Finally, after all this hype and build up about the late night genre — and particularly about THE TONIGHT SHOW with JAY LENO — you want to watch a taping. Good news: (for THE TONIGHT SHOW with JAY LENO) it's easy, painless, and most of all, a perfect way to end the day or begin an evening.
Disclaimer: The following is a compilation of my personal experiences and other "research." Please forgive any honest mistakes or changes in the ticketing process.
THE TONIGHT SHOW with JAY LENO tapes daily, Monday through Friday, in Studio 3 of NBC Studios in Burbank, CA. Each evening's broadcast was taped earlier that afternoon, which means the show you enjoy at 11.35 p.m was taped the same day, at 5 p.m.
As far as I can tell, Jay Leno is the workhorse of all the late night talk show hosts. He has the fewest repeats, so you'll have that many more opportunities to catch a taping....
Getting Tickets (click here for ticket images)
You can get tickets by mail or in person. Here is a short list of NBC requirements/caveats:
- Audience members must arrive (to wait in line) before 3.15 p.m. At a minimum, I recommend getting there by 2.30 p.m (earlier for more popular guests).
- THE TONIGHT SHOW with JAY LENO tapes at 5 p.m. Sometimes earlier (if Jay has to dash off to Las Vegas or something) and sometimes later.
- No cameras are allowed (although, I've seen people bring them in).
- Minimum age is 16, I.D. is required.
- "Ticket distribution is in excess of studio capacity," which means a ticket does not guarantee admittance!
By Mail
If by mail, at least six weeks prior to the requested show date(s), send a self-addressed stamped envelope with a brief letter listing the desired date of taping and three alternate dates to:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno/Tickets
3000 W. Alameda Ave.
Burbank, CA 91523
You can request up to 4 tickets, which, if you are selected, will arrive 2-3 weeks prior to air date. I last tried for THE TONIGHT SHOW with JAY LENO tickets by mail back in the early 1990s. I used 3 separate L.A. addresses to increase my chances, but no luck, leading me to believe that NBC prefers L.A. residents to get tickets in person, reserving tickets by mail for those who can't reasonably drive down to Burbank.
In Person
For the full TONIGHT SHOW with JAY LENO experience, there's nothing like picking up tickets in person at the NBC box office. The box office opens at 8 am, Monday through Friday. On an "average" day plan on getting there by 6.30 am. Depending on the popularity of the guest and season (summer is usually busier), it may be beneficial to get there sooner. One more thing, tickets are also distributed to family, friends, and other "VIPs" of the show, thus further decreasing the number of tickets available to the general public.
Here are a few things you should do before you line up at the box office:
- Dress appropriately; the morning (even during summers) can get quite cold
- Bring a distraction, like a book, a newspaper, a radio, or a friend
- Bring more bodies to get more tickets; NBC limits 2 tickets per person
- Bring money. Tickets are free, but the box office is located inside the NBC store, so you can buy TONIGHT SHOW with JAY LENO, Conan, and other NBC memorabilia. Even if you don't want to buy souvenirs, you might want to purchase tickets for the studio tour. (Note: TONIGHT SHOW with JAY LENO tickets are free; studio tour tickets aren't).
- Bring a camera. Fans of NBC soap operas will recognize that outside the box office is the working set to Days of Our Lives.
More Questions?
NBC's audience information hotline is 818.840.3537.
Getting There (Map)
Here is a map to the studio, courtesy of Google maps.
Waiting
Attending a TV taping is all about patience.
The TONIGHT SHOW with JAY LENO doesn't tape till 5 pm, and they don't let you in the studio till 4.30 p.m., but you should ideally get to Studio 3 of NBC Studios by 2.30 p.m. (the earlier the better, especially for very popular guests).
The line starts in front of Studio 3, next to the big, red TONIGHT SHOW with JAY LENO sign. The facade is unassuming. Do not wait in front of Studio 1 — that's where the old Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson taped.
Most of the items on the "to do" list used for Getting Tickets applies to waiting for the show — with some modifications....
- Dress appropriately. Summers are HOT, but by the time the taping ends, it may be a lot breezier/cooler. Gauge your own temperature tolerance.
- Bring a distraction, like a book, a newspaper, a radio, or a friend. Note: Reading materials, if too big or bulky, may be confiscated, unless you can hide it or make sure it won't be a distraction or eyesore during the taping.
- Bring more bodies — The TONIGHT SHOW with JAY LENO is an awesome show to attend and share with friends.
- Camera? Depends on you. The pages (those blue-blazered men and women of NBC) are told to tell you that cameras aren't allowed inside the studio. However, people regularly bring their own cameras to have pictures taken with Jay. Whatever you do, you can not take pictures during the actual taping. The pages will confiscate the camera and remove you from the set.
- Thirsty? Hungry? Potty break? If you can't bring your own drink or food, you can buy them at the gas station across the street. You can also buy playing cards, newspapers, and other "distractions" there also. Restrooms are also available at the gas station and inside the Studio 3 itself (but you have to wait till you get into the taping before you can use the restrooms inside the studio).
Lastly, you might notice that some large or small groups of people going into the studio without waiting in line. These may be VIPs — friends, family, employees, or fundraisers.
The Taping
It's 4.30 p.m., and they've started letting people in The TONIGHT SHOW with JAY LENO studio. The seating capacity is roughly 300 (I think). On TV the set looks huge, colorful, and vibrant. In real life, it's still colorful and vibrant — but not huge at all.
If you're in the studio, you're set. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the next hour or so. 10 to 15 minutes before the taping starts, Jay comes out in a blue denim shirt and blue jeans to take pictures with the audience, answer questions, and tell you what to expect. After Jay, someone else will come out to "warm up" the audience. He'll get girls to dance, get the audience to jump up and down for TONIGHT SHOW goodies, and tell you how to applaud and how loud to applaud. You'll also be told about what you can and can't do.
The taping is really fun and goes by fast. Applaud, cheer, whistle, and be excited when the "Applause" sign lights up. Have fun and enjoy! You've made it!
Additional Links and Information
I've included links to other useful pages as well as a link to the official NBC site. Good luck and have fun!
Official NBC ticket information and what the TONIGHT SHOW with JAY LENO site says about getting tickets.
An informative and accurate fan site: Seeing-Stars.com.
Here's what About.com had to say.
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