How to Get Tickets to Late Night TV Shows Taped in NYC

The departure of Trevor Noah from The Daily Show, to concentrate on his stand-up career, has created renewed interest in tickets to late night TV shows, including his. Here’s how to get them.

Tickets to shows taped in NYC are FREE. Anybody who wants to sell you tickets to a late night TV show is scamming you.

All the shows have similar rules about attendance –

Attendance Requirements

All shows have strict policies to prevent the FREE tickets from being sold, and to prevent fights on the line for standby tickets or studio seating.

Dress appropriately, since you might be on TV during audience shots.

ecoXplorer Insider Tip:

As a former TV News reporter (for WABC-TV Eyewitness News in NYC), Evelyn Kanter knows that that TV studios are normally kept cold, between 55 and 65 degrees, to compensate for the hot lights.
So this word of advice – bring a sweater or light jacket with you.

All shows reserve the right to deny you admission, even with a ticket, if you are dressed inappropriately for TV or appear to be “under the influence”.

Expect airport-like security for some shows, including showing a valid photo ID with proof of age.

Most shows require proof of Covid vaccination for entry.

Depending on the show, nobody under 16 or 18 is permitted.

Phones, tablets and other recording devices are permitted, but may not used during a taping.

You will be ejected from the audience for using an electronic device for any reason during a taping. Save your selfies or texting for before or after the taping.

Perhaps most important, there is no guarantee of admission even with a ticket, so do not book airline tickets or a hotel room based on attending a TV show taping.

How to Get Tickets to

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is taped at the historic Ed Sullivan Theater on Broadway, between 53rd and 54th Streets, Monday through Friday at 5:30pm.

Tickets are released one calendar month at a time, and sometimes sell out on the day of the release.

Wait list tickets are available up to ten days ahead.

VIP tickets are available occasionally. These are fund-raisers for charities, and vary by price.

Plan to arrive no later than 3pm to join the ticket line, even earlier if you want to be in one of the front rows. The website recommends as early as 11am for seats up front.

The Late Show no longer offers standby tickets

See our full posting for links and additional information.

How to Get Tickets to

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

You can apply online for free tickets. When you apply, you will be placed automatically onto a waiting list – which is not a ticket.

If your request is approved, you will be contacted. If you are not notified, it means your request was not filled and you do not have tickets.

Updated NBC Covid Policies

As of September 2022, Face Coverings/Masks and Vaccination are optional while inside the Peacock Lounge and Studio.

You must be at least 16 years old at time of taping to attend. No one under the age of 16 will be admitted into the show, regardless if a parent or guardian is present.

Everyone must present a valid photo I.D. containing date of birth upon arrival.

Standby Tickets

Standby cards are now available in the Shop at NBC Studios, located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza (via the 6th Avenue entrance between 49th & 50th st.).

Cards are distributed from 10am – 3pm EST the morning of a show.

Standby cards are limited to one per person and are issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

Standby cards do not guarantee admission.

See our full posting for links and additional information

Where to Eat in Times Square/Theater District

at Local Restaurants Not National Chains

How to Get Tickets to

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah

He has left the show after seven years to concentrate on live stand-up comedy appearances, and there is a rotating group of guest hosts.

Available dates are listed a week up to 30 days ahead. Your best chance for tickets is to request the furthest dates out.

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah is taped at the studio located at 733 11th Avenue, on the corner of 52nd Street and 11th Avenue.

You should arrive at least 45 minutes before the taping time on your e-ticket.

See our full posting for links and additional information

Photo: CBS Viacom

James Corden is leaving The Late Late Show, taped in Los Angeles.

Here’s how to get FREE tickets.

Parts of this article were published originally on my website NYC on the Cheap, which was a victim of ransomware and destroyed in February 2022.

It has been updated for publication here on ecoXplorer.com.

Copyright (C) Evelyn Kanter

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 20+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.