Transcript 02/07/2012 Anton Spivack (Audience contestant)

[BBTranscriptTeam]

Audience Contestant
Anton Spivack
New York City
Actor and writer

Said he was planning on going back to school for a master's degree and possibly a Ph.D in mathematics.
Said he last appeared in a series of one-act plays about cannibalism where he was the tooth fairy turned grim reaper.
It was called "This tastes funny" and his segment was called Mother, Lover, or Ate Her... Mere said she's heard enough

Question 10 - was Level 1 Sports Equipment
The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory boasts that it is home to the "World's Largest" what?
A. Tennis racket B. Golf club
C. Baseball bat D. Hockey stick

Spoiler

Anton joked that he was thinking along the lines of croquet mallet but that he would go with baseball bat

Answer and value

C. Baseball bat
Value: $1K won
Anton said he would need to buy a Wii for the game he also won
Mere reminded him he had the money now

[TheConfessor]

This guy was certainly unusual, and it seemed that they must have done some screening of the audience members before selecting him. I'm pretty sure they don't just pick random people from the audience, but has anyone ever been in the audience since they started doing the single-question contestants and seen how they screen people for possible use on the show? Or are the single-question contestants people who just took the audition test the same day, so the producers already have an idea of their personalities and backgrounds? And if they get chosen for the single question, does that mean they can never be a regular contestant on the show?

[15QuestionsAway]

...I'm pretty sure they don't just pick random people from the audience, but has anyone ever been in the audience since they started doing the single-question contestants and seen how they screen people for possible use on the show?...

APs with clipboards scan the audience and approach people they like. The selected people do have to fill out a form and release if they want to be considered. If I remember correctly, this happens at various times during the taping.

...Or are the single-question contestants people who just took the audition test the same day, so the producers already have an idea of their personalities and backgrounds?...

I don't think so - people who haven't taken the audition test can be one question contestants if the APs approach them.

...And if they get chosen for the single question, does that mean they can never be a regular contestant on the show?

Definitely not. Being a one question contestant does not affect one's eligibility for the regular show.

[TheConfessor]

...And if they get chosen for the single question, does that mean they can never be a regular contestant on the show?

Definitely not. Being a one question contestant does not affect one's eligibility for the regular show.

Okay, so let me turn it around. If you've ever been a contestant on the show, does that make you ineligible to be a one-question contestant? I suppose that would be an anticlimax for anyone who had already been on the show.

[MarleysGh0st]

...And if they get chosen for the single question, does that mean they can never be a regular contestant on the show?

Definitely not. Being a one question contestant does not affect one's eligibility for the regular show.

Okay, so let me turn it around. If you've ever been a contestant on the show, does that make you ineligible to be a one-question contestant? I suppose that would be an anticlimax for anyone who had already been on the show.

The rules don't say, but I would presume the APs would arbitrarily choose someone else, if they recognize someone has been a regular contestant.

http://www.dadt.com/millionaire/tickets/rules.html

Are you itching to win another $1,000, Ed?

[earendel]

Audience Contestant
Anton Spivack
New York City
Actor and writer

Said he was planning on going back to school for a master's degree and possibly a Ph.D in mathematics.
Said he last appeared in a series of one-act plays about cannibalism where he was the tooth fairy turned grim reaper.
It was called "This tastes funny" and his segment was called Mother, Lover, or Ate Her... Mere said she's heard enough

Question 10 - was Level 1 Sports Equipment
The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory boasts that it is home to the "World's Largest" what?
A. Tennis racket B. Golf club
C. Baseball bat D. Hockey stick

Spoiler

Anton joked that he was thinking along the lines of croquet mallet but that he would go with baseball bat

Answer and value

C. Baseball bat
Value: $1K won
Anton said he would need to buy a Wii for the game he also won
Mere reminded him he had the money now

This a reference to a baseball bat statue that stands outside the building. I work only a few blocks from where it's located.

[TheConfessor]

Definitely not. Being a one question contestant does not affect one's eligibility for the regular show.

Okay, so let me turn it around. If you've ever been a contestant on the show, does that make you ineligible to be a one-question contestant? I suppose that would be an anticlimax for anyone who had already been on the show.

The rules don't say, but I would presume the APs would arbitrarily choose someone else, if they recognize someone has been a regular contestant.

http://www.dadt.com/millionaire/tickets/rules.html

Are you itching to win another $1,000, Ed?

Not especially, but I wouldn't turn it down. I'm more interested in trying to understand their rationale for the things they do to the show. On a dollars awarded per minute basis, the single question contestants must be the cheapest part of the show.

[15QuestionsAway]

Okay, so let me turn it around. If you've ever been a contestant on the show, does that make you ineligible to be a one-question contestant? I suppose that would be an anticlimax for anyone who had already been on the show.

That I don't know. I was hoping to be a test case at the tapings I attended. There's very few members of the staff still working on the show from when I was on, and I don't think any of them are active on the set during tapings.

[Snaxx]

Okay, so let me turn it around. If you've ever been a contestant on the show, does that make you ineligible to be a one-question contestant? I suppose that would be an anticlimax for anyone who had already been on the show.

That I don't know. I was hoping to be a test case at the tapings I attended. There's very few members of the staff still working on the show from when I was on, and I don't think any of them are active on the set during tapings.

Just remember to wear a different tie next time.

[Bob Juch]

Okay, so let me turn it around. If you've ever been a contestant on the show, does that make you ineligible to be a one-question contestant? I suppose that would be an anticlimax for anyone who had already been on the show.

That I don't know. I was hoping to be a test case at the tapings I attended. There's very few members of the staff still working on the show from when I was on, and I don't think any of them are active on the set during tapings.

Just remember to wear a different tie next time.

I'll wear a different shirt and tie.

[thealexdavis]

This guy was certainly unusual, and it seemed that they must have done some screening of the audience members before selecting him. I'm pretty sure they don't just pick random people from the audience, but has anyone ever been in the audience since they started doing the single-question contestants and seen how they screen people for possible use on the show? Or are the single-question contestants people who just took the audition test the same day, so the producers already have an idea of their personalities and backgrounds? And if they get chosen for the single question, does that mean they can never be a regular contestant on the show?

I mean for what it's worth I was even selected for an audience question once by a coordinator who didn't know who I was. As was said before, they really just roam about picking people based on who they think looks like they'd be good for it. I never talked to the dude beforehand, nor did I take the test, nor was I even in the audience for the quiz or auditions and they still came to me. They just lucked out with this guy.

[TheConfessor]

This guy was certainly unusual, and it seemed that they must have done some screening of the audience members before selecting him. I'm pretty sure they don't just pick random people from the audience, but has anyone ever been in the audience since they started doing the single-question contestants and seen how they screen people for possible use on the show? Or are the single-question contestants people who just took the audition test the same day, so the producers already have an idea of their personalities and backgrounds? And if they get chosen for the single question, does that mean they can never be a regular contestant on the show?

I mean for what it's worth I was even selected for an audience question once by a coordinator who didn't know who I was. As was said before, they really just roam about picking people based on who they think looks like they'd be good for it. I never talked to the dude beforehand, nor did I take the test, nor was I even in the audience for the quiz or auditions and they still came to me. They just lucked out with this guy.

Alex, if you told that story before, I must have missed it or forgotten it. So did you get your question right and did you appear on an episode? They call the contestants down from the audience by their names, so they must know something about them in advance. They don't just say, "Hey you in the green shirt, come down and answer a question."

[thealexdavis]

This guy was certainly unusual, and it seemed that they must have done some screening of the audience members before selecting him. I'm pretty sure they don't just pick random people from the audience, but has anyone ever been in the audience since they started doing the single-question contestants and seen how they screen people for possible use on the show? Or are the single-question contestants people who just took the audition test the same day, so the producers already have an idea of their personalities and backgrounds? And if they get chosen for the single question, does that mean they can never be a regular contestant on the show?

I mean for what it's worth I was even selected for an audience question once by a coordinator who didn't know who I was. As was said before, they really just roam about picking people based on who they think looks like they'd be good for it. I never talked to the dude beforehand, nor did I take the test, nor was I even in the audience for the quiz or auditions and they still came to me. They just lucked out with this guy.

Alex, if you told that story before, I must have missed it or forgotten it. So did you get your question right and did you appear on an episode? They call the contestants down from the audience by their names, so they must know something about them in advance. They don't just say, "Hey you in the green shirt, come down and answer a question."

The audience guy walked around with a clipboard just looking at people. Didn't really matter where they were in the audience for easy access, but he just looked around. He came to me and asked. I said I'm massively ineligible, and he went and asked someone else. This was during the 3rd act break so it was a bit of a surprise to the person who got it anyway. They positioned them, temporarily, closer to the stairs so they could get to the podium quicker, and went from there. But no, people aren't prescreened or pre-auditioned or anything like that. They just really randomly grab someone during the 2nd or 3rd act break, check if they are eligible, ask if they want to do it, and then continue with the show. They just lucked out with the guy.

[TheConfessor]

Weren't there supposed to be new episodes this week? I just saw Anton Spivack again. Am I mistaken or did the local station screw up?

[MarleysGh0st]

Weren't there supposed to be new episodes this week? I just saw Anton Spivack again. Am I mistaken or did the local station screw up?

I guess they did. We had a new episode beginning with Kevin Devlin's carryover appearance.