Schedule:
The Late Show with David Letterman tapes Monday-Thursday at 5:30pm and Fridays at 4:30pm (with an occasional additional Thursday taping at 7:30pm) at the Ed Sullivan Theater - 1697 Broadway between 53rd and 54th streets in New York City.
Standby Tickets:
Getting to see Letterman taped without having to wait upwards of a year is a luxury, and we can tell you how to do it. Our premium ticket guide will give you access to all the latest information including phone numbers, methods and real-life tales as to how to get tickets when you want them, not just when they want you.
Click Here For Access to the Ticket Guide
Age Requirements:
You must be 18 years old to attend, its an insurance liability thing.
ID’s are checked at the door - You must have a government issued ID, they dont like fake ID's
Group Policy:
The Late Show no longer offers group tickets to anyone other than to the star/performers entourage.
Getting In:
Holding a Letterman ticket is not always a guarantee you’re getting in. To ensure that you get a seat, it is advisable that you get to the theater at the time you are instructed. If you are coming with a guest, he or she must be the person who the show has on record you are bringing with you, as they will not allow you an alternate. (We tested the waters with that rule and failed… so it’s for real) If you are holding a ticket or are on a list ahead of time for a show that is taped Monday-Thursday, you should get to the studio no later than 4:00pm to either check in or pick up your tickets. For the Friday show, you should get to the studio no later than 3:00. You will be stuck with some time to wait around, but it’s not worth the risk of forfeiting your tickets if you really want to go. The show intentionally has standby’s waiting to take your spot so don’t mess with the clock if you value your ticket. If you are holding a real ticket, but are late, they stick you on the standby line which means you really may not get in to see the show. There are ample places within a block or two radius to get a drink or a snack so you won’t go hungry. Smokers, don’t panic, they make you wait outside.
Mail-In Tickets:
The Late Show no longer accepts written requests for Letterman tickets. If you sent a postcard ages ago and wondered why you never got tickets, now you know why.
Studio Location:
Ed Sullivan Theatre
1697 Broadway
Between West 53rd and West 54th Streets
New York NY 10019
On-Line Tickets:
The Letterman show now has an on-line form for requesting tickets in advance. Fill in the form with your name, email address and phone number and up to three choices of dates for when you would like to see the show. Representatives from the show claim that everything at Letterman is done on a lottery system so we have to assume this is done that way too. We have heard success stories of the on-line form producing tickets. Beware though; you will be called back by a ticket co-ordinator who will ask you a trivia question about the show, so get busy checking out the website and learn the name of Dave’s band leader, heart surgeon, his child and the executive producer if you plan on going the on-line route. Other Letterman ticket trivia questions often include things like "Name 3 stupid pet tricks that you have seen"
Transmission:
The show is usually broadcast the night it is taped in the US. If you attend the haphazard evening taping at 7:30 it is generally for the following night’s show.
Travel Plans:
Want to make it to the show on time? Here’s the latest local transit information.
http://www.nysubway.com
