The Chew

I showed up very close to the priority check-​in deadline, maybe 30 minutes before, thinking that there wouldn’t be much of a line. I had gone to The View previously and there wasn’t much of a line when I showed up 30 minutes before as well. When I showed up there was a sizable line and I was number 89. The dress code was not enforced whatsoever, there were people there wearing hoodies with large logos there. In fact, there was a man sitting in the front row with logos all over his shirt and pants; a textbook example of what NOT to wear to a television show taping.
When you check in they give you a ticket with a number, and sometimes a color on it. The people with colors are sent in first and then when it came to people with no color on it, they were sent in in number order. Seeing as the aforementioned man had a color marking on his ticket and was in the front row I don’t think that it has to do much with how you are dressed.

Went to a taping this past Thursday. We arrived at 10am and there was already a line but we had priority seating so we stood to the side and once the security guards came out they took anyone from the side and pushed you in front of the line and make everyone push back. We stood in the line for a good 45 minutes. As long as you get priority seating and get there on time you are guaranteed a seat. Once inside you had to go thru security only the person who reserves the ticket has to show ID. After this we were greeted by someone by the audience crew and he asked us if we wanted to participate in today’s show so we were ecstatic and I know this was completely random but we went with it. I not only got to participate in the actual show but also got to sit at the tasting table which was a big plus from me since I traveled all the way from Massachusetts. My friend sat right behind which I was a little disappointed but they did invite her to participate in next week show so it was a win-​win. After this took place we were placed into another holding room for like 20 minutes and then escorted to the set. Everything was very laid back and relaxing so we had a good time. Food prepared by Mario Batali was delicious others meals during this specific segment were so-​so but overall this was a great first time experience. I would definitely attend another taping for sure this was my favorite experience so far and I am still crossing my fingers to see if I can work some magic for the Ellen show tho. Overall loved this experience and would definitely go again and it does pay to wear bright colors because it worked for us. Another note when you sign up for tickets and you get selected make sure you pay attention to any updates they give you because most people will get general admission but if you update the status when notified it moves you up.

I wish I had looked on Unilocal before getting tickets. Definitely not worth the time, $, and effort to get into Manhattan at 7:30 AM. Don’t get excited when you see «priority «on your ticket — they all say that and it is meaningless.
I did not find it a thrill to see these people in person. The only one who interacted with the audience was Carla, who seems genuinely sweet. Batali should get a new job as he appears to barely tolerate doing the show.
A token of thanks showing that the audience is appreciated would have been nice. Don’t go expecting a $ 100 gift card or mixer. Expect to be treated like cattle up for auction then, in the theater, like trained monkeys.
There are lots better things to do in NYC.

Eh, it wasn’t worth the travel and amount of money it cost to get all the way into the city.
I was in the priority ticket holders and I got there at 7:30AM. We still had to wait outside. Once we got inside, it was annoying. What was brutal was sitting in a room with everyone else going to the show with simply water and a small pack of Milano cookies for over an hour… I mean we were all just sitting there with nothing to do — why bring us in so early?
They decide where people sit based on what you’re wearing/​how you look/​aka what looks good on TV. You won’t get to sit at the tasting table unless you know someone. The RC was funny which is why I gave this place two stars.
I thought Carla or Clinton or anyone else would stay afterwards for pictures but they did not, and of course we got nothing which I know wasn’t guaranteed but it would have been nice.
Overall, I wouldn’t go here again.

The last tv show audience I participated in was when I was in college and saw The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, yes Heeeeres Johhny
So you want to be on tv? Here’s what you do, getup at 5am drive into the city, arrive late, get priority tickets which mean zero for the 12 noon show instead of the 9am show oh and donate 2 kids Halloween costumes that they were happy to take off our hands, we still weren’t getting into the 9am show btw. Go have breakfast, come back at 10:30am and be bossed around by an angry female security guard, be told by one intern that we were going to wait inside but no angry woman nixed that and ordered us back outside. Wait, get through security, wait in a room and you get 4oz water and granola bar. Wait some more. Get called into studio, you get seated according to your looks and then more waiting. Then the audience warmer up guy also known as a cattle wrangler warms you up with stupid jokes put downs of some audience members or crew and at least 100 times will ask you if you’re ready for the show. Well I’ve been waiting 6 hours so yes. But no we wait some more. Did I mention they were behind schedule? Then the instructions begin. You must clap, you must laugh, you must scream NO when signaled. My wife dragged me to this since you’re probably wondering why I’m so miserable. I honestly was mortified. Trained monkeys could do the same job. Maybe you’re on camera for seconds and honestly I hope not because the whole experience was less than stellar. This simple minded show is a joke. I thought I might learn something and if heating marshmallows with a torch and dipping them in chocolate is revolutionary then we’re all in trouble. The hosts are pleasant, big man Batali splits the minute they wrap but the others say thank you. I think I’ll try to see The Tonight show next time

Got all dressed up hoping for some fun but like all the other reviewers said they kept us waiting outside for an hour and then inside for another hour. There were not enough seats so we had to stand for a total of two hours. The warm-​up guy was sort of funny but grew tiresome and kept barking orders at us to clap and cheer. I know it was free but I will never attend a daytime talkshow again.

Wife and I went to the last recording for the 4^th season, 6÷17÷15. Signed up for tickets about 2 wks ahead and received notification we had priority tickets for arrival @ 1030 am for the 12 pm taping. We arrived early, around 1015 and there was already a line. Luckily the temp was not that hot, although the sun was blazing which made it feel much warmer. They did offer water and umbrellas to shade from the sun. Don’t think that your priority tickets mean that you will be allowed in early or get better seats; there are many others with the same priority tickets and turns out others have VIP tickets, whatever that means. We waited in the sun about 30 mins before allowed in to go through metal detectors. Then you are brought in to a large room with benches, but certainly not enough to seat everyone. We waited another 30 mins in this room where water and chewy bars were offered. Some were dressed in bright colors, others not so much. Don’t think that because you wear bright colors that you will be seated up front or at the tasting table. Rather, those at the tasting table were already seated when we were allowed in the studio. As another reviewer said, those on the tasting table all appeared to be friends of those on staff, as they were constantly talking to them during breaks.
As many others have said here, your tickets will be marked with a color, ours were pink. The first group allowed in were those with a blue mark. Ironically, none of the people were in particularly bright colors and were seated just behind the tasting table, which means that they would be seen on camera often. Go figure? We were allowed in next.
The hype guy was funny at times and he directed us well on the oohs, aahs, clapping and the laughs, but frankly after about ½ hr of this, we were done and ready to go. Neither Carla nor Mario were there, however the other hosts appeared friendly. The saving grace was that all in the audience received $ 100 Visa gift cards as a special gift on this day, so that was nice.
I have to say the production staff run a well-​oiled machine and it was good to see behind the scenes, however, it is much more fun to watch on tv. Just be prepared to be corralled like elementary children; single file, stay to the right, you can’t stand here and you can’t stand there. The security detail, at least one young man, can be very aggressive. Let’s just say we did it once and that was enough! We didn’t expect to get special treatment or any gifts, but somehow we expected a more interactive experience with the hosts between breaks or after the taping. I understand that the tickets were free and that they were there to do their jobs, we just expected a less mechanical experience. If you go you will see what I mean.

We went to a live tapping on June 2^nd. Although we had priority tickets… we ended up being the last group to go in the studio. Not sure what «priority» really meant.
Once everyone was seated they brought out the warm up guy… a so called «comedian» R.C. (same guy mentioned in the other review). He ridiculed the audience members about where they were from, what they were wearing, etc which I personally thought was tasteless.
Other than R.C., everything else went well but would not go again.

I went to The Chew for my birthday and it was such an amazing experience!
We ordered our free tickets online about 4 weeks before the taping. We had read online that tickets are released around that time and we had no trouble getting tickets. We were in the «priority» group so our arrival time was no later than 7:30am. We arrived a little bit before 7am and were ushered into the building shortly after that.
Once inside, you are given your tickets and taken through security. I didn’t know it at the time but they mark your ticket with a colored stripe which I believe indicates where you will sit in the audience.
We then went into the waiting area where there are granola bars and bottled water. The producers of the show then start to come around and ask people if they want to participate in segments. I was asked if I wanted to ask a question to Mario as part of a segment and later I was asked if I would be interested in sitting at the tasting table. I did not see the producers again until we were taken into the studio.
They call you into the studio based on the color stripe you have on your ticket. We were taken in early and one of the producers then came up to us and told us to take our seat at the tasting table. It was so exciting! We were front and center.
The show was a lot of fun. There is quite a bit of time spent waiting and interacting with the hype man. But while we were waiting, we got to see some of the hosts come out as well as the producers setting everything up.
Once taping began, it was hard not to smile! The hosts are so energetic and fun. The food we received at the tasting table was amazing! Michael made fish and Carla made a rice/​seafood stew. Sara Evans was the guest and we received her CD once we left.
The hosts were great. They came up to the tasting table to chat. Michael and Mario were hilarious. Carla is just as nice as she seems on TV. Clinton is so sweet and even took pictures with some fans. Daphne is just kind of there, she doesn’t really participate on the show and I caught her looking at herself in the monitor constantly.
Overall, it was such a great experience. Sitting at the tasting table made it incredible, but I think it would have been fun even if I hadn’t been at the tasting table.

I went for the Spooky-​Special for Halloween.
Although the show was great, I got really good seats which were two rows behind the taste testers, So when I got home and my friend has recorded it, I did see my self a lot on the show in the audience, which I liked. :)
The hype man was okay, he wasn’t the most hilarious, but he was not awful. He has a very expressive and animated face which makes him a little more funnier than he actually was.
I was very excited with all the celebrity guests on the show.
When you exit the studio, you literally walk right outside, which for me was really good because I don’t have to go down several hallways to get out. This would be a bad situation if you’ve been holding your pee the entire show and now it’s over and you really, really have to go.
The show is really an all around nice location who offer you snacks once you get into to sit.

Arrived at the chew line around 7:30 and we were late. Luckily we got in to the show and like everyone else said, corralled into this small, hot room with water and chewy bars available. There are not seats for everyone so go early!
You then have to go through a metal detector before hand so take as little as possible.
You get tickets (mine had an orange stripe) and that’s where you get sat in the audience according to color on your ticket.
Turns out– I showed up in their holiday spectacular. It was CRAZY! The audience got over $ 900 of gifts
Needless to say– all the hosts were great. Mario was my favorite, he interacted with the audience. Even gave someone a hug after a bet from Michael. Clinton was funny and daphne were both interacting with the audience.
So much going on, the show was a great experience and laid back. Worth almost 4 hours of my time (7:30am-11:30ish)

I must be one the luckiest girls! I had the ultimate experience possible!
My husband got us tickets via oneiota. He has always been great at finding all the right deals and specials.
We received emails before the event stating the exact dress code to follow, no white, bright colors, no crazy patterns, no torn jeans, no bare shoulders and the list goes on. I read it and knew exactly what I was going to wear.
We arrived bright and early in the monring. I warn you, there’s not the best coffee and breakfast options in the area. It might be good to grab something on the way on instead. At coffee my husband had me read the Unilocal reviews. I was worried we weren’t going to get good seating.
When we arrived people were pushy and we waited awhile before we went in. There were a lot of people who broke the dress code. As you go in, you get tickets and they get marked. The crowd gets separated into two groups. I didn’t even notice the stripe, I kept thinking they would be writsbands when I read the reviews. Then when we stepped in the room and everyone looked well dress, different enthnicities and ages. I was so excited to be there. They finally let in the green stripe and then the orange. And I became ecstatic to see we were orange. I ended up talking to a mom and daughter and we were talking about our fave host! I absolutely love Clinton Kelly. I have been a long time fan since, «What Not To Wear». When I walked in a guy asked us if we watch the show and who our favorite host is. And then he asked me if I would be willing to play a game. And I was like Yes! Clinton Kelly! and YES!!. We got seated two rows behind the tasting table! I couldn’t believe how close we were. It was some of the best seats in the house. My husabnd was like «You are tooo excited!!»
Two more ladies came by and talked to me about the game. And then they offered me a seat at the sought after «Tasting Table»!! I couldn’t believe my ears! Wow! When I walked in the table was practically full. I couldn’t believe I got a spot! I felt more than fortunate. I actually got to eat the food from some of my favorite chefs!
The episode is «Pancake Palooza» (airing 10÷10÷14) and it was absolutely delicious! These fluffy works of edible art came by as we watched Mario Batali, Daphne Oz, Clinton Kelly, Carla Hall and Michael Simon! What a dream come true!
And yet it got even better. It came time for the game and out of the eight girls only two got picked. And I was one of them!!! I couldn’t believe it! The first challenge was to get everything in the bowl, the second was pouring out three pancakes and the third was flipping pancakes. Mario and I were an amazing team and at mixing! And we are both Seattlelites! I even got a Mario Batali High Five! I kicked butt! I won two out of there. I’m a avid baker so this challenge was in the bag for me. I had panacke batter all over me. It was sooo fun! And I even got a hug from Clinton Kelly and Daphne Oz! I won a pancake pan, pourer, spatula and the new Chew cookbook!
I am watching the episode in 5 minutes and am so happy to have had the experience I had! Thanks everyone at The Chew!

Fantastic experience! We got to ABC studio around 7:30 and were tickets #75 & 76. They also gave us an orange stripe on our ticket. We were put into a room with the rest of the audience and were not waiting too long before they were bringing us into our seats. The tickets with a green stripe were seated first. The tickets with an orange ticket were seated second. I noticed that people who had ticket numbers that were lower than us did not have any stripe. The green stripe seemed to be those seats that were right behind the tasting table while the orange stripe were the seats right on the aisles. those tickets without a stripe filled in the remaining seats. When they sat us they did not look at our ticket number so those who came first didn’t get a closer seat. It just depended where they sat you. I would say if you had a green stripe, you are guaranteed a good seat that is on camera. The other tickets are just the luck of the draw because they place you where they want you to be.
Carla dances with the audience on commercial breaks, they have a very funny guy entertaining the audience and lively music to keep the energy up. They give you an opportunity at the end of the show to meet the hosts, take pictures and get autographs. All but Mario came out and met the audience.

I would not waste my time! The tickets have stripes which are not given based on the color of your clothes; but seem to be based on weight and age. Come on The Chew do you think we couldn’t figure it out? It was a long wait with only water and chewy bars, then you put in the cheap seats.
Carla and Michael were the nicest to the audience. Mario Batali acknowledged no one and left after the show ended. The others at least walked and took an exit photo. Would I ever watch the show or go to the hosts restaurants No Way!

Today, a friend and I went to the Chew’s «special» taping of its Oscar Party show. The directions said to dress in formal evening wear, and to prepare for «surprises!» If you haven’t guessed from 1 star review, there wasn’t ANYTHING surprising for all that. As in, you just made 75+ people dress up in floor length dresses, heels, and hair at 6 in the morning for nothing. I am not expecting Oprah-​style car giveaways… but a free DVD (it is an oscar party) or a free bite of pasta (it is a food show) doesn’t seem too extreme!
It gets worse, though. For an online segment at the end of the show, Clinton Kelly basically said, «We (the hosts) walked outside and thought it was so funny all these people are dressed up with nowhere to go at 7:30 in the morning! AHAHA». Yes, totally hilarious… that we thought your show was enough of a destination to dress up for! No respect for the audience and their time.
Finally, the warmup comedian, JC is really mean-​spirited. Making fun of people for being technicians, or pediatric doctors? A sample of his humor, «Did you win your girlfriend in a poker game?» Really. Don’t waste your time, head to Rachael Ray, the View, virtually anywhere other than this!

Attending a taping of The Chew is a pretty enjoyable experience but with some serious caveats.
First, as you will read in other Unilocal reviews, they do corral you into a crowded room with little bottles of water and Chewy bars. You will wait for a while while these producer girls stalk around the place sizing up people for the tasting table. I think a number of the people for the table were already chosen ahead of time, but there was still definitely 3 or so people they picked out from the herd in the crowded room.
When you first get in look at your ticket. If it has a colored marker stripe on it, it means you were chosen as suitable to be on camera in the front/​middle seats. I have no idea how they choose this but if you have the stripe (ours was orange) it means you will be let in ahead of the larger group and be given solid seats.
Now for the taping. Carla Hall is awesome and so is Clinton Kelley. Both talked to audience members and danced and hung out with people before and after the taping. Daphne and Michael Symon were actually pretty nice too and TBH I did see Daphne chatting with and signing autographs for audience members afterward. Batali didn’t even bother to show up the day I was there.
Ok warning time: They make you stand and clap and dance A LOT. Like there is one really scary and awkward part at the start where a man comes out and asks you to laugh continuously for 25 seconds with no prompting whatsoever. This might not sound strange but, trust me, when it happens it really is. Also they make you clap and dance between takes a lot, which by the end is not very much fun.
All this said, the taping was pretty painless and surprisingly chill. Everyone is professional and it is enjoyable watching such talented chefs cook. I do plan to try to attend one more taping with my girlfriend and roll that sweet tasting table dice. Here’s to hoping!

If you have ever been to a television show taping you know there is a lot of waiting around and the staff’s main objective is to make television. From that sense The Chew is pretty standard. First you wait on line outside, then you enter a waiting room before heading into the studio itself.
The waiting room offered some bottled water and granola bars, which was nice, but yes the room was a bit crowded. When it was time to move into the studio a production assistant stood at the door and called out ticket types and numbers, but unless you were right in front of her you couldn’t hear a thing, but it all worked out. Once you entered someone was there to decide where you should be seated.
A comedian was there to keep the energy of the audience up and tell us when to clap and laugh throughout the show. He was both a little funny and a little corny.
As for The Chew Crew:
— Carla Hall danced in the audience multiple times and took tons of pictures with fans after the show; she even passed out food to a couple
— Michael Symon came into the audience during a commercial break shook our hands and chatted a little. He also took a couple of pictures after the show.
— Clinton Kelly & Daphne Oz both walked over to the audience after the show and thanked us for coming. They didn’t pose for any pictures
— Mario Batali made no acknowledgment of the audience and left the studio as soon as the cameras were off
All in all if you are a fan of the show it makes for a fun few hours.

I came here last November with my brother to see the chew. He got tickets online and they were free. What a cool setting. I’ve never been to a studio taping before. Yes, the chew is not live, but they will tell you when they will air the show. They do multiple showings in one day.
Our hype man RC Smith was really cool. He did a really great job in hyping us and telling us what to expect. He made sure every member of the audience was all on the same page.
The show was pretty funny and the food smell great too. The hosts were great as well. I liked Clinton Kelly. He was very funny. I also liked Carla Hall. She was very engaging with the audience. She danced with the crowd. What the cast made was gnocchi and spicy fried chicken. They both smell so delicious. Yummy!!! Our guest for the taping was Billy Ray Cyrus. Clearly he doesn’t go in the kitchen often, but he was a very chill person.
I wish I was in the front row actually eating the food. It was well worth waking up 6 am to go see the show. I’d go see it again.

On December 10^th, 2012 my wife and I attended a live taping of The Chew.
I’m an avid viewer of the show and was quite excited to be chosen for tickets. The email warns that lines can be quite long and entrance isn’t guaranteed so arrive early. We drug ourselves out of bed early and were in line at 6:50/7:00 AM. We were the third and fourth people in line. Perhaps we could have slept in a bit longer. Right around 7:15 AM the line went from 6 or 7 of us to 40 plus in less than 5 minutes. Around 7:30 AM we started our trek inside, through check-​in, security, etc.
Then the wait began. We sat… and sat… and sat. In a reasonably sized room with far too many people in it. Shortly before the doors opened I definitely began to feel the encroachment of a small room and lots of people. I’ve never been claustrophobic but more time in this room and I probably would be.
Then they led us into the studio based on the number listed on our ticket. We were seated only a few rows up from the tasting table. Once everyone was seated they brought out the comedian, R.C. (same guy mentioned in the other review). He ridiculed the audience members about where they were from, what they were wearing, etc and then taught us how to clap.
Once filming began the pace was nice. In between they played good music and kept everyone pumped up and excited. The opening segment started with the hosts talking about some of their favorite kitchen gadgets. They gave us all hand mixers at the end of the show which was Clintons fave.
Overall, the experience was a great one — minus the time in the holding tank room. I don’t think seeing live tapings is really me thing but I am glad to have cut my teeth on such a fun show. The best part was Carla interacting with the audience during the break — she engaged the audience unlike the rest. Michael said a few words to the audience pre-​show and the rest of them ignored the audience for the most part.
Glad I went once, but I don’t need to go again.
Also, thanks for the mixer — it was super fun to fly home with. haha. *sarcasm8 But very generous and i’ve already used it and love it!

This was my first time sitting in the studio audience of anything, so I don’t really have any other live show tapings to compare it with. All I can tell you is I had a great time!
I’ve seen the commercials for The Chew, but I’ve never had the chance to watch it when it airs. Work. When friends invited me to the live taping, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The show isn’t live, live. It airs at a different time than the actual taping, but it is live in a sense where nothing is rehearsed in front of the audience and there aren’t any cuts and outtakes.
Comedian R.C. Smith was the Hype Man and he’s great at his job. He kept up laughing and synchronized our clapping. The show was pretty funny, too. All the hosts were present for this Decadent Desserts episode (aired 5÷17÷12) and Angela Kinsey (the bitchy accountant from The Office) was one of the celebrity guests. She’s the cutest thing on the planet! While helping Mario Batali make a dessert of stacked crepes, she made a little song (which the entire audience ended up singing a lil’ later) and related it to her own kitchen, while cooking with her four-​year-​old daughter. Did I mention she’s the cutest thing ever?!
The hosts were great: friendly with the audience, natural with each other and the camera, funny, all of that! A mini food fight broke out amongst a few of them when the sugar kicked in. That was fun to watch. They all passed desserts around to the audience. Carla Hall danced with the audience. Clinton Kelly critiqued the outfit of an audience member, by request. Johnny Iuzzini, the celebrity chef guest brought $ 100 Macy’s gift cards for every member of the studio audience!!! Thank you!
Whew! But goodness, being in the studio audience is a lot of work! R.C. Smith reviewed the laughing and clapping routines with us in the beginning of the show, but since the show was actually funny, none of our laughing needed to be faked. There was a lot of instruction on when to clap though… and that was hard work! Who knew?