Our long-planned-for trip to NYC is almost upon us.

Today, I was wondering if we might be able to attend a taping of a TV show. Some time back, I checked for David Letterman and it sounded like it was dependent on the luck of the draw and the ability to answer a trivia question. Back when I checked, it wasn't even clear whether they'd be taping during our trip. So I dropped that idea.

However, maybe there are some shows that we could go to more easily. Are there some shows that might be fun and that we could get into a studio audience at the last minute? We'll be leaving in less than a week.

usually tickets are done months in advance, but since you are coming from out of town you might call and see if any tickets are availalbe.

I have been to several shows over the last couple of years including The View and Dr. Oz, and asked for tickets at least 4 months in advance.

I'd suggest calling the NBC line at 30 Rock, and see if you can get tickets into any show currently taping or if you can get some last minute or stand by ticketing.

Good luck.

I believe even Letterman - if he is taping - has a standby line. You definitely need to call and answer a question (obvious if you ever see the show). Then you will be told to wait on a certain corner until they see how many no-shows there are. Those waiting are let in on a first-come first-in basis. My understanding is that there are almost always a few no shows - but it many be only 2 or 3.

Also you don;t say who "we" is. Most shows don't allow under 18s to attend - in case you aren;t all adults.

Go to the Letterman web site to get info.

Good point - there's 5 of us and we are all adults.

Thanks for the tips about the NBC line and the standby lines.

I love Dr. Oz and Letterman would be fun too.

I'm less enthusiastic about the idea of seeing a TV taping. That will waste at least a half-day and perhaps quite a bit longer if you are waiting in a standby line for tickets. Just enjoy New York. There's so much to see and do.

If you can get real tickets, that's still a half-day. Worth it to me? Well, I've done the TV show tapings in LA and enjoyed it as a kid but was also quite bored at the extensive waiting.

When we went to Dave Letterman (twice we were lucky to get tickets 'on the street' -- they were trying to fill the audience for extra shows to make up for a holiday or a vacation), there not only weren't any no-shows....a lot of people with tickets didn't get in. Tickets aren't a guarantee of admittance (which of course means you need to show up early and stand in line).

Doug is right about the time involved with trying to get into a taping. For Dr. Oz we had to be there at 8am and stood around until 10am, got seated, saw the show and were out about noon.

How about going to one of the LIVE shows like ABC, NBC or CBS. ABC is in Times Square, (you'll see the sign), NBC is at Rock Center and CBS in at 5th and 59th at the GM Building, across the street from The Plaza. Get there EARLY by 6am, for a spot in the crowd. The shows start at 7 and over by 9 so you can see more of the city.

travelbuff - If we did that, would we be able to watch from outside? That's an idea.

I think you are probably all right about not being worth the time to try to get into an audience.

You can sometimes watch the Today Show from outside, but they sometimes close a blind to the studio (they're also outside quite often). THis is at Rock Center.

You can watch GMA sometimes in the studio in Times Square across from Toys R Us.

You can watch parts of the CBS Early Show from outside on the plaza. Where the midtown Apple store is located.

Other shows ... no.

If you did an early am show, I'd say the one to try is NBC at Rock Center. The whole street is closed to traffic, so there is usually a good crowd, and the hosts come out to say hi. I don't think you can hear the show, but you can watch what goes on behind the scenes. There is a computer board around the building so you can catch up on the morning news. Also there are a couple of places for coffee right in the plaza.

You need to get there around 6am and the show starts at 7am and you can stay for as long as you would like and then head out to other sites.

Have a GREAT time.