-
Back in the good old days, you could watch an episode of "Wheel of Fortune," and see good game playing, real enthusiasm, and interesting personalities all wrapped up in one nice package.
Those...were the good old days. These days, we get people who yell their letters, call letters that are exposed on the board, and basically muck up a game that is not that hard to begin with.
So, the buck has to land somewhere. Are Wheel's CCs looking for something besides good game playing? If they are, would you mind sharing what it is, because I'll have to practice that instead of solving the puzzle after three letters are called.
-
[quote name=\'TLEberle\' date=\'Apr 22 2005, 05:56 PM\']Are Wheel's CCs looking for something besides good game playing?
[snapback]82917[/snapback]
[/quote]
From what I've seen they tend to go for annoying, good looking people.
Maybe they are just picking from what they have to choose from. Then again, with so many people applying...
From WOF's website:
"We love players who are at ease, fun, and good game players. It's important that the game moves along as quickly as possible; that players are decisive in calling out their letters (in a loud voice) and in choosing their game strategy (whether to spin, buy a vowel, or solve the puzzle.) We want contestants to call logical letters; good game players seem to strike a good balance between calling consonants and buying vowels. (Why buy vowels? It may help to fill in the gaps in the puzzles.) It's been our general observation through the years that contestants who play with energy, poise, and a sense of humor (without forgetting to call logical letters) - tend to do better on the show"
-
Back in the day, producers were ultimately responsible for the final selection of contestants. On our show, if we didn't like a contestant at any time prior to their appearance, we had the right to send them on their way, but I do not recall one instance of this happening.
I once threw out an obnoxious run-thru contestant on another project.
-
[quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Apr 22 2005, 02:43 PM\']I once threw out an obnoxious run-thru contestant on another project.
[snapback]82929[/snapback]
[/quote]
Was that you? ;-)
The producer still has the ultimate approval, and always sees the contestants before the show starts. On Rafferty CS, even after all the interviewing, testing, mock game play, and a "final" meeting with the producer, we were then paraded on-camera for a final look-see just before taping.
Randy
tvrandywest.com
-
[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' date=\'Apr 22 2005, 06:26 PM\']
The producer still has the ultimate approval, and always sees the contestants before the show starts. On Rafferty CS, even after all the interviewing, testing, mock game play, and a "final" meeting with the producer, we were then paraded on-camera for a final look-see just before taping.
[snapback]82931[/snapback]
[/quote]
I didn't know you worked on Rafferty CS. Or were you a contestant or audience poll player on it?
-
[quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Apr 22 2005, 05:43 PM\']Back in the day, producers were ultimately responsible for the final selection of contestants. On our show, if we didn't like a contestant at any time prior to their appearance, we had the right to send them on their way, but I do not recall one instance of this happening.
[snapback]82929[/snapback]
[/quote]
For the primetime Weakest Link, 12 contestants were flown out to LA for each 8 contesant show.... To make the final 8, we were individually interviewed by the EPs, who asked one basic question : Do you think you can win?
I'm glad I made the cut and got on, but remember feeling bad for the ones who took a regional test, passed it, got interviewed by contestant coordinators, made the cut, flew to LA, only to not make it on the show and watch the proceedings from the green room....
-
[quote name=\'cmjb13\' date=\'Apr 22 2005, 05:09 PM\']From WOF's website:
"We love players who are at ease, fun, and good game players. It's important that the game moves along as quickly as possible; that players are decisive in calling out their letters (in a loud voice)"[/quote]
I get the impression lately that the contestant coordinators have a different idea of what constitutes "a loud voice" than Pat Sajak does, bless him.
"T!!!!" "YES!!!! THREE Ts!!!"
-
[quote name=\'Robert Hutchinson\' date=\'Apr 23 2005, 04:08 AM\']I get the impression lately that the contestant coordinators have a different idea of what constitutes "a loud voice" than Pat Sajak does, bless him.
[/quote]
I get the impression that the contestant coordinators have a different idea of what constitutes "a good contestant" than, say, any of us fans, or indeed anyone with a clue. :)
-
I get the impression that the contestant coordinators have a different idea of what constitutes "a good contestant" than, say, any of us fans, or indeed anyone with a clue. :)
All I can add to this is my own personal experience. Last year I went to a Wheelmobile event, was lucky enough to have my name drawn at random, then went up on stage and solved the puzzle.
I was called back a few weeks later for the final audition, solved a puzzle in the first section of the day in front of the entire group, and then passed a written quiz with 16 puzzles on it.
Then those of us who passed were asked to stay around and play a slightly more detailed mock game. I was pleasant and enthusiastic, called out "good" letters in a strong voice, and clapped appropriately for my fellow players, but just couldn't bring myself to be a "jump up and down type screamer". For the record, I am a white male in my early thirties, and am of average appearance. I was dressed in a sport jacket, button down collar shirt (no tie), a pair of slacks, and dress shoes.
I never heard from them again. It is what is, but it was disheartening in the sense that I knew I was a very good player, and yet nothing came of it. And with the process as difficult as it is (having to go to a number of Wheelmobile events hoping you're one of 50 names that get drawn from a barrel of about 500-1000), it has made me not want to try again.
-
Basically, if you wanna be on the show, fake it through the auditions, then once the actual show starts, behave properly to keep your dignity, right?
-
[quote name=\'whoserman\' date=\'Apr 23 2005, 01:52 PM\']Basically, if you wanna be on the show, fake it through the auditions, then once the actual show starts, behave properly to keep your dignity, right?
[snapback]83042[/snapback]
[/quote]
Thats exactly what I did.
I was on Wheel a few years ago. I'm definitely not a "jump and down" person. I'm very laid back and even tempered, but I was enthusiastic in the audition, and my hands hurt from clapping so much.
AFter I solved one of the puzzles during the taping, the contestant co-ordinator came over and told me to be more enthusiastic, I had just won the round, and she said I wasn't excited at all.
I wasn't necessarily conscious of it during the show, but you've got to know what they are looking for in the audition.
-
[quote name=\'bellbm\' date=\'Apr 23 2005, 07:47 PM\']AFter I solved one of the puzzles during the taping, the contestant co-ordinator came over and told me to be more enthusiastic, I had just won the round, and she said I wasn't excited at all.
[/quote]
Did you tell 'em to go screw?
-
[quote name=\'wasabe\' date=\'Apr 23 2005, 01:50 PM\']I never heard from them again. [/quote]
Of course not. Because the producers of Wheel would rather have some ninny from UCLA on the set screaming because he just won $300.
-
[quote name=\'Modor\' date=\'Apr 23 2005, 10:29 PM\'][quote name=\'wasabe\' date=\'Apr 23 2005, 01:50 PM\']I never heard from them again. [/quote]
Of course not. Because the producers of Wheel would rather have some ninny from UCLA on the set screaming because he just won $300.
[snapback]83083[/snapback]
[/quote]
They'd really be screaming if they only won $300, because no one on Wheel wins less than $500 these days.
-
[quote name=\'zachhoran\' date=\'Apr 23 2005, 08:40 PM\'][quote name=\'Modor\' date=\'Apr 23 2005, 10:29 PM\'][quote name=\'wasabe\' date=\'Apr 23 2005, 01:50 PM\']I never heard from them again. [/quote]
Of course not. Because the producers of Wheel would rather have some ninny from UCLA on the set screaming because he just won $300.
[snapback]83083[/snapback]
[/quote]
They'd really be screaming if they only won $300, because no one on Wheel wins less than $500 these days.
[snapback]83087[/snapback]
[/quote]
Ok, I need a ruling on this one. We can't whoosh him because he didn't miss a joke, per se...but he DID miss Mark's point...Chris, I'll leave this one to you.
-
[quote name=\'whoserman\' date=\'Apr 23 2005, 08:43 PM\']Ok, I need a ruling on this one. We can't whoosh him because he didn't miss a joke, per se...but he DID miss Mark's point...Chris, I'll leave this one to you.
[snapback]83089[/snapback]
[/quote]
Thank you.
It's beautiful outside, Zach. You really should leave the house and see it sometime.
-
Chris, sometimes it seems you always know just how to handle every situation. I thank you.
-
[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Apr 23 2005, 10:45 PM\']Thank you.
It's beautiful outside, Zach. You really should leave the house and see it sometime.
[snapback]83090[/snapback]
[/quote]
Maybe he and Rachel should go for a walk in the park.
Oh, no! I said her name! Now Supergod's © gonna kill me!
-
Do they do L.A. Auditions anymore or is it just via the Wheelmobile?
-
For next year's April Fools stunt, Wheel and Jeopardy! will be switching contestant coordinators for one day.
"Daily Double!"
"I'll bet $5000, Alex!!!"
"You only have $1200."
"Oh, sorry!! Composters for four hundred!!!" (high-fives opponents, breaks signaling device)
~~~~~~~~~
"Apparently we have time for a TWELFTH puzzle . . ."
-
The story is that on the B&E shows, the contestant coordinator would wave a cue card at the contestants saying "EMOTE!" if they were looking too stiff on stage.
I've long thought that a great April Fools Day "J!" would be to have a show with loud and obnoxious contestants, including a screaming woman who would keep running over to Trebek and hugging him--along with "surprise Jeopardies!"--incorrect response, water or green slime pours down on you or you get a pie in the face from a midget or the Jeopardy! Girls. Leave to your imagaination how they'd be dressed. Also, imagine what the penalties would be for a DD.
Not to mention that instead of picking a category and an amount, lights race around the board and the contestant stops the lights with their buzzer, after screaming "GIVE ME EASY ANSWERS AND BIG MONEY, ALEX!--EASY ANSWERS AND BIG MONEY AND STOP!!!"
The premise would've been that Merv had sold the show to Chuck Barris--at the end, of course, Merv would've come out and said "April Fool!" and Trebek would've invited people to come back tomorrow for ther regular contestants and "J!" like you expect it to be.
-
[quote name=\'uncamark\' date=\'Apr 25 2005, 12:00 PM\']The story is that on the B&E shows, the contestant coordinator would wave a cue card at the contestants saying "EMOTE!" if they were looking too stiff on stage.
I've long thought that a great April Fools Day "J!" would be to have a show with loud and obnoxious contestants, including a screaming woman who would keep running over to Trebek and hugging him--along with "surprise Jeopardies!"--incorrect response, water or green slime pours down on you or you get a pie in the face from a midget or the Jeopardy! Girls. Leave to your imagaination how they'd be dressed. Also, imagine what the penalties would be for a DD.
Not to mention that instead of picking a category and an amount, lights race around the board and the contestant stops the lights with their buzzer, after screaming "GIVE ME EASY ANSWERS AND BIG MONEY, ALEX!--EASY ANSWERS AND BIG MONEY AND STOP!!!"
The premise would've been that Merv had sold the show to Chuck Barris--at the end, of course, Merv would've come out and said "April Fool!" and Trebek would've invited people to come back tomorrow for ther regular contestants and "J!" like you expect it to be.
[snapback]83214[/snapback]
[/quote]
How about this...have Ken Jennings on again, and he, of course, wins a lot more dough, then after Final J!, cut to Victoria Principal waking up from bed. She goes into the bathroom, and finds Patrick Duffy in the shower. Ken's run was all a dream.
Why, no, I have not been drinking...just had a little Coke...as in soda. Why do you ask? ;-)