The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: mcsittel on July 22, 2009, 05:26:14 PM
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My cell phone rang at work about 2 pm CT this afternoon and when I saw a (212) area code on it, I wasn't sure what it was. When they told me *why* they were calling, I couldn't believe it! They mentioned that they've been calling people since Monday. The whole call took almost half an hour, so maybe it takes more time than we thought to call and go through all the qualification stuff.
My tape date is August 5th. I've got until this Friday to get all the paperwork filled out (they sent a bunch of stuff via e-mail which I've only had time to glance it). I'm still in shock that they called!
Matt
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Congratulations!
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Very awesome. I'd offer my services as a PAF but I'm already serving for someone and, apparently, you can only be on one person's list during the primetime run. I'm sure others here will be glad to offer their (likely better) services to you. Congratulations! :)
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[quote name=\'mcsittel\' post=\'220838\' date=\'Jul 22 2009, 02:26 PM\']My cell phone rang at work about 2 pm CT this afternoon[/quote]
Just to check what you're saying here ... you got your callback, but not on the day that had been assigned?
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Congratulations! Do us game show fans slash TV Guide collectors slash DX enthusiasts proud!
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[quote name=\'Kniwt\' post=\'220842\' date=\'Jul 22 2009, 04:39 PM\'][quote name=\'mcsittel\' post=\'220838\' date=\'Jul 22 2009, 02:26 PM\']My cell phone rang at work about 2 pm CT this afternoon[/quote]
Just to check what you're saying here ... you got your callback, but not on the day that had been assigned?
[/quote]
Correct. July 20 was the quoted callback date. They called today, July 22nd about 2pm CT.
They gave me until 5 pm July 23 (i.e., tomorrow) to fill out the contestant interview form (9 pages), and July 24 to get the phone-a-friend waivers and photos to them. I've got work to do!
Interesting that they require a land-line for calling a Phone-A-Friend, and availability for 5.5 hours during the taping date. That will present some logistical problems.
If you'd like to be considered for a P-A-F, please reply below with your strongest (and weakest) categories. I know what categories I need help with. If that's your strong suit, we'll talk!
Matt
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I'd offer to be a Phone-a-friend, but I have no land line. Just my cell.
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I can imagine how a PAF landline requirement would be a really big hurdle. I'd offer PAF services but my only landline is at work and I'm up and away from my desk all day long.
Ten years ago, I can understand the landline thing. Reasonable cell phone plans were still only about 250 minutes/month, and mobile-to-mobile wasn't really hitting the streets. But 2009? I can count on one hand the number of people I know under 30 years old who have landlines.
/1, if you don't count VoIP
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[quote name=\'mcsittel\' post=\'220847\' date=\'Jul 22 2009, 07:25 PM\']and availability for 5.5 hours during the taping date. That will present some logistical problems.[/quote]
Are they taping multiple shows each day?
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They're calling for a landline for the same reason Stu Shostak called for one on his little streaming radio game show - call quality. They do not want to run into a "Hey, I'm gonna lose the signal, I'm going into a tunnel" situation with fifteen seconds to go, nor do they want to deal with a provider dropping the call.
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[quote name=\'mitchgroff\' post=\'220850\' date=\'Jul 22 2009, 06:38 PM\']Ten years ago, I can understand the landline thing. Reasonable cell phone plans were still only about 250 minutes/month, and mobile-to-mobile wasn't really hitting the streets. But 2009? I can count on one hand the number of people I know under 30 years old who have landlines.[/quote]
Mr. Lemon's on target on both points. Ten years ago, it had nothing to do with reasonable cell plans--as they said then, it was all about call quality. And on Stu's show, we used landlines just so we wouldn't have unclear/dropped/disconnected cell calls (which happened more than once during the few special times we allowed cell usage).
Trust me, the last thing you want to think about in the hot seat is an unclear/dropped connection for your PAF.
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Matt, I'm very excited for you! Go win a bundle!!
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Congrats and good luck!
Through which method did you qualify? Was it the phone in game, auditions, or the video submission?
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I am available to be a PAF. My strongest categories are pop culture, entertainment, current events, and history. I am a very good Googler. My weak categories are geography and food/cooking.
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Matt - if they would allow a Canuck I'd be thrilled to serve as PAF! I have a forte in languages (specifically French), theatre, business, pop culture, and of course those wonderful math questions they always throw out. Science and American History would be out of my depth.
Break a leg!
Ryan :)
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Congrats! If (and I'm sure this is a big "if") you need to fill out your PAF list, please let me know. (I'm weak in the lit and fine arts categories, but other than that, I'm good.)
--Charlie, DCA MPW #42
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Wait, so hold on a minute. Would it make sense, then, for me to hold onto some sort of hope that they may call me as well? (I was told to expect my call on Monday too.)
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'220853\' date=\'Jul 22 2009, 06:45 PM\']They're calling for a landline for the same reason Stu Shostak called for one on his little streaming radio game show - call quality. They do not want to run into a "Hey, I'm gonna lose the signal, I'm going into a tunnel" situation with fifteen seconds to go, nor do they want to deal with a provider dropping the call.[/quote]
And hence, why I maintain a land line . . . in case I am needed for Millionaire. Seriosuly though, I know a lot of people are strictly on a cell phone, but there is something about having that land line for quality.
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[quote name=\'tomobrien\' post=\'220858\' date=\'Jul 22 2009, 08:04 PM\']Mr. Lemon's on target on both points. Ten years ago, it had nothing to do with reasonable cell plans--as they said then, it was all about call quality. And on Stu's show, we used landlines just so we wouldn't have unclear/dropped/disconnected cell calls (which happened more than once during the few special times we allowed cell usage).
Trust me, the last thing you want to think about in the hot seat is an unclear/dropped connection for your PAF.[/quote]
I'm not in disagreement with Mr. Lemon's points about the landline - it's certainly preferable over any mobile phone. It's why some frequent out-of-studio radio talk show guests make a habit of using pay phones if they're on the road. And I definitely wouldn't want my PAF to be on mobile only...it's just that some may find landline PAFs hard to come by since, like it or not, so many people are making their cell phone their main phone line.
/Skype is missing a terrific opportunity here...video PAFs might have been quite a neat gimmick.
//Rules: "Your Phone-A-Friend must have a landline phone and at least 6/1.5 in bandwidth to qualify..."
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[quote name=\'mitchgroff\' post=\'220911\' date=\'Jul 23 2009, 11:56 AM\']...it's just that some may find landline PAFs hard to come by since, like it or not, so many people are making their cell phone their main phone line.[/quote]
No question it's fast becoming an outdated rule that they will one day have to scuttle. Fortunately most of the folks I'd want on a PAF list have either landlines or office phones.
/Skype is missing a terrific opportunity here...video PAFs might have been quite a neat gimmick.
The only promotion Ebay is actively interested in including Skype in is one that would let them sell it.
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They do use Skype for the Ask the Expert on the Syndicated show, so it isn't out of the question they could use it for phone a friends as well.
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OH MY GOODNESS!!! How exciting!
Please make notes so you can report back everything to us! Even what they serve at Craft Services!
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[quote name=\'pentellit\' post=\'221123\' date=\'Jul 26 2009, 01:29 AM\']OH MY GOODNESS!!! How exciting!
Please make notes so you can report back everything to us! Even what they serve at Craft Services![/quote]
Congratulations! It was an experience of a lifetime for me! Just remember, to take it all in! :)
GOOD LUCK!
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But 2009? I can count on one hand the number of people I know under 30 years old who have landlines.
Is DSL service really that unpopular?
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[quote name=\'HYHYBT\' post=\'221146\' date=\'Jul 26 2009, 11:27 AM\']Is DSL service really that unpopular?[/quote]
One can have DSL service without maintaining a landline phone.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'221147\' date=\'Jul 26 2009, 02:29 PM\'][quote name=\'HYHYBT\' post=\'221146\' date=\'Jul 26 2009, 11:27 AM\']Is DSL service really that unpopular?[/quote]
One can have DSL service without maintaining a landline phone.
[/quote]
Indeed....It's called many things..."Naked DSL", "Standalone DSL", "Dry Loop". Uses the data portion of the line, not voice. No land line phone service is required for use.
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Hi everyone. I'm a finalist for the show
being taped next Tuesday. Does anyone have any non-obvious tips for the fastest finger or general gameplay? I've seen the show many, many times so I've certainly got the gist of it, but I figure it couldn't hurt to ask. The producers asked me if I was practicing for the fastest finger and I told them I simply do not have a clue about how I would practice for something like that, other than going back to my high school hockey days.
So far as the celebrities, I'm personally fairly indifferent; I merely wish for the most amount of questions asked in the least amount of time so that more finalists (and perhaps myself) get a chance to be in the seat.
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[quote name=\'Nik B\' post=\'221257\' date=\'Jul 27 2009, 02:52 PM\']Hi everyone. I'm a finalist for the show
being taped next Tuesday. Does anyone have any non-obvious tips for the fastest finger or general gameplay? I've seen the show many, many times so I've certainly got the gist of it, but I figure it couldn't hurt to ask.[/quote]
I took your question to my friend who worked with contestants on numerous shows. She said that people always asked her similar questions, and she told them to remember to breathe. I know it sounds obvious, but many people hold their breath in stressful situations (this certainly qualifies!). So breathe NikB, and keep breathing and keep oxygenating the blood to your brain.
And have FUN! And tell us all about it!
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I tell you what, one regret I have as a ring-of-fire player who didn't make it to play for money is that I sat and studied all sorts of facts. Facts, facts, facts. People giving me books, telling me what to study, blah de blah.
And it didn't do one iota of good, because I didn't make it in the Hot Seat.
What I should have been doing is practicing Fastest Finger questions. Or playing video games, anything to quicken my reflexes. Now that there are Millionaire video games out there, play them, but only for the FF questions. Have your friends make FF questions for you to play. That would be my advice...don't worry about the questions in the seat as much as getting into the seat in the first place. I don't have too many regrets, but I do regret not practicing my reflexes more, because I might have been a tenth of a second faster.
I reckon it's probably a good idea to be as updated on the minutiae of current events and pop culture as possible. Read a few newspapers front to back on the plane flight. That's the kind of stuff where you're sitting and playing, and you say, "hey, I just read about this thing."
Good luck to anyone who's playing! Don't let Regis dawdle, get those questions in!
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Indeed....It's called many things..."Naked DSL", "Standalone DSL", "Dry Loop". Uses the data portion of the line, not voice. No land line phone service is required for use.
I'll have to look into that. The last time I checked, you couldn't do that here; I didn't realize it was possible elsewhere.
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[quote name=\'mitchgroff\' post=\'221289\' date=\'Jul 27 2009, 09:07 PM\']I tell you what, one regret I have as a ring-of-fire player who didn't make it to play for money is that I sat and studied all sorts of facts. Facts, facts, facts. People giving me books, telling me what to study, blah de blah.
And it didn'tI reckon it's probably a good idea to be as updated on the minutiae of current events and pop culture as possible. Read a few newspapers front to back on the plane flight. That's the kind of stuff where you're sitting and playing, and you say, "hey, I just read about this thing."
Good luck to anyone who's playing! Don't let Regis dawdle, get those questions in![/quote]
Thanks for the advice! However I live about 10 blocks from where the taping will be held, so perhaps I'll simply tell the driver of the car service they provided to drive quite slowly. :)
Not to toot my own horn, but I'm actually pretty sure I have very keen reflexes; many days of backyard, midget, and high school hockey goaltending have refined them to a pretty quick trigger. To be quick and correct at the same time, ay, that's the rub!
Appreciate the warm welcome to your board! :)
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Breathe, breathe, breathe. Actually, that's really good advice. It's really easy to tense up like a board in that situation.
Pushing the FF buttons isn't all that difficult; it's not like you've got a lot of them to worry about. If you want to get some practice in the "linear" style of thinking for the FF, you might want to see if you can find some of the old UK Millionaire quiz books. They have a series of FF questions (granted, some are out of date and/or Anglo-centric) but a lot of them are pretty straightforward info. Have somebody read them to you and see how quickly you can answer them.
And good luck. You'll never forget the experience.
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And (maybe it's obvious, but it wasn't mentioned), if you don't think you'll be able to put things in order rapidly, just push the buttons as fast as possible. This is the part where if you can't make it by your knowledge, you can make it by your luck.
/From ABC's Television City in New York City, it's time to Press Your Luck !
And good luck :)
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[quote name=\'ljouvin\' post=\'221369\' date=\'Jul 29 2009, 02:57 AM\']And (maybe it's obvious, but it wasn't mentioned), if you don't think you'll be able to put things in order rapidly, just push the buttons as fast as possible. This is the part where if you can't make it by your knowledge, you can make it by your luck.[/quote]
I'd be very curious to know how many people have gotten out of the Ring of Fire via a wild-assed guess.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'221389\' date=\'Jul 29 2009, 01:19 PM\'][quote name=\'ljouvin\' post=\'221369\' date=\'Jul 29 2009, 02:57 AM\']And (maybe it's obvious, but it wasn't mentioned), if you don't think you'll be able to put things in order rapidly, just push the buttons as fast as possible. This is the part where if you can't make it by your knowledge, you can make it by your luck.[/quote]
I'd be very curious to know how many people have gotten out of the Ring of Fire via a wild-assed guess.
[/quote]
I place the odds at 25,000,000:1
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[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'221391\' date=\'Jul 29 2009, 01:33 PM\']I place the odds at 25,000,000:1[/quote]Your ability to synergize multiple threads is beautiful.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'221389\' date=\'Jul 29 2009, 12:19 PM\'][quote name=\'ljouvin\' post=\'221369\' date=\'Jul 29 2009, 02:57 AM\']And (maybe it's obvious, but it wasn't mentioned), if you don't think you'll be able to put things in order rapidly, just push the buttons as fast as possible. This is the part where if you can't make it by your knowledge, you can make it by your luck.[/quote]
I'd be very curious to know how many people have gotten out of the Ring of Fire via a wild-assed guess.
[/quote]
I would wager very few. I do recall, if I am not mistakened, someone getting a FF question correct in less than 1 second. I would wager, that at less than 1 second, she played her odds at 1 in 24 and got it right.
I mean, if you are clueless, a 1 in 24 shot isn't bad, just hammer and go.
Ryan
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[quote name=\'RyanCDN\' post=\'221401\' date=\'Jul 29 2009, 03:54 PM\']I do recall, if I am not mistakened, someone getting a FF question correct in less than 1 second.[/quote]
Nope, you're not mistaken. The record for the FF was 0.03 seconds.
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[quote name=\'RyanCDN\' post=\'221401\' date=\'Jul 29 2009, 12:54 PM\']I mean, if you are clueless, a 1 in 24 shot isn't bad, just hammer and go.[/quote]
If you're COMPLETELY clueless, sure. I don't think I'd risk it if I could suss it out with a few seconds of thought.
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[quote name=\'DoorNumberFour\' post=\'221403\' date=\'Jul 29 2009, 03:56 PM\']Nope, you're not mistaken. The record for the FF was 0.03 seconds.[/quote]
How does a human being push five unfamiliar buttons in three one-hundredths of a second, even guessing wildly?
As a comparison, it takes three times that long to blink.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'221405\' date=\'Jul 29 2009, 04:01 PM\'][quote name=\'DoorNumberFour\' post=\'221403\' date=\'Jul 29 2009, 03:56 PM\']Nope, you're not mistaken. The record for the FF was 0.03 seconds.[/quote]
How does a human being push five unfamiliar buttons in three one-hundredths of a second, even guessing wildly?
[/quote]
I am absolutely wrong. Somehow I remember seeing that on a Pop-Up Video episode of Millionaire a while back.
The actual record is 0.87 seconds. (http://\"http://www.tv.com/who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire/episode-35/episode/342609/summary.html\") My apologies.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'221404\' date=\'Jul 29 2009, 02:57 PM\'][quote name=\'RyanCDN\' post=\'221401\' date=\'Jul 29 2009, 12:54 PM\']I mean, if you are clueless, a 1 in 24 shot isn't bad, just hammer and go.[/quote]
If you're COMPLETELY clueless, sure. I don't think I'd risk it if I could suss it out with a few seconds of thought.
[/quote]
For certain, and that is what I mean, if you have no clue at all, just hammer. If you can figure it out, there is no sense in just guessing.
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[quote name=\'RyanCDN\' post=\'221401\' date=\'Jul 29 2009, 03:54 PM\'][quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'221389\' date=\'Jul 29 2009, 12:19 PM\'][quote name=\'ljouvin\' post=\'221369\' date=\'Jul 29 2009, 02:57 AM\']And (maybe it's obvious, but it wasn't mentioned), if you don't think you'll be able to put things in order rapidly, just push the buttons as fast as possible. This is the part where if you can't make it by your knowledge, you can make it by your luck.[/quote]
I'd be very curious to know how many people have gotten out of the Ring of Fire via a wild-assed guess.
[/quote]
I would wager very few. I do recall, if I am not mistakened, someone getting a FF question correct in less than 1 second. I would wager, that at less than 1 second, she played her odds at 1 in 24 and got it right.
I mean, if you are clueless, a 1 in 24 shot isn't bad, just hammer and go.
Ryan
[/quote]
this is totally splitting hairs but it got me thinking, hey i've never seen the FF answer be A-B-C-D. Would that improve my odds to 1 in 23?
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[quote name=\'Bill Neuweiler\' post=\'221419\' date=\'Jul 29 2009, 03:48 PM\']this is totally splitting hairs but it got me thinking, hey i've never seen the FF answer be A-B-C-D. Would that improve my odds to 1 in 23?[/quote]
That's a pretty reasonable assumption, but I've seen it happen once in the first season. I remember it striking me as kind of odd at the time.
/And then there was Norm's fastest finger question, but that was a joke anyway.
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[quote name=\'Kevin Prather\' post=\'221428\' date=\'Jul 29 2009, 07:47 PM\']/And then there was Norm's fastest finger question, but that was a joke anyway.[/quote]
Speaking of, it should be airing next Tuesday or Wednesday in the midnight ET slot on GSN.