14 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About Talk Shows You Probably Didn't Know

    That's showbiz, baby!

    Angelica Martinez
    by Angelica Martinez

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Hi, friends, my name is Angelica 👋🏼 and you could probably say that going to TV tapings is kinda My Thing™️. And by that, I mean my current attendance count is at about 20 tapings.

    NBC

    So far I've seen Saturday Night Live x8, Full Frontal With Samantha Bee x4, Good Morning America x4, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon x2, and both the Today show and My Next Guest Needs No Introduction once. So trust me, I know what I'm talkin' about here.

    "But Angelica, why so many?" you might ask. Y'ALL. They're 👏🏼so 👏🏼 much 👏🏼 fun! 👏🏼 Seeing celebrities, getting a behind-the-scenes look at the show, even being on TV — what's not to love!?

    NBC

    Nothing speaks to a broke college student like FREE TICKETS!

    I've learned a ton of cool BTS facts about tapings and TV, so here's a fun little peek into what it's like to be in the room where it happens!

    1. Tickets to these shows are free and available to everyone, but some are much harder to get than others...*cough cough* The Tonight Show and Last Week Tonight.

    Marianne @_marianne_39

    Thank You to my daughter, Brittany, for getting us @FallonTonight Tickets!! Great time in NY today seeing @jimmyfallon again! 😊 #MotherDaughterTime #GreatShowTonight #GotAHighFive 😀#Falpal 💓

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    Angelica Martinez

    For most shows, you can request up to four tickets through 1iota, their studio website, or TheBlacklistNYC. But keep in mind that some are more difficult than others. I've requested tickets to Last Week Tonight With John Oliver almost monthly for two years now and have never gotten in. (Do these tickets actually exist?? John?? I need answers!) I've also seen tickets for The Tonight Show sell out within minutes of being released online. But on the flip side, I've also been able to get GMA and Today tickets at the last minute without a problem. When in doubt, there's usually a same-day standby line, too!

    2. But be sure to keep an eye on the social media pages for these shows — sometimes they give away free tickets to otherwise sold-out shows.

    Fallon Tonight @FallonTonight

    Find our intern! #TicketsAt12

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    The Tonight Show, for example, offers fans tickets through weekly challenges like finding a staff member with tickets at a random NYC location they post online or by being the first to answer a Tonight Show trivia question right on Twitter.

    3. Late-night shows don't actually film at night, whereas morning talk shows actually do film in the mornings.

    Angelica Martinez

    Most late-night shows film in the afternoon or evening so there's time to edit and prepare the episode for airing later that night. Morning shows like Good Morning America or Today tend to actually film in the mornings because they're live.

    4. While you might think most shows film in LA, a lot of talk shows actually film elsewhere, like New York.

    E!

    Shows like The Tonight Show, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Last Week Tonight, and Good Morning America are based in New York City. But there are shows all over the country, too. Pickler and Ben tapes in Nashville, and Windy City Live! records from Chicago.

    5. If you know your favorite celebrity has a movie or album coming out, be sure to keep up with talk show listings for a chance to see them live.

    ABC

    You can set up email alerts on 1iota for when your favorite celebs are set to make a talk show appearance, but it's good to check the show's weekly schedule or late-night lineups, too.

    6. But don't go in expecting to meet or get a picture with them.

    NBC

    Remember that when celebrities are doing press for a new project, they often spend the day going from interview to interview, so it's usually a quick in and out of the studio for them. This doesn't mean it's impossible — I've seen a few lucky fans at morning shows like GMA get a quick picture or hug with their faves during a commercial break. It really depends on the taping, but enjoy the show and getting to see your faves in the flesh rather than snapping a picture; it'll be a lot more fun!

    7. That being said, if you really want that ~Instagram story moment~ of being at a TV taping or spotting your favorite celebrity, morning shows are the way to go.

    Angelica Martinez

    Most morning shows I've been to are live, so they generally allow phones on set as long as they're not out while the camera's rolling. You're free to snap as many pictures (or selfies with your fave celeb kiiiinda visible in the corner) as you want during the commercial breaks! But the same can't be said for late-night or prerecorded talk shows; phones generally aren't allowed because the shows still have to be edited and then air on TV. If you're still sneaking pics, you're doing so at the risk of getting kicked out (and trust me, they will notice!) Do yourself a favor and just enjoy the show; it'll be on TV for you to stream and screenshot later that night!

    8. Sometimes you have to hear a bit or a joke multiple times in a row — and you still have to react like it's the first time.

    NBC

    Hosts are humans too, and just like with a traditional TV show, occasionally scenes have to be filmed more than once to get the perfect take. Sometimes that means listening to the host deliver the same joke again and again, but still laughing as if it's the first time. That's showbiz, baby!

    9. Here's a life hack: Wanna see a free concert? Talk 👏🏼 shows 👏🏼 got 👏🏼 you 👏🏼 covered! 👏🏼

    Angelica Martinez

    Most late-night shows have a musical guest who performs at the end of the show, but some offer fans full-blown concerts with big-name artists for free! If you're in LA, check out the Jimmy Kimmel Live! concert series, or the Good Morning America summer concert series if you're in NYC. But be prepared to wait! I've spent a good five hours in line just to get a decent spot, and it gets hot out there.

    10. If trying to get on camera is your thing, morning talk shows are your best bet.

    Angelica Martinez

    Morning shows tend to have a more interactive and audience-friendly set. A lot of times, they move around the studio for different segments and are set up so audience members are all around the room. You've got a much better shot at waving "Hi, Mom!" at the camera during a show like Good Morning America than at late-night shows. Somewhere, there exists a clip of me awkwardly smiling behind Al Roker while he reports the weather. Talk about five seconds of fame, huh?

    11. Sometimes shows hand out freebies to the audience! I've gotten everything from skincare goody bags to movie tickets to merch from the show.

    Harpo Productions, INC

    This is definitely a lot more common at morning shows because they tend to promote more products, but late-night shows like Full Frontal give out shirts, bags, umbrellas, and even hats to audience members who are cheering and having a good time! Although the heating butt mask I got from GMA has got to be my favorite giveaway by far.

    12. Don’t go in expecting to have a perfect view as if you’re watching from a TV screen.

    Angelica Martinez

    Remember, you're here for a taping, not a live show! Your view might be obscured by equipment, or you may be asked to move for a segment while they move around the set. I had a perfect front-and-center seat once and still got my view blocked by the cameras — c'est la vie! Enjoying the behind-the-scenes magic of a TV show taping is half the fun!

    13. Most shows offer either a Q&A or the opportunity to meet the hosts.

    CBS

    A lot of talk show hosts (especially late night!) have a background in live comedy and love interacting with a crowd. They'll usually take some time between takes or before filming to answer questions or joke around with the audience. It's always crazy to hear Samantha Bee talk about her iconic blazer collection or to get a high five from Jimmy Fallon when he runs around the studio at the end of the show!

    14. And speaking of sets, take a minute to look around!

    So the next time you're in LA or NYC, consider heading over to a talk show taping! You never know who you're gonna see!

    Comedy Central