Studio tapings

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
513 W 54th Street, between Tenth & Eleventh Avenues (thedailyshow.com). Subway: C, E to 50th Street. Tapings 5:45pm Mon-Thur.Many viewers believe they get a fairer view of the news from Stewart’s irreverent take on current affairs than they do from the network news. Reserve tickets at least three months ahead on the website (although, as ticket distribution may be in excess of studio capacity, admission is not guaranteed). You must be over 18 and have a photo ID.

Colbert Report
513 W 54th Street, between Tenth & Eleventh Avenues (www.comedycentral.com). Subway: C, E to 50th Street. Tapings 6pm Mon-Thur.In The Daily Show spin-off, former news correspondent Stephen Colbert hosts a parody of Bill O’Reilly’s right-wing political talk-show, and tells viewers why everyone else’s opinions are ‘just plain wrong.’ Reserve tickets at least six months in advance online, or try your luck getting standby tickets at 4pm in front of the studio. You must be at least 18 and have a photo ID.

Late Night with Conan O’Brien
30 Rockefeller Plaza, Sixth Avenue, between 49th & 50th Streets (1-212 664 3056/www.nbc.com). Subway: B, D, F, V to 47th-50th Streets-Rockefeller Center. Tapings 5:30pm Mon-Fri.Host O’Brien’s outrageous antics and improvisations earned him an Emmy for Best Writing in a Comedy Series in 2006. Call at least four to five weeks in advance for tickets. A small number of same-day standby tickets are distributed at the studio at 9am (49th Street entrance). You must be at least 16 and bring along a photo ID. Note that O’Brien is due to leave the show in spring 2009 in order to replace Jay Leno on The Tonight Show in LA; Jimmy Fallon looks set to step into O’Brien’s Late Night shoes.

Late Show with David Letterman
1697 Broadway, between 53rd & 54th Streets (1-212 975 1003/www.lateshowaudience.com). Subway: B, D, E to Seventh Avenue. Tapings 4:30pm, 7pm Mon; 4:30pm Tue-Thur. Letterman’s sardonic humor has been a defining feature of the show since 1993. Seats are hard to get, but you can fill out a request form online, or try to get a standby ticket by calling 1-212 247 6497 at 11am on the day of taping. You must be 18 and have a photo ID.

Saturday Night Live
30 Rockefeller Plaza, Sixth Avenue, between 49th & 50th Streets (1-212 664 3056/www.nbc.com/snl). Subway: B, D, F, V to 47th-50th Streets-Rockefeller Center. Tapings Dress rehearsal at 8pm; live show at 11:30pm.Tickets to this seminal comedy-sketch show are assigned by lottery every autumn. Send an email to snltickets@nbcuni.com in August, or try the standby ticket lottery on the day. Line up by 7am (but get there much earlier) under the NBC Studio marquee (49th Street side of 30 Rockefeller Plaza). Must be over 16, with a photo ID.

<< Back