The Nightly Show With Larry Wilmore

An OK show, but a decent experience. We got there at 430pm, waited in line outside the studio (but under cover) until about 5pm. Then we went through a metal detector and waiting in a (mostly) standing room only room (with 1 men’s and 1 women’s bathroom) for about 45 minutes. We then walked into the studio proper and sat down and the warm up act came on around 6ish. Then the taping started at about 615ish and then we were done a little after 7. It was a fun time and moved pretty quickly, I’m just not a huge fan of the show itself.

5 stars! We enjoyed an excellent show on Cinco De Mayo. My boyfriend and I rushed our way to 54^th street after being part of another studio audience (which was an extremely disappointing experience and therefore shall remain nameless… uh matter of fact let me make it public — Joking off). We were completely sure that we would be turned away since we got to the front entrance 15 minutes after the deadline. To our surprise we were greeted by a lovely smiling face who welcomed us and explained that we were more than welcome to join the audience. She gave us a card to write down a Keep it 100 question that Larry would choose from to answer for a later show. After meeting her, we moved on down to check in with the coordinator who was just as lovely. She was very kind and extremely welcoming and had a fun and friendly personality. We went to the security check in and the security guard was very professional and had an approachable demeanor. It’s not like at other shows where the security guards treat you like you’re there to harass the talent or as if you can’t follow directions. The security guard was so friendly yet still did his job maintaining the crowd. He answered our questions and joked with us. It wasn’t like other shows where the security guards could care less if you have a question. We moved into the studio and were told that we could take pictures in front of the set… oh and not just take pictures, but the staff offered to take our pictures for us! I mean, that never happens. It was awesome that each group of friends or family or couples was given a chance to stand in front of the set and have their picture taken. That was incredible. The staff was so cool, it was like we were all friends and just having a good time. No one was pushy or rude, instead, they were welcoming and made every effort to listen to their audience and make everyone happy. We just had the best experience at this show! It’s funny, we went there to be entertained by Larry and his guests, yet the most memorable aspect of the show for me was the fun and friendly staff that gave everyone a smile and made the audience feel like we were the most important part of the show. They did an excellent job in making our experience the best it could be. I would highly recommend going to this show and I will definitely be making another trip.

Awesome experience watching Larry, who had Bill Nye on the day I went. I was literally the last person in line, which was good because we were let in fairly shortly. Everything about my experience was positive. I was expecting something far worse after reviewing the other reviews, especially the room where they pack you in. Maybe I lucked out but we were hardly «packed in,» it was just a crowded room. There were restrooms, a television, and we were called inside after an acceptable wait time (which I’m saying is under 30 minutes). Did not get VIP tickets but had a good view of the entire set.
The comic got us excited, Larry took questions from the audience and we got to take photos on the set afterward.
Oh, when they say no photography allowed, they mean both cellphone and actual digital/​DSLR cameras. One audience member didn’t seem to understand this concept and argued with security when they tried to take her giant, expensive-​looking camera. We did see her getting it back afterward.

Completely unexpectedly, my wife got an email from the show offering her two VIP tickets. So, even though we were burned on our original attempt, hope springs eternal. She accepted the offer and we attended the show a few weeks later. If you’re a Colbert Report audience alumni like us, you’ll immediately recognize most of the backstage features of the show. Entry into the waiting area is basically the same as with The Colbert Report, but I want to say it was actually quicker. The VIP tickets got us into the studio quicker, but having sat in different sections of that audience, all seats are pretty good. Their warm-​up comedian was pretty good. During his routine, he announced Larry would be coming out for a Q&A shortly. He told us it was a rare occasion, but I think that was just BS to get us pumped up a little more.
Once he came out, Larry was warm, personable and even amused at even some of the silly questions from our fellow audience members. As regular fans of the show, my wife and I were happy this particular episode included nearly all of the show’s contributors. It felt almost like a bonus. If you find the process to create a show like this is interesting and entertaining. like we do, then go get tickets. It’s like getting two shows in one.

I scanned through some of these reviews to see other peoples’ reactions first. For starters, I saw «The Colbert Report» filmed in this same TV studio back in 2009. Upon entering this time, I remember being crammed into that tiny little room in the front. The memories flooded back VERY quickly as I waited for this show. Haaa. That being said, I’ve also waited for four to five hours for «The Daily Show» on three seperate occasions (once in a thuderstorm!), so waiting for 30 minutes in this room ain’t nuthin’. Haaa.
I was lucky enough to receive VIP tickets for the show; I was going to attend in the summer of 2015, but had to back out last minute after an illness. (Booo.) As a consolation, I got four VIP tickets for the March 21^st, 2016 showing. Arriving at 4:45 p.m., my guests and I had to navigate a bit of a cramped line in a plastic vestible outside of the studio doors. After the usual metal detectors, we stood around for about 30 minutes before entering the studio. To the credit of the audience department, I did inform them ahead of time that one of my guests was handicapped. They e-​mailed me back to confirm he’d be taken care of. Once it came time for seating… the person seating us seemed to be surprised to see us. Heh. But, luckily, he can ascend the stairs and we were able to sit about four rows up. No big deal!
Much akin to «The Daily Show» (if you’ve been), you can take photos of the studio up to the time the warm-​up comedian comes out. One member of the staff even takes photos of guests near his desk, which is so lovely! The warm-​up comedian comes out, does some jokes, explains the audience rules and how to follow the stage manager’s directions for applause, and then Larry himself comes out answer some questions. The show is shot in about 30 minutes flat, very bing bang boom.
Perhaps it’s because I can’t handle change well, haha, but I have not really been drawn to Trevor Noah as the host of «The Daily Show», so I doubt I’ll be standing for hours in line for those tickets anymore. Larry Wimore is a very talented comedian and host; though he’s been a bit hit or miss at times, he’s really starting to hit his stride and is one of my favorite late night hosts. This is definitely a TV show taping worth going to, in my opinion.

Why are we waiting inside this stupid room for hours before we are let in to the show? Don’t go.

five out of five stars
i’m a big fan, and in my opinion, the nightly show is a great show, and one of the best on television. every single person involved in it is a professional, and genuinely funny. the guests are amazing, and the show boldly covers (and embraces) issues that are defining to our time. to see the hustle of the people who make the show happen is inspiring. they create a warm environment and they are all 100% committed.
however, if you don’t have the money to travel to new york, or the 4 – 5 free hours to stand about on a weekday afternoon, it is possible to simulate certain aspects of the live experience from the comfort of your home.
all you need is a balpeen hammer, bright floodlights, one or two cut-​outs of larry wilmore, and a «Now That’s What I Call EDM!» CD. please invite 1 – 200 people, and reserve about 2 hours of time to stand in your crowded apartment with them (and the life-​size cut-​outs). to get the right effect, try to have people that will not be bothered by (or particularly notice) non-​consentually loud EDM (pop — edm is preferred) and floodlights pointed in their faces. make everyone feel comfortable with an old school jam by De La Soul, then shift gears into the EDM zone. also, if you feel like wearing a hat, or sunglasses (to deal with the light) — just DON’T.
if you can have a local stand-​up comedian get the crowd warmed up by talking about his hangover, calling them stoners, and commanding people to «go ahead and tickle your neighbor. touch their boobies» — then you have PERFECTED it. your simulation is killing it hard. this is the ideal environment to get hyped on the show. the balpeen hammer is there in case you feel like hitting yourself in the face while the «boobies» part is happening.
if you can create this environment, then you have covered many of the essential elements of the live show experience, and can enjoy from home. congrats!
five out of five stars.

Luckily we had red tickets, because the general ticket line was LONG and it was a hot day. Ladies, wear comfortable shoes. Once you pass the metal detectors, you will wait .and wait in this room full of other audience members while watching a small TV playing past episodes of the show. It was even hotter in there but there’s a corner with a fan if you can squeeze your way over there. There’s a small bench area that you can sit on if you are one of the first to get in. The wait again is extremely long. And then the moment we’ve all been waiting for. the doors open into the studio and thank goodness there’s AC. The show is just as short as it is on tv except it felt like time was moving even faster probably because of the long wait prior. But Larry was great so it made the visit well worth it. And an important note: please bring ID.

This was the first time I have ever visited a live show like this. It’s filmed in the studio they used to use for the Colbert Report. I came early to make sure I got a seat but it didn’t seem like I needed to since they had some seats left over (probably because the show is still gaining traction). To start the producer ran us through what was expected from a studio audience (we needed to make sure we were loud in order to be picked up by the microphones). After a comedian came out and warmed us up we got to do a Q&A with Larry himself where he ended up working a line into his monologue referencing a question asked by a blunt (and rather rude) audience member. Great show, and cool memory. I definitely want to go again soon.

The wait is horrible. They’ve got to find a better way to get people in here quicker. It’s a basic cable show not Ft. Knox, so all the bureaucracy needs to be cut already.
But after waiting forever, the actual show is really good. The warm-​up comic is hilarious and Larry imho is really the smartest and funniest host on television today. The show is a real gem to watch. Highly recommend it. Just make sure to have plenty of reading material for the wait.

5 stars purely on the show itself. Read on… Funny show. I am a fan all the way. Getting to the show, however-​not a fan. Arrived at 4pm. Stood in line out side for 30 mins. In a holding room with 130 people for over an hour. Inside the studio with blaring music for an hour and a half. So now, we are 3 hours into it and loosing our f… ing minds. Filming lasted 40 mins, which was awesome. Nonetheless, scared by the entry process.

Generally an entertaining show, though it really depends on the topic being discussed that day and who the guests are, so what you get out of it depends on that. The warm-​up act is funny; just be ready because he might randomly pick you out and ask you a bunch of questions. The only downside really, is the wait time. You have to stand in line for at least an hour before they start handing out tickets (don’t forget to bring an ID), and then you’re herded into this small holding room with a hundred other people where you have to wait another couple hours. There’s a bench, but it gets filled up pretty quick. Just remember to wear comfortable shoes and to bring a book or videogame.

And from the ashes of the «Colbert Report», another longtime Comedy Central loyalist may at last have a chance to shine. It’s been a long time coming, but tenured (figuratively) «Daily Show» contributor and correspondent, Larry Wilmore, finally has his own ½ hour block to himself in the form of «The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore.» For a time, this show was to-​be-​named «The Minority Report» (which I think is f*cking hilarious), until more politically correct (lame & white) Comedy Central executives elected for a safer name. While I’m thoroughly displeased with this turn of events, I am in no way shocked… after all, no need for any race related controversy in this day and age given the current political climate, undoubtedly due in no small part to the fact that Larry Wilmore is one of the only (if not the only) black man hosting a show of this kind on cable television.
Getting into the studio is a real hassle. Early arrival times, waiting outside (indiscriminate of weather), and for some there’s no guarantee you’ll even get a seat even if you put in will-​call tickets and arrive early. Luckily, I had VIP tickets, though the event staff did not make it entirely clear what that meant until much later in the admission process (I could’ve been expedited!). The use of picnic styrofoam bowls as receptacles for storing belongings while going through the metal detector was also a bit slapdash and gully to the Nth degree. All in all, the whole admission procedure needs an overhaul, way too inefficient, and a bit of a waste of their time as well as the to-be-audience’s.
That being said, the inaugural recording (and subsequent screening that same night on Martin Luther King Day, 1÷19÷15, 11:30 p.m. EST) was nothing short of fantastic. You can tell that Larry Wilmore has been chomping at the bit to have his day in the limelight, and his quirky persona and years of experience lend themselves in generating an entertaining bit of comedic news analysis and debate. I also had the pleasure of sitting in on a terrific panel that opening night; such standards included Senator Corey Booker, rap artist Talib Kweli, and one of the funniest men alive in the form of Bill Burr.
Despite the collection of larger than life personas (in their respective spheres of influence) at the debate table, Larry did quite a job in forming a synergy with his guests, as opposed to having one of them take over his show; something that was a very real threat (and almost accomplished by the erudite Corey Booker).
All in all, you’ll definitely enjoy the show (easily a ⁵⁄₅), but you’ll have to suffer a bit of procedure just to set foot in the studio. That being said, make sure you go with some good company, a long video game, a catchy playlist, or a combination of all three to pass your time… and for you ladies, bring comfortable shoes… as you’ll be standing quite a while. Then prepare to ice your ribs after, as you’ll likely be in stitches by shooting’s end.