TV and radio have enormous appetites for people. Not just performers, but people. For instance, watch Friends, or Whose Line Is It Anyway. Hear those people laughing? It's an urban myth that all that audience reaction is "canned." Many if not most shows which feature a laughtrack have actually been recorded in front of a live audience.
Joining the Audience
Being part of a studio audience doesn't require anything except time, and a bit of application. The tickets are nearly always free, but recordings can take a couple of hours. But let's face it, when else are you going to be able to see the cast of Third Rock From The Sun for free?
In Britain, the BBC records shows in many of its regional centres as well as London. You can check out what's going on in your region by surfing over to the BBC ticket Unit on http://www.bbc.co.uk/tickets/index.shtml . This has details of TV and radio shows with tickets available. Most shows have a minimum age limit of 14 (though this is occasionally waived if the show is aimed at a younger audience). If the show's a bit raunchier, that age limit might be increased.
You can e-mail the Ticket Unit at BBC Television Centre at tv.ticket.unit@bbc.co.uk or fax them on (+) 44 181 576 8802.
If you're in America, there's a marvellous web site for potential audience members at http://www.tvtickets.com/ . Audiences Unlimited is your access point for just about all the major shows, from Veronica's Closet and The Nanny to Donny and Marie.
Because the tickets are free, there are inevitably "no-shows" on the day, so they often distribute more tickets than there are seats. The trick is to arrive at the studios in plenty of time - they recommend around an hour and a half. Admission isn't guaranteed, but if you're not admitted, you'll be offered priority seating at another show the same night, if space is available, and/or priority seating at a future taping of the same show.
If you live in Los Angeles, or plan to visit, you can schedule your trip to the studios thanks to this web site. And best of all, it's nearly always FREE! (What else can you do in Hollywood that's free?)
If you want to see a particular show, and it's not on the Audiences Unlimited list, then check out the network's web site. For example, if you'd like to join Jay Leno on the Tonight show, check out http://www.nbc.com/tonightshow/ at the NBC site. You can get tickets to the show, which is taped daily at NBC Studios in Burbank, California at 5 p.m. PT. Once again, they tell you to arrive no later than 3:45 p.m. To order tickets send a self-addressed stamped envelope along with a brief letter listing the desired date of taping and three alternate dates to:
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