How to Get Tickets to See Your Favorite Television Shows in Production: Be a Game Show, Comedy Show or Talk Show Audience Member

Only you can prevent TV laugh tracks. You do it by attending a live taping of your favorite television comedy show and letting out a huge belly laugh whether you think the punch line is funny or not. That way, the producers can use the sound of you cracking up and do not have to resort to canned samples of pre-recorded laughter.

Perhaps you're puzzled as to how a game show is put together or you have a burning desire to see a famous talk show host up close and personal. All you need to do is obtain tickets to the filming of the show of your choice. As a privileged audience member, you get to see the frenzy of production activity that never appears on screen.

Most television shows are shot in the Los Angeles area, although a handful come from New York and some of the poker format gambling shows are hosted in Las Vegas. Tickets are free and are often available on relatively short notice. Be aware that most productions have a minimum audience age of 18 and that once you have taken a seat, you are expected to stay for the entire session. Wandering off for a tour of the studio is not really an option.

Here is a guide to some today's most popular television shows and information on how to obtain tickets.

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno - The NBC studio Ticket Window at 3000 W. Alameda Avenue in Burbank distributes tickets on the day of taping. You can also try calling (818) 840-3537. If you want to plan ahead, mail in a ticket request with a self-addressed stamped return envelope 6 to 8 weeks in advance to NBC at the Alameda Avenue address, Burbank, CA 91523.

Dr. Phil - Call the Paramount Studios Guest Relations Department at (323) 461-7445. Tickets are available up to 5 days in advance.

Jimmy Kimmel Live! - This talk show is produced in the heart of Hollywood at the El Capitan Entertainment Center located at 6840 Hollywood Blvd. To get tickets, call (866) 546-6984 on weekdays between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. PST.

Two And a Half Men - For this hit starring Charlie Sheen, order tickets online at www.audiencesunlimited.com.

The Price is Right - This long running game show tapes on a regular basis at CBS Television City located at 7800 Beverly Blvd. Call (323) 575-2624.

Jeopardy - Call the production company, which is Merv Griffin Productions, at (800) 482-9840 between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. PST. While you're at it, you might ask for Wheel of Fortune tickets, too.

Ellen Degeneres Show - Getting into the audience is sort of like an audition. There is an online registration form to complete in order to be contacted by a representative of the "Audience Department" for admission to this show. You can access it at http://ellen.warnerbros.com/showinfo/tickets/index.html.

The Tyra Banks Show - An online application for tickets can be found at http://tyrashow.warnerbros.com/tickets/.

According to Jim - This show is produced at CBS Studio Center, 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City. Call (818) 655-5000 and ask for taping tickets.

Out of Practice - Filmed at the Paramount Studios located at 5555 Melrose Avenue, this show stars Henry Winkler and Stockard Channing. Get tickets online by going to www.tvtix.com.

There are two major services in the Los Angeles area making free tickets available to popular network and cable television shows. Both agencies can get you tickets to The King of Queens, George Lopez, New Adventures of Old Christina, America's Funniest Videos and many other programs. Audience Associates is located at 7471 Melrose Avenue, #10, and can be reached at (323) 653-4105 or (323) 467-4697.

Your contact is usually with a live person through this ticket outlet. Audiences Unlimited, Inc. is somewhat more automated and can be accessed online at www.audiencesunlimited.com as well as by phone at (818) 753-3470. If you want to write ahead for ticketing, send your self-addressed stamped envelope to 100 Universal City Plaza, Bldg. 4250 Mezz., Universal City, CA 91608.