Get Tickets to Your Favorite TV Show

GOOD, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT rarely comes cheaply. Broadway and concert tickets can easily fetch $100 a pop.

But if you want to watch television stars like Oprah, Jay Leno and Jon Stewart up close and personal, all you need is a bit of determination. Audience tickets for TV shows are free and usually available directly from the show's organizers.

Most shows have specific ticket procedures — and in some cases you'll need to apply 12 or more months in advance. We've compiled a general how-to guide along with detailed information for some of the most popular shows.

1. Call early and have a backup plan.
The most popular shows — like "Oprah" and "Live with Regis and Kelly" — can fill up a year ahead of time, so be sure to request your tickets as early as possible. The coveted "Saturday Night Live" tickets, on the other hand, are given out through a lottery and entries are accepted during the month of August only. When requesting tickets, always give at least two dates (preferably four) on which you want to attend — if your first choice isn't available, you may have better luck with the second, and so on.

2. Be on time.
Your tickets don't actually guarantee you a seat. In fact, most shows give out tickets to more people than the studios can accommodate. So be sure to arrive early. (There's no need for a sleepover at the entrance, but most shows open doors at least an hour before taping starts.)

3. Dress the part.
Most shows recommend that you don't wear white or beige clothes, as those can be too reflective for the cameras. Many will not let you in if you're wearing clothing with company logos — no free advertising allowed. And if you want to see "Last Call with Carson Daly," you're asked to dress like you're going out to a club.

4. Know what to bring and what not to bring.
Most shows require picture identification, especially if they have an age restriction, which is usually 16 or 18 years. Some, like "The Price is Right," also require you to show a document with your Social Security number on it. At the same time, many shows have restrictions on what audience members are allowed to bring into the studio. Electronic gadgets like cellphones and cameras are often banned, and oversize backpacks might pose a problem. Make sure you ask a member of the show's audience department what you can and can't bring.

5. Last-Minute Options
You couldn't get tickets to "The Late Show with David Letterman"? Don't despair. Even the most popular talk shows occasionally have a few last-minute vacancies to fill. That's why they typically offer standby tickets on the day of the show, usually available at the show's ticket office or right in front of the studio. Again, those tickets don't guarantee admission, and after hours of waiting, you might still find yourself watching the show via the TV in your hotel room.

Morning Shows
Show	When and Where	How to Get Tickets	Notes/Special Requirements
Good Morning America, ABC	Weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. EDT at ABC's Times Square studios, New York City.	Fill in the online ticket request form. For groups of more than 20 people, contact the audience coordinator at 212-580-5176.	Bring a valid photograph identification card. No gifts or cards for the hosts or guests.
The Today Show, NBC	Weekdays from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. EDT at NBC's studios at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York City.	There are no tickets for this show; crowds gather on the street outside the studio. Some guests start arriving predawn, especially on days when there are concerts or big events.	N/A
The Early Show, CBS	Weekdays 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. EDT at the CBS studio on Fifth Avenue and 59th Street in New York.	There are no tickets for this show; crowds gather on the street outside the studio. Some guests start arriving pre-dawn, especially when there are concerts or big events.	N/A
Live with Regis and Kelly, ABC	Weekdays 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. EDT at 7 Lincoln Square in New York.	Send all ticket requests via U.S. mail to: "Live with Regis and Kelly" Tickets Ansonia Station P.O. Box 230-777 New York, NY 10023-0777 Tickets are mailed on a first-come, first-served basis approximately three weeks before the taping date.	There can be a 12-month wait for tickets. Pick dates at least four weeks in advance and give second- and third-choice dates.
The View, ABC	Weekdays 11 a.m. to noon EDT, 320 West 66th St. in New York.	Send a postcard with your name, address and daytime phone number to: Tickets, The View 320 West 66th Street New York, NY 10023 Arrival time for ticket holders is 9:30 a.m. at the latest. Sometimes you can get standby tickets on the day of the show. Pick up a number from a "View" audience associate between 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.	There is usually a six- to nine-month waiting list for tickets.
The Tony Danza Show, ABC	Monday-Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. EDT, 30 West 67th Street in New York.	Please mail your ticket requests to: The Tony Danza Show Tickets Ansonia Station P.O. Box 234095 New York, NY 10023 Include your name, address and telephone number.	N/A
Dr. Phil	Generally tapes twice a day on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Arrival time for the "A" show is between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. Arrival time for the "B" show is between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. PST, at the Paramount Studios Dr. Phil Entrance 860 N. Gower St. Hollywood	Call 323-461-PHIL (7445). Must speak with a live representative to reserve tickets.	Must be 18 or older, but depending on the show topic 16- or 17-year-olds may also be admitted.

Daytime Talk Shows
Show	When and Where	How to Get Tickets	Notes/Special Requirements
Jerry Springer Show	September through April, most weeks Monday through Wednesday. The show is taped in Chicago.	Call 312-321-5365 or write to: Jerry Springer Show (Tickets) 454 N. Columbus Drive Second Floor Chicago, IL 60611	Must be 18 or older to attend.
The Maury Show	The show is taped in New York. For specific dates, see the show's taping calendar.	Call 212-244-7545, or email tickets@themauryshow.com Or write to: The Maury Show TICKETS 15 Penn Plaza/ Grand Ballroom New York, NY 10001	Must be 18 or older to attend.
The Oprah Winfrey Show	Taped in Chicago from August through November and January through May. Morning taping: Between 7:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Afternoon taping: Between 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. CT. Harpo Studios Address: 1058 West Washington St., Chicago, IL.	Audience reservations are available by phone. (Call 312-591-9222, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. except holidays. Must speak with a member of the audience department.) Last-minute reservations by email available only for selected shows. No standby or walk-in audience members allowed.	Must be 18 years or older. Avoid beige or white clothing.
The Ellen DeGeneres Show	The show is taped in Burbank, Calif. Complete the ticket request form for more information.	Complete ticket request form online. A member of the audience department will call you back. (Currently, all October and November tapings are full.)	Must be 14 or older.
The Tyra Banks Show	Taped at: CBS Television City 7800 Beverly Blvd. (Enter at Gate on Fairfax) Los Angeles	Submit requests online. For availability, click on "Tickets" on the show's home page.	Must be 18 or older, or attend with a guardian.
Total Request Live, MTV	Taped Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. EDT in Times Square, New York.	Call 212-398-8549 or email TRLcasting@mtvstaff.com.	Must be 16 or older. Arrive by 3:30 p.m.

Late Night Shows
Show	When and Where	How to Get Tickets	Notes/Special Requirements
The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, NBC	Show is taped in Burbank, Calif., Monday through Friday 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. PST; guests must be in line by 3:15 p.m.	Requests by mail only. Write to: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno/Tickets 3000 W. Alameda Ave. Burbank, CA 91523 Send a self-addressed stamped envelope with a brief letter listing the desired date of taping and three alternate dates. Tickets for a specific show are available the day of the show only at the NBC Ticket Box, located at NBC in Burbank (818-840-3537). The NBC Ticket Box opens at 8:00 a.m.	Must be 16 or older. Requests must be submitted at least six weeks in advance.
Late Show With David Letterman, CBS	Show is taped Monday through Wednesday and twice on Thursday, generally at 5:00 p.m. (4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursdays), at 1697 Broadway in New York.	Submit requests using the online ticket form. You will be contacted by the show's audience department and will be issued up to two tickets only if you answer correctly a random trivia question about the show. For standby tickets, call 212-247-6497, same day, at 11 a.m. Arrive about 90 minutes early to wait outside theater (usually, more tickets are given out than there are seats available).	Must be 18 or older. Individuals who attend the show are not eligible to attend for six months from the date of attendance.
Late Night With Conan O'Brien, NBC	Tapes Tuesday through Friday at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York.	Tickets only by calling 212-664-3056. For standby tickets, arrive no later than 9:00 a.m. on the morning of the taping under the "NBC Studios" marquee on the 49th Street side of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Only one ticket will be issued per person. Please note that a standby ticket does not guarantee admission.	Must be at least 16 years old. You may book tickets only once every six months, and you may not book tickets with any other groups of people.
Last Call with Carson Daly, NBC	Taped in the NBC Studios (stage 9), 3000 W. Alameda Ave., Burbank, CA. Arrival time varies by tape day.	Call -888-4LC-TIXX or log on to www.1iota.com for tickets. Standby tickets are available the day of the show only at the NBC Ticket Box, located at NBC in Burbank. The NBC Ticket Box opens at 8:00 a.m.	Must be 16 or older. Dress like you are going out to a club; don't wear white, beige or light blue clothing, elaborate patterns or logos. You may attend no more than once every two weeks.
Jimmy Kimmel Live	Taped at El Capitan Entertainment Center, 6840 Hollywood Blvd., TK CITY. Doors open at 6:15 PM. Early arrival is recommended.	Tickets are available exclusively at www.1iota.com. You will receive a notification via email within a week of the show you wish to attend, only if tickets are available. If you have any problems registering for tickets online or you would like to request tickets for an advanced date, call 866-JIMMY-TIX, weekdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.	Must be 16 or older. Dress like you are going out to a club; do not wear white, beige or light blue clothing, elaborate patterns or logos. Attend no more than once every two weeks.
Saturday Night Live	Tapes live every Saturday at about 11:30 p.m. until 1 a.m., from September to June, at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York.	Distributed through a lottery system (email snltickets@nbc.com in the month of August only). For standby tickets, arrive no later than 7:00 a.m. on the morning of the taping under the "NBC Studios" marquee on the 50th Street side of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. You may choose a standby ticket for either the 8:00 p.m. dress rehearsal or the 11:30 p.m. live show. Only one ticket will be issued per person. Standby tickets do not guarantee admission.	One of the toughest tickets to get, usually sold out a year in advance. Must be 16 or older and have photo ID.
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, Comedy Central	Taped at 5:00 p.m. at 733 11th Ave. in New York.	Currently, only last-minute tickets are available. Call 212-586-2477 on Fridays (around 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.) the week before your show date request. Advance tickets will be available later in October, so keep checking the show's web site.	Generally booked two to three months in advance. Must be 18 or over to attend.
Real Time With Bill Maher	Taped at 7800 Beverly Blvd. in Los Angeles. Each taping lasts approximately 50 minutes. Arrive at the studio no later than 6:30 p.m.	Call 323-575-4321 (or toll free at 888-515-4321) or submit an online request.	Must be 18 or older.

Game Shows
Show	When and Where	How to Get Tickets	Notes/Special Requirements
Wheel of Fortune	Taped at Sony Studios 10202 W. Washington Blvd. Enter at Overland Ave. Gate Culver City, CA	Write to: Wheel of Fortune P.O. Box 3763 Hollywood, CA 90028 Or call 1-800-482-9840 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. PST.	N/A
The Price Is Right, CBS	Taped at: 7800 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036 Monday tapings are at 1:15 p.m. or 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday tapings are at 2:30 p.m.	Request tickets online. Or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope, with a note specifying the date and quantity of tickets needed (maximum of 10 per written request) to: The Price Is Right Tickets 7800 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036 24-Hour Ticket Info: 323-575-2449	Must be 18 or older, and must show a photo ID and a document with your Social Security number on it.
Jeopardy!	Taped at: Sony Pictures Studios 10202 W. Washington Blvd. (Enter at Overland Ave. Gate) Culver City, CA	Write to: Jeopardy! Tickets P.O. Box 3763 Hollywood, CA 90028 Or call 800-482-9840 between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. PST.	N/A