If You Can Get To The Show, The Tickets Are FreeIf You Can Get To The Show, The Tickets Are Free

You really haven't lived until you've spent an hour or two as a member of a television studio audience. To see the behind-the-scenes doings of a real-live TV production is one of the best moments you'll have on the planet ... or maybe not. But when in Los Angeles New York, Chicago, or Chester County, Pa., why not kill a few hours watching your favorite show or most beloved actor in action?

The following Web sites ease the process of trolling for shows and ordering tickets.

Perhaps the most extensive site is Studioaudiences.com, which offers options for sitcoms, late-night and game shows, soaps, and TV and movie studio tours. In addition to a bevy of show information, it has studio tour information for CNN, Disney/MGM, NBC (Burbank and New York), Paramount Studios, QVC Studios, Sony Pictures Studios, Universal Hollywood, and Warner Bros.

Did you know, for example, that for $10 ($7.50 for QVC members) you can take a 75-minute walking tour of the QVC Studio in Chester County, Pa.? Find out how to get up close to Oprah, Rosie, Jerry Springer, or Judge Hatchett. It's all here.

"Hollywood Squares," which requires that you be at least 18 years old, tapes at CBS Television Studios in Los Angeles. The show's only a half-hour, but be prepared for a three-hour taping session. Even if you're not interested in attending a show, true TV junkies will enjoy reading show and taping details. Additionally, some shows offer online ticket registration, while others provide only an address to where you must mail your request. Some, like "Saturday Night Live," also accept requests over the phone.

One note of warning: The less-than-perfect site design is misleading and self-defeating. For instance, you'll find under "Taping Dates and Times" that most, if not all, show dates have passed. You need to click on "Order Tickets Online" (under "How to Get Tickets") to discover that there are future taping dates from which to choose.

Other sites work pretty much the same way. Tvtickets.com includes a nice Studio Maps feature, and represents ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, Nickelodeon, Pax, TNN, and UPN.

The best site for clearly outlining upcoming tapings is Tvtix.com. It presents a calendar, "more shows added daily" link, and even a phone number "if you want to speak to a real person."

These sites want your business, and it doesn't cost you anything!

After all, there are plenty of seats to fill.