I think I’ve just encountered my first case of age discrimination. Granted, this is somewhat minor, but at 58 it still angers me. I am going to NYC and want to see Rachel Ray and Kelly and Michael’s shows. Both have an online forms that asks your age. I filled out Rachel Ray’s form a year ago and never got a response. When I watched the show yesterday, I paid close attention to who was in the audience. I don’t think there was a member over 40. Really?!! I guess I know why I didn’t get a call or an e-mail message. Kelly’s show showed availability for my date, but when I filled out the form, it put me on a waiting list. The audience make-up seems so minor. This is really tainting my opinion of their shows.
Welcome to the world! Be grateful that you made it to 58 before this slapped you upside the head! Also – I gotta say this – if the worst, most hurtful thing that happens to you because of age discrimination is you don’t get to be in the studio audience for a taping of Rachel Ray’s or Kelly Ripa’s show, you are very, very blessed.
This is very interesting. What would they need your age on the form anyway?
Looks like age discrimination to me.
@JHS Thank heavens I’m not applying for jobs.
@FallGirl Yes, it is age discrimination. Is it understandable for being in an audience?
So…wht would happen if you put 30 on those forms? Would they turn you away at the door with a ticket?
Is this a mandatory field? I would leave it blank if not.
They need the DOB to make sure you’re at least 18 and can sign the legal waiver.
One of the shows said you have to show an id for admittance and your name AND birth date must match.
I found a Rachel Ray discussion online where someone said they left it blank and someone called them for their birth dates. They were in their 60s and never heard back from the show.
Wow! Can one person order multiple tickets? So could my 28 year old get two tickets…one for herself and one for me…or does the application require botH birth dates??
Wow, interesting. Wonder if you could go up the ladder with your complaint?
The person ordering the tickets needs a birth date, as does each person attending.
I can see wanting to verify that someone is over 18, but beyond that???
Are people really looking at the audience when they watch these shows?
This.
I do think they want a younger audience for “ratings”. I also think there is a lot of very subtle age discrimination around. It’s there in the workplace for sure but also in other places.
I never really noticed until now. Watch these shows and you will catch glimpses of the “young” audiences.
It’s an age range for each person, not the birth date that is required. Minor quibble, I know. In any case, I have a group of lady friends who have been to Rachel Ray and also to Kelly’s show (actually a few times through the years, starting with Regis), and all are in their early 60s now and had no issue, other than the typical wait-times, getting tickets. The Rachel Ray taping was in 2015 so I’m not sure how they are discriminating against us old folks, unless whomever is doling out the tickets now prefers the youngsters. In fact, in one group who went to Kelly’s show, one of the 60-somethings took her 80-something mom with her.
Tickets to these shows that film in NY are very difficult to get. There is a huge demand. It’s probably more likely that that is the case, rather than some sort of nefarious discrimination against older ladies. 
Trying to look for the silver lining.
Maybe they want to “balance” the audience and already have the proportion of 60+'s they need.
My sister was in the audience on the Kelly Ripa show when she was 59 or 60. She didn’t mention any problems getting tickets. But you’re right, it’s rare to see older women in talk show audiences nowadays.
Why not type in your birth date and have a small typo on the decade? 1985 instead of 1955. Voila, you are in your thirties.
^^^Because apparently the ID you provide when you show up must match the info you provided when you signed up. Like getting through security at the airport.
I took my S to NYC a few years ago. Tried to get tickets to Kelly’s show but never heard back. We did get tickets for Jimmy Fallon. When we stood in line waiting to enter, the ushers chose young people (including my S) and seated them together in the audience. When the musical guest performed, they were brought on stage to dance. My old self was seated next to a wall, out of camera range. Definite age discrimination, but I was fine with it!
They definitely want young people for TV. I’m also 58. A couple of years ago I filled out an online application for “Jeopardy” and when I tried to submit it I got a response that I was not eligible or something. I also tried out for “Who Wants to be a Millionaire.” I passed the multiple choice test and they said they would contact me but they never did.