Join a live studio audience
Got a hankering to join a rentacrowd? Just be sure to comb your hair and wave to your mum, says Bianca O'Neill
Getting in the audience is easy - knowing when to put your hands together and go crazy is the hard part
Ever wondered what goes on behind the cameras? As a part of a live audience you can get a taste of television magic and be a part of it at the same time - all for free. Here's your Sydney-specific guide to nabbing some tickets, and maybe even realising your secret fantasy of 15 minutes of fame...
ABC
Enough Rope
Grab a couple of tickets to see Andrew Denton, Australia's most provocative interviewer, and get a rare insight into the lives of the famous, infamous, and not so famous. Much of the show is edited so it's a chance to see some moments that hit the cutting room floor.
Enough Rope is recorded on Monday afternoons at the ABC TV studios in Ultimo. Book seats by completing the form at www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/audience/ or call 02 9217 2222.
The New Inventors
This is your chance to see the next best thing since sliced bread: from golf glasses to barnacle guards, salinity solvers to racing car simulators and everything in between. And seeing as Australia is known for its inventions, you never know what you might see.
The New Inventors is usually recorded on Friday afternoons from 12.30pm at the ABC TV studios in Ultimo. Book your seats by phone (02 8333 2652) or email moore.janice@abc.net.au with your name and contact details.
Channel 9
Australia's Funniest Home Videos
We know that seeing people fall over, animals being mocked on the verge of torture, and men being hit in the ball bag is your idea of a hoot. That's why we know that this is the studio audience ticket for you. And if that's not enough to convince you, the free giveaways and the chance to meet Shelley in person might sway you. Then again...
Australia's Funniest Home Videos is filmed every Monday evening fortnightly at the Channel 9 Studios at 24 Artarmon Rd, Willoughby. Audience bookings via the Channel Nine Bookings line: 02 9965 2425.
The Footy Show
As if NRL's weekend-long domination of TV isn't enough, you can join the studio audience for the surprisingly hilarious The Footy Show. At worst you can entertain yourself by dressing in a Swans outfit and mocking the other code.
The Footy Show is filmed live on Thursday nights at the Channel 9 studios in Willoughby, Sydney. Ring for tickets (02 9958 9999) on the first Monday of each month or go to sports.ninemsn.com.au/nrl/faq.aspx for more info
TEN
Good News Week
Gameshow in name only, this long-running ABC staple that encouraged the emergence of shows such as Spicks and Specks is now on Channel 10. Always stocked to the brim with fun guests and inappropriate context, it might be worth catching the filming to see if you can finally get all the subtext jokes that seem to go on.
Good News Week is also filmed at the ABC TV studios in Ultimo. For more information or to book tickets email audience@gnwtv.com.au or alternatively telephone 02 9383 4773.
Channel 7
Sunrise
Now you, too, can be one of those idiots who wave their hands and "Hello mum!" signs from behind the glass at the cameras in the Sunrise studio in Martin Place. Sometimes they even have free concerts on, too.
Sunrise is filmed at the Channel 7 studio in Martin Place from 6am-9am. Show up whenever you feel like it and bring an inappropriate sign, or go to au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/sunrise for more details on live gigs coming up