You simply couldn't go on the show if you didn't want to dance on national TV, and the audience was constantly busting a move during every break.
Audience members were reportedly advised to arrive at the studio in the largest cars, just in case they needed the space for all the freebies.
The "random" guests could actually be picked according to their responses to the ticket application. The fans involved in the 2004 car giveaway were reportedly asked questions about their current transportation methods, to ensure that cars were given to those in need.
For 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show,' if you were visibly high energy in line, you would be selected for further screening. That's how they picked the 'random' guests who played games with the host.
As lineups could last for hours, and sometimes without the promise of getting a ticket, you'd think people would have been strategic with which show they wanted to attend, but audiences would only find out the celebrity guests when they walked out on stage.
All reactive noises are only allowed when instructed, and the audience is told exactly when and how to respond by a designated staff member.
Most people might think studios are warm from all the lights and equipment, however, it's actually kept quite cold! It's recommended that you bring a sweater.
Audience members were encouraged to wear their most colorful, upscale, or business-casual outfits, and all-black or all-white was not allowed.
The show reportedly asks audiences to dress in dark solid color business attire, with no busy patterns, no jeans, and no hats.
Women are reportedly urged to wear jewel-tone colored clothing, while men are asked to wear bright solid colors, button-down dress shirts, and jeans or neutral pants. If you don't follow the dress code, you won't be allowed inside.
Audiences are specifically arranged to look good, by gender and/or shirt color, so you might not sit with the people you came with.
On series like 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' and 'The Oprah Winfrey Show,' absolutely no sharp objects are allowed, even knitting needles. You also have to walk through a metal detector.
Snacks are forbidden on nearly every talk show. If caught with food or drink on set, you can be escorted off the premises. Eat a big meal before!
An online review says that the order for the seating is semi-secretive, as you're given either one letter, two letters, a white ticket, or a number, and that determines who gets to go in first.
For 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,' tickets for the monologue are separate! You will reportedly have to wait in line for about two hours, then enjoy a 15-minute monologue.
For 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' as well as many other shows, tickets are non-transferable—so you can't make cash off them—and everyone in your party must be present for check-in.
Oprah's show involved a lot of audience engagement, from asking audiences to share their stories, to getting them to ask her questions during breaks.
During Oprah's biggest giveaways, she arranged to have paramedics on standby just in case any of her audience members were overcome with emotion.
Both Ellen DeGeneres and Dr. Phil warn audiences that there will be no autographs, and some previous audience members say Jimmy Fallon will only give you high-fives.
The dress code for most talk shows is smart casual, and if you fail to meet this vague guideline, shows like 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' reserve the right to deny you entry.
According to a review from an audience member of 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,' if you leave the room for any reason, even to go to the bathroom, you won't be allowed back in.
While some shows let you bring in your phone if it remains off, others like 'Dr. Phil' don't allow any electronics in the studio at all.
One review noted that if you are caught taking a photo, they will make you delete the photo, and make you delete the file from your deleted items folder. Then, of course, you'll be asked to leave.
While other shows require you to be at least 18, it's 16 for 'The Tonight Show,' regardless if a guardian is present. On 'Dr. Phil,' 16- and 17-year-olds can come if accompanied by a parent.
Though you should expect a long wait to be seated, you get to enjoy two back-to-back shows. Between the two, you'll be rearranged to make it look like a different audience.
Hardly any TV host accepts gifts, and if they do it must go through heavy security first. Unfortunately, this is not the time to win them over.
They film various segments on taping days, which are later edited into different episodes for air. The good news is you'll be in the audience for more than one show when it airs!
Some say once a month, like 'Dr. Phil,' while others only allow the same person to sit in the audience once every six months.
For reasons unclear, groups coordinating outfits were frowned upon. You also couldn't wear Ellen merchandise for the taping, despite being encouraged to buy it backstage.
We're all accustomed to watching our favorite TV hosts talk to celebrity guests from the comfort of our homes, but it's a different energy compared to the actual room where the audience is cheering, ooh-ing, laughing, and actually participating in the action. But, like all TV, there's a degree of magic that the taping process passes through, so what you see is far from the real experience.
Click through to see the strange rules and realities of talk-show audiences, from 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' to 'The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon,' and see if you're ready to be in a live studio filming.
Talk show secrets all live TV audiences should know
Find out what it’s really like to be part of a talk-show audience
TV Curiosity
We're all accustomed to watching our favorite TV hosts talk to celebrity guests from the comfort of our homes, but it's a different energy compared to the actual room where the audience is cheering, ooh-ing, laughing, and actually participating in the action. But, like all TV, there's a degree of magic that the taping process passes through, so what you see is far from the real experience.
Click through to see the strange rules and realities of talk-show audiences, from 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' to 'The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon,' and see if you're ready to be in a live studio filming.