One of the perks of living near LA is the opportunity to go to live tapings for various TV shows. The tickets are always free — you just have to find your way to the studio and pay for parking.
Recently, some friends and I attended the live taping of “America’s Got Talent” (AGT). While I enjoyed the experience, there are a few ways in which I could have been better prepared. If you’re interested in attending a taping, here’s everything you need to know beforehand to ensure you have the best time possible.
First, you need to brace yourself for a long day — especially if your ticket check-in says 2:30 pm — because taping doesn’t start until 5:00 pm. My friends and I arrived right at 2:30, and the line for check-in was already wrapped around the building. We were closer to the end of the line, and it took about 30 minutes to get through and receive our physical ticket.
Along with receiving your physical ticket in line — which tells you where you’ll be sitting — workers also check for either a COVID-19 vaccine or a negative test. After you’re through the line, you’ll have an hour to wait until the security line opens. Being unaware we’d have an hour of freedom, my friends and I came unprepared — but that doesn’t mean you have to!
Use this hour to hydrate, eat a snack, use the bathroom and take a light rest. You can also take some pictures in front of the auditorium! My friends and I decided to wait for 45 minutes before stepping into the security line at 3:45 pm.
At 4:00 pm, security starts letting guests through. This is where your bag will be checked, and this is also where I was forced to throw away my pepper spray. Had I known it wasn’t allowed, I wouldn’t have brought it (or simply put it in a pocket where it wouldn’t have been visible), but alas, it was destined for the trash. Moral of the story — if you end up attending a live taping, be sure to leave your pepper spray at home.
Once you’re inside and settled in your seat, you’ll likely feel exhausted (at least I did). After waiting in lines, standing in the sun and going without much water for a couple hours, you might feel ready to leave before the taping has even started.
This is why I recommend eating a big meal beforehand, packing snacks to eat before you get inside and hydrating like crazy. Bring a water bottle with you for the car ride over and a few disposable ones that you’ll be able to throw away when you’re finished at security. Feel free to take a few swigs from the water fountain once you’re inside the auditorium as well. (Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to use the bathroom.)
When 5:00 pm finally comes, the audience is led through a series of recordings — think applause, standing ovations and cheering. This is the main reason I recommend drinking a ton of water. My throat felt raw after all the screaming and cheering, I had a small headache from dehydration and I felt ready to go to bed when we finally finished.
But, despite all the tiredness and waiting, when the show taping finally began, I had a ton of fun. Seeing the judges come out and watching the acts was well worth the wait. Beforehand, the audience was told that we are the “fifth judge,” and I took this role seriously. I cheered, booed, clapped, jumped and laughed the night away.
Going to AGT’s live taping is something I genuinely enjoyed, but it’s definitely a “one and done” experience. If you’re considering attending an AGT taping, I recommend going — but be prepared for a long, tiring day. Eat well beforehand, hydrate like you never have before and come ready to hoot and holler all night long.
The Beat @APU 