report from new orleans auditions

[mcraig71555]

Its been 10 years since the last time I tried out for millionaire. That was in 2002 the very first road auditions for syndebam. My wife and I happened to be in montgomery, alabama at the shackespear festival that same weekend. We both tried and both passed the test. Back then they tested 75 at a time--only 8 passed. WE did not receive a post card. Since then I figured the show would come to new orleans sooner or later , especially after Katrina. Finally they decided to go to New orleans this year on a friday, meaning it was just me this time wife could not get off of work.
I drove in from my current residence in new iberia Thursday late afternoon and stayed at my mother's house--which by the way is located less than a mile from the levee breach that flooded the city--am very proud of her determination to rebuild her home exactly the way it was pre-storm. Got up at 5 am, ate breakfast and headed out arriving at the aNew Orleans fair grounds racetrack at 6:30 or so--there were already 200 people standing in line. This sorta amazed me since I didn't think the show was still that popular. Any way I joined the line and soon started talking to others. The key question all wanted to talk about was if anyone had done thi sbefore. Most of th epeople in line were younger--like 30 and below an dmost had not done thi sbefore. Thus I came across as a veteran having auditioned twice before and havin been on the original show but not making the hotseat. Because of my experience, I soon became the center of attention the immediate area of the line. People had numerous questions about my past experience.
Right at 7 am the doors opened and we started filing in--they stopped the line right at me, apparently bing number 200 in line. I quickly turned around in it appeared more than 200 but not much more were behind me. I assumed they were testing 200 at a time
We were led well within the racetrack in the grandstand are where we were seated at small tables four to fiveat a table. My table had four people--me, a college student from lafayette, L ( about 2.5 hrs away) and two oriental ladies from Houma ( about 45 mins away) The college student drive in that morning leaving at 3:30 am after partying the nite before clebrating the end of his summer school exams.
While waiting for the test to begin T-shirts were tosed to the crowd, test procedures were explained and a local theme warm up questioned was tossed out---what is the bus and street car pass used by new orleans public tranist riders called ? (Jazzy pass). People were having a fun time , making fun of the idiotic questions on procedure that were being asked by some wanna be contestants and then the two ladies from Houma remarked they were having a exciting time and didn't care if they didnt pass it was fun just being there and participating. It soon darned on me that if I didn't pass it would be rather embarrassing since the people around me assumed I would not have a problem wit the test.the test started--30 questions in 10 minutes--perhaps I'm remembering incorrectly but I thought past tests had more time--anywho I knew immediately I was in trouble --way too many recent pop culture questions--at the five minute mark I was only on question 12--I picked up th epace--not bothering to read all possible answers when I recognised the correct answer--I finished at the 9 minute mark--went back to rethink a few questions and decided to change two answers---What does the T in epcot stands for--went from technology to tomorrow--I orginally thought they woul dnot dublicate tomorrowland but then I remembered the correct answer and also changed my answer on the actrees who finished runner-up in Miss America-for some unknown reason I went with ashley Judd---fortuneately the question had the clue of being from --on second thought I realized Halle berry was from Ohio--I quickly changed my answer just as the gun sounded--still, I was not confident and even made the statement I think I did not pass when my table mates looked at me with that how did u do look on theor faces.
We waited like maybe ten minutes or so--once again as T-shitrs were being tossed and the race track monitors played tapes of old shows--then they annouced the lucky passers--we were told the numbers were announced in no particular order an dthe losers could keep their millionaire pencils they had handed out to use on the test.
I didn't think to count the number of passers but it wqsn't more than 40 or so--about half thru , my number was called--as was the college student at my table--the two ladies did not pass--we were herded out and told to come back at noon for the audition process--it was a bit before 9 am as I got in my car and went back to my mom's for a nap and ,later, lunch.Much to my surprise the show came on in new orleans at 9:30 so I watched followed by the view--with regis as a guest--I took that as a good luck sign--Regis did not, however, even mention WWTBAM--not that was any reason to raise that topic.
I got back to the fair grounds at 11:55--most people were already there--I roughly counted 47. We sat around waiting for our names to be called. I thought it starnged th e powers that be just started calling out names to come forward--no discussion or explanations at all about what to expect---It was a bit after 1:30 when my name was called along with one other--that left the waiting area a bit less than half full--but the passers from the other test groups were told to arrive at 1PM--it seemed overall between70-75 passers--certainly no more than 80---I'm guessing a bit more than 400 took the test.
Anyway we two were led down a hall to a meeting rorom with two tables set up as separate desks--I sat in front a young twenty something male while my fellow passer wa seated in front of a same age female. My interviewer took lots of notes on my application and asked a lot of questions--we even got into an actual discussion ( about my 13 yr old daughte'rs gymnastics and pole vaulting career--adn the interview lasted twice as long as my previous ineterview in Alabama---but sad to say I was not directed to the taping room---it ended with a handshake while telling me to expect a card or an e-mail in 4-5 weeks telling me if I got into the contestant pool. I left a bit disappointed, especially since I felt the interview went rather well as per above. While walking out I said good bye to starngers I had met thruout the process and stopped for brief conversations--it was clear that the only people I came across that were invited to th etaping room were younger--like under 35 and maybe even under 30.
Overall the experience was cool and fun--I know my chances at a happy postcard are nil but at least I left with the satisfaction that I'm still perfect on test taking--indeed I have done everything the show has asked of me but sit in the hotseat or stand at the podium---that said, I'm pretty much resigned to thi sbeing my last attempt at getting on the show--unless of course they somehwo bring back the phone game--that is all, signning off--M.Craig7155536

[geoffil]

Thank you for the report. I enjoying reading it. If you would like to say, what age range are you in?

[ne1410s]

Thanks for posting this.

[Appa23]

My table had four people--me, a college student from lafayette, L ( about 2.5 hrs away) and two oriental ladies from Houma ( about 45 mins away)

Were the ladies rugs or vases?

[DevilKitty100]

Good grief.......New Orleans was 10 years ago......just doesn't seem possible. I only remember that it was St. Patricks Day weekend and I think the final four basketball thingie was in town.

And I still remember the postman that drove like 24 hrs or something to get there.

[mcraig71555]

AS replies to the comments to my original post about new orleans auditions:
1)--i am 57 years old since July 15
2) I put in the term oriental to describe the two ladies at my test table because when one encounters ladies from Houma, Louisiana, one expects to find cajun ladies, not oriental ladies.
3) The original new orleans auditions were actually 11 years ago in 2001 and yes it was St. patrick day weekend--and now that you mention it there was a dude who had driven 24 hrs--all the way from alaska--he got a huge reaction from the passing crowd when he mentioned his trip.

[DevilKitty100]

My table had four people--me, a college student from lafayette, L ( about 2.5 hrs away) and two oriental ladies from Houma ( about 45 mins away)

Were the ladies rugs or vases?

Rugs and vases are gender specific?? Who knew?

Mentioning ethnicity as merely descriptive is no more offensive than mentioning gender. I unfailingly fail to understand why you always take exception to someone mentioning "oriental" in a descriptive phrase.

[littlebeast13]

My table had four people--me, a college student from lafayette, L ( about 2.5 hrs away) and two oriental ladies from Houma ( about 45 mins away)

Were the ladies rugs or vases?

Rugs and vases are gender specific?? Who knew?

Mentioning ethnicity as merely descriptive is no more offensive than mentioning gender. I unfailingly fail to understand why you always take exception to someone mentioning "oriental" in a descriptive phrase.

Now if I could just find myself a Vermont woman, I could start building houses....

lb13

[Bob Juch]

Were the ladies rugs or vases?

Rugs and vases are gender specific?? Who knew?

Mentioning ethnicity as merely descriptive is no more offensive than mentioning gender. I unfailingly fail to understand why you always take exception to someone mentioning "oriental" in a descriptive phrase.

Now if I could just find myself a Vermont woman, I could start building houses....

lb13

Found it. Don't get it though.

[Appa23]

My table had four people--me, a college student from lafayette, L ( about 2.5 hrs away) and two oriental ladies from Houma ( about 45 mins away)

Were the ladies rugs or vases?

Rugs and vases are gender specific?? Who knew?

Mentioning ethnicity as merely descriptive is no more offensive than mentioning gender. I unfailingly fail to understand why you always take exception to someone mentioning "oriental" in a descriptive phrase.

I guess that I just grew up knowing that "oriental" is not a race or ethicity, but Asian is. In fact, I double-checked the Census form, and Oriental is not listed. (However, "Negro" still is, because there is an older population that does attribute that term to themselves. You learn something new every day. )

I also grew up in a world where "oriental" was a descriptive phrase for things, but not people.

It just struck me as antiquated and wrong, just like it would have if the poster had said "two colored ladies from Houma".

[Sistine Fanny]

Were the ladies rugs or vases?

Rugs and vases are gender specific?? Who knew?

Mentioning ethnicity as merely descriptive is no more offensive than mentioning gender. I unfailingly fail to understand why you always take exception to someone mentioning "oriental" in a descriptive phrase.

Now if I could just find myself a Vermont woman, I could start building houses....

lb13

Oriental, my bahonka. That chick is straight outta Virginia.

It's all over now, Baby Blue.....

[tlynn78]

Were the ladies rugs or vases?

Rugs and vases are gender specific?? Who knew?

Mentioning ethnicity as merely descriptive is no more offensive than mentioning gender. I unfailingly fail to understand why you always take exception to someone mentioning "oriental" in a descriptive phrase.

I guess that I just grew up knowing that "oriental" is not a race or ethicity, but Asian is. In fact, I double-checked the Census form, and Oriental is not listed. (However, "Negro" still is, because there is an older population that does attribute that term to themselves. You learn something new every day. )

I also grew up in a world where "oriental" was a descriptive phrase for things, but not people.

It just struck me as antiquated and wrong, just like it would have if the poster had said "two colored ladies from Houma".

When I was growing up, my dad's standard response was "Unless they're a rug, they're Asian, not oriental." As an adult, I usually just think it with my inside voice.

t.

[DevilKitty100]

Were the ladies rugs or vases?

Rugs and vases are gender specific?? Who knew?

Mentioning ethnicity as merely descriptive is no more offensive than mentioning gender. I unfailingly fail to understand why you always take exception to someone mentioning "oriental" in a descriptive phrase.

I guess that I just grew up knowing that "oriental" is not a race or ethicity, but Asian is. In fact, I double-checked the Census form, and Oriental is not listed. (However, "Negro" still is, because there is an older population that does attribute that term to themselves. You learn something new every day. )

I also grew up in a world where "oriental" was a descriptive phrase for things, but not people.

It just struck me as antiquated and wrong, just like it would have if the poster had said "two colored ladies from Houma".

Well then, since we know the government does everything right I guess that puts the issue to rest.

I always thought anyone referring to "Asians" was putting on airs and probably had a tight stick up their ass. Of course I'm just a minimally educated southern white girl.......and could be wrong, but it does leave me sufficiently educated and worldly to call 100% bullshit on that "colored ladies" comparison. That's just plain stupid.........which as I understand it, can't be fixed.

[mrkelley23]

Were the ladies rugs or vases?

Rugs and vases are gender specific?? Who knew?

Mentioning ethnicity as merely descriptive is no more offensive than mentioning gender. I unfailingly fail to understand why you always take exception to someone mentioning "oriental" in a descriptive phrase.

I guess that I just grew up knowing that "oriental" is not a race or ethicity, but Asian is. In fact, I double-checked the Census form, and Oriental is not listed. (However, "Negro" still is, because there is an older population that does attribute that term to themselves. You learn something new every day. )

I also grew up in a world where "oriental" was a descriptive phrase for things, but not people.

It just struck me as antiquated and wrong, just like it would have if the poster had said "two colored ladies from Houma".

The term (which I think is supposed to be capitalized) is certainly antiquated. I'm not aware of the distinction between Oriental peoples and Oriental objects, though. It's not like I refer to people from the Americas as "Occidentals," after all. I think it does serve a purpose, though, for those who are unable to distinguish among Chinese, Japanese, and Korean people. Asian is too broad for those situations. I guess, using your census example, we could go by the name the anthropologists use for people whose heritage includes that area of Asia. But I don't think you'd be any happier with Mongoloid.

Your experience is certainly not an exception, and I think the word "Oriental" as an adjective is on its way out, but I do know of many instances, both personally and in national media, where "Oriental" is used to describe people of Asian descent, by those people themselves, with no apparent trauma.

[themanintheseersuckersuit]

And in today's news

London – A Swiss soccer player was expelled from the Olympics on Monday for his threatening and racist message on Twitter about South Koreans. The comments by Michel Morganella came hours after Switzerland lost to South Korea.

Morganella "discriminated against, insulted and violated the dignity of the South Korea football team as well as the South Korean people," Swiss Olympic team chief Gian Gilli said through a translator at a news conference. He said the player was stripped of his Olympic accreditation.

Morganella is the second athlete kicked off a London Olympics team for offensive Twitter comments, following Greek triple jumper Voula Papachristou.

He posted the message after playing in the 2-1 loss against South Korea on Sunday. He said in the tweet that South Koreans "can go burn" and referred to them as a "bunch of mongoloids."

The 23-year-old player later released a contrite statement through Swiss Olympic.

"I am sincerely sorry for the people of South Korea, for the players, but equally for the Swiss delegation and Swiss football in general. It's clear that I'm accepting the consequences".

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/07/3 ... z228RQwohm

[Bob Juch]

And in today's news

London – A Swiss soccer player was expelled from the Olympics on Monday for his threatening and racist message on Twitter about South Koreans. The comments by Michel Morganella came hours after Switzerland lost to South Korea.

Morganella "discriminated against, insulted and violated the dignity of the South Korea football team as well as the South Korean people," Swiss Olympic team chief Gian Gilli said through a translator at a news conference. He said the player was stripped of his Olympic accreditation.

Morganella is the second athlete kicked off a London Olympics team for offensive Twitter comments, following Greek triple jumper Voula Papachristou.

He posted the message after playing in the 2-1 loss against South Korea on Sunday. He said in the tweet that South Koreans "can go burn" and referred to them as a "bunch of mongoloids."

The 23-year-old player later released a contrite statement through Swiss Olympic.

"I am sincerely sorry for the people of South Korea, for the players, but equally for the Swiss delegation and Swiss football in general. It's clear that I'm accepting the consequences".

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/07/3 ... z228RQwohm

And your point is?

[themanintheseersuckersuit]

Did you read Mr. K's comment?

[tlynn78]

And in today's news

London – A Swiss soccer player was expelled from the Olympics on Monday for his threatening and racist message on Twitter about South Koreans. The comments by Michel Morganella came hours after Switzerland lost to South Korea.

Morganella "discriminated against, insulted and violated the dignity of the South Korea football team as well as the South Korean people," Swiss Olympic team chief Gian Gilli said through a translator at a news conference. He said the player was stripped of his Olympic accreditation.

Morganella is the second athlete kicked off a London Olympics team for offensive Twitter comments, following Greek triple jumper Voula Papachristou.

He posted the message after playing in the 2-1 loss against South Korea on Sunday. He said in the tweet that South Koreans "can go burn" and referred to them as a "bunch of mongoloids."

The 23-year-old player later released a contrite statement through Swiss Olympic.

"I am sincerely sorry for the people of South Korea, for the players, but equally for the Swiss delegation and Swiss football in general. It's clear that I'm accepting the consequences".

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/07/3 ... z228RQwohm

And your point is?

LOL

NOW there should be a point to posts??

t.

[BackInTex]

LOL

NOW there should be a point to posts??

t.

To the post, or on the stick. Your choice.

[TheConfessor]

I guess that I just grew up knowing that "oriental" is not a race or ethicity, but Asian is.

I guess I just grew up knowing that "Asian" is a geographical term, not a racial description. But I realize that is has been adopted in recent decades to avoid using more traditional terms that have come to be thought of as offensive. Kind of like how "gay" became the PC all-inclusive, non-offensive term for homosexuals.

But "Asian" as an ethnic descriptor is not a very useful term. Asians include Arabs, Israelis, Persians, Siberians, Indians, Turks, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Afghans (not the blankets or the dogs), Filipinos, and many others. If you say that you like Asian food or met an Asian person, that doesn't really mean anything. Most Americans can't easily distinguish between Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, and others from the Far East but they can distinguish between someone from that group and an Asian from the Middle East. Maybe that's why the former were once called Orientals. Instead of just calling everyone Asians, maybe some of them could be called Far Easterners. Or would that imply that they're from Maine?

[BackInTex]

Kind of like how "gay" became the PC all-inclusive, non-offensive term for homosexuals.

But offensive as an adjective for anything else as in "How gay [is that]?!" or "That is so gay."

I still like the old use as in the Flintstones theme "We'll have a gay old time!"

[lilclyde54]

Thanks for your audition report. I hope you are being too pessimistic about the card. Maybe BAM will someday follow the PGA's lead and start a "Champions" circuit for all the people around our age.

[DevilKitty100]

Thanks for your audition report. I hope you are being too pessimistic about the card. Maybe BAM will someday follow the PGA's lead and start a "Champions" circuit for all the people around our age.

LOL......now look at you.....you've gone and hijacked a perfectly good hijack.

[littlebeast13]

Thanks for your audition report. I hope you are being too pessimistic about the card. Maybe BAM will someday follow the PGA's lead and start a "Champions" circuit for all the people around our age.

LOL......now look at you.....you've gone and hijacked a perfectly good hijack.

I think he's just trying to keep up his pace in the rankings with you..... look at how blabby you've gotten the last couple days....

lb13

[vettech]

Instead of just calling everyone Asians, maybe some of them could be called Far Easterners. Or would that imply that they're from Maine?

That would be Down Eastern.