I was invited to join friends to attend (and clap or laugh on cue) a taping of "Hot in Cleveland" today. I've been in the cattle call on previous occasions for live audiences while shows are being taped (once for Cher, once for "Ellen") and I know how physically strenuous they are.

You stand in line for a couple of hours. You bring snacks, water, warm jacket. Taping can last (on and off) for up to 6 hours as various sets are changed, costumes altered--who knows what. Lots of waiting around, standing, sitting. (Jury duty comes to mind as a similar experience.)

So it had better be worth it. A show that you love, definitely. If you're undergoing an ordeal just to get a look at a celeb or two, in my book, why bother.

Since I had never watched a "Hot in Cleveland" episode, I went online and streamed a couple of them. IMHO it's just a warmed-over, predictable sitcom. Ho hum. Not worth my time to watch it at home, let alone suffer through the experience of being part of the live audience.

I'll take a rain check.