• printer friendly
• mail this article
• iPod format
• digg

Los Angeles, home of celebrities, scandals and TV tapings -- that’s right, many sitcoms, talk shows and a few game shows film within an hour’s drive from campus. Here’s how to join the audience.

Acquiring tickets: Decide which show you’d like to see. All shows are free, and some will even pay you to come. Audiences Unlimited gives tickets to most sitcoms, from “Everybody Loves Raymond” to “That ’70s Show.” You can view their lineup and reserve tickets online at: www.tvtickets.com, or call (818) 753-3470. However, you won’t find “Becker,” “Frasier,” “The Price is Right,” or a few other shows on Audiences Unlimited. To get tickets to “Becker,” “Frasier,” and other shows filmed at Paramount, call Paramount at (323) 956-5575. If you want tickets to the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” call NBC at (818) 840-3537, or call Audience Associates. Audience Associates, a smaller company similar to Audiences Unlimited, also has a selection of TV tapings, including “The Tonight Show,” “Becker,” and a few game shows. Check their Web site at www.tvtix.com, or call (323) 653-4105.

For these tapings, be sure to call as early as possible, because some shows give out tickets months beforehand. If you forget to call early, don’t give up. There could be open spots even up to the time of the taping. If you still can’t find the show you’re looking for, browse www.seeing-stars.com/tapings or www.studioaudiences.com.

The Price is Right: A Bruin favorite, “The Price is Right” continues more than three decades after the first show. If you don’t mind a long wait and politically incorrect gender roles, you might want to go to “The Price is Right.” To increase your chances of making it to a showcase showdown, go with a group of more than 15 and show energy and enthusiasm when you are briefly interviewed. Keep your ears open. The dorms’ Program Assistants tend to take their floors to this show, but if your PA suffers from severe lameness – or a legitimate distaste for shows which feature mute women – ask your friends if you can come on down with their floor. If you want to organize your own group (10 people or more), you can call (323) 575-2458 for tickets. For information on getting tickets for less than 10 people, call (323) 575-2449. Don’t take your time, Bob Barker is getting old – but he can still kick Adam Sandler’s butt.

What to expect: A lot of waiting. Expect about two to three hours in line for “The Price is Right,” and most sitcoms require you to come an hour and a half early. Even if you make it on time, there is no guarantee you’ll get in, even with tickets or reservations. The taping for a half-hour sitcom runs about three to four hours. Even after the taping starts, there are a lot of breaks and transitional times, during which an MC will try to entertain you. Start times vary, but on average you’ll leave six hours older than when you arrived. Unless you’ve got a will of steel, you won’t be able to read or study in line. Bring friends you can talk with for hours, or de-strangify some strangers while you wait.

What to bring: You need to be 18 years old and bring an official, government-licensed picture ID for the “Price is Right,” and you should also bring your Social Security card. Other tapings have different age requirements, the minimum age ranging from 12 to 18. No matter what the age requirement, be sure to bring your ID.

What not to bring: You can bring food, but you must eat it during the waiting period. No food is allowed during the actual taping. No electronics, not even a cell phone. Leave it in the car.

Fundraising: You can call ahead of time and arrange to be paid to bring a group to a taping. Groups, usually consisting of 10 to 40 people, can earn about $12 to $16 a person. Feel free to try to bargain for the highest possible donation. You do not need to be an official group or have a non-profit tax ID – the checks, which take four to six weeks to arrive, can be cashed by anyone.

If you simply want to attend the taping, there is a good chance that an organization that you or a friend is involved in will be taking advantage of this fundraising opportunity. If your group arrives on time, but seating is full, your group will still get paid.