New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [8]
When you do hit one of the superswanky spots in Chelsea or the Meatpacking District, don’t over- or underdress. If you’re female, don’t confuse “dressy” with “formal”; leave the cocktail dress at home and go for something casually sexy: tight, dark jeans, a classy-yet-revealing top, a fabulous handbag, and heels are almost always a safe bet, as is the classic N.Y.C. black. If you’re a guy, dress to impress—jeans are fine as long as they’re dark—but leave the baseball cap at home.
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Tickets to tapings of TV shows are free, but can be very hard to come by on short notice. Most shows accept advance requests by email, phone, or online—but for the most popular shows, like The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, the request backlog is so deep, you might even have to wait a few months before they’ll accept any new ones. Same-day standby tickets are often available—but be prepared to wait in line for several hours, sometimes starting at 5 or 6 am, depending on how hot the show is, or the wattage of that day’s celebrity guests.
THE SHOWS
The Colbert Report. More tongue-in-cheek than the Daily Show (with a more knowing audience, too), Stephen Colbert leads his “nation” through shows Monday through Thursday. Check the Web site for dates with open tickets. Sign-up for standby tickets happens in front of the studio at 4 pm the day of the show. | 513 W. 54th St., between 10th and 11th Aves., Midtown West | 10019 | 212/586–2477 | www.colbertnation.com | Station: C, E to 50th St.
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. The smirking, amiable, and incisive Jon Stewart pokes fun at news headlines on this half-hour cable show. The program tapes from Monday through Thursday; you can request advance tickets by checking the calendar on the Web site. For standby tickets, show up well before the 5:45 pm doors-open time. Audience members must be 18 or older. | 733 11th Ave., between W. 51st and W. 52nd Sts., Midtown West | 10019 | 212/586–2477 | www.thedailyshow.com | Station: C, E to 50th St.
Good Morning America. Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos host this early-morning news and entertainment standby. GMA airs live, weekdays from 7 to 9 am, and ticket requests (online only) should be sent four to six months in advance. | 7 Times Sq., at W. 44th St. and Broadway, Midtown West | 10036 | 212/930–7855 | abcnews.go.com/GMA/tickets-good-morning-america-audience/story?id=144752 | Station: 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, S to 42nd St./Times Sq.
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Jimmy Fallon is settling in nicely at 30 Rock—it helps when your house band is the Roots and when Justin Timberlake is a frequent visitor to your show. For tickets, call the Ticket Information Line for a maximum of four tickets, about one month in advance. Single standby tickets are available on taping days—Monday through Friday—at the West 49th Street side of 30 Rockefeller Plaza; arrive before 9 am. You must be 17 years or older. | 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Midtown West | 10112 | 212/664–3056 ticket information line | www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com | Station: B, D, F, M to 47th–50th Rockefeller Center.
The Late Show with David Letterman. Letterman’s famously offbeat humor and wacky top-10 lists have had fans giggling for more than two decades. Call 212/247–6497 starting at 11 am on tape days—Monday through Thursday—for standby tickets. For advance tickets (two maximum), you can submit a request online or fill out an application in person at the theater. You must be 18 or older to sit in the audience. | Ed Sullivan Theater,1697 Broadway, between W. 53rd and W. 54th Sts., Midtown West | 10019 | 212/975–5853 | www.cbs.com/late_night/late_show/tickets