I was able to get tickets from a friend and former co-worker. The show was fabulous (with Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds airing February 15) and it was really fun to see my old stomping grounds and bid adieu to the show in person. After updating Facebook and Twitter about the show, I received many replies, mostly saying “how can I get tickets?”. So, I thought I’d answer that question and give my favorite readers some insight into how to get the hottest ticket anywhere.
First of all, check the Oprah website for audience reservations. It sounds silly and obvious but tickets for the show are released at random times and there can be last minute slots that open up. (As of the writing of this article they are looking for audience members for three separate shows.) Also check the Be on the Show page on Oprah.com to see if you would be a good guest for any show they are working on. It is a long shot but you never know when there will be a fit.
The second step would be to go to Chicago. It may be another long shot and could be expensive, but if you have tried everything else and are desperate to see a show before the last one is taped (reportedly at the end of May) head on out to the Windy City. Both Delta and Airtran often have specials from Atlanta to Chicago, sometimes as low as $49 each way. Be sure to bring your winter weather gear (Atlanta’s winter feels like summer to Chicagoans) and be smart about your trip by following these guidelines:
- Be there when the show tapes (Tuesday through Friday).
- Stay at a nice (luxury) hotel and make very good friends with the concierge. Tell them you are looking for tickets and they may be able to work wonders. Especially check out the all-suite Omni Hotel as well as the Four Seasons as their concierge may have an “in” to any last minute show openings.
- Go to Harpo Studios (1058 W. Washington Blvd) when the show audience is being loaded in (7 AM and 11 AM) and look for the “last minute” standby sign. If you don’t see it, look for a usher and ask if there are any last minute openings. Be very, VERY nice to anyone you talk to even if they don’t give you the response you are looking for. This is another long shot but if the weather is bad and people with reservations had travel problems, you may get lucky.
- Check out The Oprah Winfrey Store across the street from the studio. Buy some fun (and surprisingly very cute and useful) Oprah gear and ask the employees if they know about last minute openings. Again, be really, REALLY nice but do not be a crazy, semi-stalking fan. There’s a fine line. Don’t cross it.
- Eat at Table 52, owned by Art Smith, Oprah’s personal chef. A reservation there is almost as hard as a ticket to the show, but if you can get in, you may get to see Art himself and sneak in the fact that you’re dying to see a show. You never know what he can do.
Getting tickets to The Oprah Winfrey Show is difficult but have a positive mindset and even if you don’t get into the show, you can still have a fabulous “Oprah’fied” Chicago adventure. And remember, you always catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, so be extra nice! Good luck and Godspeed!
