Plus One Rules

[TheConfessor]

I don't think this has been discussed here before, but it just occurred to me that WWTBAM audience members commonly chat with each other during the taping, discussing what they think is the answer or at least signaling answers to friends and neighbors when they want to show how smart they are, playing along vicariously. I'm sure this affects results on ATA votes, usually for the better, but sometimes for the worse. You can debate the ethics of this, but I just think it's an inevitable part of the game. So what I'm wondering is: do +1 lifelines get the benefit of these overheard or signaled discussions from the people around them, while the contestant is debating whether to answer or use a lifeline? Or are +1 people watched like a hawk at all times to make sure they are not communicating with anyone prior to being used as a lifeline? Do they sign any agreements that state what is or is not allowed? I know the +1 is normally seated at the end of the aisle so they can jump into the action when needed, but are they separated from the rest of the contestant's entourage? I could see a lot of benefit in having another smart friend sit next to the +1, if that is allowed.

Of course, we don't know yet whether the +1 lifeline will return this season, or what other new twists might be added .

[K.P.]

In the official rules of the game, the following excerpts are relevant:

Rule 3.F: Companions

Each Contestant must each be accompanied by at least one (1) companion who meet(s) the eligibility requirements in Rule 2(a)-(c) above, signs the required releases, and acts as that Contestant’s “Plus One” (see Rule 4(c)(iii) below). ... If any Contestant arrives without an eligible “Plus One” companion or that Contestant’s “Plus One” companion refuses to sign the required releases, the Contestant will not play the Game on that Tape Date, but will be put back into the Contestant Pool and remain eligible for possible future selection by the Producer. The “Plus One” companion may only be one person, identified before the Contestant commences Game play, regardless of the number of actual companions in attendance.


Rule 4.C.iii: “Plus One”

The Contestant may call upon his/her companion who will take a place next to the Contestant and attempt to get from his/her Plus One an answer selection to the current question. The “Plus One” companion may not communicate with any outside party, whether verbally or non-verbally, directly or through electronic means, or use any reference materials, including but not limited to, printed materials and electronic devices (e.g. tablet, smartphone).

Reader's Digest version: Your Plus One may not communicate with anybody, no matter how many people you bring. And if your Plus One gets cold feet, you're off the show. For the meantime, anyway.

[TheConfessor]

Thanks. That sounds reasonable for the official rules, but the reality is that people in the audience talk to each other and the Plus One is not kept in a soundproof booth, so he or she might overhear some chatter, whether they want to or not. In practice, I wonder whether any steps are taken to enforce the rule. Has anyone here ever been a Plus One or sat next to a Plus One?

[Bob Juch]

Thanks. That sounds reasonable for the official rules, but the reality is that people in the audience talk to each other and the Plus One is not kept in a soundproof booth, so he or she might overhear some chatter, whether they want to or not. In practice, I wonder whether any steps are taken to enforce the rule. Has anyone here ever been a Plus One or sat next to a Plus One?

Well it says "outside party". To me that means outside the studio.

[K.P.]

Thanks. That sounds reasonable for the official rules, but the reality is that people in the audience talk to each other and the Plus One is not kept in a soundproof booth, so he or she might overhear some chatter, whether they want to or not. In practice, I wonder whether any steps are taken to enforce the rule. Has anyone here ever been a Plus One or sat next to a Plus One?

If I remember right, didn't the Phone a Friend have a similar clause? The rule was there, and they could use it if they wanted to, but they usually elected not to?

[Estonut]

Thanks. That sounds reasonable for the official rules, but the reality is that people in the audience talk to each other and the Plus One is not kept in a soundproof booth, so he or she might overhear some chatter, whether they want to or not. In practice, I wonder whether any steps are taken to enforce the rule. Has anyone here ever been a Plus One or sat next to a Plus One?

Well it says "outside party". To me that means outside the studio.

Your interpretation says a lot. Do you think there's a party outside the studio, too?

They don't mean literally "outside." They mean outside of the contestant and the Plus One.

[Bob Juch]

Thanks. That sounds reasonable for the official rules, but the reality is that people in the audience talk to each other and the Plus One is not kept in a soundproof booth, so he or she might overhear some chatter, whether they want to or not. In practice, I wonder whether any steps are taken to enforce the rule. Has anyone here ever been a Plus One or sat next to a Plus One?

Well it says "outside party". To me that means outside the studio.

Your interpretation says a lot. Do you think there's a party outside the studio, too?

They don't mean literally "outside." They mean outside of the contestant and the Plus One.

Ask the lawyers here what "outside party" means.

[silvercamaro]

Why don't you just ask Frank Tangredi, who served as a Plus One?

[franktangredi]

Why don't you just ask Frank Tangredi, who served as a Plus One?

I don't remember any of those rules coming up in conversation; they certainly didn't make a big deal about it in the briefing, and they took no special precautions regarding this matter.

I can tell you that I never heard anyone else in the audience talking about anything during the actual taping. Not a peep. If they were talking, I was too focused on what was going on with my friend to hear them.

[Estonut]

Well it says "outside party". To me that means outside the studio.

Your interpretation says a lot. Do you think there's a party outside the studio, too?

They don't mean literally "outside." They mean outside of the contestant and the Plus One.

Ask the lawyers here what "outside party" means.

You really think they're going to agree with you that it means "outside of the building?" What about the party? Is that on the sidewalk or the street?

You don't seem to think very well without copy & paste...

[Bob78164]

Why don't you just ask Frank Tangredi, who served as a Plus One?

I don't remember any of those rules coming up in conversation; they certainly didn't make a big deal about it in the briefing, and they took no special precautions regarding this matter.

I can tell you that I never heard anyone else in the audience talking about anything during the actual taping. Not a peep. If they were talking, I was too focused on what was going on with my friend to hear them.

Sneaky of them to drop the Cone of Silence on you without you noticing. --Bob

[MarleysGh0st]

If I remember right, didn't the Phone a Friend have a similar clause? The rule was there, and they could use it if they wanted to, but they usually elected not to?

No. I was in the in PAF pool about four time (IIRC), although I was never received the PAF call. We were given lots of instructions about when to be on call, how to answer the phone, etc., but were NEVER told that we could not use reference materials or have other people to consult with in the room. The 30 second time limit was the main limiting factor in that regard.

And, significantly, there were multiple instances when the sound of typing could be heard on an episode during a PAF call, which was obvious evidence of Googling. Regis and Meredith would always treat that as a joke, and never stated, directly or by implication, that doing so was cheating. It was only when TPTB decided to eliminate the PAF lifeline that Googling because an excuse for doing so.