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Hey friends!

Sorry it has taken so long for me to post after my big day but it took awhile to get over the intense high of the entire experience and I find it hard to put it into words.

First, let me give a huge THANK YOU to Bob for being "on call" for me for not one but TWO days straight! It was even more stressful because one of my PAFs didn't answer the first call on my second day so that only left me with two PAFs (but at least it was the best two!). The question I used my PAF lifeline for was one that I knew my good friend Roger would easily know, although I'm sure Bob could have handled it as well. I loved reading the "She's in the Hot Seat" post and the rundown of what was possibly happening! Based on the time stamps for each of your posts, I think you were somewhat close to the mark. Thank you to everyone who was cheering me on, too! I'm sure I must have felt those good vibes while I was in the hot seat! Bob, I sincerely appreciate your willingness to do this for me, a virtual stranger and it absolutely made me feel much more confident just knowing you were there if I needed you. *HUGE APPLAUSE*

So, I will be on two shows in January! They ended up putting a hold over from a previous tape date last month ahead of me, so, to start out the day, it was the lady from the day before (who I just LOVE) continuing her turn, then it was the new hold over guy's turn, and then I was up! Jay, I don't know if you felt like this but ended up feeling so relieved that I didn't go on the day before! I was much less nervous the second day- not to mention, my husband told me later that it was a good thing that I didn't go that day because the expert that "week" was horrible! I ended up getting a great expert the "week" I was on so everything happens for a reason! Once it was my turn, I was on for a little while and then time ran out for that show, so we took a break in between "days" and I got to start out the "next day's" show by walking out holding hands with Meredith! That was so cool!

Overall, it was so much fun! In fact, during that break between my shows, I was standing there telling my producer how much fun I was having and I was surprised that I felt so relaxed at that point! Maybe it was Frogman's words of wisdom that kept going through my head telling me to just enjoy the experience and have a good time that kept it all in perspective for me. I even shared that with my fellow "contestants in waiting" in the greenroom, which, by the way, I had the BEST group of people with me that first day and we seriously bonded with each other- especially the few that were hold overs for the next day like I was. And what's funny is my all too shy husband bonded with the other "on air companions" since they were together in the audience all day long! I now know what you meant, Jay, when you were saying you couldn't wait to see how each of your greenroom buddies did on the show! I feel like I have a vested interest in some of their lives now and I even teared up when I got to witness the taping of the lady I bonded with the most since I was on deck and then backstage watching her on the monitor when it was her turn. We basically encouraged each other throughout the day and I'm pretty sure we were the only Christians there, so it meant a lot to get to watch her. Oh and btw... since we actually had a girl in with us who HAD NOT seen a single show of the new season with all the changes and, in fact, didn't know about all of the changes (she was just called the night before to be on the show!) we convinced our "babysitters" to get tapes of THIS season's shows for us to watch! So any of you who get the call for this season can thank our group for getting them to change the tapes!

One funny story and then I will end this enormous post but, fyi, I have some other stories I will post later that some of you will be interested in. So, you see the set from your TV at home but it is soooo much smaller in real life! On the back side of the stage next to the hot seat and Meredith's seat, there is a two-steps-up half circle raised platform that both Meredith and the contestants use to get into their seats. They brought us down before the day's taping and had us all practice getting in and out of the hot seat. So, here I am in the seat during the taping of my show and it's time for me to get up- all the while I am very conscience of every move I make because I have 3 inch heels on and the last thing I want is to fall on national television! Meredith begins to stand up and we are suppose to follow her lead, so I step down onto the platform with one foot watching it closely, then I look up at Meredith as I stand all the way up and put my other foot down on.... NOTHING! My right foot is going down into the center part of the half-circle onto absolutely nothing! As I start to fall over, the audience gasps collectively and Meredith reaches out and catches me just in time! Talk about one of my most embarrassing moments EVER! Fortunately, unless the show plays an evil trick on me, you all will not get to see Meredith's heroic rescue because they had us re-tape the entire exit! While we were sitting there waiting for our cue to get up again, I joked with Meredith that I had better not see that on some "bloopers" show in the future and she laughed and told the audience it's a good thing I didn't fall because I could have sued the show for much more than what I was leaving with!

If you actually read this entire post, I congratulate you and you need to get a life!

-TexasMommy

I guess I need to get a life.

Thank you for sharing!

TexasMommy wrote:Oh and btw... since we actually had a girl in with us who HAD NOT seen a single show of the new season with all the changes and, in fact, didn't know about all of the changes (she was just called the night before to be on the show!) we convinced our "babysitters" to get tapes of THIS season's shows for us to watch!

She knew she was in the pool already, didn't she? But she hadn't bothered to watch a single episode of the new season in the two weeks had already been running before she taped?

TexasMommy wrote:If you actually read this entire post, I congratulate you and you need to get a life!

I did and I do. But everyone here already knows that!

TexasMommy wrote:We basically encouraged each other throughout the day and I'm pretty sure we were the only Christians there, so it meant a lot to get to watch her.

This is an odd statement on several levels. I wonder how you would know and why it would matter. Per Wikipedia and the CIA, the US is 78.5% Christian, so it's surprising if you were in the minority.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_i ... ted_States

Thanks for the report. I'm glad you had a great experience.

TheConfessor wrote:

TexasMommy wrote:We basically encouraged each other throughout the day and I'm pretty sure we were the only Christians there, so it meant a lot to get to watch her.

This is an odd statement on several levels. I wonder how you would know and why it would matter. Per Wikipedia and the CIA, the US is 78.5% Christian, so it's surprising if you were in the minority.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_i ... ted_States

Thanks for the report. I'm glad you had a great experience.

I'm pretty sure I was the only pagan in my group.

I'm pretty sure we were the only Christians there, so it meant a lot to get to watch her.

Yes, I am puzzled by your comment too. I was a contestant myself and contestants' religions never came up during my hours in the greenroom.

dimmzy wrote:

I'm pretty sure we were the only Christians there, so it meant a lot to get to watch her.

Yes, I am puzzled by your comment too. I was a contestant myself and contestants' religions never came up during my hours in the greenroom.

I believe it is merely overt vs. covert.

Congrats to TexasMommy on getting into the hotseat!

One of the producers came in and asked the lady I referred to what her favorite bible verse was- evidently this was to be part of her prepared banter with Meredith due to her having her late grandfather's bible with her. After she was asked that, the rest of the greenroom joked that they hoped the show wasn't going to ask everyone for each of their favorite verses, and the conversation contiuned further. It was in that continued conversation that a few people clearly stated their beliefs. The sweet lady and I had specific conversations about our faith one on one, so naturally it was a commonality that bonded us and led me to make the comment I did.

Sorry if I offended anyone. You really had to be there to understand, but it certainly didn't play a factor in my opinion of how awesome, funny, and entertaining I thought my group was!

Well, that explains it!

Can't wait to see how you did!!

I'm sorry you felt you had to explain it. Sometimes we think we need to know everything around here.

Thanks for humoring those who wanted to know. I can't wait to hear the "rest of your story".

TexasMommy wrote:One of the producers came in and asked the lady I referred to what her favorite bible verse was- evidently this was to be part of her prepared banter with Meredith due to her having her late grandfather's bible with her. After she was asked that, the rest of the greenroom joked that they hoped the show wasn't going to ask everyone for each of their favorite verses, and the conversation contiuned further. It was in that continued conversation that a few people clearly stated their beliefs. The sweet lady and I had specific conversations about our faith one on one, so naturally it was a commonality that bonded us and led me to make the comment I did.

Sorry if I offended anyone. You really had to be there to understand, but it certainly didn't play a factor in my opinion of how awesome, funny, and entertaining I thought my group was!

Wait, they let the other contestant bring their 'lucky Bible' but when I asked if I could bring my lucky blackberry with high-speed wireless internet connections - they said no way. That just doesn't seem fair to me.

---Jay (How The West Was Homophoned)

Congrats on what sounds like a fun couple of days! Now the hardest part - waiting!!

Just a word of advice...I think you are not supposed to discuss which PAF you used or at what level (unless the rules have changed), or if they answered correctly or not, so you might want to edit your first post. Maybe I'm hyper sensitive but I was very cautious what I shared. You can't keep other people (audience, PAF, etc) from sharing, but it's your money on the line!

"Tune in to find out who my PAF was and how they did!"

sunflower wrote:Just a word of advice...I think you are not supposed to discuss which PAF you used or at what level (unless the rules have changed), or if they answered correctly or not, so you might want to edit your first post. Maybe I'm hyper sensitive but I was very cautious what I shared. You can't keep other people (audience, PAF, etc) from sharing, but it's your money on the line!

It seems to me that if they really wanted contestants to follow any specific post-taping rules, they would give them a copy of whatever it was they signed.

Can't wait to see your show, TM. I'm so glad you had a good time!

TheConfessor wrote:
It seems to me that if they really wanted contestants to follow any specific post-taping rules, they would give them a copy of whatever it was they signed.

I agree. My show had an additional complication along these lines. After my taping was done, and after they used at least one photograph that I had supplied (of the Camaro in dire peril), an AP hustled me off-stage to a dark area, where the show's attorney asked me to sign a document concerning the photo. As it literally was too dark to read the paper in front of me, I still have no idea what rights, if any, I may have signed away. At that moment, I did not feel as if I was in a position to argue or to demand a lamp.

I do wish they would mail out copies of signed documents to all contestants immediately after taping.

TexasMommy wrote:First, let me give a huge THANK YOU to Bob for being "on call" for me for not one but TWO days straight! It was even more stressful because one of my PAFs didn't answer the first call on my second day so that only left me with two PAFs (but at least it was the best two!). The question I used my PAF lifeline for was one that I knew my good friend Roger would easily know, although I'm sure Bob could have handled it as well. I loved reading the "She's in the Hot Seat" post and the rundown of what was possibly happening! Based on the time stamps for each of your posts, I think you were somewhat close to the mark. Thank you to everyone who was cheering me on, too! I'm sure I must have felt those good vibes while I was in the hot seat! Bob, I sincerely appreciate your willingness to do this for me, a virtual stranger and it absolutely made me feel much more confident just knowing you were there if I needed you. *HUGE APPLAUSE*

Welcome back, and as you know, having the opportunity to help was my pleasure. I'm glad you enjoyed your trip, and I look forward to seeing the end result.

There was one remark you made earlier in which I'm passionately interested, and happily, I believe you can tell all without running afoul of any confidentiality obligations. You said that the APs recognized my name and you responded (tongue in cheek) that you'd found me in the Yellow Pages under Millionaire Show Friend Pimp. I'd love to know everything you can remember on the subject.

Here's where I'm going with this. I plan to audition next year. (The timing wasn't right this year, particularly since I wasn't eligible until a couple of weeks ago.) I'm trying to decide whether to play up my frequent PAF stints or to downplay them. As a MAWG and a lawyer (even one who can borrow a sense of humor when necessary for the occasion), I figure I can use all the help I can get to stand out from the throngs. But if my frequent appearances seemed to turn off the APs, then there's a clear down side.

Thanks again. --Bob

TheConfessor wrote:

sunflower wrote:Just a word of advice...I think you are not supposed to discuss which PAF you used or at what level (unless the rules have changed), or if they answered correctly or not, so you might want to edit your first post. Maybe I'm hyper sensitive but I was very cautious what I shared. You can't keep other people (audience, PAF, etc) from sharing, but it's your money on the line!

It seems to me that if they really wanted contestants to follow any specific post-taping rules, they would give them a copy of whatever it was they signed.

I made a copy of what I signed, and they also gave us a sheet with rules to take home with us after we were done with our taping. Plus they tell you over and over again not to share information. I guess one can rely on the principle of the matter ("if they want me to follow the rules they'd give me a copy...") but at the end of the day, if you signed it, you have to adhere to it, whether you have a copy or not. Each person can make their own choices, but IMHO if it were my money I'd be a little more conservative with the information sharing. I'm just saying...