Getting a job at CBS may be hard to come by, but you can weigh in on the decision-making process by letting your opinions be known at the CBS Television City Research Center at MGM Grand. You could find a gem, such as the pilot to a great new series -- or you could get a rip-off of a current show (we won't name names here). Half the fun, though, is the anticipation. All you need to do is watch and give your opinion. Participation is quite effortless.
Viewers can pick up tickets as they enter the hotel from the parking garage, or in front of the research center itself. They then register at the counter in front of the center, and line up about 10 minutes before their scheduled time. Five minutes before the screening begins, viewers are led into one of four studios to watch the latest offerings from CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon and other Viacom networks (the television-holdings giant manages the research center). The show's length will determine the time of the testing process. A survey following the program lasts about 15 minutes, so viewers should expect an hour for a hour-long show (actually 45 minutes, as it is shown with no commercials), etc.
Television City also offers incentives to its viewers. Its store offers merchandise such as T-shirts, caps, pins, keychains, even computer software from popular shows such as "Survivor," "C.S.I," "Rugrats," "SpongeBob Squarepants" and more (most items range from $18-20, but check the clearance rack for deals).Visitors also have a chance to be in the running for a home-theater system worth over $5,000 by joining Television City's entertainment panel, which will send items for review -- such as commercials and pilot programs -- to participants' homes. Drawings are held every three months. Even if the show you have viewed is not to your liking, wouldn't it be fun to tell people that you made a decision on a show that was now on the CBS lineup?
Hours of Operation: 10 a.m. until screenings wrap for the day, usually around 10 p.m. Call for specific hours if you plan to come in the evening. Screenings run about every half hour and can last anywhere from 40 minutes to two hours.
Location: 3799 S. Las Vegas Blvd. / Las Vegas, NV 89109
Phone: (702) 891-5752 or (800) 646-7787 |
