Forget Watching TV on TV; See Conan for Free, in the Flesh

If you're one of the 1.5 million people who tune in to The Daily Show With Jon Stewart on a regular basis-and since you've decided to attend Columbia, you probably are-you know that it's taped at "Comedy Central's world news headquarters in New York." These world news headquarters, as well as the studios of plenty of other TV shows, are within subway-riding distance of your new home in Morningside Heights. And with a little luck, and a little effort, you can get yourself a seat in the audience, just a few feet from your favorite TV star. The best part? Unlike most other entertainment options in New York, these tickets will be entirely free.

Generally, you can request tickets via e-mail. To snag tickets to the Daily Show, for example, send an e-mail containing your name, cell phone number, and three dates of interest to requesttickets@thedailyshow.com. If you do get tickets, arrive at the studio early. First in line means front row, so bring some Lit Hum reading and make the best of the wait.

You can also request Saturday Night Live tickets via e-mail, though they are notoriously hard to get. Send your contact information to snltickets@nbcuni.com, which will enter you in a lottery. But if you're hoping to score a seat in the SNL studio sometime this year, send this e-mail as soon as you're done with today's NSOP events-the last day of August is also your last chance to send a ticket request for the 2006-2007 season.
You'll need more than just luck to get tickets to see The Late Show With David Letterman. First, you'll submit a request online through the Late Show's Web site. If you're one of the fortunate people who receive a phone call, you'll be asked a trivia question about the show. A correct answer will score you two tickets-an incorrect answer will score you a six-month wait before you can submit your name again. At least that should leave you plenty of time to brush up on your Letterman knowledge.

For tickets to Late Night With Conan O'Brien, you'll actually have to pick up your phone and dial (212) 664-3056. As with Letterman, you can only request tickets once every six months, but if you don't get them the first time around, there are other options.

Most TV shows, including Late Night, allow you to request any tickets that have become available through cancellations, either by calling or simply showing up at the studios early on the day of the taping.

Being in New York, you have an inherent advantage over most ticket seekers-time is on your side. If you're persistent, you'll get tickets eventually. And if you're unlucky the first time around, consider stopping by a TV taping that doesn't require a ticket-The Today Show. Sure, it might not sound as exciting as a front-row view of Jon Stewart or Conan O'Brien, but don't forget about Today's outdoor concert series. Take a trip down to Rockefeller Center on Sept. 1 to see Jessica Simpson sing her heart out or on Sept. 15 to watch the Black Eyed Peas and Fergie. You'll get to experience a TV taping and a free concert rolled into one-assuming you can drag yourself out of bed that early on a Friday morning.