We'll Be Right Back After These Snacks: Food In 5 Talk Show Green Rooms

Flickr/lauren ashley

Jimmy Kimmel's green room

What is a talk show green room? It is the TV-bedecked comfy-couched middle earth between dressing room and stage. It is sometimes (but not always) actually green in color. It is the place where its inhabitants can actually tell if the person who just walked out of the room and in front of the world really is getting an extra ten pounds via the camera. It is a red velvet rope holding tank where the complimentary buffet can be of legend, both good and bad. But, intriguingly enough, it is not a place where one often has many star sightings (if the talent have any brains they might think eating a dozen mini-sliders with grilled onions right before they turn in a micro-performance in front of a live studio audience).

So who is the Wagyu beef sate (or the congealed deli meats, depending on the quality of the catering) for? It is actually to give Happy Hour sustenance to the entourage, of course; it's for the agents, the managers, the sidekicks and the publicists. And, let me tell you, they have thoughts about talk show green room food, although because they love their chilled shrimp and freebie Vitamin waters all polled insisted on remaining nameless.

5. The Tonight Show With Jay Leno:
Ratings: 2 1/2 stars
Details: "When you're on the show, a guy wheels around this thing to each dressing room that's called by The Jay Cart. On it, they have wine and beer and fruits, veggies, crackers, cheese and on the bottom they have potato chips. There's a spread in the green room too, but it's always empty." Agrees another poll-ee, "No one ever goes to Leno's green room -- it's kind of far away."

4. The Ellen Degeneres Show:
Rating: 3 stars -- especially if you're in the market for a sugar rush.
Details: "When they changed studios several years ago, they got a bigger green room area that is dominated by a Candy Bar. Just bowls and bowls of every kind of candy you can imagine. Red Vines, M &Ms. Everything." "I like the individual bags of chips that you can put in your purse and take home," says a green room connoisseur with a penchant for to-go nibbles. "The beverage selection is especially good."

3. Lopez Tonight:
Rating: 4 stars
Details: "This is a good one! They always have spanikoptia, lamb chops, chutneys, chicken fingers, a nice spread. They also have a full bar as well." "After Kimmel, this is my second favorite," says another who is no stranger to Lopez' green room astroturf putting green. "Quesadillas and chicken fingers! Veggie platter! Little brownies!"