Residents audition for chance at 'Deal'
EAU CLAIRE — Butler County residents had their shot this weekend to land a spot on a TV game show.
Dozens of hopeful contestants auditioned Saturday to be on “Let's Make a Deal,” hosted by Wayne Brady.
The auditions were held at J.M. Beatty Furniture on Route 38 as part of the store's annual fall festival and furniture sale.
The hopeful contestants had 30 seconds to make a case for why they should be selected.
The auditions were recorded and will be viewed by the show's producers in Los Angeles. Two people who auditioned will win a trip to the taping of a show in California, and one of them will get to be a contestant.
Kim Campbell of Hilliards and Kandy Pflugh of Hooker both showed up at 3:30 a.m. to see if there would be a line.
“We were the first ones here,” Campbell said. “We were the only ones here.”
The duo left and returned at about 8:30 a.m. and were still first in line.
Campbell was the first one to audition.
He hopes a corn stock costume will catch the producers' attention.
“I told them I wanted to go to California and swim in the Pacific Ocean,” Campbell said.
Pflugh said the audition was a bit nerve-racking.
“It was a long 30 seconds,” she said.
Campbell came prepared in case of stage fright.
“I wrote a cheat sheet on my arm,” he said, pointing to a scribbled script of what he wanted to say.
Not to be outdone, Pflugh dressed as a laundry basket.
If selected, getting the costume across the country may prove a challenge.
“I guess I'd put it in a big box,” she said.
Marilyn Heasley of Meridian and her husband, Richard Heasley, auditioned together.
“I'd like to win some money or a car,” Marilyn said. “I'd probably end up winning a toaster.”The show is famous for its “zonk” gag prizes.The Heasleys are big fans.“We watch it every day,” she said.Carolyn Wilson of West Freedom, Clarion County, dressed as a butterfly.Wilson had some experience with game show auditions.“I auditioned for “Deal or No Deal” about 10 years ago,” she said.That audition was in Pittsburgh and was a bit different from the one at the furniture store.“They only gave us 10 seconds,” she said. “What can you say in 10 seconds?”Wilson also was in the audience for the “Price is Right” shortly after the Steelers won their most recent Super Bowl title.“I had a Terrible Towel that Bob Barker waved around,” she said.Wilson hopes her experience will get her a chance to compete.Few can claim to be as long-term a fan as Pat McGinnins of Chicora.“I started watching in 1963,” she said. It was the year the game show first aired.“I loved Monty Hall,” she said, referring to the original host. “I loved the show.”Anna Mae Rock and Rhonda Riskosky, both of Butler, auditioned together. The friends are hoping they can fly to California together.“It was something fun to do,” Riskosky said about the audition. “We'll probably never get the chance again.”While hopeful, Riskosky said she won't hold her breath during the next week.“I think the chances are pretty slim that I'd be selected,” she said.If lucky enough to be picked, Riskosky said she has one prize on her mind.“Money's always good,” she said.The auditions were part of J.M. Beatty's annual fall festival. The day also included chain saw carving, antique tractors and a pig roast.Chad Beatty, store owner, said the chance to host the auditions came as the retailer is celebrating its 100th anniversary.“They wanted a time where there would be a lot of people,” he said. “So we figured the fall festival would be fitting.”
