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Getting on 'Let’s Make a Deal'
Getting on 'Let’s Make a Deal'
Let’s Make a Deal
The 40th birthday is a big deal in our society. I had thrown my husband a large surprise 40th birthday party. He loved it – he had the best time!
I, on the other hand, spent a ton of money, a ton of time and stressful secrecy trying to keep it under wraps and spent that day running around like a crazy woman setting up for the party, making sure everything went smoothly, all rules were followed so I could get my deposit back and then I cleaned everything up. It was fun but exhausting.
I didn’t want my husband to have to deal with that. I didn’t want to spend a ton of money on a party that was going to be ton of work for me or my husband. So what to do?
How to mark this significant occasion?
I decided to take a look at my bucket list and knock something off that was a bigger deal than a normal weekend but not too expensive.
I scroll through my list and see – be on a gameshow. Yes!
This is it. I grew up watching all the classic game shows and always wanted to be on one when I grew up. I look at the on camera audience website and see there are free tickets to Let’s Make a Deal on my actual birthday. Perfect.
I reach out to some friends to see who can drive up to LA for the weekend and go on a game show with me. I’m able to finagle a handful of people willing dress up in costumes and go on television.
I begin researching – how to get on Let’s Make a Deal. There are five key points that if you follow, you can better your chances of being picked on the show.
First – The importance of a costume
Second – Arrive early and wait in line
Third – Have something interesting you can say about yourself
Four – be kind, fun and upbeat through the waiting and interview process
Five – once you are in the studio – stay upbeat!
I followed all the steps – and I had so much fun doing it. The taping is going well, we’re getting farther into the show and none of our group has been chosen. After a break, Wayne Brady announces the beginning of a another game and asks if there is a Jolie in the audience.
Oh. My. God.
I’ve been picked!
Now, you’ll probably never see this, so I’ll go ahead and give you the rundown of what happened:
I jump up and immediately all coherent thoughts leave my brain. The blood drains to my feet and I cannot believe this is happening. They then call up another person along with me.
I run up to Wayne and say – Oh my god! I love you and adore you! I’m Jolie from Santa Cruz!
There is a flamboyant alligator next to me who is absolutely adorable and demanding the limelight. Wayne offers the alligator a quick dance and he struts his stuff.
I’m standing next to Wayne clapping my hands – go alligator, go alligator!
Wayne announces that we have the chance to win a car!!
We have to pick the numbers between 1 and 8 and spell Toyota without getting zonked.
I choose the first number – 3. I get a Y.
The alligator chooses 7 – he is zonked and out.
It’s all me.
I choose – 2 – because I have two kids. I get an O.
Wayne offers me money – I say – No thank you
They ask for my next number. Do I look at my group, like you’re supposed to do?
No.
Again – no coherent thoughts.
Do I look to the audience for the fun of all classic game show moves? No.
Again – no coherent thoughts. Do I’ll look to you know – what number should I pick? What number?
I’m looking at a 2 and 3 pulled with letters and a 7 with a zonk. What number would you choose next?
Sound like you are smart enough to realize, I should go closer to the first zonk.
Well, as a reminder – no coherent thoughts. You want to know what I thought? Well, I choose two for my two kids and I have one husband. Soooo… One!
And.. Zonk!
Jolie is out – do not pass go, do not collect $200
I go back to my seat and we finish the final 20 minutes of one of the best birthday experiences I could have asked for. We ended the night riding a mechanical bull (another bucket list check).
All five people who came with me, felt the same – even though they weren’t picked - we all talk about it to this day and count it as one of our best memories.
Now that you have the pertinent information – I hope that one day I might see you too on Let’s Make a Deal!
All views are my own and are not reflective of any organization I am a part of
All views are my own and are not reflective of any organization I am a part of