Millionaire auditions in NYC?

[peacock2121]

Does this mean the phone game will not be back?

[Sisyphean Fan]

So the programming wizards at ABC think that large numbers of viewers are going to tune in, night after night, for 2 weeks to watch contestants who were cast through auditions? Good luck with that, ABC. I do suspect that TPTB will cast "better" contestants for the prime-time event, because, among other reasons they will want some big winners for promotional purposes. But they have willfully thrown away any chance of this reunion edition capturing the "appointment television" buzz that BAM first had when it burst on the scene in 1999.

If I may indulge in a moment of (gasp!) ontopicosity....

The vast majority of people neither know nor care where they get their contestants. "A game show where they cast their contestants through auditions?? None for me, thanks, flip it over to Hard Copy, will ya?"

I don't know about the "vast majority"; but during the glory days of PTBAM, at least a substantial percentage of viewers both knew and cared how the contestants made it onto the show. It was impossible not to know, with Regis's frequent announcements of the phone lines being open. Of course, lots of those viewers harbored hopes that they too had a shot, with no AP's to pass judgment on them. That made viewers more invested in the show, as viewing wasn't just a passive experience. Even if they never made it to the ROF, TOPG gave the audience a chance to participate, night after night. TOPG made the show unique, increased the ability of viewers to empathize with the contestants, and contributed heavily to the elevation of BAM to a cultural phenomenon. Stripped of this trademark component, it's just another game show. It's not that people will change the channel because of the auditions; rather, absent the buzz factor, fewer people will be motivated to tune in in the first place. I'm sure that nostalgia, Regis, and summer reruns on other channels will still cause the show to generate reasonably high ratings, especially at the outset; but I think that it will now be more difficult than it could have been for ABC to get viewers to sustain their interest over the entire 2-week run.

I don't know if anybody still has stats (I think jerr did at one time) of the number of people who played the phone game v. the total number of viewers on any given night, but I'd bet that it was a relatively small percentage, especially after the November run. And even if people did play the phone game, most of them actually liked the show so they'd watch whether there was a phone game or not.

As for the cultural phenonenom and the "buzz factor", like I said, nothing's going to bring that back. That was 10 years ago and primetime game shows had been dead for how long? Now it's old hat. It was lightning in a bottle, you can't recapture that.

[TheConfessor]

As for the cultural phenonenom and the "buzz factor", like I said, nothing's going to bring that back. That was 10 years ago and primetime game shows had been dead for how long? Now it's old hat. It was lightning in a bottle, you can't recapture that.

So I guess you're saying, "Why even try?" As Harv notes, the main element of the show that made it a cultural phenomenon was that anyone could be at home one evening watching the tube when Regis came on and invited him or her to call a number and play for a million dollars on national TV. Many who picked up the phone and made the call found themselves whisked away to New York, only a day or two later. The fantastic unscripted whirlwind immediacy is what created the buzz and made the show a hit, along with the realistic possibility that anyone could have a chance to be on the show, just by playing at home. Even those who never called in probably knew some friends and family who did, and had a rooting interest in them. Each show ended with an announcement of the names and cities of the next show's contestants, which further boosted the anticipation, and created more interest for viewers. How much water cooler talk is generated today by the carefully screened, demographically desirable, utterly predictable contestants who taped their appearances last summer and eventually are scheduled to be aired about nine months later? The show has no sense of urgency, so the viewers sense that and feel no urgent need to watch. It was a lot different in 1999.

If ABC thinks they can recreate the magic just by taping eleven of the watered down daytime episodes for prime time, with Regis as the host, they are throwing in the towel and not even trying. They still don't get what made WWTBAM such a big hit. Maybe they know, but they don't want to admit it.

[takinover]

I know this is Bored Blasphemy, but the phone game is not what attracted me to the show in the beginning. If you remember my Post Game WWTBAM Saga (and I am sure you all do ) I wrote that I did not even watch the show the first few nights because I did not believe that they were actually gonna give away any money. What really got me into the show was the idea that I could know something that someone else sitting in the hotseat didn't know. That along with the lights, the music, the high stakes drama and a summer full of repeats (WWTBAM really made history as being the main breakout series that lead networks to air less repeats during the summer).

I hardly gave being a contestant a thought until the January series, when they went to the nationwide toll-free number. I said to myself, "what's the worst that can happen, I can only miss a question in private and try again tomorrow." I went from that state to one of frothing at the mouth for a chance to play. How funny is it that back when the show first came out it wasn't worth it for me to pay the $1.99 (is that how much it was?) to call in, but after I decided that I wanted to get on so bad I was willing to travel across the country at my expense.

Editing to to add my point: That I do agree I don't think the Phone Game is as important to the general public as it is to some here.

[dodgersteve182]

Bury the Corpse! Looks pretty clear from the language of the audition link that Joint auditions for both the PT Anniversary Edition of Millionaire as well as Meredith's Millionaire will be held concurrently starting on May 18th.
I presume from my reading, that if they really "like" you, they will put you on PT Millionaire, but if you are a "second stringer" in their eyes, welcome to syndie M*.
Although if they keep the Fastest Fingers Contest on the Ann. Edition, you may actually be worse off by impressing the AP's too much in the Auditions! At least on Syndie M* you are guaranteed a hot seat go! So auditioners - Tone it Just A notch, You'll wanna impress the AP's to get in the Hot Seat but not too much so that you have to face a FFC!

[Weyoun]

This is crazy. Do they want the show to be stacked with a bunch of NYCers? Of course not.

I have to believe they're bringing back the phone game, if only to give it national appeal.

[hbomb1947]

This is crazy. Do they want the show to be stacked with a bunch of NYCers? Of course not.

I have to believe they're bringing back the phone game, if only to give it national appeal.

What has been posted on the website makes clear that there will be traveling auditions. It says, "Millionaire will be traveling to cities across the country this summer. The locations, dates and times of these auditions will be posted here so keep checking back."

TPTB will meticulously cast the show to provide every kind of "diversity" imaginable, including geographic diversity. But if you're not lucky enough to be able to audition in NYC, or to live within range of one of the city where they hold those auditions (or if, due to work or any other reason, you can't make it to a traveling audition on the 1 day or so when they come to your area), then too bad. So much for the idea that no matter where you live in the U.S., you have an equal shot at sitting in the hotseat.

[hbomb1947]

Although if they keep the Fastest Fingers Contest on the Ann. Edition, you may actually be worse off by impressing the AP's too much in the Auditions! At least on Syndie M* you are guaranteed a hot seat go! So auditioners - Tone it Just A notch, You'll wanna impress the AP's to get in the Hot Seat but not too much so that you have to face a FFC!

Of course, it hasn't been confirmed that TPTB will keep the FF round. And given their idiocy in abandoning TOPG, I wouldn't assume anything there.

But even if the FF remains, (1) it's possible that the PT version will have a greater money tree, as did "Super Millionaire" in 2004; and (2) I expect fewer WWOQ's at the intermediate level, and maybe even some Dan Blonsky-esque softball questions in the upper tier, since TPTB are going to want some big winners in prime time. So the expected value of getting into the hot-seat (particularly for BB's and similar-caliber contestants) may well be substantially greater on the prime-time version; and that would offset somewhat the risk of not making it out of the ROF. Plus, the prime time version will be seen by a much lager audience than a syndicated daytime show like syndibam (this will happen just by virtue of it being broadcast in primetime, even if, as I predict, it doesn't become the "appointment television" that it could have been again with the phone game); and that may have value to some prospective contestants.

[sunflower]

So the programming wizards at ABC think that large numbers of viewers are going to tune in, night after night, for 2 weeks to watch contestants who were cast through auditions? Good luck with that, ABC. I do suspect that TPTB will cast "better" contestants for the prime-time event, because, among other reasons they will want some big winners for promotional purposes. But they have willfully thrown away any chance of this reunion edition capturing the "appointment television" buzz that BAM first had when it burst on the scene in 1999.

If I may indulge in a moment of (gasp!) ontopicosity....

The vast majority of people neither know nor care where they get their contestants. "A game show where they cast their contestants through auditions?? None for me, thanks, flip it over to Hard Copy, will ya?"

I don't know about the "vast majority"; but during the glory days of PTBAM, at least a substantial percentage of viewers both knew and cared how the contestants made it onto the show. It was impossible not to know, with Regis's frequent announcements of the phone lines being open. Of course, lots of those viewers harbored hopes that they too had a shot, with no AP's to pass judgment on them. That made viewers more invested in the show, as viewing wasn't just a passive experience. Even if they never made it to the ROF, TOPG gave the audience a chance to participate, night after night. TOPG made the show unique, increased the ability of viewers to empathize with the contestants, and contributed heavily to the elevation of BAM to a cultural phenomenon. Stripped of this trademark component, it's just another game show. It's not that people will change the channel because of the auditions; rather, absent the buzz factor, fewer people will be motivated to tune in in the first place. I'm sure that nostalgia, Regis, and summer reruns on other channels will still cause the show to generate reasonably high ratings, especially at the outset; but I think that it will now be more difficult than it could have been for ABC to get viewers to sustain their interest over the entire 2-week run.

Also, there are a great number of people here who have appeared on the syndicated show. For you to intimate that they made it on by being somehow inferior or mediocre and that they'll want "better" for primetime is insulting..

No one denies that there have been many great contestants on syndibam, including numerous denizens of this bored. But it is also difficult to dispute that large numbers of syndibam contestants were cast for daytime TV, chosen for "hooks," etc. (with the "famous names week" being one of the most egregious examples), with no regard to their game-playing ability. And it is also widely believed that, for budgetary reasons, the AP's have consciously avoided casting too many people who may have come across in the auditions as having the potential to take too much of Disney's money. Sure you had some llamas, etc. on PTBAM, but I would suggest that the daytime version has had a lot more of the type of contestant who has no clue which U.S. Presidential election in the last 20 years resulted in a recount. There's nothing inherent about holding auditions that requires these biases in the APs' selection process; but that is the way they have chosen to run things for syndibam. OTOH, I think it is reasonable to surmise that ABC will want to have some big winners, for ratings reasons, during the relatively brief August PTBAM run; and that is going to force them to select more for game-playing ability than they have when casting for syndibam. (Plus, given the typically much more substantial budgets in prime-time, financial constraints on having successful contestants will also be relaxed). Then again, ABC may not even act rationally in this respect; TPTB may go overboard on choosing contestants who have a hook for "needing the money." (this was suggested in some of the articles that were written back in January when the rumors first surfaced of the PTBAM revival).

I agree with Fanny's points...

I'd also say that there have been many, many more contestants on the syndicated version...I don't know the stats but certainly increasing the number of contestants will increase the number that you see being eliminated at lower dollar amounts. You think you're seeing more, when in fact it could be proportionate to the prime time show when compared to the overall number of contestants. Or maybe it's not, I don't know...but I'm not sure anyone here does know.

I don't think I'm inferior for having been on the syndicated version, I also was not selected for "needing money". I also don't think most people knew the question that I got wrong (which coincidentally, had nothing to do with U.S. presidential elections - it was about fruit). I don't think I was selected intentionally because I wouldn't take a lot of Disney's money. I think anyone, once in the hot seat, has the chance for the million...anyone can get 15 questions that they know the answers to...

I know this wasn't meant to be offensive to those of us who have appeared on the daytime show, but I have to say, I can't help but get offended when I feel like we're often referred to as some inferior group. I can't apologize for having something that the producers liked...and I won't. But I will say that I'm not some airhead loser that ABC or Disney picked because I'd keep more money in their pockets. When Fanny said that point of view is insulting, it is. And it has been insulting in the past, when conveyed by others repeatedly in their own quests for the hot seat.

And let's be real...it IS just another game show...granted one we are all fond of...but it is just a game show and most people at home will not care how contestants are selected. It is okay if you care, it is okay if others care, I might even care a little, but most people will either watch it or not, not based on how contestants are selected, but if they are entertained while watching it. Game shows are exciting when they're new. WWTBAM was fun at first, but got less fun when it was on more often. Same with other shows like The Weakest Link or Deal or No Deal or Greed or Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader...all very exciting...until they were not. Not because of a change in the game, or the selection process, or the contestants...but just because Americans get bored easily and move on to the next shiny object...Can it catch on again with the same excitement as it had when it first debuted? Anything is possible, but I'd guess it won't, because people already know what it's about and a lot of people are over it, unless they increase the prize money substantially, then it would be more novel.

I truly hope everyone who wants to get on the show does, and I will be cheering loudly for each and every one of you! Whether it is on prime time or syndication, I will cheer just as loudly, either way!!

[peacock2121]

If I may indulge in a moment of (gasp!) ontopicosity....

The vast majority of people neither know nor care where they get their contestants. "A game show where they cast their contestants through auditions?? None for me, thanks, flip it over to Hard Copy, will ya?"

I don't know about the "vast majority"; but during the glory days of PTBAM, at least a substantial percentage of viewers both knew and cared how the contestants made it onto the show. It was impossible not to know, with Regis's frequent announcements of the phone lines being open. Of course, lots of those viewers harbored hopes that they too had a shot, with no AP's to pass judgment on them. That made viewers more invested in the show, as viewing wasn't just a passive experience. Even if they never made it to the ROF, TOPG gave the audience a chance to participate, night after night. TOPG made the show unique, increased the ability of viewers to empathize with the contestants, and contributed heavily to the elevation of BAM to a cultural phenomenon. Stripped of this trademark component, it's just another game show. It's not that people will change the channel because of the auditions; rather, absent the buzz factor, fewer people will be motivated to tune in in the first place. I'm sure that nostalgia, Regis, and summer reruns on other channels will still cause the show to generate reasonably high ratings, especially at the outset; but I think that it will now be more difficult than it could have been for ABC to get viewers to sustain their interest over the entire 2-week run.

Also, there are a great number of people here who have appeared on the syndicated show. For you to intimate that they made it on by being somehow inferior or mediocre and that they'll want "better" for primetime is insulting..

No one denies that there have been many great contestants on syndibam, including numerous denizens of this bored. But it is also difficult to dispute that large numbers of syndibam contestants were cast for daytime TV, chosen for "hooks," etc. (with the "famous names week" being one of the most egregious examples), with no regard to their game-playing ability. And it is also widely believed that, for budgetary reasons, the AP's have consciously avoided casting too many people who may have come across in the auditions as having the potential to take too much of Disney's money. Sure you had some llamas, etc. on PTBAM, but I would suggest that the daytime version has had a lot more of the type of contestant who has no clue which U.S. Presidential election in the last 20 years resulted in a recount. There's nothing inherent about holding auditions that requires these biases in the APs' selection process; but that is the way they have chosen to run things for syndibam. OTOH, I think it is reasonable to surmise that ABC will want to have some big winners, for ratings reasons, during the relatively brief August PTBAM run; and that is going to force them to select more for game-playing ability than they have when casting for syndibam. (Plus, given the typically much more substantial budgets in prime-time, financial constraints on having successful contestants will also be relaxed). Then again, ABC may not even act rationally in this respect; TPTB may go overboard on choosing contestants who have a hook for "needing the money." (this was suggested in some of the articles that were written back in January when the rumors first surfaced of the PTBAM revival).

I agree with Fanny's points...

I'd also say that there have been many, many more contestants on the syndicated version...I don't know the stats but certainly increasing the number of contestants will increase the number that you see being eliminated at lower dollar amounts. You think you're seeing more, when in fact it could be proportionate to the prime time show when compared to the overall number of contestants. Or maybe it's not, I don't know...but I'm not sure anyone here does know.

I don't think I'm inferior for having been on the syndicated version, I also was not selected for "needing money". I also don't think most people knew the question that I got wrong (which coincidentally, had nothing to do with U.S. presidential elections - it was about fruit). I don't think I was selected intentionally because I wouldn't take a lot of Disney's money. I think anyone, once in the hot seat, has the chance for the million...anyone can get 15 questions that they know the answers to...

I know this wasn't meant to be offensive to those of us who have appeared on the daytime show, but I have to say, I can't help but get offended when I feel like we're often referred to as some inferior group. I can't apologize for having something that the producers liked...and I won't. But I will say that I'm not some airhead loser that ABC or Disney picked because I'd keep more money in their pockets. When Fanny said that point of view is insulting, it is. And it has been insulting in the past, when conveyed by others repeatedly in their own quests for the hot seat.

And let's be real...it IS just another game show...granted one we are all fond of...but it is just a game show and most people at home will not care how contestants are selected. It is okay if you care, it is okay if others care, I might even care a little, but most people will either watch it or not, not based on how contestants are selected, but if they are entertained while watching it. Game shows are exciting when they're new. WWTBAM was fun at first, but got less fun when it was on more often. Same with other shows like The Weakest Link or Deal or No Deal or Greed or Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader...all very exciting...until they were not. Not because of a change in the game, or the selection process, or the contestants...but just because Americans get bored easily and move on to the next shiny object...Can it catch on again with the same excitement as it had when it first debuted? Anything is possible, but I'd guess it won't, because people already know what it's about and a lot of people are over it, unless they increase the prize money substantially, then it would be more novel.

I truly hope everyone who wants to get on the show does, and I will be cheering loudly for each and every one of you! Whether it is on prime time or syndication, I will cheer just as loudly, either way!!

Sure can tell that you are new around here.

[sunflower]

I don't know about the "vast majority"; but during the glory days of PTBAM, at least a substantial percentage of viewers both knew and cared how the contestants made it onto the show. It was impossible not to know, with Regis's frequent announcements of the phone lines being open. Of course, lots of those viewers harbored hopes that they too had a shot, with no AP's to pass judgment on them. That made viewers more invested in the show, as viewing wasn't just a passive experience. Even if they never made it to the ROF, TOPG gave the audience a chance to participate, night after night. TOPG made the show unique, increased the ability of viewers to empathize with the contestants, and contributed heavily to the elevation of BAM to a cultural phenomenon. Stripped of this trademark component, it's just another game show. It's not that people will change the channel because of the auditions; rather, absent the buzz factor, fewer people will be motivated to tune in in the first place. I'm sure that nostalgia, Regis, and summer reruns on other channels will still cause the show to generate reasonably high ratings, especially at the outset; but I think that it will now be more difficult than it could have been for ABC to get viewers to sustain their interest over the entire 2-week run.
No one denies that there have been many great contestants on syndibam, including numerous denizens of this bored. But it is also difficult to dispute that large numbers of syndibam contestants were cast for daytime TV, chosen for "hooks," etc. (with the "famous names week" being one of the most egregious examples), with no regard to their game-playing ability. And it is also widely believed that, for budgetary reasons, the AP's have consciously avoided casting too many people who may have come across in the auditions as having the potential to take too much of Disney's money. Sure you had some llamas, etc. on PTBAM, but I would suggest that the daytime version has had a lot more of the type of contestant who has no clue which U.S. Presidential election in the last 20 years resulted in a recount. There's nothing inherent about holding auditions that requires these biases in the APs' selection process; but that is the way they have chosen to run things for syndibam. OTOH, I think it is reasonable to surmise that ABC will want to have some big winners, for ratings reasons, during the relatively brief August PTBAM run; and that is going to force them to select more for game-playing ability than they have when casting for syndibam. (Plus, given the typically much more substantial budgets in prime-time, financial constraints on having successful contestants will also be relaxed). Then again, ABC may not even act rationally in this respect; TPTB may go overboard on choosing contestants who have a hook for "needing the money." (this was suggested in some of the articles that were written back in January when the rumors first surfaced of the PTBAM revival).

I agree with Fanny's points...

I'd also say that there have been many, many more contestants on the syndicated version...I don't know the stats but certainly increasing the number of contestants will increase the number that you see being eliminated at lower dollar amounts. You think you're seeing more, when in fact it could be proportionate to the prime time show when compared to the overall number of contestants. Or maybe it's not, I don't know...but I'm not sure anyone here does know.

I don't think I'm inferior for having been on the syndicated version, I also was not selected for "needing money". I also don't think most people knew the question that I got wrong (which coincidentally, had nothing to do with U.S. presidential elections - it was about fruit). I don't think I was selected intentionally because I wouldn't take a lot of Disney's money. I think anyone, once in the hot seat, has the chance for the million...anyone can get 15 questions that they know the answers to...

I know this wasn't meant to be offensive to those of us who have appeared on the daytime show, but I have to say, I can't help but get offended when I feel like we're often referred to as some inferior group. I can't apologize for having something that the producers liked...and I won't. But I will say that I'm not some airhead loser that ABC or Disney picked because I'd keep more money in their pockets. When Fanny said that point of view is insulting, it is. And it has been insulting in the past, when conveyed by others repeatedly in their own quests for the hot seat.

And let's be real...it IS just another game show...granted one we are all fond of...but it is just a game show and most people at home will not care how contestants are selected. It is okay if you care, it is okay if others care, I might even care a little, but most people will either watch it or not, not based on how contestants are selected, but if they are entertained while watching it. Game shows are exciting when they're new. WWTBAM was fun at first, but got less fun when it was on more often. Same with other shows like The Weakest Link or Deal or No Deal or Greed or Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader...all very exciting...until they were not. Not because of a change in the game, or the selection process, or the contestants...but just because Americans get bored easily and move on to the next shiny object...Can it catch on again with the same excitement as it had when it first debuted? Anything is possible, but I'd guess it won't, because people already know what it's about and a lot of people are over it, unless they increase the prize money substantially, then it would be more novel.

I truly hope everyone who wants to get on the show does, and I will be cheering loudly for each and every one of you! Whether it is on prime time or syndication, I will cheer just as loudly, either way!!

Sure can tell that you are new around here.

Oh, so it's okay to say things that make the new people feel like crap, is that it?

[littlebeast13]

I agree with Fanny's points...

I'd also say that there have been many, many more contestants on the syndicated version...I don't know the stats but certainly increasing the number of contestants will increase the number that you see being eliminated at lower dollar amounts. You think you're seeing more, when in fact it could be proportionate to the prime time show when compared to the overall number of contestants. Or maybe it's not, I don't know...but I'm not sure anyone here does know.

I don't think I'm inferior for having been on the syndicated version, I also was not selected for "needing money". I also don't think most people knew the question that I got wrong (which coincidentally, had nothing to do with U.S. presidential elections - it was about fruit). I don't think I was selected intentionally because I wouldn't take a lot of Disney's money. I think anyone, once in the hot seat, has the chance for the million...anyone can get 15 questions that they know the answers to...

I know this wasn't meant to be offensive to those of us who have appeared on the daytime show, but I have to say, I can't help but get offended when I feel like we're often referred to as some inferior group. I can't apologize for having something that the producers liked...and I won't. But I will say that I'm not some airhead loser that ABC or Disney picked because I'd keep more money in their pockets. When Fanny said that point of view is insulting, it is. And it has been insulting in the past, when conveyed by others repeatedly in their own quests for the hot seat.

And let's be real...it IS just another game show...granted one we are all fond of...but it is just a game show and most people at home will not care how contestants are selected. It is okay if you care, it is okay if others care, I might even care a little, but most people will either watch it or not, not based on how contestants are selected, but if they are entertained while watching it. Game shows are exciting when they're new. WWTBAM was fun at first, but got less fun when it was on more often. Same with other shows like The Weakest Link or Deal or No Deal or Greed or Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader...all very exciting...until they were not. Not because of a change in the game, or the selection process, or the contestants...but just because Americans get bored easily and move on to the next shiny object...Can it catch on again with the same excitement as it had when it first debuted? Anything is possible, but I'd guess it won't, because people already know what it's about and a lot of people are over it, unless they increase the prize money substantially, then it would be more novel.

I truly hope everyone who wants to get on the show does, and I will be cheering loudly for each and every one of you! Whether it is on prime time or syndication, I will cheer just as loudly, either way!!

Sure can tell that you are new around here.

Oh, so it's okay to say things that make the new people feel like crap, is that it?

CRRRRRRRACK!!!!

lb13

[hbomb1947]

I'd also say that there have been many, many more contestants on the syndicated version...I don't know the stats but certainly increasing the number of contestants will increase the number that you see being eliminated at lower dollar amounts. You think you're seeing more, when in fact it could be proportionate to the prime time show when compared to the overall number of contestants. Or maybe it's not, I don't know...but I'm not sure anyone here does know.

If that were true, wouldn't we also expect to have seen larger absolute numbers of syndibam contestants (instead of fewer) winning $250,000, $500,000 or $1,000,000?

[hbomb1947]

Is Bob #'s still tracking BB auditions? If so, I am confirmed for an audition Thursday, May 28 at 5 pm.

Similar to what has been posted on the website, my confirmatory email says, "People who audition may be considered for either the Syndicated show with Meredith Vieria or the 10th Anniversary Network episodes with Regis Philbin, at Producer?s [sic] sole discretion."

I wonder whether this means there will be two separate pools, and people who get the card will be told which pool they're in?

Anyway, if nothing else, my quixotic foray at the end of this month should be a chance to gather intelligence on these types of issues. (as well as to ask questions like "will there still be a FF round?" . . .)

[hbomb1947]

One other note about the email confirming my audition: there were no attachments (i.e., no questionnaire attached). The text of the email, in the Q&A section, says:
"What if I can?t download the application and eligibility forms from my
confirmation e-mail?
Blank forms will be available for you to fill out at the audition site."

This implies that there should have been an attachment for me to at least attempt to download; so hopefully TPTB won't keep me waiting until I show up at the audition, which would put me under a lot of time pressure to come up with the answers. I will be calling the audition hotline to see if the lack of an attachment was just an error that will be corrected (the email says that it was computer generated, and not to reply to it).

[sunflower]

One other note about the email confirming my audition: there were no attachments (i.e., no questionnaire attached). The text of the email, in the Q&A section, says:
"What if I can?t download the application and eligibility forms from my
confirmation e-mail?
Blank forms will be available for you to fill out at the audition site."

This implies that there should have been an attachment for me to at least attempt to download; so hopefully TPTB won't keep me waiting until I show up at the audition, which would put me under a lot of time pressure to come up with the answers. I will be calling the audition hotline to see if the lack of an attachment was just an error that will be corrected (the email says that it was computer generated, and not to reply to it).

My two cents...if it said forms will be onsite, go with that. They like when you follow their directions. They don't like when they perceive you to be needy.

I understand the need to prep ahead of time, and people here can give you a good idea of the questions on that form. I don't know if it is still the same as my season, but the form we got at the audition was pretty easy to fill out without any prior thought. We got forms and clipboards and I filled it out while waiting to go in. The more involved forms came later after I was selected, when there were 2 follow up questionnaires, to get suitable "banter material".

My feeling on it is, unless you absolutely need to call, don't.

[MarleysGh0st]

I don't know if it is still the same as my season, but the form we got at the audition was pretty easy to fill out without any prior thought.

Of course, you're someone who got selected to go onto the show--you've got the personality they like.

You can't imagine the sense of dread I have, trying to answer those questions, knowing that I don't have the answers they're looking for.

[sunflower]

I don't know if it is still the same as my season, but the form we got at the audition was pretty easy to fill out without any prior thought.

Of course, you're someone who got selected to go onto the show--you've got the personality they like.

You can't imagine the sense of dread I have, trying to answer those questions, knowing that I don't have the answers they're looking for.

I'm sorry, Marley...

But I did say you can prep ahead of time, my main point is that based on things I heard when I was there, you want to fly under the radar as much as possible prior to your audition, follow instructions and lay low...

I'm available for tutoring on the weekends, if you want help answering questions! There's a way to spin just about anything into what they're looking for, I think.

[hbomb1947]

But I did say you can prep ahead of time, my main point is that based on things I heard when I was there, you want to fly under the radar as much as possible prior to your audition, follow instructions and lay low...

What sort of "things" did you hear there that led you to this conclusion?

[sunflower]

But I did say you can prep ahead of time, my main point is that based on things I heard when I was there, you want to fly under the radar as much as possible prior to your audition, follow instructions and lay low...

What sort of "things" did you hear there that led you to this conclusion?

I'm not going to say too much more on that, I've said about all I'm comfortable saying about the behind the scenes stuff. My advice stands as written...follow instructions, and don't email, call or otherwise correspond unless asked to or deemed absolutely necessary (for example, needing to change audition dates). And I'd say that advice is for the pre-audition period, as well as the post-audition but pre-phone call or card period. Like I said, just my two cents.

[hbomb1947]

But I did say you can prep ahead of time, my main point is that based on things I heard when I was there, you want to fly under the radar as much as possible prior to your audition, follow instructions and lay low...

What sort of "things" did you hear there that led you to this conclusion?

I'm not going to say too much more on that, I've said about all I'm comfortable saying about the behind the scenes stuff. My advice stands as written...follow instructions, and don't email, call or otherwise correspond unless asked to or deemed absolutely necessary (for example, needing to change audition dates). And I'd say that advice is for the pre-audition period, as well as the post-audition but pre-phone call or card period. Like I said, just my two cents.

At least for now, I am going to take Hooligan's advice and refrain from calling TPTB. In the meantime, so that I can start preparing, can anyone point me to a list of the questions that appeared on last season's pre-audition questionnaire?

[frogman042]

I'd also say that there have been many, many more contestants on the syndicated version...I don't know the stats but certainly increasing the number of contestants will increase the number that you see being eliminated at lower dollar amounts. You think you're seeing more, when in fact it could be proportionate to the prime time show when compared to the overall number of contestants. Or maybe it's not, I don't know...but I'm not sure anyone here does know.

If that were true, wouldn't we also expect to have seen larger absolute numbers of syndibam contestants (instead of fewer) winning $250,000, $500,000 or $1,000,000?

Not if the questions are significantly harder at the 25K and up level - with the 50K (old 64K) being really tough. When studying old transcripts I consistently reached the highest levels for most stacks in PTBAM, but did not do nearly as well on the cyndi version. Either more stacks were in my wheelhouse on PTBAM, or the questions in general weren't as hard for me. I think it is the latter case, personally. While there were many times when doing the PTBAM stacks I would barely use any lifelines or at most 1, for cyndi that was not the case.

I think that they have no need to fear and therefore no need to screen smart contestants from the show, I think it is enough to have a variety of really tough and obscure questions do the work for them. I know for certain I would not have won the Million on Nancy's or Kevin Smith's stack. I do know for sure I would have aced John Carpenter's stack since the questions were published in the paper before I saw the episode, my brother quizzed me and I was able to answer everyone without even getting the choices read to me for almost all of them. Also, for most of the other Million winners, that was the case for me as well. Ed's million dollar question would have had me walking with 500K, but I don't think it is unreasonable to assume that it is more a matter of making the questions tougher than the quality of the contestants (at least my ego tells me that). Seriously, though, in studying for the HS - it was clear to me to reset my expectations on what level I would reach for cyndi then I had when I had hoped to get on PTBAM.

Even though I think no one on the bored really knows the criteria that they use to whittle down the thousands upon thousands of potential contestants to the lucky few hundreds that get to play, my gut feeling from observations in both the screening process and those in the green room tell me it is less about making sure that the contestants aren't too smart (even those I met who ended up with 1K were not dummies) but on the level of self-confidence they exhibit during the brief interview, willing to take control and make it conversation and not meekly simply answering the questions, etc. I think they want to make sure that the contestant could handle the pressure of being in that seat without freaking out (that is why they tend to favor teachers and performers, IMHO). Is that correct? I don't know. My data set is limited but it matches the few sample data points I've gathered.

I don't think the qualifying test is that trivial, passing it I feel does account for something. A lot of my family members and friends who came to my taping took the test - and they are plenty smart, but not a one passed the test. A lot can account for why a person performs poorly in the HS and what looks like a dummy from your couch may not be really be the best assesment of that persons ability - just like a 3 minute interview may not be the best assessment of how well a potential contestant may be.

---Jay

P.S. I agree with sunflower that the comment was insulting to us cyndi players, but as a gate crasher to a party, I actually don't mind since just being allowed in so late in the game and being accepted is worth the rare snarky comments.

[clem21]

I'd also say that there have been many, many more contestants on the syndicated version...I don't know the stats but certainly increasing the number of contestants will increase the number that you see being eliminated at lower dollar amounts. You think you're seeing more, when in fact it could be proportionate to the prime time show when compared to the overall number of contestants. Or maybe it's not, I don't know...but I'm not sure anyone here does know.

If that were true, wouldn't we also expect to have seen larger absolute numbers of syndibam contestants (instead of fewer) winning $250,000, $500,000 or $1,000,000?

Not if the questions are significantly harder at the 25K and up level - with the 50K (old 64K) being really tough. When studying old transcripts I consistently reached the highest levels for most stacks in PTBAM, but did not do nearly as well on the cyndi version. Either more stacks were in my wheelhouse on PTBAM, or the questions in general weren't as hard for me. I think it is the latter case, personally. While there were many times when doing the PTBAM stacks I would barely use any lifelines or at most 1, for cyndi that was not the case.

I think that they have no need to fear and therefore no need to screen smart contestants from the show, I think it is enough to have a variety of really tough and obscure questions do the work for them. I know for certain I would not have won the Million on Nancy's or Kevin Smith's stack. I do know for sure I would have aced John Carpenter's stack since the questions were published in the paper before I saw the episode, my brother quizzed me and I was able to answer everyone without even getting the choices read to me for almost all of them. Also, for most of the other Million winners, that was the case for me as well. Ed's million dollar question would have had me walking with 500K, but I don't think it is unreasonable to assume that it is more a matter of making the questions tougher than the quality of the contestants (at least my ego tells me that). Seriously, though, in studying for the HS - it was clear to me to reset my expectations on what level I would reach for cyndi then I had when I had hoped to get on PTBAM.

Even though I think no one on the bored really knows the criteria that they use to whittle down the thousands upon thousands of potential contestants to the lucky few hundreds that get to play, my gut feeling from observations in both the screening process and those in the green room tell me it is less about making sure that the contestants aren't too smart (even those I met who ended up with 1K were not dummies) but on the level of self-confidence they exhibit during the brief interview, willing to take control and make it conversation and not meekly simply answering the questions, etc. I think they want to make sure that the contestant could handle the pressure of being in that seat without freaking out (that is why they tend to favor teachers and performers, IMHO). Is that correct? I don't know. My data set is limited but it matches the few sample data points I've gathered.

I don't think the qualifying test is that trivial, passing it I feel does account for something. A lot of my family members and friends who came to my taping took the test - and they are plenty smart, but not a one passed the test. A lot can account for why a person performs poorly in the HS and what looks like a dummy from your couch may not be really be the best assesment of that persons ability - just like a 3 minute interview may not be the best assessment of how well a potential contestant may be.

---Jay

P.S. I agree with sunflower that the comment was insulting to us cyndi players, but as a gate crasher to a party, I actually don't mind since just being allowed in so late in the game and being accepted is worth the rare snarky comments.

If I may throw it in there (if only because I'm being coerced into upping my post count) there is no doubt in my mind that the questions on the Syndi edition from 25K and up are significantly harder than they were on PTBAM IMNSHO. If I recall correctly I watched the show as an 11 year old and I was able to get $125,000 with no lifelines used. And believe me, I was no child prodigy!Just a reminder for those who quickly forget, Carpenter's 32K thru 500K questions:

10. Which of the following months has no U.S. federal holiday?
Between September, November, February and August. That's a toughie.

11. What mythological beast is reborn from its own ashes?
Hmmm...well that'd probably be valued at, I dunno, $2,000 nowadays? Maybe $4,000 on a good day.

12.Who developed the first effective vaccine against Polio?
I recall being quite proud of myself watching this when the smart contestant (who mind you, got on only through his brains not needing to bother with those silly, useless interviews) wasn't sure on a question that I knew cold from learning it in 5th grade Social Studies.

13. Which of the following is not a monotheistic religion?
Between Hindu, Islam, Judaism and Christianity. I didn't know this back then, but it would be a gimme now and believe me I'm still no prodigy! I'm barely above average.

And suddenly we're up to those huge amount you're talking about. Now look, I know that I probably don't deserve to have gotten on that show. It'll be pretty obvious soon that most of you are smarter than me (probably emphasized in a wave of Nihil Obstahts and "HE NEEDED A LIFELINE FOR THAT??"s) but still I did pass that test and I did work to make a good impression at that interview and I'm not going to apologize for not getting on the smart version of the show.

Also, I filled out my forms only after I passed the test, before my interview at the audition and they picked me anyway so make of that what you will.

[sunflower]

And I bet John Carpenter wouldn't know jack about pineapples or poutine, either!!!

(Thanks, Clem, for posting that - that is good perspective...)

[Bob78164]

Is Bob #'s still tracking BB auditions?

Yes. And you've inaugurated this year's list. --Bob