run for the money-- and other pilot questions

[toetyper]

heres the unsold 1988 reg grundy pilot 'run for the money'


[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQQVYTLTnU0&feature=relmfu[/media]

when  shooting an not-for-air pilot  are the producers allowed to manipulate the game?  Give a contestant answers etc,   or do S&P still apply

[clemon79]

No money is paid out, ergo S&P couldn't give a crap.

[PYLdude]

Isn't that how a lot of pilots are conducted anyway, being very staged like that?

[gameshowcrazy]

Of course they're staged--the producer wants to SELL the show.

Yeah, a Who Wants to be a Millionaire pilot where some schmuck sits there pondering over

What color is the sky?

A.  Blue                B.  Puse
C.  Putrid             D.  Pink with purple polka-dots

[PYLdude]

Of course they're staged--the producer wants to SELL the show.

Yeah, a Who Wants to be a Millionaire pilot where some schmuck sits there pondering over

What color is the sky?

A.  Blue                B.  Puse
C.  Putrid             D.  Pink with purple polka-dots

Well, that's obvious. It's pink with purple polka-dots. Everybody knows that.

(BTW, you spell it "puce" for B.

[Matt Ottinger]

This question gets asked and answered a lot, and I always feel I need to add that while producers certainly are able to manipulate the game in order to provide an exciting tape to show buyers, that doesn't mean every pilot you see is faked.  Some are played straight, and are sold based on the strength of a solid game and presentation. Others might not be rigged, but might do something like play a legit bonus round a few extra times until somebody wins.  But yeah, the bottom line is that there aren't really rules governing a pilot the same as for a regular series.  GSN even put up a disclaimer back when they used to air the occasional pilot.

[Ian Wallis]

I find it interesting that on the two Card Sharks pilots, one bonus round ends in a complete bust and the other ends in the top prize $28,800 win.

[Bryce L.]

Obviously, since pilots are not "regular" episodes of a show, the contestants don't receive what is announced for winnings, I'm assuming... if so, what DO they receive, if anything, for their participation in the pilot?

[tvwxman]

Obviously, since pilots are not "regular" episodes of a show, the contestants don't receive what is announced for winnings, I'm assuming... if so, what DO they receive, if anything, for their participation in the pilot?

Usually, small amounts of money. A paid fee.

[snowpeck]

Obviously, since pilots are not "regular" episodes of a show, the contestants don't receive what is announced for winnings, I'm assuming... if so, what DO they receive, if anything, for their participation in the pilot?

Usually, small amounts of money. A paid fee.

I would imagine they'd get paid "scale," whatever that happened to be at the given time.

[clemon79]

I would imagine they'd get paid "scale," whatever that happened to be at the given time.

I doubt it's even that, because I would guess most of the time they're not union.

[Jumpondees]

Obviously, since pilots are not "regular" episodes of a show, the contestants don't receive what is announced for winnings, I'm assuming... if so, what DO they receive, if anything, for their participation in the pilot?

Usually, small amounts of money. A paid fee.

I would imagine they'd get paid "scale," whatever that happened to be at the given time.

From what I have read and heard over the years, compensation varies.  Sometimes it could be a small appearance fee, some small left over or unclaimed prizes from a another of the producer's currently airing shows, or nothing at all (just being involved in a television production is almost prize enough, IMO).  Most times often then not, if a pilot is being shot on the uber-cheap, a producer may just use friends and family.

One of the better offers I heard about not too long ago when Fox commissioned a pilot of The Chase, the producers disclosed up front that participants would not win any prize money, but they did get a free trip to London to tape the pilot and $1000 in pocket money.  Made me kick myself that I didn't get a Passport just for the sake of having one.

[BrandonFG]

I remember a few years ago, right after I got back from a trip to L.A., a company offered $400 or 500 for a pilot. I was pretty bummed, as I would've loved to have done a pilot. The money would've been icing on the cake.

IIRC, the NYC "Pyramid" pilot paid, didn't it? I remember being bummed about not being chosen for a number of reasons, but can't recall if compensation was one.