But where would this popular sketch comedy and variety show be without its audience? People from all over the world have traveled to New York City to be a mere fly on the wall during the cast dress rehearsal that’s taped live every Saturday night. However, having the chance to sit in on the hilarious rehearsal isn’t as easy as getting on the computer and clicking a “Reserve Tickets” button. Most shows that are taped nowadays such as the Ellen Degeneres show, The View, The Talk, etc issue tickets through a lottery-like system for guests. When it comes to SNL, this process is quite difficult.

Come August, if you enter the show’s lottery, if you’re not fortunate enough to receive tickets, if you’re still determined to catch one SNL show before you die, then your only option is to make the stand by line your home for your whole Saturday. The wait is worth it if you end up scoring some seats if the show has some room left and need seat fillers and of course you’re left with memories of being at a live taping of the best comedy show on television.

In case you missed the August lottery to catch a taping, here’s a complete survival guide by onlocationvacations.com on the dreaded stand by line: http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2013/12/06/a-survival-guide-to-the-snl-stand-by-line/