Free NYC Attractions - Attend a Live Broadcast of MTV's TRL and The View

MTV is for the fun high school/college crowd. Audience members look like they are between the ages of 16-24. And with a little patience (expect a few months wait), it's easy to get tickets. TRL is a daily music video countdown show hosted by Damien, Vanessa, Susie, Cipha Sounds, LaLa, and Stephen Colletti of Laguna Beach. Each show includes a video countdown, entertainment news, celebrity interviews and performances. Audience members sit on the steps and cheer for the special guests and music video countdown. Under the discretion of the TRL crew, audience members clap and cheer as loud as they can on demand. With so much enthusiasm and energy, you'll have no trouble in believing that you are actually on MTV!

How to request free tickets: call 212.398.8549 or e-mail trlcasting@mtvstaff.com TRL airs weekdays at 1PM. It is an hour-long show. You will get an e-mailed ticket that can accommodate up to 3 people. TRL also offers stand-by tickets. Wait in line at the side of the building 2.5 hours before show time, for a possibility of getting in. The studio seats approximately 80 guests.

MTV Studios is located in Times Square at 1515 Broadway between 43rd and 44th Streets. The MTV store is on the South corner at 43rd street and Broadway. The line to get into TRL is along the MTV building (1515 Broadway).

My personal take on my TRL experience: There's a lot of waiting and security screening (we had to check-in our bags) and the actual show only involved a short interview with Seth Green (scheduled guest Owen Wilson was a no show). During the show they made us cheer and applause like crazy fanatics. The VJs hung out backstage and only were present during the actual music video introduction monologue and the interview-which was only for a few minutes. The audience sat on the steps and talked amongst themselves during commercial breaks. MTV staff handed each of us $10 movie passes to celebrate summer movies. The experience was unique and I probably would not be back. It was interesting to be on MTV and I did it for the experience of being on live television.

The View

ABC The View is hosted by Barbara Walters, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, and a daily special guest. The ladies discuss hot topics, celebrity news, movies, and television shows to an audience of mostly older female adults. The View airs live every Monday to Thursday at 11AM. Audience members most be at least 16 years of age.

How to request free tickets: Log on to ABC.com and click on The View section and fill out your information and date preference. One may request up to 4 tickets. There is a one-year wait for tickets. ABC will mail you your tickets a few weeks before the show and you most RSVP by sending out your confirmation postcard. For Standby tickets, line up at the ABC studios at 8:30 and The View staff will let you know if there are standby tickets available. It is on a first come first serve basis.

ABC Studios is located at 320 W. 66^th Street in New York City.

My personal take on The View experience: It was wonderful and I highly recommend it! As always, there is a long wait for security screening. Seats are assigned alphabetically so pick wisely when assigning someone from your group to request tickets at ABC. Although the wait was early and long, ABC took care of us very well. Staff members passed out cookies and juice on our way into the studio. The studio is comfortable and audience members are allowed their belongings on their side. Cameras are allowed during commercial breaks. Whoopi Goldberg was our guest host. We listened to the ladies talk and during the commercial break the ladies entertained the audience with a Q&A. The audience clapped and cheered under the discretion of the announcer. The announcer keeps the audience in a high-spirited mood and even holds a dance contest before the show. Debra Messing was on the show to talk about our new TV show The Starter Wife. Then, the cast of Legally Blonde on Broadway gave a performance. Everyone in the audience walked away with 2 free tickets to see Legally Blonde and a $100 gift certificate to an online photo site. The audience was sure taken care of and I will be back for sure!