TV game shows

Game shows proliferate on television. It’s not exactly clear why we enjoy watching other people win money and prizes so much, but we obviously do. Production companies keep making them and people keep watching them, so advertisers keep buying the slots in the breaks. With this virtuous circle in place, it isn’t about to change.
Whether it’s for one of the increasing number of prime time reality TV contents, or a low-grade daytime television quiz on some digital backwater channel, all television game shows need contestants. So how do you go about getting on one of these shows?

Probably the easiest way to get involved is to regularly check the websites of either the channels that the shows appear on, the websites of the shows themselves, or even the websites of the production companies that make the programmes. These days, most participation opportunities will be posted online. You should also watch the programmes and look out for any mention after the show of phone numbers to call or addresses to write to in order to take part. If you are really struggling, you can simply write to the programme makers and ask them for details of the next round of auditions.

Unfortunately, you won’t find yourself appearing on game shows every week, as there are limits that the programme makers abide by. Often you are allowed only one performance per year, but although the limits may vary, you will be asked whether you have appeared on any game shows previously. If you have, then depending on the limits, you may be barred from appearing. That means that you should be selective in which programmes you try and appear on. You don’t really want to use up your opportunities on shows with low value prizes, a competition style that isn’t really playing to your strength, or questions that are outside your sphere of knowledge.

Before appearing on a show, you will be asked to attend an audition, where they ask for all sorts of personal details, get you to sign a waiver of liability that also permits them to use you on television. They will also probably give you a camera test, where you’ll be asked to tell the room an interesting or amusing anecdote about yourself – this is principally to weed out the contestants who will go to pieces in front of the camera. You should try to have a few different style short pieces prepared for this section, as it’s probably the sole most important aspect of the audition. Depending on the number of applicants, there may also be some form of eliminator, which may well be a general knowledge quiz, a written test, or some other game based loosely on the show’s actual format.

There are far too many types of show to be able to offer any sound advice as to how to win, other than as with radio competitions, to be prepared for what you’ve let yourself in for. If it’s trivia, make sure you’re well read in any relevant subjects; if you need a specialist subject, make sure you’re thorough in your research and reference reading; if it’s a physical contest, make sure you have trained for the event; if there’s a board game or a computer version of the game, buy it and play it. It may seem like going over the top, but you want to win and you can be sure that if there is a significant amount of money involved, then some of the other participants will be completely ready on the day.

Being prepared also includes being able to handle your nerves – there is going to be more pressure on you with a TV game show than any other form of competition, sometimes with an audience, numerous cameras, hot bright lights and even occasionally a live home audience of millions of people. It’s certainly not everyone’s cup of tea, but remember – it’s only a game show…

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