Saturday Night Live
I recently got the opportunity to check off a major bucket list item — going to a live taping of Saturday Night Live. It was amazing. 10/10. Before we went, I tried to find some information on what to expect. But since I couldn’t find much, I figured I’d write a little recap here for future attendees!
First off, how do you get tickets to SNL?
There are a couple of ways to get tickets to SNL, and none of them are easy.
The annual lottery. In August, you can email NBC (SNLTICKETS@NBCUNI.COM) with your full name, email, and why you would like to be a part of SNL's studio audience. Tickets are randomly given out, and you are assigned a specific show (meaning, you can’t pick the date). Lottery winners get two tickets.
Know someone. If you know any cast members, NBC employees, or special guests, they may be able to get you tickets.
Standby tickets. You can book a standby reservation to potentially snag an unclaimed seat. Then, if you’re lucky, you get to wait in the in-person standby line the night before the show.
Auction. While you cannot buy and sell SNL tickets, occasionally tickets will show up at charity auctions.
I spent years submitting for the lottery with no luck. We were able to finally get tickets through a charity auction for the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation. This was great because we were able to pick our exact episode of the season.
What is it like to go to a live taping of SNL? Step by step recap of the night
As a long-time fan, going to SNL live was one of the best life experiences I will never forget!
Here’s how it went:
They say to show up no later than 10PM. We showed up at 9:30, and there were already a bunch of people there.
We were asked to show the page our Covid vaccine card, ID, and letter (on our phone). She asked what line we were in, which was written on the letter. We were in “Sam’s” line.
We were then told to sit and wait in the Peacock lounge. Loud club music was playing and nostalgic SNL photos rotated on screens around the room.
At around 10:15, each line was called to move into the next waiting pen. We had to show our IDs and vaccine cards again, and go through a security line. We were given two wristbands and actual tickets. The new room had lots of cozy furniture, and even louder club music. People were just hanging around in the best mood.
Around 10:45 they began calling groups of people to finally get on the elevators and go to Floor 8 where they film! At this point, they take your tickets (so make sure to get a photo beforehand).
We were reminded, over and over, to turn off our phones. If they see you with your phone in the studio, they delete your photo and kick you out.
At last we were brought into the studio and told exactly where to sit.
There are two areas of seating in the studio. The chairs on the floor (maybe 30?), and the stadium seating right above (~150). It’s unclear how they choose who sits on the floor, but rumor has it, it’s reserved for the hot young audience members. We were not asked to sit on the floor. But it’s a cozy studio and all the seats are great! Our seats were on the left, right in front of the musical guest stage. Sam Smith was our musical guest!
At about 11, Michael Che came out to do a bit. Then, Kenan Thompson, Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, and Chloe Fineman did a song and dance to get the audience riled up.
Before we knew it, it was 11:30 and the first sketch began right in front of our eyes!
The entire taping was about 90 minutes. We were then ushered out of the studio, and along the way we got to see some of the cast members in the hallway. Everyone was still in a great mood!
Finally, we exited through the NBC store where we got a 10% discount on SNL souvenirs.
Dress rehearsal vs live broadcast
We opted to go to the live broadcast, so I can only speak to that. However, there is a dress rehearsal for SNL held at 8PM before the televised broadcast. Apparently, the rehearsals run a little bit longer and you see sketches that they cut out of the live show. They use the reaction of the audience to help decide which sketches get cut of the live show.
What do people wear to SNL?
Audience members were mostly casual — jeans, sweaters, sneakers. It was so casual and comfortable, without any pretentiousness. There were one or two people really dressed up, and they definitely stood out.
How old are the SNL audience members?
All ages! I would say most the people there were 20-50. There were a few older people (including Aubrey Plaza’s grandmother!) and there were very few people who looked under 20. You have to be 16 years or older to attend SNL.
What should you bring to SNL taping?
There were a couple of things that were required:
A valid photo ID
Proof of COVID vaccination
Email with ticket information
I also brought a small purse with my glasses, gum, hand sanitizer, and a bottle of water (they actually had bottles of water and other beverages in the lounge so I didn’t end up needing this). Since it was winter, I had a huge puffy coat as well. There’s not a ton of room under the seat, so the jacket ended up in my lap.
What can’t you bring?
You are not allowed to bring backpacks, luggage, large shopping bags, promotional items, mace, weapons, or spray bottles.
Do you have to masks at SNL?
When we went, masks were optional. We chose to wear masks, and so did all the stage people on the floor (except the cast). But most people in the audience did not wear masks. I saw maybe five other people in masks.
What was the coolest part of going to SNL?
After watching the show for years (decades!) it was really magical to see behind the scenes. I enjoyed the little things like seeing the cue cards, and realizing how hard and important that job is! And seeing Lorne Michaels pace back and forth on stage and high-five the cast members. You also realize how much the cast members really hustle from one skit to the next — the coordination of makeup and outfit changes is quite the art. It only deepened my appreciation for the showl