Earlier this week I went to a taping of The Ellen DeGeneres Show for a second time. Well, technically it was my third time to go to the show. My first time I watched the show from the riff raft room, so I don’t really count that. For this taping, a friend who had guaranteed tickets invited me to go along. The last time I went to her show was in 2012 and I have new things to share!
How To Attend a Taping of The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Do you want to attend a taping of The Ellen DeGeneres Show? You will need to visit the website for the show. Tickets are available out for a week at a time. Sometimes even two weeks at a time. You will need to fill out the form but please note that filling out the ticket request form does not mean you will be going to the show. If they have space a member of Ellen’s team will contact you and offer you tickets. The tickets will either by standby or guaranteed. If you do not hear from them more than a week before your requested date you will want to start the process over again. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get tickets right away. It is a popular show and a lot of people want tickets.
You can request tickets to her show here: http://www.ellentv.com/tickets/
What To Know Before Going to a Taping
If you get tickets to the show you will receive a confirmation letter in the mail with parking details. Don’t worry you don’t have to pay for parking. Check in is on the bottom level of the parking garage. They sell snacks and water though there are places within walking distance if you want something more. However, if you leave the line make sure a member of your party stays to hold your place. They have benches for you to sit on as well as restrooms to make your waiting more comfortable. When we checked in my friend suggested we grab the surveys. Before this visit I did not know about the surveys. On occasion Ellen calls an audience member down to play a game or interview them. For a chance for that person to be you be sure to ask for & fill out a survey.
If you attend a taping of her show I would really encourage you to bring a pen. You will need a pen if you want to fill out a survey. If you win a prize that they have to send in the mail having a pen to write your address comes in handy. There were two surveys to fill out. One survey has a list of songs they might play during commercial breaks. They want to know what songs you will dance to. The other survey asked questions like how long have you been a fan of the show? How has the show changed your life? Do you know someone who deserves to win a car?
In addition to having a pen you will also want to make sure that you have your photo id with you, because security will need to see it. Once you check in you will get a card with a number on it. They ask you to you will line up according to your number. You will then head across the street to her soundstage.
Once inside you will go through security and don’t worry you can bring your phones in just don’t take them out once you are in the studio audience. You will walk through the Ellen shop on your way to the seats. I know it is tempting to buy something when you go through the shop but wait until after the show when you have more time.
While I was walking through her shop, which also serves as the riff raft room, I saw that all the tv screens had #ImAtEllen on the screen. There is also a picture of Ellen’s famous selfie that she took at the Oscars. Since you can’t take pictures inside the studio audience the riff raff room is a good place to take the pictures.
What the Taping Experience is Like:
When you attend a taping of The Ellen DeGeneres Show you will have a lot of fun. The warm up guy will have you dancing and singing to get you ready for the show. Once the show started Ellen came out to do her monologue. After Ellen’s monologue a man brought out a martini and sat it down in front of the chair that the guests sit in. When the commercial break was over we were surprised with Daniel Craig as her first guest. Once I saw that 007 was her guest I understood why they brought out the martini.
I really like Daniel Craig so I was ecstatic that he came on the show. It was his first time on the show. Ellen showed a clip of Daniel meeting the little boy who is a James Bond expert. This little boy has previously been on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and got to meet Daniel at the Spectre premiere. Daniel told Ellen that he thought she would make an excellent choice for the next 007 and gave her the watch that he wears in the movie.
On a commercial break a table with PCs was brought out. I saw the computers and wondering if those were going to be given away. An audience member was called down and told if she completed an obstacle course in under 45 seconds she would win a $1,000 Best Buy gift card. Not only did she get her gift card the rest of us were given a $150 Best Buy gift card. Eric Stonestreet from Modern Family was the next guest and Ellen promised that she would no longer scare him.
The episodes are taped a day in advance so even though I went to the show on Monday the taping was for Tuesday’s episode. We were told that they had finished filming Tuesday’s episode but needed to tape a performance and interview with Coldplay that would air on the December 4th episode. They had Ellen change outfits and Coldplay sang the single from their new album. Chris Martin and one of the other band members sat down with Ellen for an interview. Then they performed a second song and we found out that their album will be released on December 4th which is the same date that segment will air. Once they finished taping Ellen asked Coldplay if they would sing another song for us. Getting to hear one Coldplay song live is great but three songs? Who wouldn’t love a mini Coldplay concert?
When Coldplay had finished performing we filled out a form with our mailing address so that they can send us the cd. Then we left and when we walked through the Ellen Shop I saw Ari who Ellen does segments with on her show sometimes. He is really nice and very happy to take pictures with people while ringing up their purchases. There are a lot of options of keepsakes to purchase to remember your time at her show. I chose to leave to get to the premiere so I didn’t stay for pictures and shopping. If you have time I would encourage you to make the most of it.
My first time to the show I was in the riff raff room. Little did I know that by being in the riff raff room I would win tickets to the 12 Days of Giveaways show. To read about that experience click here: Ellen’s 12 Days of Giveaways
Oh fun. I have never seen her show, but it must be cool to see a show being taped.
It would be awesome to see Ellen live! She’s such a great host and I love her show. It must have been one of the best experiences ever.
What fun! I wish I lived near her show to attend.
Ellen is so fun! I’m sure this is a blast!
This would be fun! i wish i can see ellen in live.
Oh my goodness. So much fun. I’ve always wanted to attend an Ellen taping! She is my favorite, but I’m so far away I doubt I’ll ever make it there!
sounds like you had a great time – I don’t really watch this show – but she is very funny.
Wow! What a grand experience – and great tips for when, if we ever go to the The Ellen DeGeneres Show – plus you saw Coldplay live and got a cd
When’s your next time to go there!?
How do you get to see so many celebrity events it is so exciting I wish I had opportunities like that where I live.
This is my favorite talk show, it’s my dream come true to be a audience in her show.
I love Ellen and wish to meet her or going to see her show! That would be cool
Another great and fun show for you! I envy you. LOL. Just kidding.
I’ve never been to something like this before, but I bet it would be a lot of fun.
That sounds so fun. I always watch her show on TV. I bet it’s super fun to be there in the studio.
That is so awesome that you got to see Coldplay and Ellen! I saw them in concert years ago, and it was amazing.
Wow this must have been a really great experience! I’ve never seen a show live.
Wow! You are so lucky! I’d love to be able to be at a live taping!
The play by play was so interesting! I’ve always wondered how it would go if you went to a taping. It sounds like a blast!
OMG now this would be such a blast!!! I would love to go see Ellen live!!!
Oh cool…always wondered how these things work…not sure I would want to go there though…LOL
I wish I can see… This would be great fun!!!
Awww! You”re one lucky girl. I LOVE Ellen she’s funny and has a heart of gold.
That is so cool! Thanks for sharing your experience, I would love to go out west sometimes and see her!
I have watched Ellen since her show started. She is a very lovely, giving and caring person. If a person were down in the dumps, just watching Ellen’s show would surely pick them up!! Her upbeat way is very special. I would be so very proud to get a chance to see her show. I am having issues remembering things but her show could not be forgotten!