New York: Planning's the ticket to TV show tapings
Many of New York's most popular TV shows seek studio audience members who can clap and laugh at command. Tickets are free, but often are as coveted as a guest spot on "SNL." Yet with a little planning, and insider info from the networks and New York TV Show Tickets (www.nytix.com), you could be yukking it up with Dave.
'Saturday Night Live'
NBC Studios, 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
Request / air-time: Mail-in requests are accepted only in August.
Show times: two per Saturday night, September through June.
How to get tickets: Mail a postcard for two tickets. Audience members are selected by lottery for the dress rehearsal (8 p.m.) or the telecast show (11:30 p.m.).
If all else fails: Go to the studio lobby at 9 a.m. on show day to receive a standby number. Return by 7:30 or 10:30 p.m., and if there's space, you're in!
Contacts: NBC Studios, "SNL" Tickets, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, N.Y., 10112. 212-664-3056, www.nbc.com/snl
'Who Wants To Be a Millionaire'
ABC Studios, 30 W. 67th St.
Request / air-time: Mail-in requests are accepted year-round. Tapings: 12:30 p.m. or 4 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays though times are subject to change.
How to get tickets: Order online or by mail. Up to four tickets should arrive one to two months before the taping. The show is booked three months ahead. Entry is first-come, first-served.
If all else fails: Standby is a long shot. On show day, go to the studio at 11:30 a.m. (for 12:30 show) or 2:30 (for 4).
Contacts: "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," Columbia Studio Station, P.O. Box 250225, New York, N.Y., 10025; www.abc.com.
'Late Show With David Letterman'
Ed Sullivan Theater / CBS Studio, 1697 Broadway.
Request / air-time: Mail or online requests are taken year-round. Tapings: 5:30 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays; 4:30 and 7 p.m Thursdays (the second show is aired on Friday).
How to get tickets: Send a postcard for two tickets.
Wait time: a couple of months to years. Witty fans can try the Internet Tix Contest, a quiz and lottery.
If all else fails: Get your finger on the speed dial and at 11 a.m. on show days, start calling 212-247-6497 for standby tickets. When you hear the recording (could be by 11:02), return to your recliner and admit defeat.
Contacts: "Late Show" Tickets, Ed Sullivan Theater, 1697 Broadway, New York, N.Y., 10019; 212-975-5853, www.cbs.com
'The Daily Show With Jon Stewart'
Comedy Central, 513 W. 54th St.
Request/air-time: Phone-in requests are accepted year-round.
Tapings: 6:30 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays.
How to get tickets: Call Comedy Central's ticket line weekdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. You can request tickets and dates from a live person or leave a message. The show is booked more than two months in advance. The line for a seat (first-come, first served) begins at 5:15 p.m.
If all else fails: Try calling the Friday before you are in town to see if there are any cancellations for the upcoming week. Or, hang out at the studio before show time and you might nab a ticket for another day or, in a pinch, for that night.
Contacts: Ticket line: 212-586-2477, www.comedycentral.com/dailyshow.
'The View'
ABC Studios, 320 W. 66th St.
Request / air-time: Mail or online ticket requests are accepted year-round. The show broadcasts live (no sniffling or sneezing) weekdays, 11 a.m. to noon.
How to get tickets: Requests for two tickets are accepted online, with a four- to six-month wait to receive them. For mail-ins, you can jot down your desired dates. The show is booked up to three months in advance. Ticket-holders must arrive at 9:45 a.m.
If all else fails: Arrive at the studio before 10 a.m. to join the standby line.
Contacts: Tickets to The View, 320 W. 66th St., New York, N.Y., 10023; www.abc.com.