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Will & Grace is another beloved show that is making a come back. For now, the fabulous cast will return to television for at least two seasons. All four of the main cast members will be returning. Would you like to be in the studio audience for Will & Grace tapings? Be sure to read this post all the way through to get the answers to all of your questions.
Where is Will and Grace Filmed?
Will and Grace is filmed on the backlot at Universal Studios Hollywood on Stage 22. In order to attend a taping you won’t need a ticket to the park but you will need to get Will and Grace tickets in order to be part of the audience.
How do you get Will & Grace tickets?
You will need to create an account with a website called 1iota.com. This is the ticketing company that is used for Will & Grace. When tickets go live, which is normally a week to two weeks out, they are posted on the website. You might want to consider following 1iota on twitter and turning on notifications for their account so that you can find out ASAP when tickets are released. So far there hasn’t been a set schedule as far as when to put in your ticket request.
To apply for tickets you can choose to request either one or two tickets. You will have a chance to explain why they should pick you. When I first requested tickets I was immediately put on a wait list and found out about three days later that I was given priority tickets. However, I had to work during the taping so I was not able to go right away. On 8/23 I got to attend a taping which was fabulous!! Now I have even more to share with you.
Interested in attending Celebrity Events like this in the future? Find out how here.
1iota gives out priority and general tickets. If you have a general ticket you do not have as good of a chance of getting in to the taping as those with a priority ticket do. There are ways to increase the strength of your profile which can help you get picked for tickets. Make sure to have a photo and fully fill out your profile. Cancel your ticket request if you can no longer attend. 1iota will penalize your account if you do not show up for a taping. It is best to know ahead of time who you plan to bring with you because you will need to put their name on the ticket. If you are over 18 years of age they will want to see a valid photo id when you check in.
If you are wait listed after requesting tickets do not assume that you won’t get in to the taping. Many times I have been immediately placed on the wait list only to be given tickets a few days later. If you get general tickets be sure to keep checking your email in case priority tickets become available for you.
Free parking is offered for the taping. You will find all the information on parking and check in guidelines on your ticket. Your tickets will have the address for check in. Please note that just because you get a ticket does not guarantee that you will make it in the studio audience. The shows are over booked so that they can try and have a full house. Typically I recommend arriving early for tv show tapings. However, with 1iota they have specific check in times for both priority and general. Normally phones are not allowed inside the tapings so you might want to bring something to get autographed incase you get a chance to meet the cast after the taping.
What Is The Experience at a Will and Grace Taping Like?
When you arrive at Gate 3 (if you drive) you will not be let in until 2pm or 3pm depending on what time your ticket states. Once you have parked you will go down to the ground level and walk across to the white tents to check in. Check in starts thirty minutes after the parking garage opens. It is preferred that you print out your ticket but, if you cannot your name should be on their list. If you are thirsty ask if they have any bottled water because it will be able before you will have a chance to get anything to drink.
After I checked in and went through the metal detector, my friend and I were able to wait on a air conditioned shuttle until we were driven to Stage 22. If you go to Universal Studios Hollywood and take the tram tour you will be able to get a picture of the outside of Stage 22 which has a sign that says the Will & Grace soundstage. Once we made it to the stage we were able to take a picture at the photo experience. You will have the opportunity to email or text the picture to yourself.
The Will and Grace live audience experience was so much fun. It is always special to get to see the cast and watch an episode come together. It lasted about 4-5 hours which makes the experience a little exhausting but so worth it. During the taping we got a half sandwich, small bottled water, rice krispie treat, and a few small candies. A few people won Will & Grace t-shirts from the audience warm up guy.
Following the taping you have a chance to go back to the parking garage right away or be interviewed for a special Will & Grace after show. The after show will air online following the episodes. My friend Bruno and I interviewed together and Eric McCormack ran over and briefly interacted with us during the interview. I cannot wait to see it and share that special moment with you. We also got to wave to Debra Messing as she went home. It was such an incredible experience.
Other tips to help you get the most out of your experience:
- Bring a jacket
Sound stages are normally very cold so chose your clothing wisely for the taping. - Bring a sharpie
Having a sharpie makes it much easier to get autographs* after the taping ends. I recommend having the cast sign a shirt or a poster.
*Autographs and meeting the cast are not guaranteed. But should the opportunity arise it is always best to come prepared.
I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to write this post and for sharing your knowledge. I live in Australia and am a hardcore W&G fan! I’ll actually be in LA during the first week of September 2017 and I’m frantically and desperately trying to find a way to secure tickets, even just one ticket! I’m going to follow all of your helpful advice and send positive vibes out to the universe. I know it’s a long shot but miracles can happen! Thanks so much again. if you get any more relevant info, I’d be so grateful if you could share it with me. I’m so far away here in Sydney plus we’re in a different time zone so it’s hard to have my finger on the pulse of what’s happening in LA. Thanks again and have a great day :-)
Hi Laura,
Thank you so much for reading! I cannot wait until tickets have been released and I can update and share even more information. I will do my best to respond you again once tickets have been released to try and help you out. -Elle
Laura,
1iota.com has just announced that fans in LA should check their website at 2pm PST. Audiences unlimited will no longer be in charge of tickets for the tapings. Just wanted to update you!. -Elle
You’re the best Elle! Thanks so much for letting me know. I’ll get right on it!
I’m kinda sad they won’t be back in CBS. I love the TV history of that place and hate the traffic around Universal. I see they’re open for the first 2 weeks. Have my fingers crossed for the 30th or Sept 8.
Btw, any idea what time a taping might end? Don’t feel like driving up to SB if it’s too late.
Hi Jenny,
If it is similar to Fuller House it should end around 9pm. SB? The tapings at at Universal Studios. I’m guessing SB would be Santa Barbara. The tapings definitely are not there. Hope that helps. -Elle
Hi Elle,
I was put on the waitlist for August 16th, but the 1iota site says this show is sold out. Should I leave me name on this one and risk not getting on another date listing? They only let you select one week at a time
Hi Charley,
I’m not sure that they have reached out to people about the 16th yet. When I got my tickets for the 9th I heard from them around 4-5 days in advance. If they are unable to give you tickets they will let you know. At that point I would start requesting for another week. -Elle
I can’t wait for W & G to return. I am a huge…….. fan. They make me laugh after a long day being on my feet. I am a Nurse Practitioner and care for many people everyday. I actually tape their show so that I don’t miss anything. I live in NJ and would fly out to CA to participate in their studio audience. Please keep me posted on how to get tickets. I have gotten many of my girlfriends into their show so that we can have a glass of wine and laugh. If tickets are available for Sept 21st or October 9th please let me know. I would need 4 so that I can bring my 3 girlfriends. Thank you and have a great day! Michelle
Hi Michelle, 1iota will have the taping dates. I’m happy to help share about the process but you’ll have to check their website as they keep updating it with taping days. If 4 of you want to go, two of you will have to create 1iota accounts since the most tickets one person can request is 2 tickets. I’m not sure what else I need to keep you posted on since I explain in the post how to request tickets. Yes, I’ll add more information once I attend a taping just to explain what to expect but everything you need to know to request tickets is in the post. -Elle
Hi
Any advice on what might convince the site to send you priority tx? I’ve attended a Big Bang Theory taping and its a while other process. Also I live in Philly and would want to make the arrangements asap. Any advice is appreciated.
Jill
Hi Jill, the higher your rating on 1iota the higher your chances for priority tickets are. I have a 100% super fan status but there’s still been a few times where I didn’t get priority. Make sure you fully fill out your profile and request tickets as soon as they become available. If they email you with an offer to take you off the wait list you need to respond as soon as possible as another way to try and get on priority. Hope that helps. -Elle
How do you get to be a 100% super fan?
You need to fully fill out your profile and have a good record with them of attending events that you request tickets for. -Elle
I’ve never attended an event. Will that work against me?
It doesn’t necessarily work against you but having an attendance record makes it easier to get priority sometimes. All you can do is try. -Elle
Elle, thanks for the helpful info! Will they still be taping in November or will they be done by then? I’m trying to plan ahead to request getting off work and may just take a chance requesting tickets for the day my off. Thanks!
Hi Darlene,
I’m not sure how far out they will tape since tapings are only announced about two weeks out. Most shows film for 3-4 months so ideally yes they should tape in November but I can’t guarantee it. They always tape on Wednesday though and do 3 weeks on and one week off. I would imagine they wouldn’t film the week of Thanksgiving. Hope that helps! -Elle
Hi guys,
So I created my 1iota acct and on my first try got priority tix for W&G for Sept13. I am super excited to be able to go. My question is, do they really not allow phones? I’ve been to several tapings and they just ask you have it turned off. What happens if u have a phone, will they confiscate and give back at the end of the show. I don’t want to miss out on possible pics with the cast…u never know! If anyone has that info, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!!
They 100% will not let your phone in unless you are VIP. They thoroughly check. -Elle
Love Will & Grace, my daughter was so excited when she heard it was coming back on. What are the chances of getting tickets if your from Canada?
Hi Elle,
Do they have a place where you can store your phone like a locker? We will be flying in from NorCal and won’t have a car.
Thanks for the helpful info!
Lisa
Hi Elaine, the process shouldn’t be any different whether or not you’re from the States or Canada. However, they won’t let you know any sooner if you’re from out of country which can be frustrating because you would probably need to book your trip before getting confirmation that you have tickets. -Elle
Hi Lisa,
I honestly don’t know. I would assume that they have some kind of check in for phones since not everyone has a car to leave them in. However, I didn’t actually witness someone check in their phone. Other show tapings I’ve been to have had a check in for phones so hopefully they will too. -Elle
Hi Elle! Thank you for all of the in-depth information!! You are AWESOME! I looked at the current dates and they all say “open” so I’m assuming that means there are still tickets available…. does it ever not say “open” though?? I submitted a request for tomorrow…
Hi Cellene, sometimes it will say sold out when they have reached a capacity of requests. It is interesting that it says open because I know a large volume of requests are being submitted. -Elle
Hi Elle! I requested tickets for something called half a taping. The email automatically put me on the waitlist as my account was being created during the ticket buying and not beforehand. I linked my Facebook/twitter now but it’s probably too late hah! Anyway do you know what half episode taping is??
I got one for me and my friend bcuz he’s in town only for a few days and we’re huge fans
You totally don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, but what kinds of things did you write about to get your audience tickets? I was just trying to think about what to write and how long it should be 😬 thank you so much
Hi Meera, I don’t know if you saw the section in my post where I talk about it but everyone is always placed on the wait list at first. As the taping gets closer they start pulling people off the wait list. So at one point you’ll get an email saying you have tickets or that they cannot accommodate your request. Sometimes half tapings are either a special promo or a shorter taping due to needing to pre tape things on location. -Elle
Hi Devan, Honestly don’t over think what you write to get your tickets because i don’t even know that they read the responses. I was just honest though and shared how I wanted to surprise my best friend with tickets. -Elle
We will be in California the week of thanksgiving. If it is at all possible to get tickets to a filming of Will and Grace, it would make my husbands holidays!
We were devout fans and were so upset when it went off the air.
It would be a dream come true to experience the new rendition!
Hi Diane,
This comment would need to be added to your actual ticket request through 1iota. I only share how to get the tickets & what to expect. I have no control in helping you get tickets. Just wanted to clarify incase there is some confusion. However, I highly doubt that the show will film the week of thanksgiving since the cast will want to be with their families. Best of luck. -Elle
Has the episode(s) aired for the taping (s) you attend? Which one (s).
Thanks!
Yes! I attended the third episode which was the one with Leo. -Elle
Hi Elle, did you connect your Facebook & Twitter? Going to try for 11/15!
Thank you!
Yes I did connect Facebook and Twitter so I could get my profile to 100%. -Elle
Hi there – can you share what time you arrived? My Priority ticket says the parking ramp opens at 2:30 and no one can get in before that time but is that when I should arrive or is there a queue going earlier than that for me to be in? I’ll be parking in the ramp as I’m driving from Santa Monica.
Security does not like for their to be a line of people waiting to get in. My friend and I arrived ten minutes early and were told to go wait down the street before coming back. We returned at the time it said the earliest arrivals could come. So be in the area but don’t try and get in before they allow. Enjoy!
Thanks for the reply! Do you know if the admission time is the same if you’re a walk-in? My ticket says to meet at Gate 1 if arriving via Uber/Lyft versus Gate 3 for the parking structure and “we’ll send someone to come get you”. I was part of the priority group for a Gwen Stefani performance and even though check-in started at 7AM people were lined up starting at 6AM – I want to make sure we get a good shot of being admitted!
I’m not sure if the timing is any different for walk ins. But i would think people lined up without a car would be less of a hassle for them than a line of cars blocking traffic so it shouldn’t be an issue if you arrive early. That’s just a guess though. -Elle