My experience at The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon
My dream to see The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon finally came true!!! My Bucket list item #13 can finally be crossed off. I absolutely love Jimmy Fallon, so this experience was completely a dream come true!! I’m so excited to share all the details about this experience with you!
Getting Tickets
Ever since I moved to the NYC area 3.5 years ago, I’ve desperately tried to get tickets to see this show but I failed at every attempt. When I first moved here, the show was still Late night with Jimmy Fallon, and then he took over the Tonight Show, but the tickets still remained impossible to get. The tickets to the show are available at a certain time of the month (follow The Tonight Show on twitter for more details). They would announce the date the tickets would be available online, I would set a reminder on my phone, make sure I’m on the site at least 5 minutes before the specified time and try to get tickets. But even after refreshing the browser at the exact time specified, the tickets would be gone! They have changed the process a bit in the past year, so now you can go on and make an account. When the tickets are available, you select the date and hit request. You are put on a “Waitlist” status, and 2 weeks before the show they will notify you if you have tickets or not. Well, last month we had success, and we were notified that we had tickets!!!
Get there early
They specify in the details on your tickets that they overbook the show to assure no empty seats, so it’s important to be on time. Check in time is at 3:45pm, but they suggest you arrive 30 minutes ahead of time at 3:15. Any earlier and they will ask you to come back. So we just hung around the general lobby area until I saw a few people gathering. The funny thing is, I went around a hallway behind the waiting area to take a photo of an NBC sign and who walks out of a room and almost bumps into me? HIGGINS!! Steve Higgins!!!! I panicked and looked at the floor right away like I wasn’t supposed to make eye contact or something. When he started to walk away I took a photo of his back (I know, I’m a chicken). He was only 20 feet away from all these people waiting in line, but they were all looking the other way, so they never noticed him! At that point I realized a line had formed so we ran and got in line anxiously hoping we would get in!
No Photos
From the moment they let you up the steps to start your process to get into the Tonight Show they make it very clear, no photos or you will get kicked out. They say from the beginning, we are warning you now, if we catch you taking photos you will be asked to leave, and there are people in stand by lines waiting to get your seat, so don’t be stupid.
We’re in!
Once you go in and show your online ticket confirmation and your ID they give you a ticket for your seat and a wrist band. You go through security and then wait in a lobby area. This is your last chance to use the restroom, because once you go into the studio and you’re in your seat you can’t leave. Well you can technically leave, but they won’t let you back in. We had read online that you should wear proper attire, and you shouldn’t bring huge bags, so we tried to make sure did everything they requested to make sure we didn’t get turned away. After all this time of trying to get tickets ,I didn’t want to ruin it!
The Show
You don’t get to choose your seat, they do that for you. You would typically think you would want to sit in the front row, but the truth is there are a ton of camera’s in front of you, so I actually liked sitting towards the back as I could see everything! A guy comes out to warm up the crowd and explains how everything works while making us all laugh hysterically. Then before you know it, The Roots come out and say hi to everyone, and they start playing music. It was amazing! Then Steve Higgins comes out and greets everyone and just a few minutes later Jimmy comes out to start the show!
We made it on TV!!!!
The intro of the show starts, and Jimmy comes out and the audience goes crazy giving him a standing ovation. The camera’s show several different locations in the audience and we made it on TV!
Jimmy
Jimmy was amazing, as he is every night on his show. It was surreal to be there and see the whole thing happen in front of your eyes! During a couple commercial breaks Jimmy films shout outs to affiliate news stations . Other commercial breaks he came and up into the audience and asked if we had any questions. Some of the questions that were asked were:
Audience: “Whats your favorite thing about the show?”
Jimmy: “I love to make people laugh.” He explained how he loves to make people genuinely laugh, not the courtesy laugh. The audience then started to laugh, and he said, yea, like that.
Another audience member asked how his finger was doing (he had an accident last year that tore part of his finer off). He explained how the accident happened, and that he still goes to physical therapy every night, and hopefully in the next few months they will see if it will be back to normal.
Another audience member asked him if Jimmy liked his suit, because this audience member wore a suit so Jimmy wouldn’t feel alone. Jimmy loved it and went on to tell a funny story about when he first started working at SNL.
Jimmy was so kind, and so appreciative of everyone’s support. Just like the vibes he gives on TV!
At the end of the show he ran up into the audience and started to high five everyone. The show ends at that point, but hey, we were on TV again!
This was an absolutely amazing experience!! The show is over at about 6:15pm. You exit through an NBC gift shop where they have tons of Tonight Show merchandise. You are at Rockefeller Plaza, where Late Night with Seth Meyers is also filmed, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for famous faces. You never know who you might see!!
If you are interested in going to The Tonight Show, I suggest you follow them on Twitter to find out when the Tickets are going to be available. You can also look into stand by tickets.
This experience was amazing!!! I definitely recommend it to all you Jimmy Fallon fans!!!
i have been put on the waitlist for 4/4/16 tix……and I am so hoping I get them! I am from Indiana and my husband and I are going to NY for the week, this would make my trip complete! I was wondering when you got notified you got the tix…..I catch myself checking my email and logging into my account! I was wondering when you email was sent…a week day, weekend? time of day! sry im just so excited even though I know my chances are slim! but im still dying! thx so much for your insight!
Thanks for your comment Amber! I’m so excited for you and I hope you get those tickets! I completely understand your excitement because I was the same way!! I adore Jimmy! We got the email saying we got tickets 1 week before the show. It was a Monday at 11:25 AM. We went to the show the following Tuesday. I know it’s torture to wait, but I wouldn’t expect an email any earlier than 2 weeks before the show. Please keep me updated! Come back and comment and let me know if you are going to the show! I hope you have a fabulous time in NYC! Please let me know if you have any questions I can help you with!!
Hi! I have tickets for this coming Friday and am nervous about not getting in. What time did you arrive? I see you said they didn’t let anyone in before 3:15, but when did the line start forming? I have general tickets so I want to make sure we make it in and it doesn’t fill up! If you could let me know, that would be great! thank you!!
Hi Victoria!
Congrats on getting the tickets! That is the hardest part. You are right, they don’t let a line form before 3:15, however people were sort of hovering around the lobby area by 3. I just stood far enough away that I could see where the line should form, but not close enough for them to tell me to leave. If you are there by 3pm you should be fine! I think they might have let the line form at 3:11 or 3:12 when I went. Let me know if you have anymore questions! You are going to have a great time!! It’s a blast!!!
Thank you so much Tara!! I really appreciate your advice!
We leave in one week and it still shows we are on the waitlist. Does this mean we probably did not get tickets and they are just waiting to see if others cancel out?
Good question! I believe they let you know within 2 weeks of the show if you got tickets. I received a notification well before that 1 week mark. I can’t say for sure that you don’t have tickets, I hope you do! I know it’s agony waiting! But if you are coming from out of town and if you don’t get tickets on the wait list, you could check out the standby tickets. This is right from the Tonight Show’s website:
“If you’re not able request tickets in advance, standby tickets are available same-day for each show. Standby tickets do not guarantee admission, but when we have extra tickets or cancellations those seats are distributed to the people in standby line. For standby tickets please arrive no later than 9 a.m. on the morning of the taping. UPDATE:The line forms under the NBC marquee on 49th street. Standby tickets are numbered and given out, in order, to guests in line at 9 a.m. After receiving your numbered ticket, you will be able to leave the line and instructed to return at a specific time later that afternoon to check-in again and see if we are able to ticket you for that evening’s taping.”
Check out the Tonight Show website for more info. I really hope you get to go!!! Good luck!!
I have tickets for Wednesday! I was wondering what attire is appropriate for the show? If I am walking around the city all day, I was hoping to wear sneakers/tennis shoes.
Good question! They say dress “smart casual”, so sneakers will be fine! I wore a sweater and leggings, my husband worse jeans and sneakers, and we had no problems. The day I went, some people were dressed fancy and some people were casual in jeans and t-shirts. I never saw anyone turned away based on what they were wearing (it was winter so everyone was covered up!). I think they just don’t want anyone wearing anything offensive, or inappropriate incase you are on TV. You want to be comfortable because you will be there for a few hours, and certainly if you are walking around the city all day. I believe they say no bags with you either, so keep that in mind too, just a purse. Have a great time!!! You are going to love it!!!!
I am praying to get tickets for July when I visit New York and I wanted to ask you some questions about knowing if you are on the waitlist. When you request the tickets does a pop up message let you know that you are entered onto the waitlist? Also when you were notified that you got tickets, did you receive the tickets in your email or did you have to accept the tickets on the 1iota site? Sorry for all the questions but this will probably be the only time I will ever have the chance to be in New York and I really want these tickets more than anything!
Hi! How exciting! Yes, when you are waiting to get tickets, it will let you know if you are on the waitlist. It took me a lot of tries, and many months I tried it would say the tickets were all gone. But when it finally worked it said I was on the waitlist and it would notify me 2 weeks before the show if I got tickets. I got an email about 2 weeks before the date of the show that I had tickets and I needed to log into the 1iota site to complete my request. I hope that helps with your question! Please let me know if I can answer anything else for you! I know it’s hard to wait to find out if you got tickets! I hope it works for you! I’m so excited for you! I hope you have an amazing trip to NYC!
While you were on the WaitList, did you have an option to “Edit Guests” or “Edit Requests” on the day the waitlist opened?
Thanks!
Good question! I honestly don’t remember if you can edit guests. I do remember you can cancel your request later if you can’t go. I’m thinking that you can’t change the number of guests and that you are locked into that original decision….but I’m not 100% certain that it’s the case. Sorry I couldn’t answer your question with certainty!
Thank You for your response!!
The option seems to be appearing for some of my other reservations too! Maybe they changed something 🙂
No problem! I hope it works for you! You will love going to the show!!
I really look forward to seeing Jimmy Fallon!!
Do NOT make the MISTAKE that I made: when tickets opened, I selected a day immediately and got the “congratulations you are on the waitlist” popup message. Knowing that not everyone gets in (because they overbook AND I read that they “cast” the audience from the 1iOta profiles, I thought I would also request monologue tickets for the same day “just in case.” HUGE MISTAKE. I got put on the monlogue waitlist, which DELETED/SUPERSEDED/REPLACED my show waitlist request. Now I am only on the monologue waitlist (thanks to my stupid error) and I lost my show waitlist spot.
DON’T DO WHAT I DID. I am so upset at myself! Good luck!
Also, I was on both my phone and tablet requesting dates which is maybe why I had such good luck getting the acceptance so quickly.
I’m so sorry that happened to you! Great advice for everyone reading this though. I hope you get to see the show someday soon!
Yeah, you can’t go to the Monologue AND the Live show on the same day 🙁 Maybe you can get August tickets, now that you know how the system works! There’s a 3-4 minute window before all tickets are sold out, but even after that, some tickets will remain open
Thanks for all of your help! I am on the wait list! Yay! Now it’s just a waiting game to see if I get them! When they notify you, is it usually two weeks exactly to the day or is it a few days early or late? Just want to know when I will need to check my email constantly haha
Yay! Glad you made it to the waitlist! You have already accomplished a big hurdle just by getting on that waitlist! I don’t believe it was exactly two weeks when they notified me, maybe a little less. I would imagine a lot of people that originally go on the waitlist can’t make it, so spots open up during that two week period. I’m so excited for you! I hope you get great news!
Just to update you, I got the tickets!!!! I am so happy! Thank you for all of your help!!
Congratulation!!!! So excited for you!! Enjoy!!!!
Loved reading all about your experience, Tara! Thanks so much for sharing. We are still on the waitlist for July 28th and it was actually 2 weeks prior to our selected show date yesterday. So, we keep praying and checking our emails, etc.
Do you know if they remove you from the waitlist if you are NOT selected for available tickets? They are actually taping 2 shows the day we are going for that Thursday and Friday.
Trying not to get my hopes up too high, but I am a REALLY big Jimmy Fallon fan and would love to see him more than anything when we go to New York that week. Thanks, again!
Hi Toni,
I hope you get the tickets! I thought they keep you on the waitlist till the end, incase anyone cancels. There is always a chance that someone cancels tickets at the last minute and that spot opens up. I hope you get good news soon!! Oh, and thanks for reading my post! I’m glad you liked it 🙂
Do you think going from 3 tickets to 2 tickets will put you back on the waitlist?
I’m not sure Timothy. You would think that might help your chances, but I really don’t know! Sorry!
Hey Tara! What did you do with your cell phone? I know they say they are not allowed so is there a special place to put them? Also did the show send you a dress code or any details like that? I have tickets confirmed for August and I am just trying to figure out the details!
Hi Claire! As long as your phone is powered off and out of site there is no problem. I kept mine in my purse, and my husband’s was in his pocket. They just mean that you can’t be using your phone while there, no pictures, videos, etc. If they see you using it, they will ask you to leave. As long as it’s out of sight and powered off, you are good. As far as dress code, on the website it says “APPROPRIATE ATTIRE
Dress code is smart casual. Remember, you could be on camera; We reserve the right to deny entry to anyone dressed inappropriately.”. When I went it was winter, so I wore leggings and an oversized sweater and boots. My husband wore jeans and a sweater. I think they just don’t want anyone to look too sloppy, or wearing any thing that’s making a statement, or even inappropriate. Congrats on getting tickets!!! I hope you have a great time!!!
Thanks! You have been so helpful!
So the first time you got “wait listed” you got a followup email telling you that you scored tickets?? At this point, I’m on the wait list, but it’d be great to know what the likelihood of scoring tickets is.
Yes, I got an email that I was on the waitlist, but never heard back until I got tickets. It would be nice if there was some sort of number system that would let you know if you are close to getting tickets or not, but from my experience, you don’t get any notice unless you got tickets. Good luck! Hope you get to go!
Hi Tara,
For some reason I have been on the waitlist for some time at least 6 attempts and still haven’t gotten any tickets. I am a 100% fan on 1iota as well and been to other shows such as Seth Myers and Jimmy Kimmel in LA. For some reason can never get tickets to Jimmy Fallon. How long in advance did they tell you? I get right on the day tickets will be released as well.
Sorry to hear you haven’t got those Jimmy Fallon tickets yet! I know your frustration as it took me almost 2 years of trying before I finally had success getting tickets. I did the same thing as you, just go on the site when they are released and poof, the tickets would be sold out within seconds! Just keep trying every month. I put a notification on my phone to remind me 5 minutes before the tickets would be available. Finally one month it worked and I went on the waitlist and actually got tickets. I was put on the waitlist and within 2 weeks of the show I was notified that tickets were available for me if I wanted them. Good luck! I hope you get to see Jimmy soon! He’s amazing!
Just got on the waitlist for November! Fingers crossed!! This advise has been super helpful so thank you!
Yay!! I hope you get those tickets!!! You will love Jimmy!
Looks like I got lucky! We got tickets on our first try! :)! Just got tickets for Nov 18th!!! Thank you again for this guide! SO helpful!
YAY! So exciting!!! You are going to have a great time!!!!
I have applied for tickets 6x now and been on the waitlist everytime. I am a 100% fan on 1iota as well. I have been to Seth Myers, Jimmy Kimmel thru 1iota but always get sold out for Jimmy Fallon. I get right on at 10:30 to get tickets but never get them. I am on the waiting list again in November for both the Regular Show and Monologue. I put in for Regular show first.
Good luck! I hope you finally get to see the show! I know it’s frustrating being on the waitlist. Keep trying, one month it will finally pay off and you will get those tickets! It took me a long time too. I hope it works for you this time!
Hi, I’m going to try to get tickets for December because I’ll travel to NY. I noticed you said you received an email from 1iota that confirmed both your ‘waitlist’ and ‘tickets approved’ status. Would you please share the email they used to notify you this? I’m pretty sure most of the times the emails go to the ‘spam’ folder and I don’t want to lose the opportunity haha. I’ve read the sooner you reply to confirm your attendance (once they email you saying you got tickets) the better chance of getting ‘priority’ tickets. Thank you so much. I really appreciate your entry. It solved other questions I had!
Hi Gabbie,
Yes, I would make sure you keep checking your spam folder just incase! The emails came from TonightShow@1iota.com so keep an eye out. Good luck!!! I hope you have a great time in NYC!
Hi Tara.
Thanks for the post.
Should I log into my 1iota account and keep hitting refresh there so that I am already logged in as the best option to get the tix?
Well the waitlist for tickets is only available at certain times. Here is what it says on their website:
“We release tickets one month at a time. We typically open each month’s ticket waitlist during the first week of month prior. That means that April ticket waitlist would open during the first week of March, May ticket waitlist would open the first week of April, etc. Please consult The Tonight Show’s official Ticketing Twitter account @FallonTix and this Ticketing Page during the first week of the month to stay up-to-date on Ticket Release date info.”
I see the tickets are available today November 2nd at 11:30am eastern! If you read this before then head over to the website around 11:25am and keep refreshing! Good luck!
i’m going to NYC the 21st-28th of December and this morning I randomly thought of looking up tickets for the Tonight Show, so I went to the website and turns out the tickets for the month of December were going on sale TODAY at 11:30 AM, and it was around 11 AM when I saw that! So after waiting in agony for 30 minutes I refreshed the website at exactly 11:30, clicked on the show for 12/22 and actually got put on the waitlist on my first try ever! After reading some of these comments i’m feeling pretty lucky!
Do you remember the time frame of when you first received the email saying there were tickets available to the time where you actually confirmed the tickets on 1iota? I’m just wondering if I need to be checking my email constantly when it gets close to that 2 week mark because I don’t want to miss my chance to get the tickets! I requested 4 so please wish me luck! 🙂
Great post by the way Tara, it answered sooo many questions!
Thank you!!! I’m so glad it helped 🙂
Congratulations! I’m so excited for you! You made it through the first part which is very hard. They will email you if you get the tickets, for me it was almost exactly 2 weeks before the show. So I would just make sure to be checking your emails regularly around that time. Unfortunately I’ve also been on the waitlist before and never got an email that I got tickets, so it was kind of agonizing wondering that whole time if they would open up at all. I really hope you get an email and get tickets! That would be a fun show to go to during the holiday season! Good luck! Be sure to come back and comment and let me know if you go!
I am going on my very first trip to NYC with my mother and have been on the waitlist for tickets for the Nov 30 taping. I was put on the waitlist within minutes after the tickets were released. I am hoping that is a plus. Thanks for sharing your information on this page. Oh, I am also on the waitlist for Josh Groban tickets for a Rockefeller Center pre-tape on the 29th. I am hoping to hear something on both of these within the next couple of days. 🙂
Congratulations! That’s exciting! Fingers crossed you get those tickets to both shows. I hope you have a fantastic time in NYC. I believe the tree lighting in Rockefeller Center is on November 30th too. I believe its free and sort of a first come first serve thing. If you are around to see Jimmy Fallon that day you could probably see both! Have a great time!
Hey Tara, Thanks for sharing your story! Where exactly is the entrance? Is it obvious/ the only entrance? Or is there a specific entrance that only audience members would ever use?
Hi Mike,
You can go in any of the main entrances around the building. The one that says “The Tonight show” is the entrance on 6th avenue. When you go inside, head to the middle of the building where the elevators are. That’s where the line forms. If you get tickets they should send you instructions on where to go. I hope that helps!
Hi Tara,
your article is really helpful! I just found out i got tickets to a show in December and mine are general admission. When you went could you tell if there were lots of people denied from general admission because they overbook the show? I just want to know how hard it is to get into the show once you have general admission tickets, and i don’t want to celebrate too early! also since you got there around 3, were you towards the front of the line and around when did the bulk of people start showing up?
Thanks!
Hi Samantha,
Sorry for the delayed response! I hope you were able to get in to see the show! I think once you get tickets you are good to go! As long as you follow all their instructions I think you are fine. I hope you got to see Jimmy!!!
I requested tickets for the 12/22 show and still have not heard if I got the tickets or not. The show is less than 2 weeks away and I’ve been checking my email constantly, but still nothing. Should I give up all hope? Or is it still not too late?
Hi Gillian,
I see that today is the day that you would have got to see Jimmy. I hope you got to go, but if it didn’t work out this time, don’t give up! You will get those tickets eventually. It took me several times before it worked. Good luck!
Around what time in the day do the tickets go up?
Guess what?!?! February tickets are available tomorrow January 6th at 11:30am eastern time! I hope you have luck getting some tickets! If this month doesn’t work for you, they announce the date and time the tickets will go up every month on their website and twitter. It’s usually once a month around the beginning of the month. Good luck!
Who were the guests when you went to the show?
Margot Robbie and Michael McKean. They also had a scientist doing experiments at the end. It was great!
Hi Tara, Really useful article. My wife and I are from London and visiting NYC in Feb for 4 days. I got everything ready online and was sat at the computer refreshing like mad as the time rolled around to the Feb ticket release. Managed to get on the waiting list for a Thursday and Friday taping. Am really hoping we get one of them. I mentioned in the additional information section that we are visiting from England (in the hope that currys favour). In case we don’t do you know anything about the NBC studio tour and if that is worth going on instead?
Hi Alex,
I’m so glad my blog was helpful! I really hope you guys get the tickets!!!! Truthfully I don’t know much about the NBC studio tour. I just googled it and it does sound pretty cool! It’s fun going to Rockefeller Center and look around, but being able to go on a tour and see the behind the scenes sounds pretty neat. I’m sorry I can’t give you a personal recommendation on the one. I hope you really enjoy your time in NYC! Please feel free to let me know if you have any other questions about The Tonight show or visiting NYC!
This is an odd question, but how long would you estimate you had to go without using the bathroom? I know you said there’s facilities in the lobby but once you’re in the studio you cannot exit/return. We have a group member with a sensitive stomach so I’m just trying to get an estimate. So I guess my question would be how long are you in the actual studio?
Lastly, we are confirmed for tickets for a taping, but it also says they overbook shows. If we show up at the appropriate time do we really have to worry about not getting in?
I apologize for not responding! I somehow missed this comment. I hope you had a good time at the show and it all worked out for you!
I’m freaking out! My ticket date is in 10 days and I haven’t gotten off the waitlist yet. these were my mothers day gifts!
She already planned the trip to NYC. When will know if I don’t have the tickets ?!?!?
Hi Jack,
Oh boy, how stressful! I hope you get that notification soon! Unfortunately sometimes when you are on the waitlist and don’t get chosen they don’t notify you. I know it is super stressful waiting. I think I was notified about 2 weeks before the show that I got tickets. I really hope your Mom can go, but if you don’t end up getting tickets, there are sill lots of things to enjoy in NYC. Good luck!! I really hope you get that notification you got the tickets soon! If not, still go to Rockefeller Center and the NBC store. Maybe get a Tonight Show mug!
Good luck!!
Hey girly!! I love this post so much!
I got tickets for this Wednesday and my boyfriend got tickets for this Thursday! I know we can’t do both, so I was hoping you could maybe shed some insight!
My tickets on Wednesday are for 3:45 PM, but when I booked the tickets there was also a 6:45 PM show that night as well. I looked at the NBC lineup and saw that Wednesday is Miley Cyrus (YAY) and Thursday is Ethan Hawke and Lorde. I’m nervous that if we choose the Wednesday 3:45 show that miley is actualky on the evening show at 6:45 that day and not sure who we will have at 3:45. Any insight on this?? Both are for the show and are not monologue tickets. Can’t wait to even see Jimmy I’m so excited!!
Xoxo
Michele
Hi Michelle,
How exciting! Wow, you guys are so lucky to get tickets to both shows! I would say, just double check that neither tickets are for monologues and that they are definitely for the show, and pick the one you want to see the most. If an artist is listed to be on the show that day, that’s who should be there, but there is always the chance it changes at the last minute. I’m sorry I can’t give you any specific advise. I would be guessing also. You could always try tweeting at the Tonight Show and ask them who will be at the 3:45 show on Wednesday. See if they respond? I’m so excited for you. Whichever show you go see, you will have a blast. It’s just amazing to see Jimmy and be at the show. Good luck! If you think of it, come and comment again on how your experience was! Have a great time!!! So excited for you!!!
Tara
Hi Michele!,
When did you received the notification for the tickets?.. I’m on the waitlist for tickets next week, and I haven’t received anything.
Silvia,
I too am on the wait list for tickets for the Thurs June 22nd show. I called The Tonight Show and they said I could be on it up until the day of. Waiting is the hardest part!!
Just wanted to say that your not alone! 🙂
Hi! Very much enjoyed reading about your experience! Do you have any insight on going to see a taping of the monologue rehearsal? It says that it’s a “small, intimate group” allowed to come in and see the rehearsal…does that mean like 20 people? 100? Just curious if you had any info about that. Thanks!
I’m not entirely sure the details of going to a monologue. I know you need tickets and you reserve them in the same spot as the regular tickets. I was under the impression that they filled up the auditorium in the same way they did the show, but I’m not 100% on that. I do think it might be a little bit easier to get monologue tickets, but it’s basically a practice run of the real show. So I guess it’s up to you which you want to try to go to. Good luck!
Hi Tara! I was just notified this morning that my ticket status changed from waitlist to available for a July show! I want to make sure that I arrive in time to see the show. Would you say that if I arrive around 3 o’clock that my chance of admission is high? Thanks for sharing your experience!
Hi Maddy! So Sorry for the late response. I’m not sure if you’ve already gone to the show at this point. If so, I hope you had a really great time!! If you haven’t gone yet, yes, arrive a bit early and sort of hang out in the lobby area. They won’t allow a line to form too early, but I just sort of stood bad far enough that I wasn’t bothering them, but close enough that I could see once they allowed people to start making a line. Good luck!
Hi Tara. Just confirming about the cell phone. Instructions say no recording devices. But cell phones if off are okay? I would assume with so many people traveling they would all have phones on them but wanted to check. Thanks!
Hi Barbara,
Yes, as long as your cell phone is away and off you are fine. I still noticed people on their phones in the waiting room but I was really nervous because everything I read said they will ask you to leave if you have your phone out. I think they main thing is just they don’t want people taking photos or videos during the actual taping of the show. So yes, just make sure it’s powered off and you are ok. Hope you have a great time!
Heyyy! I absolutely loved your blog post. I have a general ticket for Sept. 5th, and I’m freakin’ out! Literally. I live in NYC (Queens), but I’m so scared I don’t make it on time. Can you please tell me which entrance did you use to get into the building? I’ve seen pictures online, and I’m so confused. My ticket says ENTER AT 50 WEST 50TH ST BETWEEN 5TH & 6TH AVE, but I don’t know exactly where that is. I’m planning to visit the location tomorrow so I have an idea of where the show is at. If you have any more tips, please let me know. My ticket says 3:45 pm, but I read I have to be there like 30 or 45 minutes earlier. I spoke on the phone with someone that works at NBC Studios, and said that the line starts in the 30 Rock Lobby. I’ve never been inside the building, so I’m a bit clueless about the whole thing. Help!!!!! Thanks so much.
Hi Melanie,
Congratulations on getting tickets! I’m so glad you like the blog post and that it’s helpful for you! I know the excitement you are feeling, and trust me, I had a lot of the same worries you have about not wanting to be late or go in the wrong entrance. Although it’s a big building, if you do follow the instructions they gave you about entering at that location, You walk in and it’s a fairly open space. You will basically just walk to the middle of the building and you stand in line where the escalators or stairs are. There will be people there and you can ask exactly where the right spot is to go. If you are unsure, always just ask a someone that works there. Everyone is friendly and helpful. If you do plan a trip ahead of time just to look around an familiarize yourself with the area, you may feel more confident in where you are going the day of the show. My only advice is to make sure you keep your phone off during the show and don’t take pictures. They make a big deal about that and I’ve read online that people have been asked to leave if they take photos during the show. I know it’s hard to resist as you want to share all your pics of Jimmy! But just watch the show that night and look for yourself on tv! I hope you have a great time!! It’s really magical to be able to go to the show! Best of luck! If you think of it, come back and comment after you go to the show and let me know how it went!
Tara
Hi Tara! Thank you so much for writing this blog post. I finally had one of my dreams come true yesterday. I got to see a taping of the Tonight Show! It was one of the best experiences of my life. I had been trying since last august to get tickets and I was finally able to on the weekend of the Fourth of July. The guests yesterday were really good. Katie Holmes, Mark Maron and Shania Twain. Mark Marin was probably the funniest and most interesting. Because the music took a long time to set up, Jimmy got to take a break to answer questions. There were some pretty good ones. It was people’s birthday and they asked for a hug. Some one asked him to
Do his eww voice. I was brave enough to ask him what he likes most about working on the Tonight Show and he gave a really passionate answer about how he loves all his fans and loves to make people laugh. At the end he ran up the stage and gave everyone a high five and I got a hug from him! Unfortunately I didn’t make it on the tv! Overall it was really good experience. It was interesting to see parts that got cut out from the taping. I’m already counting down to the time I can go again. At the shop i bought a glass, a mug, a shirt and a hat. Next time I would love to get his autograph but I don’t know if that’s possible? It was definitely one of the best days of my life!
Hi Julia,
That is awesome!!!! Thank you so much for posting this! I’m so happy that you got to go and have that amazing experience. I know exactly how you feel. A dream come true!!! You are so lucky you got a hug from Jimmy! How exciting! Those souvenirs will be a fun reminder of what an awesome day you had! I also got the Tonight show mug too. Every time I drink out of it, I hear Steve Higgins voice announcing “Jimmmmmmeeeeee Fallooonnnnnn”. Hahah. Congratulations on getting to go see the show! I’m so happy for you, and I love that you came and shared your experience here in the comments! Many others commenting will love seeing your post here too.
Thanks!
Tara
Hi! I was wondering how far in advance are the shows taped? How long was it before the show you were at aired? I’m trying to get tickets, no luck yet but I’m not giving up! Your story has definitely inspired me to keep trying because it sounded amazing!
Hi Angie,
The show is taped and aired the same day! So whatever show you go to, will be on TV that evening! It’s super exciting as you are ready to go home and look for yourself on tv that night! I’m so glad you enjoyed reading about my experience! It was an amazing experience. Definitely keep trying to get your tickets. It took me a while before I finally got tickets, so don’t give up yet. Best of luck! I hope your Tonight Show dreams come true soon!
Tara
Hi Tara! Thanks for your blog post! It’s awesome to read about your experience at the Tonight show! I am on the wait list for the Oct 11th show, keeping my fingers crossed! I was wondering what your comment was like when you requested. The 1iota FAQs section says it can affect your chances of scoring a ticket. Also wondering if your profile was at 100% at the time you got the tickets, mine is not quite there yet only at 65% veteran status. I soooo hope I can get in! !
Hi Tara! Thanks for your blog post! It’s awesome to read about your experience at the Tonight show! I am on the wait list for the Oct 11th show, keeping my fingers crossed! I was wondering what your comment was like when you requested. The 1iota FAQs section says it can affect your chances of scoring a ticket. Also wondering if your profile was at 100% at the time you got the tickets, mine is not quite there yet only at 65% veteran status. I soooo hope I can get in!
Hi Lisa,
Great question. I’m trying to remember…..I don’t think my profile was 100%, but I know I did fill in some information. I would think 65% is good, but if you can fill out even more I’m sure it doesn’t hurt. Best of luck! I hope you get the tickets!!! You will have an awesome time!!!
Tara
Just wanted to put this out there: We are going tomorrow night and got the notice that we received tickets only 4 days in advance! Don’t lose hope, guys! My husband and I both signed up for tickets and we’re both waitlisted initially. I got the “you’re in” email and he got one the next day telling him he did not get tickets. Now we don’t know if that’s bc I put his name on as my guest or if they really did run out. Just thought I’d share the info! We can’t wait for tomorrow!
Thanks for sharing!!! Hope you had an amazing time!
How did you know you were wait listed/. Was it just the pop up message or did it say something under Tickets in your account? If it said you were waitlisted under My Tickets, did that show up right away? Thanks.
I was wondering if they put your “waitlist” status under “Ticket” in your My 1IOTA, like if you are even on the waitlist. I got the pop up message that says congratulations you are on the waitlist, but there is nothing listed under Ticket, it just says “You have no current tickets or lottery entries. ” and of course it is sold out. I only go the pop-up message a half hour ago, so I didn’t know if there should be something in my account that says I am on the waitlist or if that will come later or if there was some snafu and I didn’t actually get on the waitlist. Thanks for your insight.
Hi Jessica,
That is good that you are on the waitlist. Now it’s just a waiting game to see if they move you to the actual tickets category. I know it’s hard to wait, but that’s what we had to do as well. They let you know a few weeks before the show if you actually have tickets or not. I believe they just go through the waitlist in order and approve people that way. There will always be people that signed up for tickets that can’t go therefore will cancel their ticket reservation and they will keep moving down the list, so you always have a chance. Keep hanging in there! Good luck 🙂
Do they air the episode the same night they film or is it the day after/later in the week?
It’s the same day 🙂 Pretty exciting!
Anyone have any screenshots of what the online screens look like when trying to request to be put on the waitlist. Is it a calendar view and you click on the day you want or is it a drop down select box where you select the day or what? Just trying to get an idea of what to expect when I got to get on the waitlist online.
Sorry I couldn’t help you with this! I hope you were able to get tickets!
HI ,
im trying to get tickets but where i will find out when the they will be available?I know its a first week but is there an announcement?
Hi,
Usually they will post on their socials, (Twitter, IG, Facebook). Just keep checking back on the website as well. I hope you were able to get tickets!!
Hi there! So I actually got a ticket to the show in June, but I am worried that I still won’t get in because of the “first come first serve” rule. Will I be okay if I am ready to go at 3:15? Any information would be helpful.
Thanks!
Hi Lisa,
I hope you were able to go and enjoy the show! For others reading this, yes, I would say as long as you are there a few minutes early, you are fine.
Hi , I know this post is like years old but I have a question,. When you apply for tickets do you know who the guest is? Is is on the ticket request website?
Hi Megan, unfortunately no, you don’t know who the guests are going to be on the show. Some people just get really lucky!!!
Hi Tara – just reading this, and thank you for such a great post! I’ve never been to NYC and we are planning a trip in Oct, complete with hopeful tickets to see Jimmy! Wondering if you have to scrunch in an elevator to get to the studio, or it is escalators? I know, weird question. Thank you again for this information! It was GREAT!
Hi Amy,
I hope you have an amazing time in NYC! October is a beautiful time of year to visit!
I don’t recall having to go in any elevators. There are stairs to get to most of the locations from what I remember. I’m sure there are probably elevators for those that need it, but from what I remember, it’s all stairs.
I hope that helps!! Glad you enjoyed this post!
I really hope you have an amazing time!!!
Tara
I cannot thank you enough for your response! This post was extremely helpful and I thank you again for sharing all of this info!
Thank you for your kindness as well. Happy (almost) Fall!
You are so welcome!! I’m glad I could help!!
Thanks for the information! Very informative! Quick question—do they air the show that you see taped that night? Or do they tell you when the segments will air?
oops! saw that this was already answered!! Thanks so much!
No problem. Yes, it is aired the same day!
Hi! I’m still currently on the waitlist for the Jimmy Fallon show. But the show I am going to is sometime next week. The situation I’m in currently is that the show is less than a week away and I’m on the waitlist for but no notification from the site about the tickets for the day yet. I hope I can get it! P.S. This is actually going to be some useful information if I’m able to see the show!
I hope you were able to get into see the show!!
Hi Tara, I know this post is older but I have another question. So I Work overnight down near the east village, and I was wondering about what time you got out of the show? I need to work at 7pm the night of the show, and I know it says we have to be there until 630pm but is it a quick exit process or takes a little while? Thank you for your help!
Hi Tara, I know this post is older but I have another question. So I Work overnight down near the east village, and I was wondering about what time you got out of the show? I need to work at 7pm the night of the show, and I know it says we have to be there until 630pm but is it a quick exit process or takes a little while? Thank you for your help! I appreciate it.
Good question! From what I remember it was pretty quick getting out of the show. Hard to say forsure, but I don’t remember it taking a long time.
Hi Tara!
I am going this Thursday. Do they air the episode on TV that same day? Or is there a delay? Thanks!
Same day!! Have fun!
OH MY MY. I don’t know whether t feel sad about my self or be happy for you. I mean this a wow thing. I really enjoyed your post and felt I was sitting right next to you. I don’t know why but it felt like you’re my digital friend. Thank you for sharing a wonderful experience. I got really inspired by you and wrote about how people can grab their seats easily for The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! Thanks so much for commenting!
Hi Tara! Loved reading about your experience and thanks for sharing. We have VIP tickets for Thursday September 19ths show & was wondering two things. First, does the show air the same day it tapes and second, any way of finding out ahead of time who the guest is going to be? Jimmy is actually taping two shows on Thursday since he’s not taping one on Friday so we have VIP tickets to the 2nd taping on Thursday night. We are guessing this will be the Friday show? My husband and I are beyond excited & seems Thursday can’t come soon enough! We appreciate any info you may have. Thanks again!!
Hi! I’m so excited you got tickets! I don’t know how early you can see the upcoming week’s guest on the Tonight’s Show website. https://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show and they do air the show the same day you see the show, which is super exciting! I realize now that you would have been to the show this past week, so this is old news, but I’m so happy for you that you got tickets! I hope you had a wonderful time!!
Hello! I was just wondering how many days after do you get to see yourself on tv?
It’s the same day!
Hi Tara! Thank you so so much for sharing your experience. I was researching about people’s experiences and I’m glad I was directed to your blog post. Me and my fiancé have been trying forever to get tickets to the Jimmy Fallon Show. AND WE FINALLY GOT TICKETS FOR THIS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28th 2020. Which also happens to be my 26th Birthday! I wasn’t even planning to do anything for my birthday and now I have something to look forward to 🙂 I hope have one question after reading your blog and everyone else’s comments. Am I able to show my tickets on my phone? Or do I have to print out the ticket confirmation and show the actual paper confirmation. Thank you in advance for your help! I appreciate it