If you could've changed something about your experience as a contestant...

[PYLdude]

Here's a question I wanna pose to those of you who have made appearances on game shows in the past.

It certainly is a unique experience and no doubt something that you remember for a long time. But at the risk of sounding like a killjoy/masochist/asshole, I'm gonna ask this.

If there was anything you feel that you might have done differently in hindsight, what would that be? Could be anything you want, and doesn't need to be negative (I.e., I usually do X, but I didn't, yet it all worked out in the end, or something like that)

(For me, it's three things: play my game differently and be smarter, take my blood pressure pill before I went up so not to have my heart racing like it was, and above all talk them out of insisting I wear a turd-colored shirt.

[tvmitch]

I was on Millionaire in 2000, and missed the hot seat by a tenth of a second. I spent the majority of my preparation time before the show studying World Almanacs and other trivia books, when I really should have been practicing nothing but Fastest Finger questions.

[colonial]

WWTBAM:

First time around, I was overconfident heading into the taping and I flamed out as a result.  For the second time, I was focused on being myself and staying out of the spotlight, even in a room full of contestants that flamed out.   Outside of one or two GS-related quips (one joking why we weren't invited to play "Weakest Link"), I kept my conversations away from the show and focused on having fun.

On the lighter side, I wished I actually checked out more restaurants and attractions during my two NYC trips.  Went to a Houlihan's across the street from our hotel with family, friends, and fellow contestants on 4-5 separate trips.   Did go with a few contestants after the first show to WWE New York -- food was atrocious.  Went on my own shortly before heading home following the "Second Chance" tapings to Carnegie Deli for a NYC-style sandwich -- much better.



JD

 

[pacdude]

Jep!:

I wish someone would have taught me wagering strategy and state capitals before the age of 11.

[MikeK]

Not a game show per se and not that it ultimately mattered, but with Hardball, I wish Chris Matthews didn't have laryngitis.

[Neumms]

Went on my own shortly before heading home following the "Second Chance" tapings to Carnegie Deli for a NYC-style sandwich -- much better.

I presume this is a second chance at Millionaire, which is darned neat, but to go play Jim Peck's Second Chance (as I read it the first time) and hit the Carnegie Deli, wow, that would be one of the best days ever on earth.

[Mr. Brown]

TPIR:

I would've spent more time thinking about the prizes before bidding on the one bids.

[DoorNumberFour]

Absolutely nothing. Win or lose, I'm grateful for having been able to live a dream that I've had for so long, again and again and again and again.

[pacdude]

Absolutely nothing. Win or lose, I'm grateful for having been able to live a dream that I've had for so long, again and again and again and again.

I'm sorry; the correct answer is, "poison Moly's coffee." Thanks for playing!

[Brian44]

When I was a contestant on TPIR in 1996, I wish I took a little extra time making my way out of Contestant's Row. Until I saw my show on the air, I didn't realize that the audience members seated behind me were trying to high-five me as I headed to the turntable! Of course, I was aware of the PG lineup listed on the board next to the production table (too bad it's gone), so I knew as soon as we were seated that, if I was the second contestant to win my way onstage, I would be playing Bonus Game. I made my way up to the turntable so fast, they did not have enough time to block Bob with the Bonus Game board spinning around (God, how I miss that reveal!), so they just inserted some random audience shot until they were ready (I came alone, so they had no friends/family to get a shot of).

[Strikerz04]

Wheel of Fortune (2005): I knew how to spell "Jewelry," because lord knows at 19 I wasn't dating anyone long enough to know how to spell it, never mind BUYING it.

[SuperSweeper]

The Chase: I would've gotten to L.A. a day earlier to avoid jet lag. 

[GiraffeBoy]

I want to comment on this topic, but I'd run afoul of forum rules. I'll just wait until my show airs.

--Charlie

[pacdude]

I want to comment on this topic, but I'd run afoul of forum rules. I'll just wait until my show airs.

--Charlie

The humblest of humblebrags! What show did you make it on?

[Fedya]

Do you see anything under his avatar?