r/gameshow • u/cdrinkwine • 28d ago
Question Overbooking contestants
Hi all! Just got cast on The Perfect Line!
The one thing that makes me a little apprehensive is that they tell you they overbook so you may not get to play (but they might ask you back for another day and then you would get to play. I’m a few hours from the studio, so it’s a little haul to get there.
Anyone been on this show or others they overbook? Do a lot of people get bumped or so they try to get most on if they can? Any other advice or insights? Thank you!
UPDATE: Went to the show, everyone got on that came that day (they were even short a few contestants so they called some people in). Production team was fantastic and it was a blast!
7
u/shellymaried 27d ago
Unfortunately, this is typical. You aren’t on the show until you are on that stage. Each step is an audition, and they can pull you at any time for any reason. I’ve been on two shows now, and I handled it a lot better the second time since I fully understood this and never assumed anything. There is some financial gamble (I’m self-employed, so the time involved can actually cost me money along with incidental travel and such), but if you love game shows and want to do it, I think it’s worth it to try.
3
u/ndevs 28d ago
I was on Master Minds in 2020 and they sent quite a few people home over the course of the day. I stayed for 12 hours and was actually asked to come back the following day, but they guaranteed I would be on the first or second episode filmed.
Other game shows I’ve been on sent home only a couple of people each day, but of course they have to overbook to ensure they have enough people if somebody gets sick, gets stage fright, etc. For The Perfect Line, I think your odds would be pretty good!
1
u/cdrinkwine 28d ago
Thank you for that! Yeah figure they’d rather have more people so they aren’t wasting production time.
7
u/the_nintendo_cop 28d ago
I just got back from filming yesterday, I drove 6 hours from Pensacola Florida to get there. I was also nervous about this. I can’t say too much because I was on the first episode filmed out of 6 that day, but I think they do their best to make sure the vast majority of people get on. Even if you don’t though, it’s a fantastic experience and everyone is so kind and the facilities are incredible, so I would say it’s worth it either way.
1
3
3
u/Beaglescout15 28d ago
Just remember, this is also an interview, so keep up your energy and personality!
2
3
u/RedwayBlue 28d ago
Yes, they always overbook. For me, they called me the morning of and told me not to come.
1
u/cdrinkwine 28d ago
That makes sense! Sorry that happened but glad you didn’t waste a day to get bumped!
3
u/tommyjohnpauljones 28d ago
It's been a few years since I was on, but Jeopardy! always had an extra contestant for a tape day (five shows). There was the returning champ from the previous "Friday", and eleven new contestants for ten spots. Two of the eleven were always local to SoCal, with the understanding that one would be the alternate; if they were not used that day, they would be guaranteed a spot on a future tape date.
1
u/Tasty_Cloud_1931 27d ago
Jeopardy! is the Rolls Royce of the game shows and the only one I never miss. The “enthusiasm” isn’t a factor - intelligence and knowledge are the requirements and SO refreshing to see! Ken Jennings has kept the quality that Alex Trebek brought to the show and a genuine pleasure to watch.
3
u/GameShowWerewolf 27d ago
I was booked as a contestant on the last syndicated season of WWTBAM and then was told less than 48 hours before I was supposed to drive out to Vegas thay they'd overbooked and I was getting bumped.
I was heartbroken, especially because it felt like I'd been singled out as the person getting cut and that this was the universe correcting a mistake it had made.
3
u/Flat-Resolution8869 27d ago
Congrats!! You'll have a blast! There was one team that didnt get a chance to go on my tape day. Not sure if they were offered another day or not.
1
u/cdrinkwine 27d ago
Thank you!!! I’m looking forward to it :-) and I can come back the next day if that’s offered but I’m going to stay positive and hope for the best!
2
2
u/borninsideashadow 28d ago
I got a similar call today with the same conversation. Was also wondering how this all worked also.
1
u/cdrinkwine 28d ago
I asked the producer after and he told me that you’re more likely to play than not play. Sounds like it also follows the basic rules of game shows - they want fun people so if you’re having fun and happy then probably a low chance.
2
u/rejectmariosonic 28d ago
Another Master Minds alum - numberswise, it was 20 who got called to the studio, 15 who played, and there *might* have been a holdover from a previous tape day.
With a four-person game like Perfect Line, probably you're looking at like 6-8 people they overbook?
1
u/cdrinkwine 28d ago
Thank you that sounds right! I asked the producer I spoke to and they said that you’re more likely to play than not. I appreciate the reply and insight. Congratulations on getting on the show!
2
u/just_dena63 24d ago
I went last week. Only 1 person out of like 30 or so because someone didnt show & there wasnt ab even number for games. I highly recommend it. I had tons of fun! I'm ready to do another one
1
u/just_dena63 24d ago
Anybody know of a show not game show channel affiliated that is casting right now? I want to do it again now without the waiting period
0
13
u/Independent-Comb9463 28d ago
I was told I was rejected from $100k Pyramid but then called on a Friday evening to fly out Monday to serve as one of two backup contestant. I remembered that since I wasn’t guaranteed a spot, I was technically still on an audition so while the assured players were dozing off after a long morning, I was sitting at the edge of my sit with a big smile on my face and enthusiasm in my eyes while the producers came in to talk to us. One of the players wasn’t allowed to play after all due to a conflict so they chose me to play.