Hook, Line or Sinker - How important do you think it is?

[frogman042]

Since we are on the subject of old transcripts, I've been daily recording WWTBAM. Even though they are repeats for a couple of reasons - I haven't seen many of the orginal broadcasts and our local Millionaire station is running promos for syndie-DoND and I want to know if they are going to shift the schedule for when Millionaire airs - so if the air time changes I would like to know that as well. Last week (I think) they showed Rich Swanson's episode and for fun I went to the transcript to read the comments from the bored and came across the following from Marley:

Rich Swanson
Waterford, CT
Newspaper layout specialist

Meredith: Rich, I am itching to give away one of these Capital One checks, hopefully the million dollar check. Are you itching to get it?

Rich: Sure.

Rich is a MAWG and Waterford (southeastern CT, near New London) isn't even in Where Else territory I'm still waiting to see what his successful hook was. This flat opening banter sure wasn't it.

Which got me to thinking, what if there was no hook or maybe hooks are just one factor in many that is used in the contestent selection process, and a minor one at that.

I know that none of us know the answer but personally I not sure the hook is a critical piece - if you have a great hook but don't have what they are really looking for - that hook is not going to help. Conversely, if you don't have a unique hook, but have what they want (a sense that you will be comfortable and not freek out in the hot seat, something about you that would make an audience want to see you win big and a least a couple of interesting tidbits to chat with Meredith about) then no 'hook' is still no problem.

BTW, I'm defining hook as something that is truely unique and that is concise and easy to express - by my definition, my hook is having 10 kids, there are others possible hooks I had - the Woodstock festival took place litterally around the block from where I lived (I was 11 at the time), I lived in Switzerland, I once was on stage at Carnege Hall with John Denver, etc (which I forget to mention in my initial application but included in my more detail profile).

I participate in a Pun-Off but I'm not sure this counts as a are real hook. I do think my pun-off participation was the deal maker because it came up so often and it shows I am comfortable in front of large crowds and can think on my feet. Personally, I believe these are the characteristics that they are really looking for.

Given that Rich appeared to have no obvious hooks, but that he was a fun contestent to watch and someone I think the audience enjoyed rooting for (and I don't think he is alone in this), my question is - how important do you think a hook really is in getting selected?

---Jay (If you know what year in the 17th century that Izaak Walton, author of The Compleat Angler wrote a book about Sir Henry Wotton - then you will also know the number of days until my show airs (hopefully))

[Jeemie]

Anecdotal evidence from these boards suggests "the Hook" is not really that important.

[CharlesFoxSingers]

It doesn't matter what I say
So long as I sing with inflection
That makes you feel that I'll convey
Some inner truth of vast reflection
But I've said nothing so far
And I can keep it up for as long as it takes
And it don't matter who you are
If I'm doing my job then it's your resolve that breaks

Because the hook brings you back
I ain't tellin' you no lie
The hook brings you back
On that you can rely

There is something amiss, I am being insincere
In fact I don't mean any of this
Still my confession draws you near
To confuse the issue I refer
To familiar heroes from long ago
No matter how much Peter loved her
What made the Pan refuse to grow

Because the hook brings you back
I ain't tellin' you no lie
The hook brings you back
On that you can rely

Suck it in, suck it in, suck it in
If you're Rin Tin Tin or Anne Boleyn
Make a desperate move or else you'll win
And then begin to see
What you're doing to me this MTV is not for free
It's so PC it's killing me
So desperately I sing to thee of love
Sure but also rage and hate and pain and fear of self
And I can't keep these feelings on the shelf
I've tried well no in fact I lied
Could be financial suicide but I've got
Too much pride inside to hide or slide
I'll do as I'll decide and let it ride until I've died
And only then shall I abide this tide
Of catchy little tunes of hip three minute ditties
I wanna bust all your balloons
I wanna burn all of your cities
To the ground I've found
I will not mess around
Unless I play then hey
I will go on all day hear what I say
I have a prayer to pray
That's really all this was
And when I'm feeling stuck and need a buck
I don't rely on lunch because...

The hook brings you back
I ain't tellin' you no lie
The hook brings you back
On that you can rely

[gsabc]

With all due respect to the Charles Fox Singers, I was thinking more along the lines of "You Gotta Have a Gimmick" from Sweet Charity.

[frogman042]

With all due respect to the Charles Fox Singers, I was thinking more along the lines of "You Gotta Have a Gimmick" from Sweet Charity.

You Gotta Have a Gimmick - Gypsy my friend - just ask Rose
Perhaps you were thinking of 'If My (phone-a-)Friends Could See Me Now'? That's from Sweet Charity.

---Jay (Bob Fosse was this old in the year when Sweet Charity (the Movie) was released - if you know how old he was you will know the number of days till yada, yada, yada)

[Kazoo65]

Although having a "hook" may not be the most important thing the APs look for, I think it's something that helps. Meredith needs to have some "conversation points" with the contestants-she was a reporter, after all, and reporters like to know something about their interview subjects.

If you've met a celebrity, that is a BIG hook. We've seen tons of contestants over the years who have met celebrities and have talked about it on BAM. Unfortunately, the closest I've come to meeting a celebrity is attending a wedding where Derek Jeter was best man (he looks good in a tux! )

Having a "hook" may or may not help you get in the hot seat, but I bet it makes the choice easier for the APs-"do we want person X, who's a boring MAWG, or do we want person Y, who's a twenty-something WE/WE who's met 13 celebrities?" Odds are, person Y winds up on the show, and wins $1000!

[ulysses5019]

Having a "hook" may or may not help you get in the hot seat, but I bet it makes the choice easier for the APs-"do we want person X, who's a boring MAWG, or do we want person Y, who's a twenty-something WE/WE who's met 13 celebrities?" Odds are, person Y winds up on the show, and wins $1000!

So, you decided not to audition because you don't have a hook? Or the viewing time was not conducive for a viewing party? Or was it because there were too many college students in Dearborn?

[Here's Fanny!]

Having a "hook" may or may not help you get in the hot seat, but I bet it makes the choice easier for the APs-"do we want person X, who's a boring MAWG, or do we want person Y, who's a twenty-something WE/WE who's met 13 celebrities?" Odds are, person Y winds up on the show, and wins $1000!

So, you decided not to audition because you don't have a hook? Or the viewing time was not conducive for a viewing party? Or was it because there were too many college students in Dearborn?

Yes.

[Here's Fanny!]

If the auditioner is a nice enough person and on the postcard fence, then a hook might push them over. But I think that, on the whole, having a hook-filled application might be more of a detriment than an advantage. Unless it's one of those game shows that are reminiscent of Ted Mack and they're looking for clowns and plate spinners.

But it makes a person feel better when they're rejected to blame it on something they can't really change. "I'm a MAWG, I don't have a hook, I'm way too smart and they're afraid they won't have enough money to pay me."

I don't think any of that matters unless it's a fence situation. The most important thing is the sparkle factor.

Which probably isn't a good word as it sounds like glitz and effervescence and bubbly, which isn't what I mean. You know those people that just seem to have an inner spark? They might not be anything special as far as looks, situation or even common interest, but there's just something about them that makes you want to know them better or keep talking to them.

Maybe personal magnetism is a better term for it. And I don't think you can really control that, so it's just as good a reason as the previously mentioned ones. But it makes one feel lacking, as most people would like to think they have it, even though most of us (universal us, not board us) don't.

Those types are the shoo-ins, not the hookers.

[TheConfessor]

I haven't seen many of the orginal broadcasts and our local Millionaire station is running promos for syndie-DoND and I want to know if they are going to shift the schedule for when Millionaire airs - so if the air time changes I would like to know that as well.

Let's hope so. It's a bitch having to get up at the crack of noon just to watch WWTBAM!

[ulysses5019]

I haven't seen many of the orginal broadcasts and our local Millionaire station is running promos for syndie-DoND and I want to know if they are going to shift the schedule for when Millionaire airs - so if the air time changes I would like to know that as well.

Let's hope so. It's a bitch having to get up at the crack of noon just to watch WWTBAM!

Yeah, just ask kazoo.

[Bob Juch]

If the auditioner is a nice enough person and on the postcard fence, then a hook might push them over. But I think that, on the whole, having a hook-filled application might be more of a detriment than an advantage. Unless it's one of those game shows that are reminiscent of Ted Mack and they're looking for clowns and plate spinners.

But it makes a person feel better when they're rejected to blame it on something they can't really change. "I'm a MAWG, I don't have a hook, I'm way too smart and they're afraid they won't have enough money to pay me."

I don't think any of that matters unless it's a fence situation. The most important thing is the sparkle factor.

Which probably isn't a good word as it sounds like glitz and effervescence and bubbly, which isn't what I mean. You know those people that just seem to have an inner spark? They might not be anything special as far as looks, situation or even common interest, but there's just something about them that makes you want to know them better or keep talking to them.

Maybe personal magnetism is a better term for it. And I don't think you can really control that, so it's just as good a reason as the previously mentioned ones. But it makes one feel lacking, as most people would like to think they have it, even though most of us (universal us, not board us) don't.

Those types are the shoo-ins, not the hookers.

So why hasn't Marley gotten on yet?

[MarleysGh0st]

If the auditioner is a nice enough person and on the postcard fence, then a hook might push them over. But I think that, on the whole, having a hook-filled application might be more of a detriment than an advantage. Unless it's one of those game shows that are reminiscent of Ted Mack and they're looking for clowns and plate spinners.

But it makes a person feel better when they're rejected to blame it on something they can't really change. "I'm a MAWG, I don't have a hook, I'm way too smart and they're afraid they won't have enough money to pay me."

I don't think any of that matters unless it's a fence situation. The most important thing is the sparkle factor.

Which probably isn't a good word as it sounds like glitz and effervescence and bubbly, which isn't what I mean. You know those people that just seem to have an inner spark? They might not be anything special as far as looks, situation or even common interest, but there's just something about them that makes you want to know them better or keep talking to them.

Maybe personal magnetism is a better term for it. And I don't think you can really control that, so it's just as good a reason as the previously mentioned ones. But it makes one feel lacking, as most people would like to think they have it, even though most of us (universal us, not board us) don't.

Those types are the shoo-ins, not the hookers.

So why hasn't Marley gotten on yet?

Because you defeated me in the Million Dollar Buddy contest, Bob.

[minimetoo26]

them.

Maybe personal magnetism is a better term for it. And I don't think you can really control that, so it's just as good a reason as the previously mentioned ones. But it makes one feel lacking, as most people would like to think they have it, even though most of us (universal us, not board us) don't.

I was just thinking about this the last couple of weeks--how some people are the ones others seem to give things to. I tend to be one, and Mini-me and Erin seem to have inherited it. At WDW, the guy at the monorail station pulled Andrew from the crowd and offered us the front cab, even without us asking. And this was at the TTC, not a resort. Then a lady pulled us from the standby line for Jungle Cruise and handed us the timing card and sent us to the front of the fastpass line, another woman gave me a bunch of free cookies when I was gathering lunch for the kids, even though I only had one kids' meal, and Erin got practically chased down the ramp in Mexico by the boat attendant, who gave her her own boat and a certificate stating she was a VIP friend. Some people just get noticed in a crowd.

But the WWTBAM APs hate me. And yet my life goes on...

[_TPTB_]

If the auditioner is a nice enough person and on the postcard fence, then a hook might push them over. But I think that, on the whole, having a hook-filled application might be more of a detriment than an advantage. Unless it's one of those game shows that are reminiscent of Ted Mack and they're looking for clowns and plate spinners.

But it makes a person feel better when they're rejected to blame it on something they can't really change. "I'm a MAWG, I don't have a hook, I'm way too smart and they're afraid they won't have enough money to pay me."

I don't think any of that matters unless it's a fence situation. The most important thing is the sparkle factor.

Which probably isn't a good word as it sounds like glitz and effervescence and bubbly, which isn't what I mean. You know those people that just seem to have an inner spark? They might not be anything special as far as looks, situation or even common interest, but there's just something about them that makes you want to know them better or keep talking to them.

Maybe personal magnetism is a better term for it. And I don't think you can really control that, so it's just as good a reason as the previously mentioned ones. But it makes one feel lacking, as most people would like to think they have it, even though most of us (universal us, not board us) don't.

Those types are the shoo-ins, not the hookers.

So why hasn't Marley gotten on yet?

Because you defeated me in the Million Dollar Buddy contest, Bob.

I thought I had Skip block your IP address during that....

[littlebeast13]

I was just thinking about this the last couple of weeks--how some people are the ones others seem to give things to. I tend to be one, and Mini-me and Erin seem to have inherited it.

I've got something to give to you......

[minimetoo26]

And as an addendum, Stephen got attention one day with a "hook"--White Guy in an Obama T-shirt. He was the pet of the Hollywood Studios staff that day, and they remembered him when we came back four days later.

[minimetoo26]

I was just thinking about this the last couple of weeks--how some people are the ones others seem to give things to. I tend to be one, and Mini-me and Erin seem to have inherited it.

I've got something to give to you......

No devil horns? I'm slipping on your Naughty List!

[Satan Dolittle]

I was just thinking about this the last couple of weeks--how some people are the ones others seem to give things to. I tend to be one, and Mini-me and Erin seem to have inherited it.

I've got something to give to you......

No devil horns? I'm slipping on your Naughty List!

The tines on my pitchfork are still pretty hot.....

[littlebeast13]

I'm never going to catch Kay if I don't stay out of the MM's....

But it is funny that all of the WGAS votes in this poll are from my Merry Men....

lb13

[MarleysGh0st]

But it is funny that all of the WGAS votes in this poll are from my Merry Men....

Using MM to stuff the ballot box!?

I better inform Evil Squirrel!

[minimetoo26]

But it is funny that all of the WGAS votes in this poll are from my Merry Men....

Using MM to stuff the ballot box!?

I better inform Evil Squirrel!

This is why Fanny refuses to use the WGAS option--because she knows beast abuses it!

[littlebeast13]

But it is funny that all of the WGAS votes in this poll are from my Merry Men....

Using MM to stuff the ballot box!?

I better inform Evil Squirrel!

This is why Fanny refuses to use the WGAS option--because she knows beast abuses it!

At least I wasn't voting for a legitimate option....

I couldn't get National Apathy Party to cast a vote, though....

lb13

[Here's Fanny!]

Using MM to stuff the ballot box!?

I better inform Evil Squirrel!

This is why Fanny refuses to use the WGAS option--because she knows beast abuses it!

At least I wasn't voting for a legitimate option....

I couldn't get National Apathy Party to cast a vote, though....

lb13

Ha, if somebody gives enough of a shit to actually sign in and cast a vote, then the WGAS option is not valid and they're skewing results, dammit!

If the National Apathy Party worked up enough of a shit to vote that they don't give one then the universe would fold in on itself and time would run backward and the Mugwumps would be controlling the election.

[frogman042]

I'm never going to catch Kay if I don't stay out of the MM's....

But it is funny that all of the WGAS votes in this poll are from my Merry Men....

lb13

Is that something only site admins can determine - so site admins also know who vote for which choice in the polls? Yikes!

---Jay (Approximately this percentage of Florida's Palm Beach County's population resides in unincorporated areas within the county. If you know that percentage then you know the rest ...)