Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Here at OLV, we often receive emails asking about what is filming in New York City on a certain far off date. This usually means someone is planning a vacation and wants to be able to show off pictures of all the celebrities they saw in the big city to their co-workers when they get home. So we are starting a new series today, Easy Celebrity “Bags” and kicking it off with our NYC edition. We will also feature L.A., the Sundance Film Festival, and Miami in the future. If you have any other tips, please leave them in our comments section!

1. Television Shows

Where is the easiest place to see a celebrity in NYC? The Today Show! Every morning Matt, Meredith, Al, and Ann are out on the plaza for all to see. Plus many mornings there are other celebs out there with them especially at Christmastime when celebrities collect gifts from the crowd for Toys For Tots.

If you aren’t a morning person you can always hang around the Ed Sullivan Theater late in the afternoon as guests arrive to tape the David Letterman Show. The MTV studio in Times Square is another hot spot for celeb action in the afternoon before and after TRL airs. Check out the celebs Tiffany has met outside of TRL. (Update: TRL is no longer on the air, their last show aired November 16, 2008,) And don’t forget Saturday Night Live. The cast usually comes out the side door of Rockefeller Center on W 49th shortly after the show ends at 1 AM. We have had many celebrity encounters at that side door including a conversation with Will Farrell we will never forget! Celebs are shuffling from talk show to talk show throughout the city everyday and will usually feel obliged to talk to a fan or two if you are willing to wait patiently for them to arrive (or leave). You can see a list of all the TV shows filming in NYC here and a list of the theater addresses and how to get tickets here.

2. Broadway

Stars love to get street cred (and the occasional Tony nomination) by appearing on Broadway and most will sign playbills outside of the theater after the show. Even if you don’t have a playbill you can usually squeeze your way into the crowd to get a few good shots. We met Julia Roberts, Matthew Brodrick, Bebe Neuwirth, Luke Perry, Christian Slater, Sarah Paulson, and Jesse L. Martin this way. You can go to Playbill.com for details on all the latest Broadway shows including cast and theater information.

3. Movie Sets & Premieres

Of course OLV is the best place to go to stay abreast of current filming locations in New York. Check out our Daily Filming Locations column for the latest. Though movie premieres are a bit harder to find, if we hear about them we will share those too!

4. Catch Them At Home

A couple years ago NY Magazine published a map of NYC celebrity homes. Though this a pretty complete listing, we can’t guarantee it is still accurate since celebrities tend to change addresses as often they change hairstyles.

5. Other Hotspots

Celebrities love to go out to the city’s most glamorous restaurants and clubs to see and be seen. Here is a list of the most celeb infested spots in the city.

Finally, keep an eye out for stars everywhere you go! Just a few weeks ago we happened to pass Diane Keaton on Fifth Ave! Check out Gawker Stalker for more celeb sightings around the city!

Tagged as: Celebs

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