I'm sure we've all been sitting at home, watching/listening to our favourite show and imagining how cool it would be to be there in the audience but not really known how to go about it. As quickly as the thought has entered your head it has gone again so check out the Comedy Lounge guide to TV and radio recordings.

A much overlooked way to be entertained and see comedy for free is to get tickets to telly or radio recordings. With many more channels these days than just the original five terrestrial ones, there are hundreds of shows that are recorded in front of studio audiences all crying out for people to join them. Your choice is no longer limited to Les Dennis and Bruce Forsythe vehicles with their over-used catchphrases and boring formats, the opportunity is there to see comedians who you wouldn't otherwise get a chance to see live such as Mark Lamarr and Lee evans. It is also a good chance to check out what's going to be gracing our air-waves and screens in the future. There is a huge range of shows catering for all ages, from quiz shows and chat shows to sitcoms and stand-up shows.

Firstly you need to know who offers audience tickets, where to find them and also how to apply. With some of the best comedy shows under its belt, the BBC is the obvious place to start looking. Check out their website. Here you will find lists of TV and radio shows all over the UK that you can get tickets for, focusing mainly on London and Manchester. It is best to bookmark this site and keep checking it regularly as it is constantly updated and like all audience services, the tickets are allocated on a first come, first served basis. You will need to either send an email to tv.ticket.unit@bbc.co.uk , telephone or write to the BBC to request tickets.

Another site to check is Hat-Trick who were responsible for one of the great sitcoms of the last millennium, "Father Ted". Hat-Trick produce a number of shows for many TV channels including "Have I Got News For You", "Clive Anderson" and "Room 101" for the BBC. There is a smaller number of shows to choose from but they do supply an on-line booking form which makes it quicker and easier to apply. If you're after tickets for HIGNFY then you really must be quick - these tickets are allocated within hours of them becoming available.

Power House Productions has provided tickets to shows such as "Light Lunch", "Phil Kay Get's A Bit" and "Dale's Winter Wonderland" (which I'm sure we were all dying to get tickets for). Not forgetting this year's phenomenon "The Weakest Link", with TV's most hated woman, Anne Robinson. So as you can see there is a huge range of shows from top comedy to absolute pap. PHP are the most organised audience services, phoning to check you have received your tickets and to see if you are interested in any of their other shows.

When you have your tickets through, do read all the literature that comes with them because for some shows you need to take along ID for security reasons. Also take note that YOU MUST ARRIVE IN PLENTY OF TIME and THIS TICKET DOES NOT GUARANTEE ENTRY. This doesn't mean that if they don't like the look of you, they won't let you in. They send out tickets to more people than they can fit in the studio. It means that even if you get there in time for the studio doors to open, if enough people have beaten you to the front of the queue, you may not get in and will have had a wasted journey. This has sparked off many an argument but it does clearly state it on the tickets so don't get caught out and have a wasted journey. They are forced to do this because some people get tickets and then decide not to use them and others just request more tickets than they have friends.

Going to a TV recording is much like going to see a show at the theatre but it does have certain differences and drawbacks. Before the show, much like at a music gig, there is a warm-up man who is there to limber you up and let you know what you're in for. You can be lumbered with Ted Robbins or be lucky enough to get Andy Robinson and there may even be a comedy store regular. It depends on the nature of the show and luck. As well as keeping you entertained when there is a break in the recording, they are given the task of getting the audience to practice clapping, cheering and laughing. This can get tedious to the point that you can't be arsed to clap during the show but it is something that is unavoidable. Some recordings, such as sitcoms, can really drag on so be prepared and if you don't like the warm-up then you're stuffed.

It is more intimate being at a recording than just watching the same show on the telly. You get to see out-takes that may not make it on to "It'll Be Alright On The Night", and the stars of the show keep the audience entertained, depending on how well things are going. You may even get the odd bit of gossip. You may get a chance to meet your favourite star but it is quite unlikely. Security is tight around television studios to stop people like you mobbing their cast members but from time to time, you might get an autograph if you time it right!

When you find these website, subscribe to the mailing lists to be kept up to date with the shows on offer and reduce the risk of missing a true comedy gem.

That's about it. Comedy for free and all you have to remember is to turn up early and Bob's your uncle, job's a good'un.