The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has been taping before a live audience again since Summer 2021. Tickets to the popular late night TV show are FREE, and can be reserved online.
You must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination to be admitted into the theater.
Photo: CBS/Viacom
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is taped at the historic Ed Sullivan Theater on Broadway, between 53rd and 54th Streets, Monday through Friday at 5:30pm.
Plan to arrive no later than 3pm to join the ticket line.
See Also
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at Local Restaurants not National Chains
Photo: NBC
See Also
How to get tickets to
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Late Show With Stephen Colbert website, including video clips of recent shows.
Link to request free tickets, and additional bio info on Stephen Colbert
ViacomCBS Covid-19 Attendance Policies
In compliance with New York State’s adoption of the CDC guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals, the audience will be at full capacity and face masks will be optional.
All attendees must be fully vaccinated.
According to the CDC, you are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 2 weeks after you have received a second dose in a 2-dose vaccine series or 2 weeks after you have received a single-dose vaccine.
At this time, New York State accepts only the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
Provide in Person Verification of Vaccination.
Prior to entering the theater, provide proof of official vaccination through the Excelsior Pass (for NY State Residents), CLEAR (if available to you) or an original physical vaccination card (copies and photos will not be accepted). Trained individuals will be reviewing proof of vaccination at check-in.
Be 18 years of age or over, or 16 years of age or older if attending with a parent or legal guardian.
Sign a COVID waiver upon check-in at the theater, if you did not complete the waiver when requesting tickets. If you are a minor, your parent or legal guardian will need to sign for you.Have a government issued Photo ID.
There are no exceptions to these requirements, according to the Late Show with Stephen Colbert ticket information website page.
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Additional Attendance Requirements
All shows have strict policies to prevent the FREE tickets from being sold, and to prevent fights on the line for standby tickets or studio seating.
Dress appropriately, since you might be on TV during audience shots.
NYCOTC Insider Tip:
- As a former TV News reporter (for WABC-TV Eyewitness News, here in NYC), NYCOTC’s Evelyn Kanter knows that that TV studios are normally kept cold, between 55 and 65 degrees, to compensate for the hot lights.
- So this word of advice - bring a sweater or light jacket with you.
All shows reserve the right to deny you admission, even with a ticket, if you are dressed inappropriately for TV or appear to be “under the influence”.
You will have to pass airport-like security for some shows, including showing a valid photo ID with proof of age
While smartphones, tablets and other recording devices are permitted, they may not used during a taping.
You will be ejected from the audience for using an electronic device for any reason during a taping. Save your selfies or texting for before or after the taping.
Perhaps most important, there is no guarantee of admission even with a ticket, so do not book airline tickets based on a ticket for a TV show taping that may not materialize.
We will have updated information on tickets for the other late night TV shows taped in New York City when that becomes available.
In the meantime, you can plan ahead by checking this ticket information from before the shows shut down live audiences:
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