A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Windy City LIVE: A Free Chicago Experience Worth Trying

 If you're looking for a fun (and free!) experience in Chicago, add being part of a live TV audience to your list.

A friend and I recently had the chance to attend a live taping of Windy City LIVE at ABC 7 Chicago, and it was such a memorable afternoon. I'd wanted to go for years, but every time I checked, the audience was already full. This time, we finally made it off the waitlist—and it was absolutely worth it!

One of the coolest parts of the experience was realizing you're actually watching two shows at once. There's the television program viewers see at home, and then there's everything happening inside the studio between commercial breaks. Watching the crew move cameras, prepare the next segment, and keep the energy flowing gave us a whole new appreciation for what goes into producing a live show.

Hosts Ryan Chiaverini and Val Warner kept the audience entertained throughout the taping. The show included a segment highlighting Route 66—from Chicago to Los Angeles—along with appearances by actress LisaRaye, legendary Chicago house DJ Terry Hunter, and social media food creator Tommy Winkler, who shared dishes inspired by countries participating in the upcoming World Cup.

Of course, every live audience has an important job, and I'm pretty sure our group nailed the applause cues. 😉👏

If you've never attended a live television taping, I'd definitely recommend giving it a try. It's a unique outing with a friend, doesn't cost a thing, and you never know—you might even spot yourself on TV!

Have you ever been part of a live studio audience? We'd love to hear what show you attended and whether you'd recommend it to other Chicago Ladies Loop readers.