Hi - we will be in LA / Hollywood midweek, Weds and Thurs, and looking for recommendations on studio/backstage tours and/or show tapings. Not looking for an amusement park like Universal, but the real deal. Any recommendations?

Thanks!

It's been about 5 years since we did it, so I warn you that the info is a bit dated, however ...
My memory is that you have to have ordered in advance to get tickets for most shows.
The other way to do it is to head to Hollywood Boulevard in the a.m. and hang out at the Chinese Theater. Some shows who need to fill out an audience that day, such as game shows, will have people there handing out tickets for that day. I think most of the shows actually take place in late afternoon, so you have time to get the tickets and do other stuff before going to the show.

Warner Bros has a great VIP tour ... shows you a real working studio, no rides. You can find out more about it on their website

Try this website for tv taping tix
http://www.tvtix.com/

Try this website, also:

http://www.tvtickets.com/ This will tell you which shows are taping right now.

www.seeing-stars.com has lots of info also. Some of it is way outdated (tapings of "Frasier" and "Dharma & Greg" at Paramount Studios?)
Warner Brothers Studios tour will show you some soundstages and sets, but not a live taping.

NBC Studios in Burbank has a tour and you can stand in line for Tonight Show tickets.

Many shows have a minimum age of 18. If you Google, you can find a list of shows available and their guests. We were interested in seeing the Tonight Show, and used their website for instructions. If you have the time, you can get tickets in advance. We didn't inquire early enough on-line, though, so we went to the studio early in the morning to stand in line and get free tickets. You have to be there very early, before the doors open because tickets go fast. We weren't there particularly early, but we did get 'stand by' tickets.

We came back in the afternoon with our tickets and waited while all the confirmed ticket-holders were seated. We were lucky, and we did get in. Our three seats weren't together, but that was fine. (P.S. Make sure you use the bathroom before they show you to your seat, because they won't let you leave so close to taping time.)

It was a blast to see the show up close and personal. We were glad we'd gone to the trouble because we were interested in the guest and the band that was playing.

It does take a lot of time on your part that day, standing in line twice and not being sure you'll get tickets. For us, it was ok, since we have been to L.A. many times and didn't have other things we needed to see.
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