Six Minds Contestant Advice

Well, the time has come to admit that Paul's Friends are not going to be selected to play on ABC's new prime time game show Six Minds. If you're interested in trying out, call  (323) 785-2119 for information first, then write to the contestant selectors at sixmindscasting@gmail.com. You can see the original Russian version here (the logic puzzle: What does a pirate ship carry that allows it to get close to other ships so it can board them. Answer: foreign flags), or read about the Russian show at Wikipedia. Of course, they'll change the format some for the American market. But when we tried  out, we saw the pilot, and everyone was dressed in formal wear (supplied by the show), just as in Russia. How much money can you win? That is under discussion, and probably won't be decided until the shows are taped July 24-26.

You may recall a brief note here on June 1 that I was assembling a team. We all met up in LA on June 19; there were three people on the team I knew only from email. I thought we did great, but apparently casting executive CC (name and initials changed for privacy purposes) did not. In all my years of trying out for gameshows, this was the first time they dismissed me without even taking my picture (or that of any of my teammates).

I am not a naif in the game show world. My first appearance was on Wheel of Fortune in 1983 (won), followed by Jeopardy 1985 (lost), Scrabble 1991 (won),  Win Ben Stein's Money 1997 (lost), Merv Griffin's Crosswords 2007 (lost). I know what it takes to be cast for a prime time entertainment show. First and foremost, you have to be able to play the game. Secondly, you must look like you're enjoying it. Third, you must be audible. For the first time since my Wheel tryout in 1983, when the contestant coordinator told us our behavior in the tryout room was being observed, I had the feeling we were auditioning from the moment we sat down in the unadorned conference room. And apparently, we didn't pass. There were two teams in the room who alternated play; we were certainly more voluble than the other one, and did better, but it wasn't a competition between the two teams in the room, it was a competition between us and the ideal. And that was a competition we lost. No one from the other team had their picture taken either.

I can offer some logistical advice (reducing anxiety and mystery), and some game playing advice. It is always difficult to know how  to play a game that has never been on the air. There was no such problem with Wheel of Fortune (than in its third year of syndication), or Jeopardy (in its second year, but I knew the original quite well). No one was going to get on the Wheel if they weren't fast with words. No one was going to get on Jeopardy if they failed to put their answer in the form of a question when they auditioned. Scrabble was a simple game, and Chuck Wollery kept reminding us how to play. Even at that, I made one or two game-playing errors. Ben Stein's money had not aired when I taped my show, and in fact, I tripped up over a fine point of game play that cost me my chance to play against Ben (details available on request). Crosswords hadn't aired either. I would have lost in any case, but my performance was reduced by an utterly unfamiliar and complicated game (which may have been a partial explanation for its cancellation after one season).

So here's the logistical advice. I am not going to give out the production company address (I still want to be on another game show or two in my life), but I can tell you it is closer to Burbank than LAX, so fly into Burbank if you can. If you have people coming from all over California, they can get to Burbank early. A frequent flyer friend of mine said to make sure and leave plenty of time, because flights are sometimes late and sometimes canceled.  The Northern California contingent arrived three hours early.

The Boston-area member of the team took the red-eye in the night before.

The closest AAA two-star motel (I've been in 1 star motels; you don't want to go there) has rooms for $90, $100 and $110 a night. It is one-quarter mile from the studio, so we met there in the Boston guy's room and walked. We were told parking can be difficult during the week; we were there on a Saturday; plenty of parking.

Vagabond Inn--Hollywood (destination: California/Hollywood)
1133 Vine St.
Hollywood, CA  90038
United States

  Hotel Phone Number:  323-466-7501
  Reservations: 800-522-1555

I have offered this advice before in my other writings about game shows: it is HOT in LA in the summer time, especially in the direct sun. This production office has more shade than most on the street, but if you burn easily (as I do), bring an umbrella!

The instructions are clear--you will be thrown out if you are found in the building without a guide from the show staff. This does NOT include the veranda outside the front door, so buzz when you get there and you can sit in the shade, on a bench, instead of standing on the sidewalk.

There are several serious requirements about ID; pay attention to them. If you don't know where your social security card is (the original), find it, or get an official duplicate from the Social Security office near you. The producers want a minimum of 8 team members, with no maximum, so recruit as many people are you can. You'll be asked for a team name; think of that before you call or you'll end up being known as "Paul's Friends," which is what we were called.

I can only speculate as to why we were not selected; I suspect we did not appear to be having fun. May I suggest caffeine? A pep rally? Some cheers out on the sidewalk? Get your adrenalin up and be ready!

This is the hardest game show to prepare for that I have ever seen. There is nowhere on the planet (except, perhaps, Russia) where you can find puzzles to practice on. Please note that I have not revealed any of the puzzles used to test us, even the one they give you on the phone as an example when you're signing up. Again, I'd like to continue to be beloved by contestant coordinators.

Still, I can offer some advice. As CC said, several times, quite loudly and clearly, "LISTEN TO ME." He has a lot of information to impart. Listen to him very carefully. Listen to the contestant staff that meets you on the veranda and has you fill out forms. I am sure an inability to follow instructions is disqualifying. When CC  talks to you, answer loudly, clearly and with enthusiasm. Mushmouths don't make it onto television.

One key piece of advice (which I learned the hard way years ago when I was trying out for Password): the show staff is always right. You think your answer was right, and they don't? Keep it to yourself. Never argue with the umpire.

So, let's see. Loud, Energetic. Happy to be there.

Now let me offer a couple of specifics. On TV you get to see the question, but during the audition they simply read it to you. CC will tell you that the questions are deliberately tarted up with extra verbiage; listen hard and close and understand the actual question. Had we known, we would have assigned one or two team members to listen, so that when our 60 seconds to solve the puzzle started, their job would have been to say, "We're looking for a what" or a who, or a when, or a where. Of course, you answer should be the category being sought.  Another pointer; the first thing the team leader should say is "gut check." Anyone who thinks they know the answer should say it. The team leader should then say, "bank it" and force the team to discuss other possible answers, out loud, for the remaining 50 seconds. Pick out the key words; "pirates," "other countries." No matter who assembles the team and appoints themselves team leader, CC will have you play at least once with someone else as the leader (or at least he did our day).

As CC told us, "there are no bad guesses," except those not spoken out loud. Those guesses are lousy.

I don't know how you practice this, but if you think about it, and talk about it, maybe you'll be picked. Gut check. Every guess out loud. Bank an early guess and go on. Look like you're enjoying this.

The prize money was not set when we auditioned; they said they might not set it until the tape rolls on July 24. But CC promised it would be "life changing money" for all six members of the team.

I can't wait to see the show; I only wish I was going to be seeing it from the front of the camera.