If you find yourself in front of the television this weekend, there are some programming switcheroos and a new Canadian game show to look out for. Here's what's on this weekend:

• Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? returns Friday night on FOX, as the show burns off the remaining prime time episodes. Tonight's contestant is Joey Chestnut, a hot dog eating champion, who will demonstrate his ability to down franks during the show. (You can't make this stuff up.) 8pm Eastern.


• If you're in Canada, Discovery Channel is offering up a new Canadian game show called Qubit on Saturday, July 4th. I don't know a whole lot about this show yet, but apparently the questions are tougher than your average quiz show, and the main attraction is a holographic cube. Er, I mean Qube. 6pm Eastern (only on Discovery Canada).


• GSN's Big Saturday Night is on hiatus this week, which means we'll get 20Q and The Money List, uninterrupted, followed by an episode of Deal or No Deal. BSN returns next weekend. 8-11pm Eastern.


• Sunday night offers a repeat episode of Million Dollar Password, but the upside is that it's the one with Betty White and Adam Carolla. 8pm Eastern on CBS.

Have a great weekend!

Photo courtesy FOX

When the original audition and casting call dates were announced for the upcoming Who Wants to Be a Millionaire prime time special, many of you were bummed that the phone game was not going to be part of contestant screening. Well, today I have good news for you!

The phone game is returning, and here are all the details. According to the ABC press release, the phone lines will be open beginning July 6th, from 7pm to 3am Eastern time, and will run for ten days, ending on July 16th. The phone number is 1-800-999-7878, and you're limited to one call per day. You'll be asked to answer general knowledge questions during the call. From the release,

"People who correctly answer all 5 questions will select one of the 6 available tape dates. A random drawing will be held from among all the people who selected the same tape date to receive an eligibility call to qualify to become a finalist on the program. If a person meets all eligibility requirements they will be flown to New York City with a companion for the opportunity for the chance to play in the hot seat."

There is also a computer-based game alternative for those who have any physical disability that would prevent them from using the telephone. Details about this game should be up shortly at ABC.com.

But wait, there's yet another new way to apply! If you're having trouble with the phone game and don't live anywhere near the casting call locations, you can apply to be on the show by uploading a video. Simply record a video of yourself that is no longer than 2 minutes long (the length is important - don't go over!), and then head over to the WWTBAM website at ABC.com to upload. Include some info about yourself, why you would make a good contestant, and what you would do with the million dollars if you won. Video applications are being accepted from now until July 16th.

Once again, from the release:

"The Producer will select people from among all videos submitted to advance to an online test, which is held July 17. Producer will select from among those who received a passing score on the online test to receive an Eligibility Call to qualify to become a finalist on the program. If a person meets all eligibility requirements they will be flown to New York City with a companion for the opportunity for the chance to play in the hot seat."

If you're planning to apply via video, please, please read ALL of the information available very carefully, and follow instructions. I cannot stress this enough. Check and then double check every single requirement before uploading. If you don't make it on the tenth anniversary prime time special, don't despair. Production will keep your application for up to two years, and you could still be called to play the syndicated version of the show.

If any of you are planning on auditioning, trying the phone game, or sending in a video, please let us know so we can wish you luck, and hope to see you playing the game!

Photo courtesy ABC

Like to dress up in costumes? Good at making decisions on the fly? Got space in your home for a gigantic rocking chair? If you answered "yes" to all of these questions, then the revival of Let's Make a Deal is looking for you!

That's right, we're finally getting the pilot taping for the new (and maybe improved?) LMAD. This is being planned for CBS daytime, but of course the pilot has to rock before the network will pick it up! We're hearing rumors on who the host may (or may not) be, but all we know for sure is that Monty Hall was heavily involved in the host selection.

The pilots tape in Los Angeles, on Monday July 6th and Wednesday July 8th, and you must be available to attend on both of these dates. The pilot will not air, but if the show is picked up and production likes you, they may invite you back for a real episode.

To get your spot in the audience and hopefully become a contestant, all of the info you need to apply is at Craigslist. And make sure you check out the YouTube clips that are linked in the ad! Get your info in as soon as possible, because these spots are likely to fill up fast.

If you're going to be attending, let us know how it all goes! This is an exciting pilot, and we're thrilled that it's going forward. CBS might just be offering some great "new" programming this fall!

Logo Courtesy GSN

We all know that game show producers and casting directors seem to be looking for certain types of people to appear on their shows. Whether it's a certain amount of savvy and smarts for shows like Jeopardy!, or someone who is both energetic and has a sob story, as we see on Deal or No Deal, casting staff always prefers to employ a certain "type."

From the other end of game show casting, we, the viewers, get to watch these carefully selected contestants play the games we love. Sometimes casting is just perfect and we have people we can root for, and seem to excel at the game. Other times, however, the contestants are annoying, unable to comprehend the game, or otherwise disappointing.

To cut casting staff some slack, we should point out here that there's no guarantee that the person who auditioned for the show will be the same person on screen when the pressure is actually on. Still, when the contestant really doesn't know what's going on around him or her, it becomes a real problem.

As a viewer, what do you look for in an enjoyable game show contestant? Would you rather the contestants be easy on the eyes, seem to need the cash, or be able to play the game? Or is it something else entirely? You can choose more than one answer, and if you select "other," please share your criteria in the comments section.

What a week. We started off with the loss of Ed McMahon, and then yesterday the news of Farrah Fawcett's passing, followed by the shocking and sudden death of Michael Jackson.

Ed McMahon's contributions to game shows were easy and obvious. However, it's interesting to note that Fawcett and Jackson have something in common other than the date of their untimely deaths. Both superstars were contestants on The Dating Game.

Michael Jackson appeared on the show at the tender age of 14, in 1972. It's almost heartbreaking to watch the clip now, which you can find on YouTube. He's the same shy and soft-spoken person that the world came to know and love, but the pure innocence in his young face is quite moving, considering what was to come for him. Jackson ended up choosing a young lady by the name of LaTanya Simmons, who was awarded with a "date" with Jackson in New York City, to attend a Jackson 5 concert. Especially endearing is the fact that her mother and a chaperone were also included.

Farrah Fawcett was a contestant on The Dating Game in 1969. She is introduced as a "former beauty title holder" and concept artist. At the end of the round, the three guys stage a fight which is a hat tip to April Fool's Day. Farrah chooses Joey Hooker, an actor. This clip can also be found on YouTube.

One has to wonder what Joey and LaTanya are doing now, and what their memories of their time on The Dating Game (and of course, the dates themselves) are like!

As always, our thoughts and sympathy go out to the families of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson, who were both taken from us too soon.

Photo of Michael Jackson courtesy Getty Images

Auditions are underway for the second season of the syndicated Deal or No Deal. Just as a refresher, the show has moved production to Connecticut, and applications are currently open.

In a previous post about Deal moving to CT, there's been a discussion cropping up about the current audition process. Lots of people are getting their chances to wow the producers, so if you've been invited to audition, check it out. One reader in particular, Debbie, has already had her audition and has been very helpful in describing the process.

If you haven't yet applied, make sure to check out this post on the Deal or No Deal casting situation. The link to Craigslist is still active to pre-register for VIP audition status, or you can call 877-279-3663 for more details. Casting calls are being held in a few different cities. Here are the dates and locations:

• New York, June 27th, 10am-2pm
  Warnock Dodge, 175 Route 10, East Hanover, NJ


• Buffalo, July 18th, time and location TBD


• Pittsburgh, July 25th, time and location TBD


• Providence, August 2nd, time and location TBD


• Connecticut, August 20th, time and location TBD

Also, if you're in or near North Haven, Connecticut, there's an open casting call happening at the North Haven Fairgrounds during the Connecticut Irish Festival, Feis and Agricultural Fair this Saturday, June 27th.

Don't forget, we've got some Deal or No Deal casting advice for you, directly from Neal Konstantini, Deal's casting producer.

Good luck to all of you who have applied, and who are applying soon. We'd love to see lots of readers get the chance to open a case (and even win the million dollar prize!).

Update: The first few weeks of the taping schedule can be found at Hollywood Tickets, where you can also request free tickets to attend filming.

Photo courtesy NBC

Ed McMahon, who is best known as Johnny Carson's long-time sidekick on The Tonight Show, has died at age 86. McMahon, who has suffered many health troubles in recent years, passed away in his sleep just after midnight.

McMahon and Carson first met on the set of the game show Who Do You Trust? in 1957. This of course led to their teaming up on The Tonight Show for over 30 years. He also helmed the popular talent show Star Search, and co-hosted TV Bloopers and Practical Jokes with Dick Clark. He was also heavily involved in the annual Jerry Lewis Telethons, held each Labor Day to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

On the game show front, McMahon was a frequent panelist and guest host on The Match Game, was a mystery guest on What's My Line?, and appeared on several iterations of Hollywood Squares. He began his game show career as the announcer on Two for the Money, which led to hosting gigs on Concentration and Missing Links. He was the announcer on Who Do You Trust?, featuring Johnny Carson as host.

Most recently, McMahon and his family appeared last year on Celebrity Family Feud (pictured), where he played the game for charity.

Ed McMahon was also well known as the pitchman for American Family Publishers, and was seen often on television arriving at people's homes to award them a giant check for winning a sweepstakes. When I was growing up, whenever someone knocked on our door at home, one of us would inevitably say, "Maybe that's Ed McMahon!" He always seemed to be laughing, smiling, and making people happy, and that's the way he will be remembered.

Our condolences go out to the McMahon family.

Photo courtesy NBC

Drew Carey, who of course is the current host of The Price is Right, has recently joined the social networking site Twitter, and started a personal blog.

If you're a fan, Drew's Twitter account is @TPIRhost. Wondering if it's the real deal? He was introduced to the Twitter community by Weird Al Yankovic, who has a verified account (meaning that it does indeed belong to Weird Al), so it looks legit. Carey has been tweeting some fun photos from the lineup outside the studio, as well as the set, of Price, commenting on his soccer team, and generally having fun with Twitter. Give him a follow!

Carey has also started up his own blog, oddly enough through Blogspot. You can find him at Drew from TV. Apparently, the site at priceisright.com will be revamped before the next season starts in September, and he'll move his show-related posts over there.

For more game show Twitter goodness, check out the list of game show folks to follow.

Photo courtesy CBS

If you've ever wanted to come on down and play The Price is Right, but couldn't make it to L.A. to stand in line for tickets, here's your chance to be on the show.

CBS has announced a nation-wide Price is Right contestant search. Producers from the show will travel to "major U.S. markets" to audition hopeful contestants. Three people from each stop will be flown out to Los Angeles to attend a taping of the show (which will occur sometime between September 2009 and February 2010, so keep those schedules open!), and one of the three chosen will be guaranteed a spot on Contestant's Row. Don't ask me how that's going to work - I have no clue. Will they notify the "guaranteed" person beforehand? Will they pick one at random? I really don't know.

At any rate, if this appeals to you, here's the list of confirmed locations and dates. There will be more added in the coming weeks, and we'll keep an eye out for those.

• Friday, June 26: Philadelphia, PA
  City Auto Park 12 Noon - 2:00 PM
  4395 Route 130 S.
  Burlington, N.J. 08016


• Saturday, July 25: Sacramento, CA
  Cache Creek Casino Time: TBD
  14455 Highway 16
  Brooks, CA 95606


• Saturday, Aug. 1: Minneapolis, MN
  Mystic Lake Casino Hotel Time: TBD
  2400 Mystic Lake Blvd.
  Prior Lake, MN. 55372


• Thursday, Aug. 6: Denver, CO
  Fortune Valley Casino 12 Noon - 3:00 PM
  321 Gregory Street
  Central City, CO 80427


• TBD: Chicago, IL
  Horseshoe Casino
  777 Casino Center Drive
  Hammond, Ind. 46320

To participate, you must be a U.S. resident and 18 years of age or older. More details and further scheduling will be posted at cbs.com, and again, we'll be watching so this list can be updated.

Logo courtesy CBS

Earlier this month, I posted that tickets were available for the taping of the Pyramid revival that CBS is considering for syndication in the fall. One of our community members, Jason, was able to get tickets, and he attended the filming yesterday. Fortunately for us, he was able to share a few details of the game!

First, the format is similar to The $10,000 Pyramid in that there are seven items per category, with 30 seconds on the clock for each. If a contestant makes it through the first round to the Winner's Circle, they earn $25,000. If they get back to the Winner's Circle in the second round, they win $50,000 more. And of course, the game is called $1,000,000 Pyramid, so you can guess what the ultimate prize is. Jason says the set was also a throwback to the Dick Clark days of Pyramid.

Celebrities on hand for the taping were Ken Jennings, Susie Essman, Jesse Metcalfe, Caroline Rhea, and Norm MacDonald.

Now, we have a bit of a question mark over who the host of the show is. Jason says that he thought the host's name was Vincent Reynolds, and that he's a British TV presenter. If anyone else was at the taping and knows who this fellow is, please let us know. (Update: In the comments section below, we've been alerted that the host is quite possibly Tim Vincent, who's been on Access Hollywood here, and used to host the children's program Blue Peter in the U.K. He also hosted the pilot for GSN's Chain Reaction.) We have confirmation of Tim Vincent as host now - check out these photos from the set! Update #2: I'm hearing that the host for the second session of taping this week will be someone completely different, so it looks like production is taking this seriously, leaving options open should the series be picked up. That's good news!

Taping for the show was Tuesday of this week, and there's another one being held this Friday. Note, if you have tickets for today's session, it's been rescheduled for Friday according to OnSet Productions. After that, we must wait to see if they pass muster. If the show is green-lit, we can look forward to another casting call, as well as more audience tickets being available. I'll keep you posted! In the meantime, if you have more info on the pilot tapings, or have questions you'd like to ask Jason, please feel free to post in the comments section. Also, if you're attending the second session, please drop me a line if you'd like to share the details. Thanks for the scoop, Jason!

Update #3: Thanks to Chad Mosher for spotting this ad on Craigslist, which says the host for Friday will be former Superman Dean Cain. Interesting choice! If you want to attend, click on that link to the ad - they're offering a $20 payment per audience member.