CenterStage

CenterStage Ticket Information

You can get FREE tickets to watch a taping of CenterStage. There is a limit of two tickets per person. You have the option of printing your tickets out, keep them on your phone or picking them up at check-in.

CenterStage Show Schedule

The show can tape any time and any day during the week. The taping schedule is set around the celebrity's availability. The earliest taping is usually at 10AM and the latest is at 3PM. Shows are usually taped Mon-Fri and not on weekends.

The audience must be at the studio at least one hour prior, for guaranteed seating. It is suggested to arrive an hour and a half before the taping just in case there is a long line or you have to check in.

CenterStage Age Requirements

CenterStage Host Profile

Michael Kay is a professional sports announcer and has been the Yankees' lead television play-by-play announcer since 2002. Kay spent a decade as a radio announcer with John Sterling at the New York City radio station WABC Kay started his professional career as a writer first at the New York Post in 1982 and later at The New York Daily News as a beat writer in 1987.

The celebrity guest and Michael Kay will usually stick around after the show taping to chat and sign autographs. Professional autograph hounds are not allowed to be part of the studio audience.

CenterStage Background

Because CenterStage airs on the Yankees-owned YES Network and primarily features sports celebrities, its audience naturally consists largely of men and sports fans. However, the show frequently spotlights non-sports stars, broadening its demographic appeal.

Ideally, for any given episode, the audience comprises fans of the guest Michael Kay is interviewing that day. While fans may enjoy watching their favorite celebrities from their seats, that is as close as they will get—Kay rarely opens the floor for audience questions.

CenterStage does not follow a set taping schedule, as bookings depend on the availability of the guest. Episodes can be recorded on any weekday, but not on weekends. On taping days, two episodes are often filmed—one in the morning and another in the afternoon.

Due to the show’s intimate format, the studio audience enjoys a close-up experience with both sports and non-sports celebrities in a relaxed setting. Recording typically takes between 75 to 90 minutes, but attendees should plan to be there for up to three hours, factoring in waiting times both in line and inside the studio.

The show provides complimentary refreshments, including bagels, soft drinks, and pizza. However, due to the tight schedule between segments, bathroom breaks are generally not allowed during taping.

Standby line attendees often get in, though availability decreases when an A-list celebrity is featured. Advance tickets are typically distributed in numbers exceeding studio capacity, meaning that in rare cases, some late arrivals may be turned away—such as during the well-known Andy Pettitte interview.

The quality of interviews varies depending on the guest; some are less compelling, while others are electric and highly engaging.

CenterStage airs on the YES Network, which is now partially owned by the New York Yankees, with the majority stake belonging to 21st Century Fox. The show's format features a single guest per episode, allowing Michael Kay to engage in deeper, more insightful conversations than the typical talk shows in New York City. While the majority of guests come from the sports world—fitting for a sports network—YES keeps the lineup fresh by occasionally featuring celebrities from film, music, and television.

Often described as a "sports version of Inside the Actors Studio—but without the pretension," CenterStage benefits from its focused approach. Kay is not required to transition between multiple guests, allowing him to dedicate the full episode to one individual.

The show is generally structured in two main segments. The first and longest portion consists of an in-depth interview with Kay, making up about 90% of the show. The second segment, Hit and Run, features a rapid-fire Q&A session where guests respond to quick questions. Occasionally, when time permits and the guest is open to it, a third segment allows the audience to ask questions—often leading to some of the most revealing moments of the show.

New episodes of CenterStage air at varying times throughout the week with no fixed schedule. Premieres typically air during prime time, while reruns are broadcast in the afternoons and evenings.

CenterStage Notes

Noteworthy Dates for Centerstage:

• October 21, 2002: Premier of the first episode of CenterStage
• January 28, 2007: Legendary NFL player Jerry Rice visits the show.
• August 29, 2012: Comedian Tracy Morgan goes on CenterStage and delivers a hilarious interview with Michael Kay.
• May 29, 2013: World-renowned tennis player Venus Williams comes on the show.