Million Second Quiz Chronicles Post-Mortem

[penpusher]

So, if you watched any of that show, you'll know that I never made it on TV and in fact, never got back to play the game again.

What was going on, I discovered, was the casting department of the game really wanted someone in their 20s to be on the televised portion, which is why the people in Winners' Row were firm. Though I could have made a run if I had a fair chance (and I really did make a run, but only halfway to the totals I needed to qualify), they made sure I didn't have a fair chance... and I know they were purposely not letting me get a second attempt because contestants compared answers in the room after we took the quiz and I certainly could have been put through if they wanted to select me.

That's when I gave up and didn't go back, even though they did invite me to return. I mean, yeah, I could have taken another day off work, gone back to eat more Twinkies and Subway sandwiches (if I never eat another one of either of those, I'm good with that). And hoped they would let me have another go, I figured they would have put me through that second time. I mean, Rishi, the guy I beat, came back, they put HIM through, and he got to be in the chair again! Of course, he lost rather quickly that time, and didn't get back on the prime time telecast, but at least he got the second chance.

Though I might have gotten to play on the televised part of the game had I either played against people who were also there for 24 hours, or if I had at least gotten a power nap, I obviously wasn't going to beat the two top players for the big prize. Both Andrew and Brandon are Trivia Savants, and even when they don't know the answer, manage to guess fairly accurately. Their abilities are truly staggering and awe-inspiring.

It was fun to play and compete, though and I got some real insights about what goes on behind the scenes at a big money prime time game show. That info is probably more useful to me than the cash they might have paid.

Comments

[serendipity.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Dean. Your saga was truly interesting to read. I had no idea what kind of ordeal the contestants on today's big game shows have to endure. It would have been great to see you on the show but I'm glad you didn't go back, in part because more Twinkies might have killed you. ;)

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

I don't know. Something about NBC and me doesn't really work. I also applied to be on another NBC game show: "Hollywood Game Night," and they were really enthusiastic about me possibly being a contestant, but when they found out my age, they stopped communicating with me, entirely!

I guess I'm a bit long in the tooth for game playing... but this dates back to when I graduated college and applied to be a Page at 30 Rock. To be fair, I applied at CBS as well (ABC didn't have a page program at the time). I was rejected in both instances.

And yeah! I ate more Twinkies that week than I did in the previous 15 years! At least they were wrapped individually, not the formerly standard two in a pack from days of yore, and I think that helped me from overdoing it!

[pageeater.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you trusted your instincts enough to say 'no more.' But I'm also glad I was hear to read your entries on the game. It's been great fun, Mr P.

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

One of the new friends I made during the process of trying to qualify said he got back in, got to play one game, won, but then lost the very next game and was out again. He agreed I made the right decision not to return.

Thanks for reading along... maybe in another ten years, I'll have another shot at being on a game?