Unfortunately, no one knows for sure. TPTB are very close-mouthed about anything related to this.frogman042 wrote:Thanks... BTW do you have a sense of at least how many in the past who get theBob78164 wrote:Alas, we lost them when our previous incarnation went down. I update them with taping dates but not air dates. --Bobcard get the call to be taped (rough %?) - is there any difference between local contestants (NYC environs) and those that have to travel longer distances? I'm still trying to get a sense of my odds in getting the call - great, good, even money (50/50) or low (< 25%) - any sense of the total # of contestents used a year and the size of the pool?
Thanks again!
In the past, people have posted tidbits of information that suggest that your chances are good (maybe at least 50%, very possibly higher, but these are wild guesses). The general consensus is that being close to NYC helps one's chances somewhat on the theory that you can be in their "Minuteman pool" (my new term meaning available for a taping on very short notice). Lots of talk is about about WE/WE contestants (where else/what else) dominating the contestants we see on the show. The main reason we see so many NYC-area contestants is because so many of them try to get on. There are lots of LA-based shows which have a similar LA-bias. Nonetheless, having contestants who live close enough to the studio gives TPTB a bit of flexibility in scheduling the show. So, I believe it's a modest advantage in becoming a contestant.
On the other hand, it seems that more people are getting the happy card this year than in past years. That's purely my subjective impression, though. If that's the case, then one's chances to actually tape after receiving the happy card a somewhat lower than in the past. Again, that's just my personal speculation.
In any event, good luck with getting the call!