Saturday, July 25, 2015

Recap of My WWTBAM Experience (Or How I Almost Sat on the Hotseat)

Aug 10, 2015




On May 20, 2015, there was an announcement on the Mensa Philippines FB page that the TV5 show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire is on its 14th season and is looking to partner up with Mensa Philippines for a special “Genius” set of episodes. 

I had been a trivia geek all my life and I had longed to join WWTBAM ever since the Christopher de Leon days so many years ago. Never had the guts of doing it back then, or now, when it re-emerged with Vic Sotto as quizmaster. I felt this would be the best opportunity to fulfill a longtime dream.


Our only group photo on testing day

On May 31, the audition for the candidates was held at the TV5 Media Center in Mandaluyong City. The call time was 2 pm. We were about 15 or so Mensan aspirants there, many of whom I have met only for the first time, since I was not really a very active member of the organization. 

By around 3pm, we were asked to fill out a long detailed application form by hand. Later, we were given a twenty item Multiple Choice quiz about various trivial topics. Finally, they took individual video interviews of us, I guess to gauge our personalities. After this, we would just be waiting for the final announcement as to who will be chosen.

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There would be no news from TV5 for a long time after that day. Until suddenly, on July 15, the fateful text message arrived! I was one of the five people chosen to play. However, it was immediately qualified that I was only in the backup slot. I was told that the crew won't be going to my house after all to shoot a VTR of me. By then, I already knew that I would be the last in line to play. 

Despite that, I was still given an outfit peg for taping day. I had to bring 4 sets of clothing that reflected "New York in Autumn" like Richard Gere in "Pretty Woman" (yeah, right!). LOL! I was even emailed a photograph of what my outfit should look like. My shirt had to be orange or fuschia. Clothes with those bright colors of course are not really found in my wardrobe. 


Our only group photo that taping day

July 20 came. Call time is 1 pm. I did not go to work anymore that Monday to make that call time. I brought my Dad with me as my in-studio companion as I knew he would also enjoy this experience. When we reached TV5 Studio along Quirino Highway in Novaliches, we parked across the street in SM Novaliches as advised. Fortunately this parking would be free for the whole day. While waiting for the actual taping, we were given videos of old WWTBAM games to watch, as well as oriented on the rules by the friendly staff.

By about 6 pm, our first contestant went on stage already with host Vic Sotto -- this was it! We were seated backstage watching the proceedings. The game with our first contestant was intensely high drama from his second question about where Tap water came from! This was really very good TV because you will want to see how what would happen in his game. The first game ended with a question about the color of Luigi's cap. 

Our second contestant went on to take her turn. But by her she fourth question, the time for episode 1 ran out. She will continue his game in the next episode which will be taped later on that same night. 


My view of Bossing from backstage

We waited for another hour or so before the taping for the next episode began. Despite the slimness of chances that I will go on, my final outfit was checked and I still had a run-through of my script with the production assistant in case I get a chance to sit and play.

Our second contestant had changed her outfit already to give the illusion that a week had passed. Her game ended with a question about the name of Wonder Woman's lasso. Our third contestant then started his turn. Again, this would be another very tense game as it transpired. His game concluded with question about the name of Ariana Grande's character in the TV show "Victorious". Our fourth contestant got to sit and play! His game was going very smoothly when the episode time eventually ran out and he would have to return another day for the taping of the next episode. 

So that was the end of the line for me. Our organization was only good for two episodes, so that was it. I was told I would have to audition all over again if I wanted to play again. I was given P500 for my transportation allowance. I immediately texted my three friends whom I had invited to be my Phone-A-Friend lifeline, all of whom had stayed awake waiting for me. We left the studio past 10:30 pm already. Too bad, we were not able to get a photo with Bossing as we were initially planning.
My one chance to sit on the Hotseat

So with that I end my account of my close brush with the hotseat that never came. I will not deny it was disappointing to come so close to fulfilling a longtime dream, yet it still did not come to pass. Oh well, that's the way life goes. I guess I will just have to earn my million pesos in other ways.


POSTSCRIPTS:

On watching the episodes on TV aired on August 2 and August 8, it would be noted that the editing done on each episode was so seamlessly good. You will barely detect that any time lapsed between question and answer. Even when in the studio, the contestants were taking their time thinking and deciding on their final answer, you cannot see that on TV. That is indeed the magic of television. 




29 comments:

  1. This is a very memorable and exciting experience. Are you planning to try out again in the future?

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  2. I still say, WOW! More than winning, I guess the experience was all worth it though. I also have been thinking about experiencing this kind of things - like joining an audtion for a reality show on tv just for the personal and first-hand narrative of the whole experience. You are one lucky guy you can cross that out now in your bucket list.

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  3. Even if you haven't experience it fully, I would consider the chance to be seated on the Hotseat an already winning moment. In fact, just being in the studio can already make me feel good.

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  4. who wants to be a millionaire is a very nice game. You just keep feeling you're the genius the Globe has ever met.

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  5. This is a nice experience for you to have. Unfortunately though, you weren't given the chance to play. But it's okay! There's always a next time. :) You should audition again because you may never know right? :)

    Vic has been judged to be suplado because when he's on set, camera not yet airing or when he's out and seen by fans, he is super quiet. I think that's just how he is. The talkative ones are really Tito and Joey.

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  6. Sayang naman. So near yet so far that hot seat. Nevertheless, it was a great experience and a memorable one for you.

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  7. Still a very unforgettable experience. They should've pushed you through.

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  8. The wow thing for me was... you are member of mensa? Cool beans! I hope you still get the chance to join the contest someday.

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    1. Yes. I did try not to make too much of a big deal out of that. Hehe. Thanks. You can check out www.mensaphilippines.org for future exam announcements should you want to join us. There is also an FB page.

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    2. Thanks. I gave up on the illusion that I am a genius years ago. hehehe

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  9. I hope you get another chance at that hot seat again! So now, I say, I know a real genius :)

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  10. what a great experience. you must have felt great sitting in the hot seat

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  11. Wow, Who wants to be a millionaire is such a long time show. never knew it's back now! It's must be nerve wrecking to be on the hot seat~

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  12. I always loved watching game shows like Family Feud, Wheel of Fortune and The Price Is Right when I was a kid. Who Wants To Be A Millionaire is another one that I got hooked on when I was still into watching tv, which I am not anymore haha. It was a great opportunity and experience for you even when you didn't get to play in the end. Maybe next time? :)

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  13. Thank you for sharing your experience. I have a friend how have also audition to WWTBAM. I think sharing your experience will help him to prepare to the stage.

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  14. hehehe.. this was a nice experience . audition again, you might get the chance to sit on that chair and bang all the questions thrown at you.

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  15. Oh I've watched the Indian version of this show many times and was quite fascinated by the contestant's intelligence. Wow you got a chance ti see the show live!

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  16. Oh, I know this show ! bummed that you didn't get in but.. good luck for the next? :D

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  17. Such a shame that you didn't get in, but a great experience all the same to be amongst the process. We used to love this show although it hasn't been aired in the UK fora few years.

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  18. Quite an experience. I also wanted to join shows like this. Hopefully, I will have my chance in the future. :D Still an experience worth sharing and remembering. :D

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  19. Almost but not quite. At least, you got real close to be in the hot seat and maybe in the future, you may have another shot.

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  20. Wow!!! Still congrats that you made this far in who wants to be a millionaire! Great experience and very memorable to you

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  21. Wow for the WWTBAM invitation, but double WOW to know you're a Mensa member, galing!

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    1. I was actually inviting you to join MENSA! :-)

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  22. I never been in a studio such as huge as this. I'm sure the game was a tough one on the contestants.

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    1. That's the other magic of TV. That studio where this show is shot is not really as big as it seemed!

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  23. I seldom watch TV show nowadays. Haha... This look so fun, isn't it. Thanks for sharing!

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  24. That's a momentous event for you! It's lovely to be able to experience the studio :)

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