by Chad MosherThe flowers are blooming, the sun is rising and the air is clear with future hope. We all know what that means! ...No, not spring, the game show audition season is about to begin! One show in particular is starting off as quickly as possible to cast contestants for their new season and that's Family Feud. The show will be entering a new phase this fall with host Steve Harvey and they're looking to grab some new families to make their twelfth season their most exciting one yet. This week, if you think you and four of your relatives can get along for a few hours to try to make it onto America's favorite five-person-team game show, read my advice on how you can maximize your chances to split up to $150,000 and a new car!
First, you're going to need a family. Family Feud defines a family as persons related by blood, marriage, or legal adoption. So even though your homeboy Stevie is like a brother to you, the casting coordinators at the show aren't gonna buy it. The Feud always plays with teams of five people, so make sure you can round up four of your favorite family members and that everyone is related to each other. In order to audition, you'll need to be in (or able to travel to) the Los Angeles area. Feud has also set up some local auditions in the future, such as a couple of days in early April where they will be in Orlando. (Editor's note: Auditions in Orlando will take place from April 7th to 11th, and you can call 323-762-8467 or email orlando@familytryouts.com for details.) To participate, you'll have to be able to utilize these options.
Whether you go to a road audition or try out in their offices, Family Feud auditions aren't very long. A couple rounds of questions accompanied by the usual personality interview are what you'll be looking at. Now, let's be honest here. Family Feud isn't exactly the most complicated game show that ever existed. Most people can name a round fruit or give another word for "stupid." Because of this, this show more than others looks for strong personalities. If you turn on any episode, past or present, you'll notice that each family is quirky, exciting and really, really happy to be there. Make sure that especially for this audition, your family's freak out factor is turned to the max. Support your family with their answers, pay attention to the questions and the game around you and make sure you have an answer at the ready when it's your turn to be called upon.
Because the audition process is so uncomplicated, you're going to want to make a very big impression during your chance to shine. You're going to want to dress like you're actually going to play on the show. Try to be as modest as possible. Your clothing should be clean and pressed. When it comes to your top, make sure you're as bright as possible but don't go with anything fluorescent and pale. Whatever you do, don't wear black or blue. When you're on the show's set, it can blend in with the darker colors in the background and it just doesn't make you look very good. They also love for the military to represent themselves on the show, so if a member of your family has served for his or her country, it would be a good idea to wear the uniform.
Even though anyone can play the game, there are still a couple of things to think about in order to be successful in approaching the questions. Remember that most questions are surveyed to one hundred average people. The show uses a market research firm to make sure that these people are the epitome of the word "average." So when thinking about these questions, don't necessarily try to picture your life, picture Joe Survey's. For instance, I don't go to church but I definitely know that a lot of people do. So if the answer to a question could be "church", I'll definitely say it. Also, with these questions, don't try to give a story as your answer. Keep them as concise as possible, otherwise you might start mentioning other correct answers while you ramble which ruins the possibility of picking those for your other teammates. For instance, if the question is "name something you have for breakfast", don't say "bacon, eggs and a glass of orange juice." That's three answers that you're trying to pass off as one. Pick one and leave the other two for your family.
Your chances of getting on the show are fairly high if you do well at any of the Family Feud auditions. If the opportunity presents itself, I highly suggest you go for it! If you're looking to plan a vacation this summer, maybe you should do it in the Los Angeles area. The show will usually allow mature minors to play on the show, so if your 15 year old is chomping at the bit to have his TV exposure, maybe this is the time. Nothing says fun like winning lots of dough on a game show. Talk it over at the next Sunday dinner and see what everyone says. Good luck!
Note: To keep up with audition cities and dates, keep your eye on the official Family Feud website, or follow them on Twitter.
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.
Logo courtesy Debmar-Mercury
Comments
I would absolutely love to go on the Family Feud, I watch it a lot (mostly because it’s always on, but I do like it). I really, really hope that they come to NY to hold auditions I really doubt I’d ever be able to get me and four of my family members out to LA. Good tips Chad because it is exactly something that I would do, wear blue or black. Now I know better.
my family is looking forward to getting on the fanily fued show in orlando florida. I would do what ever it takes to raise the money for the trip if my family is selected. The money will really help my family. I was layed off of my job and is living off less than a thousand dollars a month, and it is really a struggle. I watch family fued every day, and my family and I are big fans of Steve Harvey. We want to bring home the money.
Steve, I am a great fan of yours
Best move on producers to choose Steve Harvey….for host of fam f. He turns it it up sevearal notches. Would love to get my family on and have him turn to the camera’s. we say bring it He’s to funnie
I’m a huge fan of the family fued.weekdays 4:00/4:30 with the best host Steve Harvey!!…my biggest wish is to appear on the family fued…if they could come to Alabama to hold auditions that would be a blessing!
Steve ,
I love watching you on the family feud show – you are so funny and you make the game exciting . My family is going to have our first family reunion in Orlando in November the week of Thanksgiving and I would like the family to audition. They ( some family members think I’m crazy ). I think because we have never had a family reunion it will be very special ! Anytime I have a need a break at work I play family feud. I just love the game. Well, God bless and hope to be a contestant one day ( The Ortiz Family ). Lydia
I got my audition in Houston…. I love this show and I hope they love my family!!!
I have been checking for auditions for the Family Feud since last year and I’m happy they are starting them! I hope that they come to the NY area or at least somewhere a few hours away. I know they would love my family and think we would be great! I will definitely be checking for more audition dates!
I called the number and also left an email to apply for an Audition spot in Houston, TX. My family did not get a call back or an email. Just found out all Audition spots are taken/full. We are so disappointed. Just wondering why we were not notified. Found out by checking the Family Feud website.
My husband and I LOVE THIS SHOW and we watch it all the time. Even when we were stationed in Japan we would watch it online! We were able to get a time to audition in Houston this Saturday! We could not be any more excited!!! Wish our family Good Luck!!!!
We are super excited to audition for family feud. I am a big fan of Steve Harvey and hope we get the opportunity to meet him in person.
I’ve watched the Feud since Richard Dawson. I’m a 49yr old white male in San Diego Ca that thinks Steve is an awesome host! Hogans Heroes was the only reason I cared for Dawson. The only other hosts I liked much was John O’Hurley and the poor guy that killed himself. Now Steve Harvey, you now have the best I’ve seen! He’s great! He’s not obnoxious, arrogant or stupid. He allows the contestants to be funny and he accentuates them with his humor. You can win a brand new KAW! His accent helps the show. I watch it both times it comes on everyday. You had lost me until I saw Steve. Do what ever is needed to keep him, he’s the best! When will auditions be in San Diego area?
Hey Steve,
Ever night I watch, and play along with your guest. I know I am your biggest fan, and now my family want to come on the show and be the biggest winners. Look forward to day, till then I will be hitting all the number one anwers from home in California. Practicing saying “$20,000 dollars…..
My family lives in Jacksonville Fla.and we would love to be on the show its the best game show and Steve H. is so funny
I live in South Jersey please come to Philadelphia ! y want to be in the SHOW !!!!!!
Im Angel Im now trying to get myself and my family on the show by video I would love it if they would cast closer to home which is Albuerquere,Newmexico I love Steve and know if my family is choosen we would defenitily bring home the money and have the time of our life.
Left an email. Hope to hear from the show. Praying they will want to stop in Richmond, Va. Holla!!!!
The Tucker Sisters
Its not fair that they dont hold auditions all over the country. it doesnt give the average family who cant afford to go to LA a chance to be the game show. My family has been fans of Family Feud even before i was born. We play Family Feud on facebook everyday and watch it on tv everyday it comes on. We just want a chance to be on the show. FF should hold auditions in NY. We’re from CT.
I Love Family Feud, Steve is a great host, I would love to be on the game show with family members. I am going to keep a check on try out locations. 2012 is my year!!!!!!!!!
It’s on and popping in Dallas, Texas. Can wait to audition for the show. Steve you in for a treat.
I so glad that Dallas is an upcoming city for tryouts…..it’s like “De Ja Vu, my mom and I was just talking about how our family needs to try an be on the show just a few months ago. Ironic how the casting call s for the host Steve Harvey’s showtime, he is so funny and when I found out he was hosting Family Feud now, I was would LOVE to be a contestant on the show he hosts. “Good Luck” to all the families that will be trying out in Dallas, TX this weekend.
My 90 year old mother lives with me, and every day we watch the Family Feud. My neighbors must think we are crazy because we are yelling at the TV: “No.no it’s pizza!” I am so excited that you will be in Orlando in April. My family will definitely try-out for the show. It wil be a great birthday gift for me (I’ll be 65 on the 13th!)
I am really close to my boyfriend of fifteen years family members and feel like we are family. I am aware of your rules of being related. The only reason I’m asking this question is because this family has very exciting, interesting members that would be perfect candidates for your show. I feel we are intelligent and absolutely hilarious, which fits the profile I read in your column above. If your show makes exceptions at times, and you are able to give a response here I would appreciate it. If it isn’t at all possible than i will just sign them up and not myself, thank you for youir time.
Jessica N.
I have always been a fan of the family feud and have always been a fan of Steve Harvey. So whoever put the two together…” You Rock”!
The show has never been better. Steve has added so much more to the show with his great humor, great personality and style.
I hope my family gets to audition for the show.
Also thanks for the tips.
i am a very good fan of family fued. i been seeing family fued since it started. i would love to appear on the show. i also love harvey, he is very funny. it would be an honored to be on the show.
I would like to know have you ever had the same family members on the show competing against each others like Aunts and Neices and Uncles and Nephew please contact me at fanniebeadams@yahoo.com I would like to see our famiy take on Aunts against the Neices
Peace Steve first i want to say i have a great amount of love for you,and the Everett family would love to be on your show.
Mr. Harvey, I hope and pray my family is able to audition to be contestants on the Family Feud. My 95 year old father watches the show everyday and he is one of yor biggest fans. Why? Because you make him laugh!!! What a joy it would be for him to see his family -
The Freeman Family- on National TV with Steve Harvey!!! And you know what Steve – I know that we would “bring home the money”!
WE are auditioning this Sat 3/31 for the Boston area auditions! I was so surprised that we were chosen to audition as our two youngs sons are part of the family we’ve assembled to participate. One of the contacts for e-mail correspondence did mention it is rare they have minors on th,e live show, but I am soo hopeful we will be cast!! Steve Harvey is incredible and makes me laugh so hard ( love ya Steve) and our boys are super funny too and can totally handle PG-13 content. Cross your fingers, put good vibes out to the universe and hope we get cast for this summer’s season!,,,
WEAUDITIONED for the Boston area tryouts! It was so much fun! And the family was in rare form. WE DID GREAT!! PATIENTLY AWAITING FOR OUR CASTING CALL LETTER.
HI EVERYONE, A SPECIAL HI TO STEVE HARVEY. HE IS JUST THE MOST AWESOM PERSON I HAVE EVERY SEEN ON TELEVISION, NOT JUST HIS GAME SHOW BUT I LOVE THE STEVE HARVEY SHOW. HE IS SO FUNNY. I STARTED WATCHING HIS FAMILY FEUD ASHOW AND HE IS THE BEST, I MEAN THE BEST OVER ALL HOST OF FAMILY FEUD THERE HAS EVER BEEN. HE IS JUST JATURALLY FUNNY AND RAL. I USE TO TELL MY HUSBAND I SURE WOULD LIKE TO GO ON HIS SHOW. MY HUSBAND PASSED AWAY FIVE MONTHS AGO. WE WEE MARRIED 52 YEARS. WONDERFUL YERS, AND I KNOW HE WOULD BE SO PROUD OF ME IF I WERE TO BE ON FAMILY FEUD. THE REASON I SAY THIS IS, MY NICKNMAE AT WORK WAS ” MOTOR MOUTH”, BECAUSE I LOVE TO TALK. I AM FUL;L BLOODED ITALIAN AND THEY SAY THATIS WHY I LOVE TO TALK. WELL THAT MAY BE SO, BUT IF YOU PUT ME IN FRONTOF A MICROPHON OR VIDEOING ME, I CAN’T SAY ANYTHING. I JUST FREEZE. I WANTED TO BE A READER IN MY CHURH, BUT I CAN’T HAVE A MIC. I AMY A FUNNY PERSON AND LOVE TO LAUGH AND HAVE FUN. I THOUGHT THIS WOPULD BE GOOD FOR ME, BECUSE I HAVEN’T WANTED TO DO ANYTHING SINCE MY HUSBAND PASSED AWAAY. I MISS HIM SO MUCH. HE WAS MY BEST FRIEDN AND HUSBAND.
OUR CHILDREA AND MY SISTER AND OTHE FAMILY MEMBERS SAID I SHOULD TRY THIS. THEY ARE LOTS OF FUN LSO. I WOUILD LOVE TO MEET STEVE AO MUCH. HE IS JUST THE GREATEST PERSON AND COMEDIAN I HAVE EVER SEEN.
TAKE CARE AND KEEP ME IN MIND. IT WOULD MEAN TO MUCH TO ME.
SINCERELY, GLORIA J. RILEY
I AM RETIRED FROM THE FLORIAD HIGHWAY PATROL AS A SENIOR CLERK. I MET THE NEW CAPTAIN OF THE FHP AND WHEN I DID, SHE SID I WANT TO MAKE YOU MY HONORARY MORALE OFFICER BECAUSE YOU ARE SO FUNNY AND UP AND YOU MAKE OUR DAY JUST COMING IN THE OFFICE.
Hi I just want to no how to get on the show.tired of sittin home lookin at it and me and my family will love to play thank u
We had a tryout for the show at the MGM in Ledyard Connecticut and we had a great time that was April 1, 2012. How long does it take to hear back to see if a family has been picked do you hear back one way or another. Carlo who ran our session was out of this world we all loved him and our hats also go out to the girl who ran the camera a lot of hard work from both of these nice people thanks again.
My family would be a laugh a minute if they auditioned in new Orleans! Waiting in da Big Easy. Steve!
We had a BLAST at Foxwoos on 4/1/12 at our audition !! Bryce who was our host was to die for !!! He had such a personality that would kill you !! We Never had so much fubas a family as we did on that day!! Im paticently waiting to herefor a casting call. If it happens that will be phenominal !!! if not we can say we tried out for the Feud !! LOVE U STEVE !!
I got the Family Feud aced if I ever make it to the show.
My name is Cheryl I’m from Memphis, Tn. I would love to finally represent my city on your show. The south has always been considered as ignorant we will show the south is up to par. Yes Martin Luther King died here today we see the p’s & q’s. We want the car & all the money Steve!
Hey steve my family is crazy fun and wild we are ready to be on the greatest show in the world we are ready to bring home.the money we praying and keeping our fingers crossed that one day there are auditions in new orleans we are ready bring it on the williams family
I just read through these comments and all I can say is… wow.
My family tryout for family feud i thought we did great we haven’t heard back.hope they pick us.maybe we was not loud enought we will c if not we will try Shaun
My family is huge fan of Steve Harvey and Family Feud. My dad has cancer and he and my mother spend hours watching the show after his chemotherapy treatments on GSN. Steve Harvey is their all time favorite host! We live near the Orlando area and it would mean the world to them if we ever got a chance to audition. Hopefully, we can make it next Spring!!!!!!
I wonder if me and my family could go. we all have tattoo sleeves. hands tatted. but it would be cool if they let a family like us on the show
My family and i love family feud we play along with the tv every night we all think we would win the car the money and Steve we love you so when and where do we audition. We really want to be on the show really thanks. Mary and the Olson gang
Hey Steve!
You so funny but, I think I am funnier than you.
My family and I WILL be on the Family Feud in 2013! There I said it, I believe it and once they see our audition tape they will agree!
I am the key player in the family because I get SUPER amped about the questions, I yell and jump at home and my faimily is like “calm down” I really yell to the tv and sometimes I think the contestants really hear me:) (not really) but I love the game, my family loves watching me play the game and I am pretty sure we can be the ones to go for all 5 wins and the car. I just have to figure out who is going to get the car? I will worry about that after our win, Steve looking forward to meeting you, laughing and crying with you (you are so funny) and being winners on the feud.
Love and well wishes
Lisa Hart
It was ray combs who killed him self,not john ohurly
Hi Steve… My family and I are big fans. Gods will,we are going to audition… Hope to see u soon.
hello steve my family and i would love to be a conestant on your show. please hold auditions in montgomery ala ,because we cannot afford to travel to orlando florida.i watch your show three times a day.