James's 21 Tryout

JDinan8271 · Mon, 07 Feb 2000 05:07:38 -0800

On Sunday (2/6), I had the opportunity to try out
for the NBC game show, "21." What was it like? I'll
try to be brief (but I probably won't :) ).

The contestant search began Sunday morning at 8am at
a downtown D.C. hotel (the Wyndham City Center, for
those who keep track of this). Over the next three
hours, between 300-400 people took the written test just
to qualify for the second round of testing. 

My written test was at 10am. I entered the
conference room with about 80 others and took my seat. About
3-4 members of the show's staff (all of them in their
late 20's-early 30's) welcome us and explain how the
testing works. We will be given a 30-question written
test on popular culture, general knowledge and the
like (10 true/false, 10 MC, 10 fill-in). We'll have 10
minutes to take the test.

 The tests are handed
out, and we begin. While I can't comment on specific
questions on the test (they use the same tests for
contestant searches nationwide), I can say that if you know
basic pop culture and general knowledge, you'll pass.
My best estimate - I answered at least 28 of the 30
correctly.

 After the tests were collected, it was time for a
little Q-and-A about the show. First off, the "Love
Connection" contestant selection has been ELIMINATED!
Contestants will now be chosen randomly, NOT by the
audience.

 I raise my hand, and ask a question about
reports that the show's prize money structure had been
changed as of Saturday's tapings (read about this on
Steve Beverly's GSCC). The "21" employee who was taking
question said he wasn't sure, but he "believed" the prize
money structure would be changed to $25K for the first
game, then $50K for the second, $75K for the third, and
so on. He said it would now take SEVEN games, rather
than four, to win the million. No word on the future
of "Perfect 21."

 Someone asks about when the
show airs. Our friend said NBC is close to committing
this show on Wednesdays at 8PM ET, despite, in his
words, "the intentions of WWTBAM." He then went on a
somewhat-funny stream of sarcasm about WWTBAM's programming
tactics, airing a "special" episode opposite 21 last week
when it was announced the latter would have its first
million-dollar winner.

 The other 21 employees return
with the tests, and they announced who passed for
Round 2. And I'm one of them! 

 I for the second
round of tests. About 70-80 people are around. For the
second round, we are going to play a two-round mock game
of "21." According to the show, personality is just
as important as performance - they'd rather have a
player who scores a two but has the personality of, say,
a Jason Block, then someone who scores a 21 but is
dull as driftwood.

 An hour later, I have my
test game. I play to a 7-7 tie against a stay-at-home
mother of three. I missed a nine-point question on rock
music (it was a question on the MTV VMA's - I know
nothing about the VMA's :) ), but got a seven-point
question correct on architecture. I thank everyone for the
experience and head on home.

 So, will I be on "21"
anytime soon? Probably not. But did I have fun?
DEFINITELY. I met dozens of great people, who shared a
passion for game shows like many quiz bowl folks (one
player's 10-minute soliloquy on Greed was entertaining :)
). The people on 21 treated us well and rooted for
us all. And the fact that I qualified for the second
round was an accomplishment in itself.

 Thanks
for reading! If you have any other questions, e-mail
me.

 James