CenterStage

CenterStage is an hour long, one-on-one interview TV show hosted by Michael Kay. The audience gets an intimate level of access to athletes and celebrities.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Taping Schedule and Format

CenterStage does not follow a fixed taping schedule, as recordings depend on guest availability. Episodes may be taped on any weekday, but not on weekends. On most taping days, two episodes are filmed—one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Studio Audience Experience

Because of the show’s intimate format, audience members enjoy a close, relaxed experience with both sports and non-sports celebrities. A typical recording lasts 75 to 90 minutes, though attendees should expect to be at the studio for up to three hours, accounting for waiting time both outside and inside.

Refreshments and Logistics

Complimentary refreshments are provided, including bagels, soft drinks, and pizza. Due to the tight taping schedule, bathroom breaks are generally not permitted once recording begins.

Tickets and Standby Line

Standby attendees often gain entry, though availability decreases when a high-profile guest is featured. Advance tickets are routinely distributed in excess of studio capacity, meaning that in rare cases some late arrivals may be turned away, as happened during the well-known Andy Pettitte interview.

Interview Quality and Guest Mix

Interview quality varies by guest—some episodes are subdued, while others are particularly compelling. While most guests come from the sports world, the show occasionally features figures from film, music, and television to keep the lineup fresh.

Show Concept and Hosting Style

Often described as a “sports version of Inside the Actors Studio—without the pretension,” CenterStage focuses on a single guest per episode. This structure allows Michael Kay to engage in deeper, more thoughtful conversations than is typical of New York City talk shows.

Segment Structure

Episodes are generally divided into two primary segments. The first and longest segment—about 90% of the show—consists of an in-depth interview with Kay. The second segment, Hit and Run, features a rapid-fire question-and-answer session. Occasionally, when time permits and the guest is receptive, a third segment allows audience questions, often producing some of the most revealing moments.

Broadcast Schedule

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

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.