It's pretty easy to get tickets to the tapings of live TV shows, but getting to the studio can sometimes be a hassle. "The Tonight Show", for instance, offers plenty of stars, but it's taped at NBC studios, which is in the Valley.

But the new "On-Air with Ryan Seacrest" show is taped right in the very heart of Hollywood, in the new Hollywood & Highland center - the same center that contains the Kodak Theatre (where the annual Oscars show is held), and a few steps away from Grauman's Chinese Theatre. So if you're visiting Hollywood, all you have to do is stroll to the new studio just off Babylon Court.

There are actually three ways to see stars from the show. One is the usual method: get a free ticket, go into the studio and watch the stars as they appear on the show to be interviewed by Ryan Seacrest and/or to perform.

The show launched in 2004, and in-studio guests have already included stars like Adam Sandler, Sting, Jay Leno, David Boreanaz and the cast of “Angel”, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Kiefer Sutherland, Topher Grace, Regis Philbin, The Rock, Frankie Muniz, Lucy Lawless, Reba McEntire, Paula Abdul, Roma Downey, Ving Rhames, Carmen Electra, Arsenio Hall, Brittany Snow, Sheryl Crow, Deborah Gibson, Dick Clark, Donald Trump, Doris Roberts, Eliza Dushku, Enrique Iglesias, LeAnn Rimes, Missy Elliott, Sarah McLachlan, the Osbournes, Catherine Bell, Jaime Pressly, Jami Gertz ,Jason Bateman, JC Chasez, Jon Cryer, Kylie Minogue, Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell, Ruben Studdard, Rebecca Gayheart and the cast from "Yes, Dear".

The second way is unique. Every so often, the show's musical guests perform outside, live - on a stage set up right in the middle of Babylon Court (the main public plaza of the Hollywood & Highland center). Little mini-concerts by big names, and they're free!

Who? How about Britney Spears? Yep, she was out there for everyone to see, doing her thing in the middle of Babylon Court. Or how about Hilary Duff? She did an outdoor concert too. So did Ryan's "American Idol" friends Justin Guarini & Kelly Clarkson. (These little concerts draw big crowds, so come early for a good viewing spot.)

The third way is to just hang around Babylon Court while the show is taping (12 noon to 1 p.m.). Seacrest has some of his famous guests act as his "celebrity courtyard correspondents" and prowl Babylon Court with microphone in hand, interviewing members of the public - like you.

Host Ryan Seacrest, is, of course, the host of the popular TV show “American Idol," and star of the hit afternoon radio show “Ryan Seacrest For The Ride Home” on 98.7 FM.

For tickets to join the studio audience, call their On-Air Ticket Hotline at (323) 308-7100. They will mail the tickets to you, or (if it's too close to the taping date) they'll have them waiting for you at the studio.

The show tapes live every day from 12 noon to 1 PM, but you must be in line by 10:00 AM to be a part of the audience. (Or, if you like to live dangerously, just show up at their Hollywood & Highland studio before 11:30 AM and hope they still have some tickets left. But don't expect to get lucky during the busy Summer tourist season...) Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

For a list of upcoming guests on the show, just go to http://ryanonair.com

 Getting there: If you're visiting downtown Hollywood, you won't have to go far. The Hollywood & Highland center is located right in the center of the new Hollywood, literally next door to (east of) Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the includes the Kodak Theatre.