TV Show taping

[Koda]

I just got tickets to a taping of the new Disney show "A Pair of Kings" through TVtickets.com. Has anyone else ever attended a TV show taping? If so, how was it?

 

[reynmagsmom]

we recently went to a taping of Americas Got Talent(in Portland OR)and it was mostly boring we only actually saw like 5 acts in over 5 hours of being there as they took alot of breaks and over an hour of audience coaching....a sitcom will most likely be a bit different but be prepared for the coaching part... would we do it again maybe but it will have to be something we really want to see.. I just cant see wasting that much of my DL or other theme park time on a show taping again we may try for the Tonight show on our next trip but we havent made up our minds yet... have fun but be prepared for a long process!!!

 

[LavenderPeach]

We saw a taping about 10 years ago of Who's Line is it Anyway (with Drew Carey). I can't remember how long we were there but it was probably around 5 hours, like PP said. For that show they basically did all the skits for the show but then at the end they had the performers redo some of the skits if they weren't happy with how they came out. Then they taped all the clips for going to commercial and coming back from commercial and anything else they wanted a different clip for. Basically, the audience was getting tired and bored by the end but they make you keep cheering and clapping as if you're so excited to be there. It was fun, but yes, it takes longer than you would think.

 

[irish_trip_mom]

We went to a taping of the Tonight Show over 10 years ago (ironically, Jay's guest was Conan! haha!)

We did the tour of the studios prior and waited in line for a LONG time prior, but were in the front rows that slap hands with Jay. The actual taping was quick, but we spent all day there. Didn't bother me when we were young and had no kids. Now, with kids, I'd never do it. They'd be out of their mind bored. EVEN if it was Selena Gomez or some other star they love!

 

[Vexorg]

On my 2006 trip me and several others went to a taping of The Price is Right (this was a couple of years before Bob Barker retired.) That was fun, but it was also quite a few hours of waiting out in the cold in January before the show. You'll want to read up a bit on that before you consider it. I'm not sure what the situation is like these days with Drew Carey running the show, but it's still quite popular. Just don't go in expecting fabulous prizes (your odds of being picked are rather low) and you'll be fine.

One thing about TPIR compared to some shows is that they do live to tape, so once they get rolling you can in most cases expect to be done in an hour.

 

[Lissame]

I am going to try to get tickets for Sonny with a Chance for July 9. I think my kids will like it, even if it is a little boring.

PS--not wasting DL time to do this, it's after our DL trip.

 

[Koda]

Thanks for all of the input!

I will definitely prepare my girls for the potential "boringness" of the TV show taping. I am hoping with a 1/2 hour show the taping won't take more than 3 hours. My girls are 14, 14, and 12, so they should be able to make it. I think it could be a unique experience for them. We are actually staying in the LA area after our DLR stay, so won't be missing out on any park time to see the TV show taping.

Hopefully you will get the "Sonny with a Chance" tickets. I noticed for that show, as well as for Suite Life, the tickets for the general public are pretty limited. It says on the tvtickets.com website that those audiences are usually made up of invited guests of studio and Disney employees.

 

[Lissame]

Well, I'm planning to be online right at the time they say to...hopefully I can get them. If not, oh well.

I have great memories as a young teen going to watch some tapings of Family Feud. It was great.

 

[lcasa]

We had "tickets" for Old Christine at Xmas - but didn't read them carefully enough. They said to be there by 3 - which we were - but we didn't make it in! So be aware - they overbook. They want it full, but save a bunch for VIP guests of the cast/crew - and if those folks show up, you're out of luck. A long disappointing drive - esp for my out-of-town relatives.
Next year we'll get there at 1 - 1:30!

 

[Koda]

Were your tickets through tvtickets.com? What studio were you at? I would hate to drive there, and then not be able to get in!

 

[lcasa]

Were your tickets through tvtickets.com? What studio were you at? I would hate to drive there, and then not be able to get in!

I'm afraid I don't recall who issued the tickets - but it was a website. It was at the Warner's studio. Basically if we had been there about 1 hr before the 'be there by' time on the ticket we wouldn't have had a problem.
They did give us each a pass that supposedly guarantees us a spot for a show of our choice next time ( we have to call first)

 

[missesdisney]

We did tv show tapings a long time ago (18 years) and it seems to be similar still - they give out 'standby' tickets and then you line up early and wait and they let however many people in they have available seats for after VIPs etc. We were next in line to get into Cheers the last season it was there and we did not get in - despite waiting for hours. Needless to say I was quite upset. The worst part of it all is that these tapings take hours and people leave and at that time, they didn't let us wait until someone left to get in for more taping (Full House did this though but we were there crazy early to see that) - I'm dating myself I know

What I've read about the Disney shows is that they are almost all invited guests. A few people posted that only a very small handful of people got in - like less than 10. I would call and talk to someone at TVtickets if possible and ask what the actual chances of getting in are. My son is too young so we can't even try, but for me if the chance is low, the potential for waiting for hours for complete disappointment is too much. I was an adult and understood the chances and I was so upset when we didn't get into Cheers.

 

[PFopma]

They do overbook and sometime you have to wait many hours. We used a ticket booth at Universal entrance on our last trip (5 yrs ago). The beauty of using the booth at Universal is they provide transportation and you are guaranteed to get in. I'm not sure if they are still there. We are going in July this year so there won't be much to pick from.

 

[eduk8r26]

Try ocatv.com. Usually if you get the tickets online, you are guaranteed to get in. Right now they have tickets for "Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader" and "Don't Forget the Lyrics."

 

[Lissame]

Thanks for the oca link! I decided not to get the tickets the other day because I didn't want some disappointed kids. But my kids love Are you smarter than a 5th grader, so that one might work better.

 

[Koda]

Yes, thanks for the oca link! I got tickets for "Are you smarter than a 5th grader". That show will actually work out better, because it is at Sony Studios, much closer to Santa Monica where we are staying.

 

[Koda]

Just wanted to let everyone know that we attended a taping of "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" on 7/1/10. We got free tickets through ocatv.com. What a fun time! This was probably my favorite activity that we did in the LA/Hollywood area (besides the beaches).

Our tickets were for 9:30. I called a day ahead to confirm, and they suggested we be there by 9:00. Sony Studios is very close to Santa Monica, where we were staying, so it only took us about 15-20 minutes to get there. We were in our seats around 10:30, so there was quite a bit of standing, and waiting. Once we were seated, Chad, the warm-up guy came out and explained to us how to be a good audience (smile, sit up straight, clap, root for the contestants, etc.). He had everyone revved up by telling jokes, playing music (he pulled some of the audience members down for a dance contest), and throwing t-shirts into the audience. When Jeff Foxworthy came out, he talked and joked with us also. He seems like a real genuine guy.

We saw 5 episodes being taped. It was "Fleet Week", and all of the contestants were in the Navy. We were done by 2:30. The time went by very fast. They know how to keep things moving. We didn't get a break, but they did pass chocolate around inbetween the 3rd and 4th shows.

I highly recommend this experience. It was so fun and interesting to see how a real TV show is taped. My girls are 14, 14, and 12, and they loved it!

Thank you so much, to whoever suggested this web site for tickets!