I was a Match Game contestant...
Mandel Ilagan
I posted a similar article like this last week, but it looks like it never went through.
In any case, as I alluded to in another post, I was a contestant on "Match Game" at a
taping last Tuesday and boy, it is definitely an experience I will never forget.
I think the best way to start this little anecdotal game show trip is to explain how I got
there...I’ve been in Los Angeles for the past month and-a-half interning for "Home
Improvement." Well, I figured, I’m in L.A., I really should try out for a game show.
Well, I stumbled upon the ad for "Match Game" in the L.A. Times and I placed the call and
within a couple of weeks I auditioned for the show. The audition itself was a fun
process. There is an elimination test and after that they have you play some mock games
to see how well you project your voice, how energetic you are, and how quickly you can
come up with good answers.
I felt really good about my audition, but I didn’t say to myself, "I definitely made it!"
or "I blew it!" I just didn’t want to jinx myself. About a week or so after the audition
I get a call at work from one of the contestant coordinators saying that they wanted me to
come to CBS TV City! For those of you who don’t know, being called to the studio does not
necessarily mean that you’ll be on a contestant. They always call two more people than
are needed as standbys. So, I get my call times for the afternoons of Tuesday, August
11th and Wednesday, August 12th.
Flash forward to Tuesday, August 11th...I arrive about an hour early at CBS TV City. I
see a few other potential contesti (a few of which have appeared on other game shows like
"Scattergories," "Quicksilver," and "Supermarket Sweep") walk in and start chatting. At
around 2-ish, we are greeted by Jane, one of the contestant coordinators. We then go to
the a dressing room where we met up with the other contestant coordinators, Dawn and
Harve. We catch the last part of the last episode of the morning set of tapings (they
were doing three in the morning and two in the afternoon that day) and Dawn encourages us
to play along so we can get some practice. The taping doesn’t start until 4 that
afternoon so in the meantime we are given copies of the official rules and some release
forms from Standards and Practices to sign. Dawn and Jane do some pre-interviews so they
can jot down some notes for Michael Burger’s contestant interviews for the show.
After this, we walk down to the legendary Studio 33, now known as the Bob Barker Studio.
Harve and Kevin (one of the producers) give us a run-through of where we should stand and
sit onstage if we make it on the show. We get back to the dressing room, play some
practice questions to warm us up. After which, the contestant coordinators leave and we
are given a debriefing by Standards and Practices letting us know some guidelines that we
had to follow. Now, here’s the real kicker...Who should visit us next but game show
producer god Jay Wolpert! Jay welcoms us to the show and gives us a few tips and
strategies on how to play to game. He, along with the contestant coordinators, makes sure
that "having fun" was our top priority.
So, now the moment of truth...They announce who will play in the first game..."Julie
and...MANDEL!" I emit a squeal (or something to that effect) and freshen up in the
restroom. Harve escrots Julie and me backstage at Studio 33 where Mike, the stage
manager, reminds how to do our entrances for the show. At this point, I also discover
that I get the first pick of the questions for round one! Woo-hoo! After the prepping,
Michael Burger comes over to both of us and introduced himself to us. He’s a very, very
personable and nice guy. He, along with the rest of the "Match Game" staff, really just
made us feel at ease. Then comes the two-minute warning. We take our places and the
lights are cued...The "wanky" music starts as the announcer Paul Boland (? – his last name
slips my mind right now) does the intro. The celebs that I'll have to "get ready to
match" are: Richard Jeni, Vicki Lawrence, Joshua Morrow (of "Young and the Restless"),
Nell Carter, and Judy Tenuta.
Now, I’ll end the details right here...You’ll have to watch the show to find out what
exactly transpired after that. I will say though that the people on this show are great.
They are hard-working and very nice people. I have to say that some of the initial
negative criticism that I’ve read from those of you who haven’t even been to a taping are
really unfair...
Yeah, they changed the scoring system and they give categories for the question. It's
really no big deal...It’s still pretty much the same game! Plus, the changes turn out to
work for the better for the contestants. I’ll explain that in a future post once my
episode airs...
There were also remarks about the fact that there are five celebrities and the choice of
the celebrities that they have. Well, personally, I’d rather have celebrities that know
how to play the game rather than superstars that have no clue what they’re doing. I mean,
from what I saw that day, the newbies like Richard Jeni and Judy Tenuta showed that they
have a good grasp of the game. And really who’s to say that a new family of MG regulars
can’t be started? Another thing...I was very impressed with how nice the celebrities
were. Vicki even asked me a question during a break about what I studied up at Harvard.
While that may not mean much to some of you, it really helped in keeping me relaxed and
making "being on the show" feel less intimidating.
Oh, for those wondering about the theme, it opens up with the "wanks" of the original song
but it then goes into a salsa-ish song with a different melody than the 70s/1990 version,
but a similar chord progression. The best way to describe it is that it's like what the
80s "Pyramid" theme did to the 70s "Pyramid" theme. And unlike other 90s game shows of
late, you can actually pick out a melody!
I have to give major kudos to Michael Burger. While he hasn’t hit the "Match Game ’75"
groove that Gene Rayburn had, he’s on his way there. He’s very confident with the rules
and really shows control of the game. He also is great with the contestants. You’ll see
this as he plays off my "big smile" and how I go to Harvard in my episode. He knows the
show and seems genuinely happy to be hosting the show! In keeping in line with that, I
was pleasantly surprised by the performance of the announcer. He really keeps the energy
up for the audience and makes sure they’re entertained during the break. Plus, he and
Michael do this great bit where they play dueling Sean Connery-s.
Finally, praise should go to the writers on the show. After being on one episode and
seeing three others taped, I must say the writing has a bit of an edge to it. Some
questions dealt with Spice Girls, Monica Lewinsky, Barney, and Viagara. However, it's hip
without having that MTV/Gen-X smugness to it. In other words, the writing is fresh but
it's in the context of a traditional classic game format. While there is a 90s
sensibility to the show, there is still a respect for the past.
I have to say that this whole experience just made an awesome summer here in L.A. even
better. Jay, Kevin, Dawn, Jane, Harve, and the rest of the behind-the-scenes staff whom I
met at "Match Game" were great people. They really appear to be enjoying what they’re
doing and they seem to have a real respect for the show and its past. If any of you get
the chance to try out for a game show in L.A., do try out for "Match Game." It may not
have as big a prize as shows like "Wheel" or "Jeopardy!" but the fun you have and the
treatment you get as a contestant more than make up for that. Plus, as Randy said (and
forgive me if I’m paraphrasing here), "If somebody gave you a chance at winning $5000,
would you pass on it?"
I urge all of you to put your support behind this show and welcome it with an open mind.
It's a very good show right now and it only looks like it's going to get even better as
Mike and panelists continue to build up that necessary chemistry to keep the show fun and
loose. With this and the great revival of "Hollywood Squares," it looks like the seeds
could be planted for a game show renaissance...But then again, I’m an optimistic guy! I
think the key thing is not to have a "New Match Game v. New Hollywood Squares"
debate...Both shows are good shows that are many steps above most of the new game shows
that have debuted over the sevearl years. Well enough tooting my own horn, I’ll post the
airdate for my episode once I find it out! Until then...
Mandel Ilagan
ila...@fas.harvard.edu
Tammy Warner
last week hoping to get an appointment to try out as a contestant. I
left my name, phone number, & both my regular & E-mail addresses hoping
they'd call me back, & so far I haven't heard from them. You must tell
me your secret for getting through.
REMEMBER GEORGE DeWITT!!
Tammy Warner (TamW...@webTV.net)
Mark Sinsabaugh
OLDEN? He's go the voice to make a pretty good game show announcer.
For those of you who have never heard him, he almost sounds like Burton
Richardson, except his voice is a little deeper.
He's also is currently a play by play announcer for the Tampa Bay Devil
Rays and served as a play by play announcer for the then LA Rams and NY
Yankees. He's also worked some baseball games on ESPN in the early
1990's and served as public address announcer for a couple of the recent
Super Bowls.
Mandel, you will have to let us know when the episode airs!
Mark S.
"We'll be back here next time, so you come back baby, because rock and
roll never forgets. See you then!"
Visit my web page!
Game Shows, CHiPs, South Park, and MORE!!!
http://www.geocities.com/televisioncity/stage/1199
JnAnthony
>last week hoping to get an appointment to try out as a contestant. I
>left my name, phone number, & both my regular & E-mail addresses hoping
>they'd call me back, & so far I haven't heard from them. You must tell
>me your secret for getting through.
What's the number to call? I haven't seen it listed anywhere.
John
Steve Byrd
the Devil Rays to take time to fly to LA for an "MG" taping. He can't be at
both "MG" and the ball game at once, can he?
Mark Sinsabaugh wrote in message
<28511-35...@newsd-174.iap.bryant.webtv.net>...
Eddie Walker
.. they said to call back about the october try outs
Tammy Warner wrote in message
<18517-35...@newsd-171.iap.bryant.webtv.net>...
Oh Mandel, you are one lucky dude! I tried calling them three times
last week hoping to get an appointment to try out as a contestant. I
left my name, phone number, & both my regular & E-mail addresses hoping
they'd call me back, & so far I haven't heard from them. You must tell
me your secret for getting through.
REMEMBER GEORGE DeWITT!!
Tammy Warner (TamW...@webTV.net)
Annlindgk
>I haven't been to a taping, but I'm guessing the announcer is Paul
>OLDEN? He's go the voice to make a pretty good game show announcer.
>For those of you who have never heard him, he almost sounds like Burton
>Richardson, except his voice is a little deeper.
>
>He's also is currently a play by play announcer for the Tampa Bay Devil
>Rays and served as a play by play announcer for the then LA Rams and NY
>Yankees. He's also worked some baseball games on ESPN in the early
>1990's and served as public address announcer for a couple of the recent
>Super Bowls.
>
>Mandel, you will have to let us know when the episode airs!
>
>Mark S.
Mandel did get the name right--the announcer is Paul Boland, who is one of
Michael Burger's closest friends. Both Paul and his wife Marlise appeared many
times on "Home & Family" after Michael became co-host of that show.
BTW, way to go, Mandel!
Annl...@aol.com (Ann Linderman)
"You're basically looking at a vault of inane, useless information, and I've
got the combination." ----Greg Kinnear
Charlie Pevey
> I haven't been to a taping, but I'm guessing the announcer is Paul
> OLDEN? He's go the voice to make a pretty good game show announcer.
> For those of you who have never heard him, he almost sounds like Burton
> Richardson, except his voice is a little deeper.
> He's also is currently a play by play announcer for the Tampa Bay Devil
> Rays and served as a play by play announcer for the then LA Rams and NY
> Yankees. He's also worked some baseball games on ESPN in the early
> 1990's and served as public address announcer for a couple of the recent
> Super Bowls.
Then, Steve Byrd wrote:
> No way it's Paul Olden. Though Paul once lived in LA, he's too busy with
> the Devil Rays to take time to fly to LA for an "MG" taping. He can't be at
> both "MG" and the ball game at once, can he?
Excuse me for straying off-topic, but is this the same Paul Olden who
once asked Tommy Lasorda for his opinion of Kingman's performance? (:))
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o o o o
Mark
He might be OK, but not the best. Paul Olden is NO John Olsen
GDukes2729
>I haven't been to a taping, but I'm guessing the announcer is Paul
>OLDEN? He's go the voice to make a pretty good game show announcer.
No the announcer's name is Paul Boland. Whoever wrote the original review for
the taping of Match Game was right to begin with.