The best and and most popular lat night TV shows are taped in NYC, and tickets are FREE for all the shows.
Here’s how to get them to be in the audience.
All the shows have similar rules about attendance, including to prevent the FREE tickets from being sold, and to prevent fights on the line for up-front studio seating.
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.
ecoXplorer Insider Tips:
- Anybody trying to sell you tickets to a late night TV show is scamming you.
- The earlier you arrive for the scheduled show start, the closer you will be to getting a seat near the front of the audience.
- Dress appropriately, since you might be on TV yourself during audience shots.
- As a former TV News reporter (for WABC-TV Eyewitness News in NYC), ecoXplorer 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 in warm weather.
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”.
That means no t-shirts or caps with printed corporate logos or political statements, even if it supports the political views of the host.
Expect airport-like security for some shows, including showing a valid photo ID with proof of age.
Shows no longer require proof of Covid vaccination for entry, or to wear a protective facemask.
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.
Everyone must present a valid photo I.D. containing date of birth upon arrival.
Standby Tickets
Standby cards are 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
See Also
Where to Eat in Times Square/Theater District
at Local Restaurants Not National Chains
How to Get Tickets to The Daily Show
Featuring Jon Stewart and Other Hosts
Since Trevor Noah left the show in 2023 after seven years to concentrate on live stand-up comedy appearances, and there has been a rotating group of guest hosts.
The popular Jon Stewart returned in 2024 to host the show on Mondays, and also as Executive Producer for the entire program.
Jon Stewart hosted the program for 16 years, before leaving the show in 2015.
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 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
How to Get Tickets to
Late Night With Seth Meyers
Free tickets are allotted from reservations through 1iota.com.
You should sign up for a 1iota account ASAP, so you’ll be ready the moment that tickets become available for request.
Show dates and tickets are released as they become available, with ticket requests only accepted for dates posted on the show calendar.
After you’ve registered your 1iota account, you can apply for tickets through that calendar. Once you request a ticket, you’re automatically added to a waiting list for the taping.
Note: Being placed on the waiting list does not guarantee a ticket to the show.
If your ticket request is fulfilled, 1iota will send you a notification. If you don’t receive a notification through 1iota, it means you did not receive tickets, but you are encouraged to try again for a different date on the calendar.
The show is recorded in Studio 8G at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City.
How to Get Tickets to
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Ticket lotteries are held on Tuesdays at 3pm EST(subject to change.) and taped on Saturdays with check-in starting at 3pm.
You are asked not to request tickets if you have attended any show previously.
Available tickets are posted periodically.
Request tickets on the dedicated ticket request website.
Filming at The CBS Broadcast Center, 530 West 57th Street (between 10th and 11th Avenue)
How to Get Tickets to Saturday Night Live (SNL)
Requests for tickets are accepted only during the month of August, and awarded by lottery.
Any submissions received before August 1st or after August 31 are disregarded.
Afterward, tickets are randomly allotted for the entire SNL season, which historically runs from October through late May.
If your submission is selected, you will receive two tickets. Note that the tickets may not be the date of your choice, so do not make airline or hotel reservations based on your requested date.
Email SNL ticket requests via to SNLTICKETS@NBCUNI.COM.
Only one ticket request per household is permitted.
Make sure to include your full name, email address, and why you would like to be a part of SNL‘s studio audience.
Entering the lottery doesn’t guarantee tickets. If chosen, you’ll be notified of the show date and time for your ticket.
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.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 25+ 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.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter currently serves as President of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA), a former Board Member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and a current member of the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA) and the North American Snowsports Journalists Assn. (NASJA).
Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.
Copyright (C) Evelyn Kanter
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