Have a Little Fun with an Ellen Show Taping
- Jan 1, 2019
- 4 min read
Tickets to a taping of "Ellen" are probably the most coveted in town. It's nearly impossible to get them, but sometimes you get lucky with a phone call or email from one of Ellen's staff members. But, remember, like all show tapings...This is FREE.
My mom and I have been able to go a few times and have had a blast - each experience is different.
The first time, we were picked for the Riff Raff Room, the overflow room, because my mom wrote in since I'm a huge Taylor Swift fan and it was her album release party episode. We hung out in the Riff Raff Room, watching the show on monitors. When Taylor sang "Back to December," they let us sit on the steps of the main stage to watch her perform. She came over to shake some hands and signed a few autographs, so we were able to get a little closer to her.
The next time, my aunt was actually the one who got the tickets and wasn't able to go, so she gave them to us. It was her Thanksgiving show! Eric Stonestreet and Bon Jovi were the guests. Bon Jovi did an extra song and we were sent home with his greatest hits CD and Singamjigs as we exited the studio doors.
The last time we went in 2015 was with my aunt and best friend, which was the most fun! Will Smith was the guest that day. During the commercial break, Will ran up through the audience - since I was sitting in an aisle seat, I was able to shake his hand as he ran past. That was also an example of a time when they recorded a special segment for another episode, which was from the red carpet at the CMA Awards, interviewing the artists before they walked into the award show. I also had a throbbing migraine after from so much excitement. Luckily, after the show wrapped, they took us to the staff Central Perk coffee shop (usually the one where she makes Adele or Dennis Quaid do crazy things) on the lot and I was able to get some caffeine and take medicine. SUCH A FUN DAY!
Here's what you should know:
Getting In Line
You'll park in the lot directly across the street from the studio at Gate 3 and check in. Since you know you already have tickets and have confirmed your attendance, there's not much else to do. I believe you just need to be there before 2 p.m. Usually, we've had time to eat lunch before and head over with a few minutes to spare.
Since Ellen is all about the social media (and everyone else is these days, too), feel free to start posting pictures that you're waiting for the show! It helps you kill time while you wait.
Once you get there, you can check in at the podium in the garage waiting area and eventually they give you a card, which helps them line you up in groups later on when they walk you across the street. Sometimes they'll walk around and ask who the biggest Ellen fan is in your party or have you fill out a questionnaire for a game or contest on the show. It isn't mandatory to fill out, but a great opportunity if you're willing to make a fool of yourself on national TV. Generally, you go over to the studio about an hour before (3 -3:30 ish), so you have plenty of time to settle into the audience.
Riff Raff Room
The Riff Raff Room is another large waiting room inside the studio pictured above, which is where Ellen films. You walk past a hallway of photos with memories from the show of Ellen and some of her guests over the years. Once in the room, you can have a seat and purchase merchandise. I LOVE her sweatshirts - they are the coziest and softest sweatshirts I've ever owned. She has just about everything you can imagine: journals, pens, books, clothes and even underwear.
You can also get a photo with the famous Oscar selfie a few years ago.
Hype Up/Dance Party
While you wait for the show to start, some of the most fun, upbeat songs are playing through the speakers. This is the "Ellen" show, so you're encouraged to get on your feet, dance and have fun. There's also a "hype guy" who keeps things going with fun facts and gives away prizes. You just might end up on one of Ellen's dancing segments later on.
The waiting can be kind of grueling at these kinds of things, but it helps when they keep the environment lively and entertaining. Plus, before the show, you're so excited to see Ellen that you kind of forget how long it's taking anyway.
Taping
The thing about Ellen is that she tapes straight through, unlike sitcoms, so it's exactly like you'd see it on TV, unless they need to do a special recording, like I mentioned earlier. Sometimes artists might also sing an extra song for YouTube or content you can find on Ellen's website.
I wish I had more advice on how to get tickets, but it's just a luck of the draw. Don't give up. Keep checking the calendar for available dates and know that you might not (probably won't) get the tickets requested. When they do call or email, don't pass them up, because who knows when you'll get that opportunity again! You can also take advantage of the special section of her website to write in if you're a fan of a certain TV show or artist so when they visit the show, you might just be a lucky fan that gets called for the audience, Riff Raff Room or another surprise segment.
Central Perk
Last time we went to a taping, they took us through the front lot to the Central Perk coffee shop/studio store, but I don't know if they do this every time, as it is the Central Perk for employees on the lot.
Regardless of who you see on the show or what you go home with (if anything), it's a fun experience. If you have a chance to sign up for tickets, absolutely do it. If that isn't in the cards, you can always take a tour of Warner Brothers' Studio to see the soundstage where Ellen films.
That's all for now,
Shelby
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