Detailed “Millionaire” Road Auditions Guide: What to Expect and How to Succeed
Some of you may have noticed that someone other than Alex Davis has been contributing to BuzzerBlog in the past couple of weeks. Several of you may know me but for those of you who don’t, let me briefly introduce myself: My name is Chad Mosher and I’m the newest writer/correspondent for Buzzer. At the age of 22, I’ve been an in-studio contestant on three national game shows and a peripheral participant on at least two others. The highlight of this run for me, so far, was appearing on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire this past September and, in the process, winning $43,550, the current record for the most money won on the “shuffle” format without entering round two. But to get in that position, I first had to go through the audition process. To coincide with the upcoming road auditions beginning next week, this “how-to guide” will hopefully work to aid you down that path as well. It’s going to be long but it’s going to have almost everything you’ll need to know – excluding the answers to the test – to do well in the beginning of your quest for a million dollars.
First, you’ve got to know what’s going to happen. Before you even think about going to the audition site, you need to go to the official Millionaire site to download and fill out an application. If you don’t, they will likely have blank ones to fill out at the testing site, but you will look much more prepared if you come ready with one. You, along with potentially thousands of other game show hopefuls, are going to get in line at your preferred time of day. No matter if you get to the testing site an hour before the doors open or try to squeeze into the last session of the day, you are going to be waiting. A lot. Make sure you have something to keep yourself occupied while waiting here. Even if it’s just your iPod, the friend you came with or something else, don’t be caught looking bored. Whenever you’re at the audition site, always act like you’re being watched. You never know who from the show is going to be popping around. You don’t want to get a perfect score on the test but be turned down because you were that guy in the line who looked like he’d want to be anywhere else, right?
So after waiting in line for however long it takes to audition the people in front of you, it will eventually become your turn. You might get a piece of swag or two (I still have my Millionaire pencil, magnet and T-shirt) and you will be led into the testing room. Dozens upon dozens of chairs will be lined in a room. If you’re lucky, you’ll get tables but if not, when you come in, you will pick up a piece of cardboard on which to write along with a test envelope and a Scantron, just like in school. And don’t you dare try to sneak a peek into the test envelope. You open that flap and you will be shot execution style… or maybe you’ll just be disqualified. I dunno, I didn’t want to cross them.
After some introductions from the casting staff, you will be instructed to begin the test. The Millionaire contestant exam contains 30 four-choice questions aligned on a back-and-front page. Auditioners will have ten minutes to complete the test. Topics can range from anything imaginable – pop music, sports, TV, history, words – I even had a question about fast food items. It seems like it is nearly impossible to prepare for that, right? Sort of. Here’s something not widely known about the exam: Most, if not all of the questions on the exam, come from actual questions used on previous seasons of the program and they vary from all difficulty levels of round one. You can study common ideas, like popular recent films, songs and programs plus knowing the recent winners of all the big sports events. Another good way to prepare for this is to watch repeats of the show or, if you don’t have them handy, review transcripts of previous episodes. (My favorite resource to do this is in the “Show Transcripts” section of the WWTBAM Bored message board. Complete show recaps are available there dating back to 2007.) If you do well reviewing the transcripts, getting about 8 in a 10 question round one, you are likely to do well on the test. Much like many other game shows with trivia tests, the passing score has never been officially confirmed, but best guesses estimate it to be around a 25 out of 30.
After the ten minutes expires, you’ll pass your exam to the left – again, just like school – and the scores will be graded. This happens very quickly. I’ve heard some murmuring of people that think since it happens so quickly that they don’t look at them but the reason Scantron tests are so popular is that they’re super easy to grade. You run the master answer sheet through the machine and then each test you run through afterward, the number correct is stamped on it – they’re being graded, promise. Each test packet comes with a number on it that you will write on your test. It is highly important you remember this number since that is what they call to indicate who has passed the test. If you don’t think you can remember a two or three digit number that long, bring a scrap piece of paper and inconspicuously jot it down quickly for safe keeping. When your number is called, jump up, smile, and let out a “yes!” – but focus. The second part of the audition is coming up: The interview. (If you’re one of the unfortunate ones who do not pass, you will be asked to leave. Maybe they will come near your town again next year.)
Depending on this year’s format of the interview process and the location where you test, one of two things will happen. A) All of those who passed the test will be asked to line up in the side of the room to begin the interview portion, or B) All of those who passed will be asked to return at another point in the day for the callbacks period, where what I will detail next will take place. One by one, each auditioner will be asked to come speak to one of the casting coordinators. This is a very important conversation – it will seem very casual, almost as if you’re talking with a friend. My advice for the interview portion is to always be yourself… but bigger. Get excited, but don’t get fake. Don’t say “oh, I’m just a student” or “well, I’m only a mother of two.” Be happy about what you do. If you’re not interested in your life, how do you expect someone else to be? You’ll have two or three minutes of discussion. If the associate likes you, you will be passed onto the next level. If not, you’ll be thanked for your time and told to look for your postcard in the mail within two to three weeks. (The postcard will tell you if you’ve been chosen to be put into the contestant pool, eligible to be chosen for the program or if you were not selected and may audition again.)
If you don’t make it to this next part, you won’t be treated as if you have been cut. It’s just that based on others’ experiences of which I’m aware, no one who is relieved at this point has received the “happy card.” Some auditioners will now be asked to sign a small release allowing them to be filmed. This is the final part of the process: the video audition. You’re going to have a similar kind of conversation, a lot of questions derived from your application. You’ll look at another producer behind a Flipcam on a tripod. Some prospective contestants from earlier auditions this year have noted that in your audition, you may be asked mock questions with the point of seeing how you work out the answer and then gauging your reaction to your fate. Be thrilled if you win and react strongly if you don’t – this is likely to weed out the kind of people who just give a slight smirk when they add $25,000 to their bank. The producers know it’s not a lot of fun to watch people act unfazed by life-altering prize money.
This interview will be taken back to New York to be reviewed and this will help in the final contestant selection process . As always, be yourself but bigger, be able to be heard and don’t take too long coming up with questions. If you can’t perform well with a $100 camera and a producer, they’re not going to think you’ll perform well with 6 HD cameras and Meredith Vieira. Be kind, keep your answers short and to the point and don’t fidget too much – use your hands to be expressive instead of putting your hands in your pockets or twiddling your thumbs.
And that’s it! You will be thanked for your time and you’ll be told to keep looking for that positive-message postcard. Although you’ll be told two to three weeks later, it can certainly come earlier… mine came in just over a week! If you get the “happy card,” your eligibility to be chosen lasts up to two years. Sometimes it takes that long. For me, it barely took a month. I’d like to think, since I was chosen fairly quickly to participate in the show, that I know what I’m talking about when it comes to auditioning. Hopefully this will help alleviate concerns you have about trying out. If Millionaire is coming to your area and if you’ve got the time, give it a shot! There’s no reason not to. You’ve only got to lose a couple hours of your time. If you have any other questions relating to the audition process, feel free to ask in the comments box and I will do my best to help out. I’ll be at/around the first audition in Chicago in Monday to support a friend, so if you see me in person – whether it be next to the line with my friend or at the blackjack tables in the Rivers Casino where the audition is held – feel free to say hey! Good luck and have a great audition!
Chad Mosher on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire – September 29th – 30th, 2011
Photo and video courtesy Valleycrest Productions Ltd.
How could Chad have won 46,000 without reaching round 2? The most you can win is 56K, and you lose half if you quit….
My guess is, it was during a “Double Money” week.
It was.
Hello, Chad!
Thanks for the “how to” article, and I enjoyed watching your high-school quiz videos on YouTube. Just to add to something that I posted in Alex’s blog about the upcoming WWTBAM auditions, even though I’m only an hour and change from Toledo (where they are conducting auditions on July 11th), I’m unfortunately on the “wrong” side of the Detroit River, as I live in Windsor, Ontario (and as you know, Canadians are not eligible for the show). I’m wondering as the the U.S. residency requirement, given that there is no Canadian edition of WWTBAM (there was a Canadian pilot, which lasted 2 nights, and which was even taped in NYC…..unfortunately, it was also not very good, and it did not become a regular show). As you know, Jeopardy does allow Canadians to play. As I mentioned in my other post, if it’s a concern about taxes on any winnings, all that WWTBAM would need to do is deduct a with-holding tax from any prize money won by a Canadian contestant (and this is in fact what Jeopardy does). From your experience, would you know a contestant co-ordinator with whom this could be brought up?
Many thanks and much continued success,
Jack
Jeopardy! seems to continue to be the exception, not the rule, as far as Canadian contestants go. I’m sure Millionaire and other shows have their reasons why they don’t let it happen, otherwise I’m sure they’d love more faces to try to enter into their contestant pool.
Thanks, Chad.
Again, if there was a Canadian edition of the show, then it would be perfectly understandable as to why the U.S. version was restricted to U.S. residents. It’s pretty clear that a Canadian edition isn’t in the offing (and it’s unfortunate that the 2 night Canadian pilot was so poor).
Hi Chad:
Thanks so much for your insights. It’s very helpful. I’ve went to the Chicago-based auditions three time and unfortunately, I’ve never made it beyond the Scantron test. I’m bringing a friend with me and we’ll see if four times is the charm. I’ll try to say hello when you come to the Chicago site.
What’s it like being with Meredith on the set?
Continued success to you.
Thanks, Marie
Chicago was where I auditioned last year too, so hopefully it’ll work for you this time. Meredith is super super kind. She truly wants everyone to do as well as they possibly can. She knows exactly how to put you at ease under the pressure.
Hey Chad:
After three years of auditioning, the fourth time is the charm. I passed the test, passed the preliminary interview and even had an video audition. I so floored by the experience; I couldn’t believe it. So, yes, I will wait for “happy card.” What should can you do in the meantime? Watch the shows, go on the Internet and learn more subjects. Do you brush up on subjects that you’re not comfortable with like math and science, for example? Any other advice that you can pass on? When you went to New York, do you get recommendations from the show on where to stay? Thanks again for sharing your experience!
Congratulations, Marie! All I can suggest you do is forget about that card. If you don’t, you’ll drive yourself crazy! Remember, the “happy card” just means you’re eligible to be selected. There’s no guarantee that it will actually happen. It’s when you get the actual call to come play when I would start prepping. But it never hurts to stay up on pop culture and world events. Get a subscription to Entertainment Weekly or keep up on pop culture news shows or keep tabs on your favorite news source.
And when you go to New York, there is a suggested hotel that gives small discounts to Millionaire contestants, but you’re free to stay where you please.
Thanks for the advice. I will keep you posted. Were you there this morning?
Thanks, Marie
I was. :) I was by the big Meredith sign near to the escalators with friends from about 8:30 – 9:10 and then was on the gaming floor for a couple of hours.
I also passed the test in Chicago on July 9, 2012 and was given an audition with a shows producer. I didn’t get a golden ticket and didn’t see anyone else get one. Does this mean I didn’t make it? They told me that I would hear within a month via postcard weather or not I am in the contestant pool. Do I still have a shot or does everyone who is on the show have to take a video audition the day of the interview??
Thanks for any help
Being yourself, but ‘bigger’ is forcing something that you’re not, in a way. Think of Disneyland/Disney World cast members…they’re being ‘bigger’ versions of themselves, and it’s downright annoying sometimes. I would say to be yourself, but be AWARE of yourself.
Giving reactions where you wouldn’t normally give them, especially in the ‘grading’ process sounds a lot like being ‘that kid’ in school when the teacher hands out grades after a test and yours was the highest and you do a little self victory dance…then you begin to realize that you have 30 sets of eyes beaming at you in a not-so-pleasant way. Casting producers want authenticity, not something forced (they’ll see right through it).
Yes, WWTBAM is all about answering questions correctly. But studying over old Millionaire questions or studying for anything in an audition exam that can be ‘anything imaginable’ is really pointless. It may (but highly doubtful) work for that purpose, but if you get on the show…then what? If you know it, you’ll know it. If you don’t, you won’t. Don’t fret. Go in there, and simply rock that audition. Let your personality shine…if you’re high energy, show it. Thousands of people audition for Millionaire, and only a handful or two get the chance to do it. Make it count!
“Being yourself, but “bigger” is forcing something that you’re not, in a way.”
Not really. You need to highlight the points of your personality that the producers want to see so you can get on the show. Speaking more clearly and excitedly than you might otherwise in everyday conversation is perfectly fine.
“Giving reactions where you wouldn’t normally give them”
No, see, this is where you should be giving them. My reaction to passing the test was actually used in promos for the show this past year. I let out a mini-”Yes!”, pumped my fists inward, but got ready and focused. What I’m saying is that it’s okay to be happy for yourself, but don’t dwell on it since there’s much more ahead. And if you’re choosing to purposely not give reactions and work out your answers doing a potential new part of the video interview where that’s exactly what they’re looking for, you’re pretty much committing audition suicide.
“But studying over old Millionaire questions…is really pointless.”
It absolutely is not. There are at least two or three questions on the exam I did not know the answer to from my own original knowledge bank. But after seeing them in reviewing the program or looking over transcripts from the previous season, I remembered them and answered them correctly. Going over the previous season is absolutely a great audition plan.
Well said. If the producers truly are only looking for someone willing to prance around like on The Price is Right, that’s a damn shame.
They’d be better off asking some questions from Round 2 so they can, you know, end up with a MILLIONAIRE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A DECADE…TOURNAMENT OF TEN DOESN’T COUNT!
As Alex likes to say, the British are better than us. I’d rather see fewer attractive Polyannas and more who have earned their spot via intelligence, like in the UK. We need to start a big quizzing association over here, and maybe that’ll get casting directors to make smarter decisions instead of falling back on crap like Walk in and Win weeks, and people who can’t answer eight questions.
“I’d rather see fewer attractive Polyannas and more who have earned their spot via intelligence”
…how exactly do you think these “attractive Polyannas” get a chance to show their personalities?
Who cares about their personalities if they’re all the same personality? You don’t seem to grasp what I’m saying. Make the qualifying quiz harder. You can still look for personalities, just make sure they can answer some of the hard ones before you gush over their ability to be excited over $25,000. And it wouldn’t kill them to put some less than attractive people on the show if they can prove they’ve got the smarts. As much as I enjoy The Price is Right, the tone of a quizzer should be more professional. It’s time to put some brains at that blackjack-table thing they’ve replaced the Hot Seat with.
To JB: I also wish that intelligence would trump good looks on “Millionaire.” However, I believe that your statement only works in THEORY (for these 3 reasons). (1) TV is a VISUAL medium. (2) Science has proven that at least 55% of the human brain is VISUALLY oriented. That’s why attractive people get on the show (for ratings purposes). (3) To my knowledge, since the show became syndicated, it no longer has ABC’s money backing it up. Therefore, it has less money to work with & a higher need to keep costs low. While game shows cost less to produce than other shows, the need for profit still remains. Too many smart folks would bankrupt it. That, I believe, is why we haven’t seen a top prize winner in 9 years. Although, rarity does make a top prize win more exciting.
Our site in Toledo/Perrysburg says that “no one will be admitted in line until 6 A.M.” So, what time should I arrive at the location?
I would recommend just about that time, maybe a few minutes earlier. People will likely be congregating before that, but I can’t imagine you’ll want to be waiting at 4am for the line to “open.” for the first time, they gave out audition tickets with line numbers in Chicago and called groups of 200 or so each time period. I do not know yet if this will be the norm or if this was specifically for Rivers Casino in Chicago, but if they do this across the board, it will be very helpful for those who arrive in the later periods.
Hi Chad,
This is great advice. Thank goodness they waited till the heat wave is over. I’d still recommend packing a bottle of water for the long outdoor line. And if you have to leave the line, do they give out admission tickets so your spot is guaranteed, or do you just ask someone to save your place?
Also, any advice on what to put on your application?
This year, for the first time, they gave out audition tickets in Chicago and called groups of 200 or so each time period. I do not know yet if this will be the norm or if this was specifically for Rivers Casino in Chicago. But I recommend doing everything possible to not have to leave the line if they don’t hand numbers out. :)
And since your application is all about you, I can’t tell you what exactly to put on it. But do your best to make yourself stand out and showcase what’s unique about you. Try to include something they don’t see/read about all the time.
Chad, it’s funny that you should mention the idea of getting a perfect score.
Last year, a friend of mine auditioned for “Millionaire” in Chicago. My friend told me that some guy next to him did not pass the test and was shocked. The guy told my friend that the guy was sure that the guy had gotten ALL the answers correct. In other words, the guy was sure that the guy had gotten a perfect score.
That lead my friend to conclude that “Millionaire” has, not only a minimum passing grade, but also a *maximum* passing grade. In other words, “Millionaire” supposedly screens out people who score too high on the Scantron test.
This might explain why there has not been a million-dollar winner in a long time.
Does anyone on this forum have any thoughts about this?
I think that having a “maximum” score is a fallacy kept by general game show fans. (“Oh, they don’t want smart people on, then they’ll give too much away!”) There is no credible proof to say that any show is holding contestants back because they did “too” well. It’s possible that “this guy” just didn’t get some questions right that he thought he did. It happens.
I can promise you there is no maximum score as I did in fact have a perfect 30/30 on the test for the TV Week they had in 2007. 28 of the questions on the test I was given were questions I knew without the multiple choice, 1 I guessed on but confirmed the answer with others around me and the last one I knew once I read the available answers.
They still did not put me on the show, but I did pass.
As for regular tests, with my experience in taking the test, I would say 23 is passing. Really I fell there are 20 BS questions and 10 questions they really care about and 7/10 of those is passing. Again, this comes from many experiences in taking the test and passing 8 times, including the TV test.
Two of those times I passed, the hot seat was still there, so 6 of my passing scores have come in the stand-up era. There were a large number of contestants who passed the TV test and only about 15 slots, so odds were low to get on. The other hot-seat era test I passed, I know I really blew the interview.
As for the stand-up era, even when I’ve felt I’ve had great interviews, I never made it past the first person. One thing I have observed in watching with standing contestants, there have been no male contestants who are shorter than Meredith stands in her 3-inch heels. That sure eliminates any possibility of me being on the show unless she wears flats.
So I did really well on the test and came back for the interview. I thought we had a great little conversation, but I wasn’t asked to stay for a video interview. What did I do wrong?
Sorry, Jerry. I would likely have to have been there to pinpoint anything you did “wrong.” And it’s possible you didn’t do anything “wrong.” There are so many variables that could have went into that decision. Don’t let it get you down, though. If you want it, don’t give up on it.
Wayne, have you, or someone you know, gotten a perfect score in, like, the last 2 years? 2007 was five years ago.
Also, as far as the guy who thought he had a perfect score, I was at that Chicago audition as well. I think I heard the contestant coordinators say that ALL the questions on the Scantron test were from previous Millionaire episodes. So, if that guy watched Millionaire religiously, I can see how that would make him certain that he got everything right.
From what I’ve seen, maybe 10% of all people who take the test pass the test; and I think I’m being generous with that number.
This makes me really doubt there are many perfect scores. I also still believe there are really only 10 questions being scored, and the passing score is 7/10.
There is also the possibility that the guy’s claim of a perfect score was total BS, and he bombed the test and they didn’t take him.
Think of it this way: if doing too good is a no go for making the show, why not simply tell the person they passed because they would probably already know how many they got correct, interview him, then not put him in the contestant pool. They interview many people that never get on the show.
Well. this would be the third Millionaire audition I have attened in my hometown. I would always like to attend any Chicago auditions, if I can make them, of course.
At the literal very last minute before leaving for the audition, I stumbled upon this very article. Too bad I could not read it all or print out a copy (out of ink).
I arrived around 9:00 and received a number (0537), which reminded me of those Priority/Order of Arrival numbers given out for The Price is Right. And having watched a lot of game show episodes (and uploading them), I had a feeling I may come across Chad somewhere inside. And there he was, right next to a few other familiar faces and a couple of security guards. I briefly spoke to Chad and his buddies before we all got into the casino floor. For the next couple of hours we all had to wait for our numbers to be called. I was perusing the floor, viewing the slots and tables and hearing constant G-T dings from the machines. Chad went right to the blackjack tables, trying to do a little Gambit-like playing since he was already was a contestant. Not wanting to Press my luck, even with PYL slots there, I waited for about an hour in line in advance. I was able to see a few episodes in the bar/grill where they had the auditions. I know one of the contestants (I think Randy with the long hair) is what these game shows want.
During the testing, I was able to recall at least one question they used from the auditions last year. I did not see a camera crew like last year and they did not distribute t-shirts or magnets to everybody. Also, we were told about how they could not give any info about the results of test or how they determine who advances to the interview level. All I know is that we had ten minutes and 30 questions, and it is best to guess than not to answer at all. The numbers that moved on to the interviews inlcluded three numbers in a row and the person next to me, both of which happened last year. I still think I was just close from what they wanted. Bummed out again, I walked around the casino again, deciding if I really want to do some gambling like I did with these auditions. I could have stayed for the Movie Week auditions, but slots for those were already filling up. Don’t know if this would be the audition norms or not. I still had a decent time.
Maybe next time I’ll see what I can do to get an application or just try again whenever they visit Chicago again.
On the issue of whether there is a maximum passing score on a Scantron test, there is one way we can find out.
We can ask Millionaire officials the following question, point blank:
Is a perfect score a passing grade?
Or, phrased in a different way, can you guarantee that a person who gets a perfect score will pass the test?
If the official hems and haws, stumbles, gives a non-answer, etc., then that will be a good sign that there IS a maximum passing grade. If a perfect score does, indeed, qualify as a passing grade, there is no reason why Millionaire officials should not be able to confirm that.
Or they’ll just give the standard answer they give everyone of “we won’t discuss anything related to the scoring of the exam.” Really, I’m not sure why you’re blowing this up into this proportion.
I went to the auditions at MacArthur Center this evening, and kept your points in mind. The whole time while waiting in line and waiting for the test to start, I made chit-chat with some of the other people in line as well as the line wrangler there. The test seemed to be a breeze – questions mostly in the $2000-$25,000 range from the old era. I’m pretty sure I got at least 24-25 of them right, and gave a pretty good guess on the others. There were about 100 or so people taking the test at the 6 o’clock audition — and I was one of only 6 people that passed the written test!
I then got to chat with one of the producers, did a pretty good job discussing things I put down on the application, and afterward I had the video interview with another producer! He asked the usual “what would you do if you were told you couldn’t leave with less than $100,000″ and “why do you want to be on Millionaire” questions, and then asked me about 5 trivia questions. I answered them like I would if I got on the show, talking out my thought process, and got the first 4 right, though the last one stumped me. I think I did pretty well on the video interview. Here’s definitely hoping I get that “happy card” in the mail!
Hi, I’m in same boat as you. Have you heard anything? I’m getting antsy!
Another thing to keep in mind – and the test people will remind you of this – the questions on the test sheet are numbered from left-to-right, but the Scantron sheet is numbered from top to bottom, so don’t make the mistake of going down the list of questions. Make sure your answers correspond to the correct question numbers on the Scantron sheet.
Chad wrote:
Or they’ll just give the standard answer they give everyone of “we won’t discuss anything related to the scoring of the exam.”
If they give that standard answer for a question about a perfect score, then that would be a huge red flag. If there is no maximum passing grade, then it’s a no-brainer that a perfect score should be a passing grade. They should be able to confirm that a perfect score is a passing grade, without revealing what the minimum passing grade is.
Consider what Jeremy said, John. Maybe that friend made a mistake while filling out the choices. A misgrid happens sometimes, even when you filled out the right answers; it may have been the wrong corresponding question grid.
Plus, under the timed pressure of 10 minutes for 30 seconds. I recently took a test I was sure I got most questions right on but I misgridded the answers and didn’t do so well.
I tried the Millionaire audition in Las Vegas today. Didn’t pass the test, and the sad part is I recognized at least three of the questions came from the web site mentioned in this post.
Adding insult to injury, not only did a woman sitting next to me pass her test, but two of the numbers they called were close to mine (175 and 172. Mine was 173).
Hi! I tried out in Chicago on July 9. I passed the test, first interview and interviewed on camera. I was thrilled but now I look back and think I may have blown the on camera interview. I haven’t heard anything either way. Does everyone hear if whether they made it or not? Have any other Chicago people heard anything?? Thanks!
Hi! I tried out in Chicago on July 9. I passed the test, first interview and interviewed on camera. I was thrilled but now I look back and think I may have blown the on camera interview. I haven’t heard anything either way. Does everyone hear if whether they made it or not? Have any other Chicago people heard anything?? Thanks!!
I also passed in Chicago, Toledo and Las Vegas and have not heard anything back yet. In Las Vegas, which was held on July 25 they said it could be three weeks, so possibly this week or next. They did add the two baseball field tryouts since then and they may want to wait until all of the on the road auditions are complete before sending out notifications.
Is there any possibility that they only send postcards to those who are selected for the show? I hope not; I’d like to know one way or the other!
Hi Jeff! I tried out for Millionaire 2 1/2 weeks ago and have yet to receive a postcard. I should receive a postcard even if I wasn’t chosen, right? I did make it to that 3rd phase where I was filmed by the producer. I’ve started to worry that I didn’t make it and that I won’t receive a postcard at all!
Thanks,
Micki
Hi Micki,
Some people who tried out in Chicago, one of the first audition sites, have just started getting their postcards. It could take some time so just be patient – it’ll come. :)
Chad,
Thanks for your quick and knowledgeable reply! I’m just becoming a nervous Nellie!
Congratulations on your Millionaire winnings!
I went to Millionaire yesterday. They’ve changed the setup, as well as the location. The new location is nice and spacious, away from the congestion of midtown. They’ve also changed the procedure. Everyone takes the test, when they are in their audience seats. Those not interested in taking the test are told to just randomly fill in any selection on the scantron sheet. We are told that those who passed the test will be notified after the show tapings. At the end of two show tapings, six peoples’ names were called as having passed. I think that as the show was taping, the cameras were giving the audience the screen test portion of the contestant elimination. I doubt that only six people passed the test, but it is possible that only six people were photogenic enough to appear on the show. Although I’m a very good test taker and an a safe bet to win any Trivial Pursuit game, I wasn’t called. I’m very pale, and don’t photograph well because of this, so it wasn’t a surprise, when I thought about it, that I wasn’t called to be a contestant. The guy next to me was also pale, and this was his second fruitless attempt. It would be nice to just have them come out with it and say that they are looking for people with darker skin, and save the pale people from having false hope. Now I know realize that I would never be chosen, I won’t bother attempting it again, but it would have been nice to know my scantron score. Btw, they showed clips of past winners, and yours was one of them.
I am going next Tuesday at 10:30am to test and sit for tapings. I have an an e-vite. How early should I get there? Does everyone there have an invitation to test? This is my 1st time testing and I’m flying from CA so I’d kinda like to plan ahead. Do they have bathrooms nearby? My pregnant daughter is coming with me. Also approximately how many hours should this take? I fly in at 7pm monday and out 7pm tuesday.
I auditioned in NYC. I flew from almost as far away as you did. To add some things to what Chad said.
First of all Chad the reason why they don’t give a passing score is because they don’t have one. From the people I talked to it seems like they take the top 10 scores. I know I got 28/30 questions correct. I took a road audition one time, and screwed up by flying in, not getting any sleep and getting 26/30 (two of the questions I corrected in my head RIGHT after I walked out, and attribute this to a sleepy brain). Judging by the two times I took the test and talking to the winners I’m pretty sure this is the case. Chances are you’re not going to “pass” if you don’t get at least 27/30.
Taj: If you’re going to New York what time is your taping? If you’re doing the afternoon taping you didn’t leave yourself enough time on your flight. If you’re doing the early morning taping just get there for 7 am. No one is going to beat you there. There’s a hotline you can call that should be in one of the millionare emails that you can call. As far as bathrooms near by – not really. I got to the taping site like 2 hours early so I was walking around and came across a John Jay college and went in there. There aren’t any good places though. As for who takes the test, the entire audience does. Truthfully you’ve got a much better chance in NY than you do at a road audition because a lot of people who go there to be in the audience are just there for a taping. They aren’t serious trivia players.
To add to what Chad said. Look at the online questionare and have something interesting to say. Even if you’re a boring person exaggerate the truth. I don’t want to say anything specific that I did or said because I don’t want to take any chance that someone from Millionare can identify me, but just remember to say something quirky, or something that can pull at some heartstrings. You’re bringing your pregnant daughter? Say you’re going to donate half your winnings to the kid’s college fund.
Also be prepared for the second part of the audition if you get to it. As Chad said they’re going to do a video interview. Even if you know and answer just “play the game” i.e. talk out the question (even if the answer is OBVIOUS) because that’s what the producers want to see. It makes the show interactive, also the more people talk, the less money they have to give away. They want to see people muddle over the answers. That’s what I did even though some of the questions I could’ve answered without the choices. I played the role.
OH and finally one of the questions that the producers will ask you is if you’re a “risk taker, or do you like to play it safe.” Luckily I had my wits about me and said risk taker. Why is this important? Well remember they don’t WANT to give away money, and in the long run the more people who take risks the less they have to give away. Some people will get lucky, but even then that still makes good television. They don’t want play it safe people. When they ask you if you’re a risk taker say something that shows that you’re willing to go for it.
Thanks for the information. I read through your post before going to the test/audition back in July. It helped me to know what to expect. Re-reading it today, I found it to be an accurate description of the process.
My “happy card” came after about 4 weeks of waiting. That was in late August. I know they tape the Millionaire program from August through November. But that taping season came and went without me ever getting THE call. So I’m keeping fingers and toes crossed I’ll get a call for the 2013 season tapings.
But I’m not holding my breath. I’ve noticed that whomever selects the contestants for Millionaire appears to have no real love for police officers (which I am). They don’t include police when they put on a Hometown Heroes week. And I’ve never seen a cop get on as a contestant. So my guess is I’ll never get that call. But I guess we’ll see.
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