What is the best way to secure tickets for the Dave Letterman show? We are planning a trip to New York next year and would really like to see Dave's show - this is my husband's favorite show! Any suggestions would be appreciated.

For Letterman tickets, look at the info at http://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow, here is some of it:

To request 2 tickets to the LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN, send a postcard with your name, address and daytime & evening phone numbers to:

Late Show Tickets
The Ed Sullivan Theater
1697 Broadway
New York, NY 10019

Two (2) tickets per postcard. Please send in only one postcard--multiple requests will be discarded. The minimum age to attend the LATE SHOW is 18. Due to the volume of ticket requests, it may not be possible to award tickets to everyone. Please be aware that the waiting time might be in excess of 9 months. LATE SHOW tapings are Monday thru Thursday.

Stand-by Tickets

Stand-by tickets are available on the day of the show only by calling (212) 247-6497 at 11:00am. The phones will be answered until the allocation is gone, at which time you will receive a recording. Only 2 tickets will be issued per caller and the recipient must have identification to match the name given when calling in. Ticketing may be subject to answering a trivia question about the LATE SHOW.

You might also try to win a pair of tickets. Take a look at "Win Tickets" on the website.

My understanding is that you cannot request a specific date. Your notification that you have tickets is when they arrive in the mail. At least that's how it was about 3 years ago when i went.

I suggest you try all avenues. A few months ago, I tried the 11am standby line...got on standby, headed to the theate itself, told them my husband was on standby, they brought him in for an interview and told to come back for the show that night. He was also invited back for show and tell, but repsectfully declined. Good luck

On Letterman's website (under ticket requests) it has a drag down column to select the month and day so apparently you can select the days. Whether or not you get them can't be guarenteed. It has several other options (In Person, Standy By, Mail, Online). I would try online and mail.

We sent in for tickets to Leno for 3 nights. We got tickets back for 2 out of the 3 (they were sent in separate envelopes also). One night we couldn't make it, Friday night's show we made and then we got tickets in person on Monday (which was the 3rd day we wanted). You just have to try all avenues.

If you get tickets, be aware that Letterman has this thing about studio temperature - it is very cold (not cool - perhaps 55-60 degrees - when my husband went they would not let people wear coats, for obvious reasons. Sweaters, etc were OK

Thanks for all your responses. We had heard that it was nearly impossible to get tickets to Letterman - but figured you all could give some tips - thanks. Hadn't thought about Jay Leno tickets - my husband & I enjoy his show also. Is it as difficult to get tickets to Leno? Any tips or tricks to getting these tickets?

Just to make sure you know - Jay Leno's show is taped in Pasadena, CA.

Keith

Keith, I knew I should have clarified that. He tapes in Burbank, CA which is somewhat close to Hollywood. Plus they are totally different networks so I'm sure they distribute their show tickets differently.

If taping while in NYC, go to theater between 9 and 12 as earlier in your trip as possible. They have a "lottery" for 1/3 of the tickets (300?). You fill out a form and then talk to an attendent. Be prepared to talk about the show, Know the show to let them no you are a fan. I believe they are really interviewing for true letterman fans to sit up front! The more days you are in town, the more chances to get tickets! Thursday they tape 2 shows, one for Friday.

Thanks for all the helpful information on obtaining Dave Letterman tickets. Hopefully we will be successful with all the wonderful tips we have received.