace of “The Price is Right,” provides shaded seating for those waiting in line.
Some game shows feature the audience on camera while others do not. As with talk shows, wearing appropriate business casual attire can enhance your visibility on TV.
Reality Shows
Reality shows come in many formats like competition shows and talent contests such as “The Voice,” “Dancing With the Stars,” and “America’s Got Talent.” Audience experiences may vary based on the type of show. Some reality shows have limited entries, resulting in waiting lists for popular shows.
Reality shows often have a lower minimum age requirement compared to sitcoms or talk shows, allowing audience members as young as 14.
Reality Show Seating
With many reality shows filmed in the LA area, something is almost always taping. Numerous talent contests utilize large venues that can accommodate up to 1,000 guests, increasing your chances of securing a ticket. In some cases, standing-room-only admission may be the only option available.
For shows airing live, it’s vital to arrive on time for security clearance. Audience coordinators manage seating arrangements, while a warm-up individual outlines the show’s flow and preps you for the experience.
Attire
Audience involvement in reality shows is typically higher, enhancing the chances of appearing on screen. Adhere strictly to the dress code indicated on your ticket for the best opportunity to feature on camera. Some shows, such as “Dancing With the Stars,” may necessitate semi-formal attire, while shows aimed at younger audiences, like MTV programs, often call for trendy club outfits. Watching the show in advance can help you gauge appropriate attire.
Children’s TV Shows
The age limit for most general interest shows is 18, while shows aimed at children might accept participants from ages 10 to 16. Rarely, you might find instances where audiences under 10 are permitted. However, opportunities to attend children’s shows are minimal, given the scarcity of live shows tailored for this demographic.
Most children’s shows requiring an audience typically belong to Nickelodeon or Disney sitcoms and game shows. Tickets for these shows can be obtained online via adult audience companies.
TV Show Attendance for Groups
If you are traveling to LA with a group of 10 or more, you should be able to arrange tickets for a TV show taping via a representative at an online audience company.
Use an Audience Representative
For certain productions seeking large audiences, an audience company may compensate your organization with a per-person fee for bringing anywhere from 10 to 100 guests.
Your options for productions may be limited if attending in a group, particularly if some studios accommodate fewer than 100 guests. However, you might strike luck even with limited choices.
Tickets are typically released only four to six weeks before taping, limiting advanced planning. By coordinating with a group representative from an audience company and sharing details about your group, such as travel dates and the number of attendees, you will receive prompt notifications once tickets become available.
While coordinating group travel, ensure that you keep track of the audience service companies you contact to avoid reserving seats for the same show through multiple sources.
Arrive On Time
Right on time is crucial for your group’s attendance. Generally, more tickets are distributed than available seats, so individual absences may not pose an issue. However, if an entire busload fails to arrive, complications may arise. If your group cannot make it on time or will miss the show, ensure you have the audience representative’s contact number and notify them as soon as possible, allowing them to fill the seats.
Be in a Movie
The same companies who seek audience members for TV shows often fill crowd scenes for movies. While scheduling can be challenging, if you’re interested in being part of a crowd scene in major films, register at Be in a Movie to find out when crowd scene fillers are required. While participants often won’t be compensated, it can be a fun way to spend the day.
These opportunities occur nationwide, not just in LA, so even without a Los Angeles trip planned, you can sign up for movie shoots in your area.
If you’re part of a large group, Be in a Movie may cover your organization’s participation costs, making it an exciting fundraising prospect for your group. Busing services might also be provided for larger groups.
