by Chad Mosher
The most unfortunate thing about being a game show contestant is that you cannot appear on every single show they've got on TV. Most of the big established shows (Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, The Price is Right and Millionaire) have it in their eligibility requirements that you can't go from show to show and then be on their show.
For instance, Wheel's rules say that you are ineligible to spin if you've been on a game show in the last year or three game shows in the last 10 years. This is to keep fresh faces on TV and to try to give everyone who wants to play the game a fair shot. But because the rules are so tight for most of these shows, you can't exactly go on every game that's looking for a contestant. You need to pick your game wisely. Most people go on game shows for one of three reasons: To win something, to get noticed or to just have a really good time. You should figure out which one of these most applies to you and then, using my guide below, you can decide which show is the best for you!
1) If you're going for prizes. This is the most common reason to want to be on a game show. I mean, where else can you have the opportunity to make a million dollars in under an hour? If you're looking to make some good money, you'll need to weigh each show's payout with its skill style and your ability to meet it. For example, if you can yell and scream a lot but you don't know the capital of your own state, Millionaire is probably not the show for you. But if you were head of the high school science team, you might very well make at least $25,000 or $50,000 on the show. If you're looking solely for money, try to stay away from any cable game shows (GSN, Discovery). Since they're only on a cable budget, you'll likely only get $5,000 as a readily-achievable prize, $10,000 if you're lucky. A common thought is that for those good with words, Wheel of Fortune is the easiest show to make money on, but not necessarily. I could be the best puzzle solver in the world... but if every time I spin the wheel I land on Bankrupt, I'm only going to make $6,000 from the toss-ups which is certainly not enough to win the game. Wheel almost has more to do with luck than skill, so don't expect to win a mil' because you know how to spell syzygy.
2) If you're going to make it big. Gasp! Yes, believe it or not, people use game shows as stepping stones to further their own media career. Usually if you hear "originally from" in their intros, it's because they live in Los Angeles and the show wants to present a wide cross-section of people. If exposure is what you're going for, it's a smart idea to go with a big network game show (like when NBC had Deal or No Deal or the upcoming Perfect 10.) Barring that, always try to get on a show where you can showcase what makes you someone that should be hired. Using Jeopardy! is a bad idea, since 95% of your dialogue will begin with "What is." But a show like Millionaire that involves a lot of conversation could present an opportunity to let you show off your chops.
3) If you're going to just have fun. This is the one I like the most. Just someone who is going as part of their vacation or just to say "hey, I've been on a game show!" For you, clearly cash, prizes and fame are just an added bonus. Of course, you're going to want to try for the show that you've always loved or that you think would simply give you the most enjoyment. If you can't make up your mind, The Price is Right is probably the best show for someone just looking for a good time. No long audition process for you to have a great shot at a car or trip, it's a staple of Americana and, hey, you might even make a friend or twelve waiting in line! Price is a great idea for the thrillseeker and fun-lover.
There is no good reason or bad reason for wanting to go on a game show. Really, they're there to provide all three concepts. Sometimes, the reason why you went on the show ends up bringing all three reasons along anyway. The game show brings all sorts of neat things into a person's life, but it's up to you to figure out what neat thing you want!
Why do you want to be on a game show? Share your reasons, and read those submitted by others, on this interactive page.
Chad Mosher is a past game show contestant, and has experience in many aspects of the game show industry. He contributes a weekly column here at About.com Game Shows, answering your questions and tackling all facets of the game show genre. If you have questions for Chad, you can post them here in the comments, or contact him directly through the link in his bio.
The most unfortunate thing about being a game show contestant is that you cannot appear on every single show they've got on TV. Most of the big established shows (Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, The Price is Right and Millionaire) have it in their eligibility requirements that you can't go from show to show and then be on their show.
For instance, Wheel's rules say that you are ineligible to spin if you've been on a game show in the last year or three game shows in the last 10 years. This is to keep fresh faces on TV and to try to give everyone who wants to play the game a fair shot. But because the rules are so tight for most of these shows, you can't exactly go on every game that's looking for a contestant. You need to pick your game wisely. Most people go on game shows for one of three reasons: To win something, to get noticed or to just have a really good time. You should figure out which one of these most applies to you and then, using my guide below, you can decide which show is the best for you!
1) If you're going for prizes. This is the most common reason to want to be on a game show. I mean, where else can you have the opportunity to make a million dollars in under an hour? If you're looking to make some good money, you'll need to weigh each show's payout with its skill style and your ability to meet it. For example, if you can yell and scream a lot but you don't know the capital of your own state, Millionaire is probably not the show for you. But if you were head of the high school science team, you might very well make at least $25,000 or $50,000 on the show. If you're looking solely for money, try to stay away from any cable game shows (GSN, Discovery). Since they're only on a cable budget, you'll likely only get $5,000 as a readily-achievable prize, $10,000 if you're lucky. A common thought is that for those good with words, Wheel of Fortune is the easiest show to make money on, but not necessarily. I could be the best puzzle solver in the world... but if every time I spin the wheel I land on Bankrupt, I'm only going to make $6,000 from the toss-ups which is certainly not enough to win the game. Wheel almost has more to do with luck than skill, so don't expect to win a mil' because you know how to spell syzygy.
2) If you're going to make it big. Gasp! Yes, believe it or not, people use game shows as stepping stones to further their own media career. Usually if you hear "originally from" in their intros, it's because they live in Los Angeles and the show wants to present a wide cross-section of people. If exposure is what you're going for, it's a smart idea to go with a big network game show (like when NBC had Deal or No Deal or the upcoming Perfect 10.) Barring that, always try to get on a show where you can showcase what makes you someone that should be hired. Using Jeopardy! is a bad idea, since 95% of your dialogue will begin with "What is." But a show like Millionaire that involves a lot of conversation could present an opportunity to let you show off your chops.
3) If you're going to just have fun. This is the one I like the most. Just someone who is going as part of their vacation or just to say "hey, I've been on a game show!" For you, clearly cash, prizes and fame are just an added bonus. Of course, you're going to want to try for the show that you've always loved or that you think would simply give you the most enjoyment. If you can't make up your mind, The Price is Right is probably the best show for someone just looking for a good time. No long audition process for you to have a great shot at a car or trip, it's a staple of Americana and, hey, you might even make a friend or twelve waiting in line! Price is a great idea for the thrillseeker and fun-lover.
There is no good reason or bad reason for wanting to go on a game show. Really, they're there to provide all three concepts. Sometimes, the reason why you went on the show ends up bringing all three reasons along anyway. The game show brings all sorts of neat things into a person's life, but it's up to you to figure out what neat thing you want!
Why do you want to be on a game show? Share your reasons, and read those submitted by others, on this interactive page.
Chad Mosher is a past game show contestant, and has experience in many aspects of the game show industry. He contributes a weekly column here at About.com Game Shows, answering your questions and tackling all facets of the game show genre. If you have questions for Chad, you can post them here in the comments, or contact him directly through the link in his bio.
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