Saturday, March 3, 2012

How to Score Taping Tickets to Big Bang Theory

I have been asked, many times, how to get the free tickets to see The Big Bang Theory taped live. I have talked to people who have said it took them months of stalking the website to finally get tickets. And I've talked to people who have been trying for even longer than that, and still haven't gotten lucky.

While it's not exactly easy these days to get tickets, with how popular the show is, it can be done. And there's no secret to it either - I got tickets the very first time I tried, with no other knowledge than the instructions laid out on tvtickets.com.

Getting the tickets

If you randomly take a look at the show page for Big Bang Theory, chances are you won't find anything other than a blank space under "Available Show Dates." If you keep checking back randomly, you might get lucky, and be there at a time when they've released another small batch of tickets for an upcoming taping. These might go up weeks before a taping, or as soon as the day before - but there's no pattern (at least that I've noticed), and no guarantee.


What you really want to do is get the tickets as soon as they go up, which is at a scheduled date and time. From Big Bang Theory's page, you can view their future show dates, which typically lists dates about three months in advance. However, the tickets aren't actually released until 30 days prior to the taping.

Because Big Bang Theory tapes on Tuesdays, the 30 day mark falls on Sundays. But the site doesn't update on Sundays, so the ticket release is pushed back one day until Monday mornings.

Once you've figured out the date the tickets will be released on, you want to plan on being up early that morning to check the website. The tvtickets website says that "the show schedule automatically updates around 8:30am (M-F Los Angeles time) to display shows scheduled for the next 30 days." But sometimes the tickets are released closer to 8:00am, and sometimes they're not released until 9:30am or later - so be ready for lots of refreshing.

Big Bang Theory's main page will update under "Available Show Dates" when the tickets go up, but you can also directly refresh the ticket order page and watch for Big Bang Theory to be available in the drop-down list.

Remember that you must be at least 18 to be admitted to a taping for Big Bang Theory. (They make exceptions for VIPs, but if you're reading this guide, chances are you're not a VIP.) And if you're getting multiple tickets, you must fill out the form for each person individually.

The first tickets to go up will be guaranteed tickets - if you're lucky to get one of these, congratulations! As long as you check-in on the taping date before 5:00pm, you have a guaranteed spot in the audience waiting for you.

After the guaranteed tickets are gone (which normally takes no more than 5 - 10 minutes), the standby tickets are released. Standby tickets are clearly marked by the word "STANDBY" in all caps on your ticket after the show name. With a standby ticket, you are not guaranteed entry. If there are any seats left on taping day after the VIPs and guaranteed ticket holders have been admitted, they will let in people from the standby line.

Be sure to print your ticket! You won't be emailed any confirmation. If for some reason you are unable to print, you can still check in with just your ID (they'll find your name on their list), but it's definitely easier to have the physical ticket in hand.

Now that you have your ticket, let's jump ahead to the taping day itself!

When to get there

Your ticket will suggest that you arrive to check in "no less than 90 minutes prior to the scheduled show time." The taping starts at 6:30pm. But if you show up at 5:00 with a standby ticket, you have an incredibly slim chance of getting in.

So how early should you get there? The parking garage where you'll be parking typically won't let in Big Bang Theory audience members until 2:00, but it's not uncommon for the line itself to by starting by 12:00 or 1:00. These people have either been dropped off, or have found parking elsewhere and walked to the line location.

It's impossible to give a "safe" time to arrive by - sometimes lots of people arrive really early, sometimes the line stays smaller until closer to 3:00. Plus regardless of how early you get in line, you still don't know how many seats will be left over in the end for the standby line. Just remember, the earlier, the better.

(And if you've got a guaranteed ticket - remember, as long as you're there before 5:00, you're good. But if you get there after that, you'll be placed in the end of the standby line.)

You won't be actually checked in until 4:30, and it's at that point that they'll number the tickets of everyone in line.

What to bring

Most importantly, make sure you have an ID! Security will check it to make sure you're at least 18, and you won't get into the studio without one.

I recommend eating a big lunch, and/or bringing snacks for the long wait. There are vending machines in the waiting area, but you might want something else. And although you will get a slice of (cold) pizza during the taping, if you've already been in line a long time and haven't eaten since noon... It's not enough.

Do not bring cameras or cell phones. While in line, you will be told, repeatedly, to leave them in your car. And you will go through two metal detectors, and a thorough bag search, before being led to your seats. If you have one, they will most likely find it.

If they find it at the soundstage, they will hold it along with your ID until the taping is finished, at which point you can pick it up on the way out. But to avoid the hassle, if possible, just leave them in your car.

Once the taping is over, the cast might stick around to sign autographs. Some sign more often than others, but I have never see Jim or Mayim sign. On the other hand, Kunal signs almost every week (and is extremely sweet). They won't always have their own pen, so it's smart to have one handy. Most people  ask the cast to sign the small program that is given out to the audience members. You used to be able to bring DVDs, magazines, etc., to ask them to sign, but starting in season 5 that's no longer allowed. (If security finds any such items when you get to the sound stage, they'll hold them until after the taping is over.)

Good luck!

It's not always easy, but it's completely worth it to see the cast live and the behind-the-scenes workings of the show. So have fun, and maybe I'll see you there!

378 comments:

  1. Given the Repeat Attendance policy, are you a VIP or are you in the standby line?

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    1. Neither - I've never seen them enforce the once-per-season request.

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  2. Thanks for these updates. Very helpful information.

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    1. You're welcome! Glad I can help.

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    2. thanks for the insite, we are coming from canada and really want to go see the taping, we will have to be very dilligent with our search, love the show, thanks again

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    3. me too I'm from canada and If I want to go see the show I must take ticket not too soon to have the time to buy somme plane ticket

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  3. Thanks for the info, Roxanne! Do you usually get guaranteed tickets? If I get a guaranteed ticket, does it make any difference if I get there really early or is it Ok to just arrive around the time they start to check in?

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    1. Sometimes I get lucky with guaranteed, sometimes I have standby. I always get there extra early with a guaranteed anyway, in case I'm asked to move into the standby line. But if it's your first time with a guaranteed ticket, there's no reason to get there extra early, unless you're hoping for a slightly better seat.

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    2. Thanks for your reply. Why would they ask you to move to standby if you have a guaranteed ticket? Sounds like a bad thing. :S

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    3. Because the website says this: "If you have attended the show during the 2011-2012 production season, you may be placed in the standby ticket line even if you check in on time with a guaranteed ticket." Hasn't happened to me yet, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

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    4. Ooooooh, good to know. Again, thanks for the info!

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  4. I tried one time to go on the site and it showed the date and time and the i tried to order tickets and it kicked me out. Then I had two stand-by tickets and filled out the information and everything and it kept saying error, error. So I had tickets and everything and it disappear. Why did it happen?

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    1. My guess for when it initially kicked you out is you were trying just as the last guaranteed tickets were given away, so you just missed them. With the standby tickets, you were only trying for one at a time, right? Because if you put "2" for number of tickets, that would give you an error. If you only did 1 there, and it was still showing tickets available... then I think it's a weird glitch on their side. I've had it happen to me a couple of times where I was filling everything in correctly, and it was giving me an error for a reason I couldn't understand. Once it eventually went through (though I don't know what actually made the difference), another time I had to switch computers, and then it worked fine. No idea why that happens.

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  5. It worked!It worked! Thank you for all the tips, I got 2 tix!

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    1. You're welcome! :) And just curious, did you get guaranteed or standby? I was trying for a couple guaranteed for some friends, but no luck. (Got a standby for myself this week.)

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    2. Guaranteed! I got them at 8:28am

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    3. Nice! I filled out the forms for the guaranteed tickets, but then the pages never loaded - kept getting errors.

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    4. I'm curious, does the standby ticket say "The Big Bang Theory -Standby" in the show category or does it say it elsewhere? Mine just says "The Big Bang Theory" in the show category on the printed ticket...that means guaranteed right? I'm guess I'm still in shock I got tickets! :)

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    5. Yup, that means guaranteed! Standby tickets say "The Big Bang Theory - STANDBY."

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    6. Awesome!! Thanks again for all the info!

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  6. I got stand-by tickets for my husband and I? We got it for april 11. I was wondering what time is the best time to get there? I really want to get in to see the show. Please answer. Thanks

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    1. Like I said, it's hard to give an exact time that's safe. I'd say by two at the latest (more people show up after that, since that's when the garage will start letting you park), but earlier than that if you can.

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  7. Typically how many standby's get into a taping? I got one guaranteed ticket for my friend and by the time i went to get mine i had to get standby.....what are the chances i'd get in too with 1 standby ticket? It would suck to be separated from each other....my friend wouldnt want to go into the taping and risk that I didn't get it...

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    1. I think usually at least 20, sometimes more, sometimes less. If you don't want to risk getting separated (because even if she goes in first, chances are she won't be able to save you a seat to sit together), she could give up her spot in the guaranteed line and wait with you in standby.

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    2. Thanks. Yeah might do that...still would be so bummed though to take work off and not get in....I've tried so long to get tickets so this was a first. How many standby tickets are there in total approx? How many typically are turned away? If we arrived at say 1:00...in your opinion what are the odds we'd get in? Sorry just trying to figure out if its worth it....i'd hate to drive up there in these gas prices and lose a day of pay....plus waiting around hours just to not get in :( Would bum me out so much!!

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    3. There are usually up to about 100 standbys, but it does vary. I'm not sure how many are usually left in the end, because I've (thankfully) always made it into the studio before that happens. And if you get there by 1, I'd say you have really good chances.

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  8. Wow 100 standby's? Approx how many then are there actually with a guaranteed ticket? I know only about 220 fit into the studio audience and VIPs alone take up half if not more of those seats. Sorry for all the questions...just trying to figure it all out. Seems like a lot of standbys would be turned away... Can't believe they still haven't been able to get the number tuned away down more. What time have you arrived at with standby before in the past since you mentioned always getting in?

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    1. Probably around 100 with guaranteed too. There definitely are a lot of people who don't make it in, but it's always been that way, even before the new system this year - put simply, they give away lots of extra tickets, to ensure that they'll still have a full audience if people don't show up. Typically I try to get there by 1:30 with a standby.

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  9. So you think if you get there between 12 and 1 you'll have a great chance of getting in with stand-by tickets? I didn't print my out. All i need is to show proof of who I am and thats it? would they ask for the address? What time did you ususally get there to get in?

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    1. Yeah, you should be pretty safe (I try to get there by 1:30 on standby). And yes, all you'll need is an ID - they won't ask for any of the other information.

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  10. Hi Roxanne, My wife and I have Standby tickets for an upcoming taping. We're planning to arrive plenty early. Do you know if there is seating in the waiting area? My wife will be 6 months pregnant... so... ! :) Thanks so much!

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    1. On the first floor of the parking garage is the main waiting area full of benches, but it's usually full with the crowds for Ellen, which moves Big Bang Theory to just outside the parking garage. There are only a few benches there, but if you get there plenty early you'll probably get a seat.

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  11. Absolutely Gutted, I wish I had seen your site a month ago, I tried for days to get tickets for Tuesdays show, even taking into account the time difference( I'm from Scotland). So close but no cigar. I'm staying in Studio City on holiday, is that the only way I can get tickets? Any advise will be very much appreciated, Thanks Colin

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    1. My only advice at this point would be to check the site tomorrow (Monday) morning, because *sometimes* they'll release a few last minute tickets the day before a taping. Not all the time, but it's worth checking. Other than that, unfortunately there's no other way.

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  12. HI ROXANNE--THANKS FOR THE INFO ABOUT TICKETS.
    JUST MISSED OUT ON GUARANTEED FOR THE SEASON FINALE
    SHOW.GOT STAND-BY,WAS ON LINE ABOUT 2 HOURS BEFORE THE SITE WAS UP, NOT GOING LIVE IN NEW YORK.
    LONG RIDE FOR A STAND-BY, WILL TRY NEXT YEAR.
    THANKS A LOT-MIKE

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  13. Roxanne! I can not believe you are sharing such valued information about how to get tickets in such a public format. I would never. Its also making it much harder for regulars to get tickets since its becoming more public these days. I just don't understand why anyone would, especially you, would share this? It will make it harder for you too. [shrugs]

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    1. I've always been happy to give tips to anyone who asks about getting tickets. Plus I've never understood why some people find it so difficult, since just about everything you need to know is spelled out on their website to start with. And I'm aware that sharing this could make it harder for me to get a ticket, but if I end up missing just so others could have the chance to go once, then so be it.

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  14. Well if you don't mind my asking, why do you go to tapings every single week? I know a friend who was in LA from out of town and she told me she didn't get in to the taping as did so many people left in the standby line and she waited quite a long time in line...I believe she got there around 2:30 (so no she didn't show up last minute). I guess I just don't understand how fair it is that so many can't get in to the taping who haven't ever been before and you go every week....not trying to be mean, but frankly I'm just curious. I read on their site they ask people to only go once a season to be fair so more people have a chance to go who haven't, but I take it that it obviously doesn't get enforced?

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    1. I go because I enjoy it, and it's never been enforced. Half the time I'm there with a standby ticket anyway, and I always get there early even with a guaranteed ticket, in case they move me to the standby line (which the site says they might do if you've been before). Unfortunately, no matter what, there will always be people who don't get in, because they give out so many extra tickets compared to how many seats there actually are.

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  15. I hope next season they are more tough on the rule. Its not fair that people who may only get a once in a lifetime chance to go, don't get in when someone who lives super close gets in 50+ times. I too have a story about a friend who didn't get in and it irks me to no end because I have been to a taping, while my friend has not. I'm curious about the same question as Anonymous too.

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    1. All I can really say is I'm taking advantage of the opportunity I have - but I spend long mornings refreshing the site for tickets, and have spent countless hours waiting in line, just like everyone else does. If they actually enforced the rule, I'd step back and wouldn't try to find a way to work around it.

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  16. I was wondering if there was restrooms near by where you are waiting to get in. So, you say that if we get there by 1:30 we would have a more chance of getting in with stand-by tickets. I want to make sure because I'm coming from Martinez, ca. My brother lives out in Duarte.

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    1. I could have sworn I'd answered this a lot time ago, but apparently not... There are restrooms nearby, at the ground level of the parking garage.

      Sorry if this is too late to be of help to you, but I wanted to answer anyway in case anyone else had the same question.

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  17. Hello. Gonna try tomorrow to see a taping. I only have a standby ticket. I have a couple of questions, if you don't mind. Can you wait in line with a phone and then go to your car an hour before the show and drop it off? Also, will they split up a group with standby tickets?

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    1. Yes, there's no problem keeping your phone on you while in line. Once you're checked in, they start making announcements to take any electronics back to your car at that time before they start bringing people across to the studio.

      And your group will receive consecutive line numbers so long as everyone is there when you check in. If you're among the last ones who make it in, your group might not be able to sit together, since the available seats might be scattered. But if you're asking if it comes down to there being two seats left, and four people in your group - I don't know what they do.

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  18. I just got 2 stby tickets for next month one for me one for my fiance .BBT its her favorite show . we will be flying in from Puerto Rico will be there the night before and we will be in line earlie I want all the chances I can get :) I hope we make it in to the show.

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  19. Roxanne, how often does the schedule get changed or cancelled for a taping? I'm coming from Michigan with a guaranteed ticket for BBT on August 14. I'm just worried that it will be cancelled or something and I won't be able to change my flight :(

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    1. VERY rarely. Actually, off the top of my head I can't remember any times where a Big Bang Theory taping was cancelled.

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  20. roxanne,

    great blog, are you on twitter? would love to talk BBT

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  21. I got a guaranteed ticket for myself and a standby for my wife. It was tough since all the traffic to the site kept causing server errors. The note on the page said you had to order them one at a time (enter each name) for security reasons. I hope I read that right and didn't just miss out on the chance to order two tickets at once!

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    1. You did it correctly! If you try to get more than one at once, it'll come back with an error.

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    2. Is that for both types of tickets or only standby?

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  22. Hi! I just got standby tickets to the big bang theory thanks to your helpful tips!
    I wanted to get there at least by one and I was wondering if you could tell me where I can park? Since the parking garage opens later, can you give me any tips on street parking or whatever so that I can stand in line early? Thanks so much!

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    1. There's a residential neighborhood behind the garage with a two hour limit on street parking. (Or if you park a little further from the garage, you might find parking with no limit.) You can park there initially, then move your car later into the garage.

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  23. Roxanne,

    Is there any possibility to buy tickets?

    Thank you!

    Luiz

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    1. Under normal circumstances, nope, just the free ones from the website.

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  24. Awesome, your tips have certainly worked for me today. I will be travelling from the UK next month and managed to get two gaurenteed tickets!! I seriously cant wait!

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  25. Hi, I got 2 standby tickets. You mentioned that with a standby, you usually get in line at 1:30pm. However, you also said that the parking lot won't let people in for BBT until 2pm. So where do you usually park? Thanks!

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    1. There's a residential neighborhood behind the parking garage where you can park first. A lot of the streets there have a two hour parking limit, but you can ask someone to save your spot in line when you have to move your car.

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  26. Thanks for the info! Wouldn't have been able to do it without you! I got 2 tickets today. You have to be FAST when the tickets become available. Their server was very slow and kept crashing out, so I had to keep using the back button to resubmit.

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  27. how much is parking across the street? thx

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  28. hey Roxanne, when do I have the next chance to get tickets for the taping?
    thanks in afvance!

    Dnaiel

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  29. Does my computer IP matters? I am trying from Brazil for 3 weeks now! It does not work, never! The site is always not working at Mondays, 8am in LA. Next week THE week for me, because I am going to be in LA on Sep 18. You said that "Under normal circumstances" the site is the only way to get tickets. What about "unusual circumstances"? Do they exist? How?

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    1. Your IP address shouldn't matter - plenty of people travel from overseas to the tapings, and they got the tickets from their home country.

      I said "normal circumstances," because last year a friend of mine was able to buy 3 VIP tickets through an auction that Simon Helberg held, where the proceeds went to a theater company... So very rarely there might be other opportunities like that (and it was very expensive), but it's not at all common.

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    2. Got one stand by ticket... Let me see if I am going to be crazy enough to be there before 2pm... Thanks for the tips.

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    3. I am back here to tell you that I got in the Sep 20th taping! I was there around 1pm, I got #35 (your real number is something that you only discover around 5-5:30pm) and 45 stand by got in (something that I only discovered when I met 2 guys that could not go in and were outside waiting for his friends). I don't know why but even as late as 6pm the TVTickets' guys don't tell you how many people are going to enter. They just keep telling you "sometimes 5, sometimes 50". The #1 in the line got there by 11:30am. There are a few places to eat, but none of them was really close. They keep us waiting in the parking lot in the SUN (really hot sun), since there are lots of people going to Ellen's shows that are waiting inside the parking building, where you can get food or drink from vending machines and also restrooms. Just before they started getting people inside they tell us that if you do not plan to stay until the end of the show, probably around 10:30pm, you better leave and let somebody else go inside. I had to leave at 10pm and I would not tell them that, of course. At 10pm there was a person to take me out (one of the girls was not really nice at this point, but, whatever...). They also say that you should keep your cameras or cell phones in your car (parking is free). They don't tell you that but if you keep you camera or cell phone they will keep your things together with your ID and give it back to you when the show is finished (I had no car and if I knew that I'd have take my camera to the Warner VIP tour that I did in the morning, then I could have taken pictures in the morning and let my camera with them during the show). I'd say that waiting in the sun for +4 hours (1pm - 5pm) was worthy, but I got in. If I was one of the 45 that didn't (there were around 90 stand by people over there) I would feel that it was a sad waste of time. I really think they should find a better place to keep all this people. Anyway, the show was great. It was finished around 10:40pm. The comedy actor (sorry, I don't know his name) that was there to entertain us while they were not taping was really funny and he got some funny people in the audience to help him. In the end at least 4 of the actors, including Jim, signed audience's papers. Hope my comments can be useful for some of you. Wish you luck!

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    4. THANK YOU FOR ALL THIS INFORMATION. Very useful indeed. I got standby tickets and hope to get in...love the show. Karen

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  30. I got a ticket which states:
    "THIS TICKET DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMISSION. Free TV studio audience tickets may be distributed in excess of studio
    capacity. General admission ticket holders will be admitted on a first-come basis as space allows."

    Is this a standby ticket or is this just a disclaimer the studio uses just in case?
    Thanks

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    1. Standby tickets will say STANDBY in all caps next to the show's name. All tickets have that disclaimer, guaranteed or not - even with a guaranteed ticket, if you show up past the time cutoff, you're sent to the end of the line, and probably won't get in.

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    2. Thanks. It looks like I got guaranteed tickets. :)

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  31. Hi I'm not sure if you would know the answer to this but I got a guaranteed ticket but my boyfriend got a standby. Seeing as we are coming over from Australia I really don't want to go by myself or wait on line for hours seeing as I got the guaranteed ticket. Do you think there is any chance of him getting in with me?

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    1. I'm not Roxanne but I know someone under similar circumstances as yours that got their significant other's ticket changed to guaranteed by calling Audiences Limited directly and explaining their situation. I'd suggest you do it as soon as possible. Good luck!

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    2. Yup - I've met some others who had the same thing happen, and by contacting Audiences Unlimited they got the standby switched to a guaranteed. And definitely do it early, because if you show up there with your tickets as is, they'll probably make you stay in the separate lines.

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    3. HI Roxanne! I got a standby and my husband got a guaranteed ticket! As per your advice, I tried calling them, but could only leave a message, is that the only way to speak to them? As I'm calling from Australia, I don't know whether they will return my call?

      Also, if they agree to change the ticket, will they email another ticket through or you just have to take their word for it?

      Thanks!

      Vanessa

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    4. I've never called them myself, but they've always replied pretty quickly when I've sent them an email (usually to request that the name on a ticket be changed). So if you don't hear back, and you still only have the option to leave a message, I'd try emailing them.

      If it does change, they won't email you a new ticket, they'll just tell you to check in with your ID. (I know some people, after emailing about a request, then print out and bring along the reply they got as a sort of confirmation, so that'd be another reason to try emailing if you don't hear back.)

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  32. Hey, Anonymous from 9:46 AM: does a standby ticket have word "Standby" used anywhere? I got two tickets but they don't say if they are standby or guaranteed. There's a warning admission is not guaranteed, but I believe this is printed on guaranteed tickets as well.

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    1. Standby tickets have the word STANDBY next to the show's name.
      Sounds like you got guaranteed tickets. The warning in small letters is always there so don't worry about it.

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    2. Thanks. Also, the article above states that. I should have read it again before posting my question. :)

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  33. Thank you so much for this! With your help, I'm going to a taping for vacation this year~

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  34. Good morning! Do you know if the site will update today, seeing as it's a holiday? I've been refreshing for an hour and no dice...yet.

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    1. At this point, I'm pretty sure the tickets will go up tomorrow instead. I've also been refreshing just in case, but I know in the past for some holidays they didn't update on Monday.

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  35. I think you're right. When you look at the Future Show Dates page, October 2 isn't posted on the Standby line. Thanks!

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  36. Hey Roxanne,

    I think it's pretty poor that people are telling you off for sharing the secrets of getting a BBT ticket or telling you off for going as often as you do.

    I just wanted to drop a note to express my heartfelt thanks for the information - I'm trying to get tickets to the October 2nd taping when I'm in LA on my honeymoon(I'm from Australia), so I'll be putting your tips to practice! Thanks again! (and fingers crossed!)

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    1. Aw, well thank you, and you're welcome! Good luck getting the tickets!

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  37. I have been trying to refresh the tickets page the last 2 mornings but because of the high volume of traffic I am having a hard time reaching a live version of the site. Do you have any tips on this?

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    1. I was having similar issues, not much you can do with the high traffic. When I did eventually get to the order form when tickets were available (around 08:45) it kept timing out when submitting. After many attempts I was fortunate enough to eventually get 2 tickets, both of these using Internet Explorer rather than my usual browser, Google Chrome, for which the forms never submitted. May just be coincidence.

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    2. Sorry - like the anon said above, there's not much you can do other than keep trying. Occasionally I'll try with multiple computers, and one will work better than the other, but I think it mostly comes down to luck at that point.

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  38. So frustrating...I tried to get tickets this morning on two separate browsers, but every page just timed out...I did get the order form to load once, but it would not submit. Now only standy tickets are left. It is so disappointing that they do not have the proper web resources for people to actually get their tickets.

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    1. Even now I can't get any standby tickets, still says the site is offline. Grr!! I was so diligent about checking it too.

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  39. Yay! I got three standby tickets for October 2nd! but I am not sure I will be able to show up as early as you suggested. :( In case I do not use them, will I be able to get tickets for a future taping? I am wondering whether the system recognizes you got tickets before because of your info (name etc.)

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    Replies
    1. Congrats on getting tickets! The system doesn't check if you've been before as you order, so you won't have a problem in getting tickets for later if you need to.

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    2. Thank you so much!

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  40. Hey thanks for the help!! My girlfriend and I were able to get guaranteed tickets for oct 2 because of your tips!!

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  41. YES, I just got a guaranteed ticket for Oct 2nd.. I'm from Las Vegas, so I will be taking a day trip to LA and back after the show! (I wish LA is only 2 or less hours, instead of 3 1/2 to 4 hours away from Vegas! I would be visiting frequently!)

    I have a few questions, Roxanne.

    1) I am hearing impaired and wondering is the studio will be loud enough I can be able hear the actors doing their lines? Should I try and ask someone at the studio to reserve a seat that is close enough to where I can hear?
    2) Since electronic devices are not permitted (camera, phones, etc). I'm an artist, is it possible I can do some sketching in my sketchbook while watching the show? That way I can record my sketches from what I see.
    3) How far away is the audience seating are from the show set up, how good are the seating views?
    4) Is it okay to walk around at the WB studios, such as a little tour while I'm waiting for the show?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 1. There have been a handful of times where I didn't properly hear a line until I saw the finished, edited episode, because the audience laughter drowned out the actor, but that is by far the exception rather than the rule. I'm not sure if sitting a few rows closer will really make much of a difference, but if you're really concerned you can email Audiences Unlimited (tickets@audiencesunlimited.com) to explain your situation, and see what they say.

      2. I don't see that being a problem.

      3. To get an idea of the audience seating relative to the sets, it helps to check out some of the behind-the-scenes videos, like this one - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgKIPInjHp4 Ideally the best seats are usually center, or slightly towards the right (in front of the guys' apartment), but you never know where they'll be filming that week. (I once sat front row in front of Leonard and Sheldon's, but most of the episode took place elsewhere.)

      4. On your own, the most you can see is the outside of the studios, which isn't much. WB does offer a 2.5 hour tour, which I highly recommend - details here - http://vipstudiotour.warnerbros.com/

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    2. Does arriving early with guaranteed tickets allow for better selection of seats? How early should I arrive with guaranteed tickets to claim the best spots?
      Thanks

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    3. You don't have a lot of choice in the matter to start with, regardless of where you are in line... They might let you choose, say, right side vs left, but they fill in the seats row by row without leaving gaps, so there's not a ton of flexibility. But showing up by around 3:00 should result in pretty good seats. (The line will look long when you get there, but it'll mostly be standby people.)

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    4. Quick follow-up: we showed up around 4:30pm, so pretty late. We were 64th in the guaranteed group. When we reached the studio, they directed us towards the right section of audience area. I asked if we could sit in the middle (a row or two higher though, turned out it was the last row). They said fine, so that was nice. Too bad they haven't shot a scene in Penny's room. They did most of the shooting in the main living room, for which we were well positioned.

      Delete
  42. Thanks a LOT for the info, I've just scored 2 tickets (1 guaranteed, 1 stby) for the October 2nd taping. I couldn't have done it without your help ;) I'm especially thrilled, because I live in Europe, so this is extra special for me.

    Sadly, I had previsouly booked a VIP tour at the studios at noon that day, which will take me to 2:30pm by the end of it. I hope my friend, who got the standby ticket, will be able to get in anyway... Fingers crossed and thanks again ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If it works with your schedule, and there are still spots open earlier that day, you can always try contacting WB and seeing if you can switch your reservations to an earlier tour. As is, your friend might get in, but it'd be close.

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    2. I've just contacted them and they changed my reservation for one hour earlier. I'll be able to get in line by 1:30 pm =)

      Delete
  43. Thanks again for your help, Roxanne. Third time's the charm! My hubby and I are going on October 9. ^_^ So, one more question... Where do you park?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Congrats! If you follow the directions from Audiences Unlimited, it takes you to a parking garage right across the street from one of the studio entrances. You park there (for free), and the line will either be on the benches on the ground floor, or (more likely) outside and beside the parking garage. Check with security if you're not sure where the line is.

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    2. Thank you! I'm always suspicious of parking instructions. I'm glad to hear it from someone who's been there and done it. :)

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  44. Hi! Stand-by question. We got one regular \ one stdby and are planning to get there at 1:30pm. My question is when will they start admitting the standby? Is that past 4:30 (after admitting the regular) or till 6:30 when the taping starts? Also, if I use my regular to get in at 4:30, will I be able to sneak out if I find my other (the standby) can't get in? (I won't watch it alone)... Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. People with guaranteed tickets have until 5:30 to show up and be admitted. So usually they'll wait until then, see how many seats are left, and then start admitting the standby tickets. Depending on the day, someone on standby might not get into the sound stage until 6:30, but usually they don't cut it quite so close.

      They wouldn't want you leaving if your friend can't get in, though, since that'd leave one more seat they could have filled. You can try explaining your situation to them when you check in, but in similar cases I've seen them tell the person with the guaranteed ticket to just wait in the standby line with their friend.

      Delete
    2. thanks a lot for the quick reply. Since getting the 1 guarantee\1 stdby a mth ago, I tried twice more and couldn't even score anything. We wouldn't mind the waiting but hopefully we will get in.

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  45. Hi Roxanne, I had a couple of questions. I was on this morning from 8:00am to now refreshing the show page constantly and I didn't even see an opening for the 10/9/2012... and it seems like the tickets are all gone already. Can you tell me what I did wrong? Was I supposed to use the cloudfare button or just the regular refresh. And what time did they make the tickets available this morning?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The tickets went up today about 8:15. I had three different browsers going, refreshing the "order tickets" page. That way, after you see the show date become available in the drop-down box and fill in the form, it's just one more page to the "print ticket" page. Even so, I had to keep hitting "refresh" to get the page to submit. (I think both the refresh and Cloudfare buttons do the same thing.) Since you have to submit separate orders for each ticket, this was a bit stressful! But I did get a second ticket for my husband around 8:35. Good luck for next time! It took me a few tries too.

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    2. Like Sarah said above, they went up around 8:15 (maybe slightly before), and were available until around 8:50. I was getting tickets this morning for my parents and two of their friends, and it took pretty much that whole time to get all 4 tickets, because I was constantly refreshing trying to get the pages to load. (For me, clicking "refresh" at the top of Firefox just seems to reload the offline page, so I use the cloudfare button.)

      My dad was also trying on his computer, and when he was able to load the ticket page during that time period, for some reason it never showed Big Bang Theory for him in the drop down list. We thought they were sold out because he didn't see it listed, but then I'd get the page to finally refresh again, and they'd still be there. But oddly it DID update and show him the standby tickets, when those eventually went up.

      So if you were loading the ticket page within that time period, and never saw them available to select, then it looks like there's a problem with the website, and maybe certain browsers?

      Delete
    3. Thanks, Sarah and Roxanne! I hope I get some tickets next time. In your experience, about how many standbys usually make it into the taping??

      Delete
    4. Honestly, it can vary a lot. And I'm not even sure what's "typical," seeing as when I was in standby, I was usually near the very front of the line. So I'd go over with the first group, and never know for sure how many behind me actually made it in.

      It probably ranges from 15 on the lower side to 30 and more.

      Delete
    5. When you say 8:15am do you mean Pacific Time? I'm trying to get a frame of reference. I live in the Central Time Zone and will be trying to get 2 tickets to a show soon. Thanks.

      Delete
  46. I was able to score 2 tickets for the 10/9 show. Can you bring food into the studio?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I brought some bananas and protein bars. No problem. You'll also get a slice of pizza and a bottle of water around 8pm.

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    2. So long as it's something simple to eat, not messy, you're fine. A security guard once laughed at my bag full of chips and candy and I don't know what else, but I've never had problem bring snack food in. I actually recommend bringing something, since it can be a long night.

      Just avoid eating while they're actually filming, especially if it's something that crunches.

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  47. I hope you don't take this in the wrong way, but I am starting to think you should remove the post (or at least the times). While it was extremely nice and generous of you to post such detailed info, now the situation is pretty bad with the site. Every time they post tickets it's so overwhelmed with traffic it won't open at all (!). I tried over the weeks and I noticed it's getting busier and busier to a point it will be offline all the time. I am starting to think that even going at 1.30 with the stand-by tickets won't be enough as so many people read this already. As I said, it's just my 2 cents. Thanks :)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I know the site crashing has gotten even worse this season, but even back when I started getting tickets in season 3, the site would slow down during ticket releases. And it progressively got worse through S4, as well as S5, long before I posted this info here. With the show's continued growth in popularity, it just makes sense that it becomes harder to get tickets.

      So I understand your concern, but I doubt that taking the times down from here would make much, if any, of a difference.

      Delete
    2. I think you are right. It's less worse than I thought. It might just take more time. Thanks for your answer and for the blog :)

      Delete
  48. I'll disagree with the above. I just got two tickets to the 10/23 taping - and there's no way I would have scored them without the info here. And I'm coming in from way out of town so it was the only chance I'll ever have to see the show. Thanks so much for the info, Roxanne!!

    ReplyDelete
  49. So I'm VERY confused about the tickets I got this morning. It does not say STANDBY after the show name, but one of the bullet points says "THIS TICKET DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMISSION. Free TV studio audiences tickets may be distributed blah blah blah". Also, on the bottom, it says in bold again, "THIS TICKET DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMISSION, show dates/time subject to change". But I can't find anywhere where it says 'standby'. What gives??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ALL tickets say the "this ticket does not guarantee admission" bit, since they're basically reserving the right to refuse someone, plus if you show up too late with a guaranteed ticket (after 5:30) you'll be put at the end of the standby line, and probably won't get in. So long as it doesn't say "STANDBY," it's a guaranteed ticket.

      Delete
    2. Roxanne...I love you.

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  50. Thank you so much Roxanne!

    I'll be in the US for a couple of weeks in october (travelling from France) and I got a ticket today for the 23.10 tapping, thanks to your advice! It was my first (and last) time trying :)

    It's a standby ticket though, so I'll be there extra early, in the morning. I won't travel 10,000km to get rejected because I show up too late ^^

    I don't know if you got tickets for that tapping, but if you did, I'll bring you a present from Paris, hahaha :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Morgan and Anonymous! Which browser did you use? were you getting the tickets from Australia? I'm really concerned about the traffic on the website. I tried on monday 24th but I couldn't reach the form page!!

      Thanks a lot for your answer

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    2. Unfortunately I won't be at that taping. Best of luck getting in, though, have fun!

      Delete
    3. Hi Anonymous,
      I was using Firefox, from Paris.
      I loaded the website around 7am (with the time difference, it was 4pm for me) and refreshed it from times to times. It went offline around 8am, I guess, and then kept getting online and offline.

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  51. Thanks Roxanne!!
    Travelling over from Australia with my father, and managed to score 2 guaranteed tickets to the 23/10 taping! We love the show, so glad we will have the chance (probably only chance) to see it together. Youre advice was so helpful. Did anyone else find that these tickets were released quite late? I was up from 1am (8am LA time) and didnt get them til after 2.20am (9.20 LA). A lot of refreshing as the page continually said 'site offline' until magically the ticket order page came up on one of my 4 open browsers! And even then after filling in the ticket info and submitting the page would time out and i had to keep resubmitting. Very difficult process! But glad i persisted!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Morgan and Anonymous! Which browser did you use? were you getting the tickets from France/Australia? I'm really concerned about the traffic on the website. I tried on monday 24th but I couldn't reach the form page!!

      Thanks a lot for your answer

      Delete
    2. Hi Anonymous, sorry for late answer, have had some internet trouble and havent looked back at this page for awhile. I got the tickets from my laptop in Australia, i had both Internet Explorer and Google Chrome browers open, but its really just a gamble which one works. Google Chrome was the one that loaded quicker when i had a practice run checking out the tickets a few months ago, but when it came to getting them for the taping date i wanted it was Internet Explorer that worked. I think unfortunately a mix of persistance and luck is required to get tickets - i was refreshing about 4 pages every minute for 1.5hrs before i got mine.

      Delete
  52. Hi Roxanne,
    Thank you very much for the tips, they were very helpful! We managed to get 2 guaranteed tickets to the Oct 30 show! It was hard work though, I couldn't get the form loading at all from 8AM to around 8:50AM and the whole process took at least an hour and a half. For most of the time I thought it's never going to happen, but eventually I got through... :)
    Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Thank you so much for all your helpful information! My husband and I both really enjoy the show (one of the only shows we can actually agree to watch together) and we wanted to go for our 14th anniversary trip. My mom and I both had to work together to get the tickets (her on her computer and me on mine) and it took two hours of refreshing and filling in forms over and over again because of error messages and being kicked out, but we did it! We will be going to the October 23rd taping because of you. THANK YOU!!!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Hi Roxanne,
    Our group has stand by tickets for next week. My friend is flying in from the SF, so we want to get there early to make sure we get in.
    I'm a little concerned about the waiting situation though, I'm currently very pregnant and don't know if I can last 5-6 hours waiting outside in the sun on vending machine food. Do you know if once you check in, it will guarantee your spot in line? Can you leave and come back? Thanks!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They don't start the actual check-in process until about 4:30 - until then, no one is numbered in any way, or has saved spots in the line.

      If you get there really early, there are five or so benches in the shade that you should be able to sit on. However, you're still stuck outside, with nothing but vending machines. I don't know how large your group is, but if you have a person or two show up early to stay in the line, you should be able to join them in line a little later without a problem, so you won't have to wait the full time.

      Delete
    2. Thanks Roxanne!

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  55. Roxanne, do you know what happens if we sign up for two days back to back? I have the intention of going to the 11/20 taping but I have school on the 22nd of October so I might not be able to sign up for that day. This upcoming Monday, however, I can for the 11/13 taping session. I intend to sign up for the 11/13 and again for the 11/20 to at least get to go once. Do you think I can sign up for both days, cancel the 11/13 taping once I get the 11/20 and won't get in trouble with the studio ( I only want to go on the 11/20)? Sorry for the long winded message

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, you won't have any problems with signing up for tickets to two tapings in a row.

      Delete
  56. ROxanne, were there tickets this morning? I waited a whole day but did not see anything. I hope it's not until next week...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There were no tickets this morning, as there's no taping a month from now on November 6th.

      Delete
  57. Does anyone know how strict they are about having a cell-phone/camera on you? I don't plan on taking any pics during the taping or anything, but it would be cool to get a couple of pics right outside the studio or next to any big bang theory signage before (i know, cheesy, but whatever). Is it really necessary to leave everything in you car? Do they physically search you or anything?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When you enter the sound stage, you have to go through a metal detector, plus a security guard does a thorough search of all purses and bags (checking all pockets). It's not impossible to sneak one in, but it's not easy either.

      Most of what you might actually want to take picture of is in the area where you wait before entering the studio - the giant poster on the street, the sign that marks the start of the line. The only Big Bang Theory thing once you enter the studio that some people take pictures of is the plaque outside the sound stage that lists what has been filmed there (like this - http://www.thestudiotour.com/warnerbros/stageplaques/stage25.jpg).

      Delete
    2. Thanks so much Roxanne! I'm so excited to go to the taping in a couple weeks. And because of your help!

      I know I'm being really anal/crazy about this, but does that mean if we wanted to get pics of the things you mentioned, we'd have to go there, take pics, then go back to drop off our phones in our car, then get back in line?

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    3. You're welcome! And basically yes. A lot of people hold on to their cell phones while they're waiting, then after getting checked in there's time to drop it back off at your car before heading over to the studio.

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  58. Great article! Lots of helpful information! Do you know if they're really strict about the names of guests? I know I could find friends to bring with me, but there's no way for me to be able to know who could go for sure until closer to the actual taping. If I put down names of people that I think will be able to go, and then other people end up taking their spot, will they still let them in? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't guarantee that they haven't gotten stricter on it recently, but in the past it was never a big deal - I've brought friends whose names didn't match the ticket, and it was fine. But to be safe, you can also email Audiences Unlimited up until the day before the taping and ask them to change a name to whoever will be coming.

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    2. Great, thanks so much! :)

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  59. Hi,im 14 years old,from brazil,Do I need a person who have more than 18 years old,a kind of responsible of me ? thanks for the attention.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry - no one under 18 can get in, even if you have an adult with you.

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    2. even if i sent an email for them ? why ?

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    3. Those are just the rules set by Warner Bros.

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    4. oh nevermind thanks a lot.

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  60. Did they post today's tickets yet?
    Its approaching 9am and I have been on since 7:45.
    Site is still hammered so I suspect no, but thought I would ask

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  61. I've had no luck yet either!

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  62. Why hasn't it updated yet? It's 9:41 and nothing!

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  63. I haven't seen any signs of the tickets going up either. I don't know if its just mine but i am not seeing any tickets for the shows that should be updating for 11/20 taping date that don't normally get sold out on there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are up!
      got my tickets, but i have 2 in my name on accident will i be able to change one of them to someone elses?

      Delete
    2. I am so annoyed! I missed out on them! i filled in the form and it gave me an error message!

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    3. If you email them, yes, they should change the name on one of your tickets.

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    4. Roxanne, I'm coming to LA from the UK. Major BBT fan!

      I managed to get a standby ticket. If I arrive there at 13:30, do you think I stand a good chance of getting in? Is it worth it to wait that long?

      Also, do you physically have to wait in the line for 5 hours? Can you use the bathroom and leave the queue at all?

      Many thanks for your help!

      Delete
    5. By 13:30, you mean 1:30 in the afternoon? Last season I would arrive by 1 - 1:30 with standby, and had no trouble getting in. But this season I've heard people have been getting there even earlier, so especially since you're coming from the UK, I'd get there earlier if possible. If you're a major fan, I'd say the wait is definitely worth it.

      And there are bathrooms and vending machines nearby that you can use - you can just ask whoever's next to you in line to save your spot.

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    6. Yes 1:30 in the afternoon. What have you done in the past to entertain yourself for that long? Thanks for your help!

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    7. Usually I brought a book to read. I also made some great friends by just talking to other people in line - you know you've already got one thing in common!

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  64. I got an email from Audience Limited indicating that the parking and check-in for shows is going to change to Gate 8 after 10/29. Has anyone ever been there? Is it similar to Gate 3, which has a few benches, restrooms and vending machines? Thanks.

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    Replies
    1. I've checked in at Gate 8 once. It had lots of benches, and I'm pretty sure there were vending machines on the first floor as well. As for restrooms, there was a single person restroom near the benches, but we were told it was for staff only, and had to walk to portable bathrooms at the other end of the parking structure. Not ideal, but better than nothing.

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    2. Thank you, Roxanne. Is this area much farther away from the studios than gate 3? It seems so. Not worried about the walking distance itself but I will be by myself when I go and I am concerned about safety when I go back to the garage.

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    3. The walk is just slightly longer, but you'll still be surrounded by a couple hundred fellow audience members along the way.

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  65. So today is the day! I have two guaranteed tickets for today and can't wait to go there! Just to be sure, what time should I show up? Is 5.30 really early enough? My bf will have to leave work earlier, so I just wanna be sure we're there on time... Thanks for everything Roxanne!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 5:30 is the cut off point. If you make it by then, you'll get in, but any later and you'll be placed at the end of the standby line. So I'd aim for a little earlier if you can to play it safe.

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  66. I made it into yesterday's tapping :) thanks again Roxanne! A lot of people I met there managed to get tickets thanks to your website :)
    I got there at 10am and was first in line. We were 8 at 11am. . By 1pm, there were 22 people... And 29 (stand by) made it into the studio.
    The tapping was great, it's way funnier to see it live than on TV. And we got to see the recording of a very special moment in the Leonard/Penny relationship :)
    Johnny and Kayle came to the audience to thank us, which was really nice ; and at the end the entire cast (including Amy and Bernadette, who weren't in the episode) and crew did a flashmob!
    It was such a great moment :) (and I had fun singing in French in front of the audience)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you made it in - thanks for sharing the details! Sounds like people are definitely lining up a lot earlier this year than they have in the past.

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  67. hi,
    i was just wondering if there was any chance AT ALL to get in if your under 18? you said they make exceptions for VIP'S so what classifies you as a VIP?? im not 18 yet (nearly) so i wanted to know if i'd still be able to get it because i'm a huge BBT fan and i'd love to go. thanks :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VIPs are guests of production. Unless you have some connection to the show, or win a contest, you'll probably have to wait until you're 18.

      Delete
  68. Hiya! This has been a fun read! Just curious...if you are able to get tickets from an update are they to be printed from your browser immediately or do you receive an email to print them off? Just plotting which computer/iPad to use when looking at the site.

    Thanks for your time and diligence!
    J

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You don't get any sort of email. That said, if you don't print your ticket, it's not the end of the world - they can still check you in without it by matching the name on your ID to their ticket list. But to make things easier, or if you easily worry, plan to print or save a copy of the ticket in some way.

      Delete
  69. Well, I have a standby ticket for next weeks taping. Just wondering if it is logistically possible for one person alone to do the standby thing. I know I will need to get there very early which is not a problem. However, I do know I will have to move my car at some point & will need to use the restroom occasionally. Since I will have no one with me to save my place in line, will I be able to count on the kindness of strangers to help me out?

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Like Morgan has said, it's easily possible. The majority of the time I went on standby I was there by myself, and never had a problem with asking whoever was next to me in line to hold my spot while I moved my car, or whatever.

      Delete
  70. @ Joel: Yes, it's possible; I went there alone, but started to talk (and play cards) to the other people in the line. If one of us had to go somewhere, we'd just say "be right back!".

    @Anonymous: you don't get any confirmation email. If you can't print the ticket right away, just do a screenshot and save it for later ;)

    ReplyDelete
  71. i was just wondering what classifies you as a vip?? and if you get vip tickets...can u get in under the age of 18?? thanks :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VIPs are basically guests of production - you know someone who works on the show, or you know someone who knows someone... They're not tickets that just anyone in the public can get. But yes, VIPs don't have an age requirement.

      Delete
  72. I am VERY happy I stumbled across your site (thank you Google!). I am dying to see a BBT taping (it is a bucket list item) and I thank you for all of the helpful information.

    It sounds like a single person would have better luck getting a "guaranteed" ticket. If I tried to get 2 tickets it sounds like I would get one guaranteed and one standby. Has anyone had any luck getting multiple guaranteed tickets? I would be coming from halfway across the US so I would hate to get all the way out there and not get in so guaranteed is the preferred tickets to have. Hopefully I can have good luck one tickets are released for spring tapings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jim

      That's incorrect. To register tickets on tvtickets.com they require each individual that would like to attend the taping. IE On the request for the number of tickets, you may only select one.

      Most people that fall into the situation of getting a guaranteed ticket and standby ticket is because the first ticket request was guaranteed, and by the time they filled out the second ticket request the guaranteed tickets were sold out placing them on the stand by list

      Delete
    2. Yeah--that is exactly what I meant (and what I think I said). I said a single person could get a guaranteed ticket, but if I needed more than 1 ticket I would need to fill out the form again and would probably end up with a standby for the second. Having a guaranteed ticket really wouldn't be much good if it you had a standby and you wanted to sit together.

      I guess the only way to try and get 2 guaranteed tickets would be for both people to log into the site on separate computers when they release tickets.

      Delete
    3. It is possible for one person to get multiple guaranteed tickets - earlier this season I got four guaranteed tickets by myself, and on another week a friend got four as well. It takes a lot of patience and refreshing, and a good bit of luck, but can be done.

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  73. Roxanne, thank you for such a wonderful post! I've got a question that might be a little strange - does it matter if I'm not a US citizen? I believe it's ok since they even ask for your country in the order form, but still. Have you ever met someone there who wasn't from the US?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lots of people! The guy who talks to and entertains the audience even usually has a section where he pulls up all the people who came from outside of the country, and there are always a ton. All you need to do is make sure you still have some form of ID on you for security to check against the name on your ticket.

      Delete
    2. That's great! Hope I'll be there in April :) Thanks again!

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  74. I know the tickets are only available 30 days before taping, and that it is right around 8-8:30am PST that I want to login 30 days from the taping date to try to reserve tickets... my question is, is it 30 calendar days or the same date for the month prior?

    In other words, the date that I want to visit in January 8th, but because December has 31 days, do I login for tickets on December 8th or December 7th to try to reserve my ticket? Thanks.

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    1. 30 calendar days, but remember the site doesn't update on weekends.

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  75. Cool thanks, so for January 8th taping, I would need to login on Monday December 10th around 8am (PST... 11am in my time zone, EST), if I have my math right.

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  76. I was able to get one regular ticket and one standby ticket. Unfortunately, these tickets are a gift for my parents. Will I be able to try again next week for two regular tickets, even though I've already got one regular and one standby for the prior week's taping?

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    1. I am in the same situation except the 1/13 is the only date my parents can make it (visiting from UK). I am pretty sure from reading above you will be able to try again next week for two regular tickets. Maybe we can help each other out and get both sets of parents into a live screening!

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    2. Helen, I would love to try to do that! Were you able to get tickets for the 1/8/13 showing? I'll be trying again next week for two more priority tickets, but maybe if we both try one of us will have better luck with the website?

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    3. Yup sorry 1/8/13. Let's discuss via email. You can email me helenkwhiteatgmail.com

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    4. Just emailed you!

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  77. Tried getting 1/8 tickets today, and although I only needed one, I was only able to get Standby Only :( Unfortunately I live in Maine, so 1/8 is the only day I can attend. I tied for 45 minutes straight and their website was so bogged down, I couldn't get the pages to load. I got close on one refresh and actually seen the 1/8 big bang taping in the list, but once I completed the form and hit submit of course it couldn't load the site and errorred out. Grrrrrr......

    At least I got a standby ticket (those too were gone very quickly), so I guess I'll just plan on waiting in line for 4 or 5 hours, as this is a MUST do for me, living 4,000 miles away, it will be my only chance.

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  78. Hello Roxanne, I just got a stand-by ticket for tomorrow and I'm planning to get there super early because this is my last chance to see the show... But I'm also having finals and I can't afford to take the whole afternoon off. So I was wondering: do you think I'm allowed to bring a big book to study while I wait? Otherwise, what do you usually do while waiting? 4 hours is a long time to wait...! Thanks!

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