The Chicago taping location was not meant to be. Merv Griffin’s Let’s Do Crosswords will be taping in Los Angeles. Also, they have now started casting. If you’d like to apply to be a contestant on the new show to debut September 2007, click here and good luck. Anyone here planning on trying out?
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16 responses to "“Let’s Do Crosswords” Tapes in LA: Apply Now!"
Interesting…would’ve loved to check it out in Chi-town, but I’m not so sure about L.A. right now. I’m waiting to see if “Millionaire” plans to visit anywhere near VA soon.
Also found out that “Crosswords” will likely air on WTKR, which airs “Millionaire” from 4-5 pm and previously aired “Pyramid” and “Millionaire” from 10-11 am, and H^2 at 4 pm. If they keep it in the 4 pm hour with “Millionaire”, it’ll give me something to watch at work.
If it was in chicago, I would be there in an instant (a 20 minute train ride)….but if they ever come down to chicago for contestant tryouts, I’ll give it a shot. It worked for me on ‘wheel’
I did leave a message with the show this morning. Two things to note…
1) The recorded message referred to the show as *Merv Griffin’s Crosswords*, so perhaps another name change has taken place. Actually like this title — the Griffin name gives the show some credibility.
2) Tryouts are scheduled Tuesday-Friday of next week in LA.
I won’t be able to travel to LA next week due to work commitments, so I’m curious if they’d either do a phone tryout or work something out where I can come down in mid-June (can’t imagine them casting the show in four days). I’d like to go down to LA for, say, 2 days just to run a gauntlet of GS tryouts — J!, Crosswords, Temptation (any word on tryouts there) and the two singing shows.
Also, it’s been reported the show was moved from Chicago to Los Angeles due to lack of studio space at WMAQ/Chicago, where the show was scheduled to be taped. WMAQ is hosting four syndie shows this fall — Springer, Steve Wilkow, Judge Mathis (I think) and iVillage Live (moving from Orlando due to a labor law dispute).
There’s an easier way to apply for contestantship:
http://www.letsdocrosswords.com/Application1.php
Remember the 9-page “1 vs. 100″ application? This application is 8 LINES!
He he. Much less hassle, indeed.
Believe you me, I still don’t think anyone here, or anywhere, would mind filling out longer applications if it meant a chance to test your skills for $1,000,000…or more! At the same time, the short and sweet info page for “Crosswords” works as well, to each their own.
What do we make of this on their main letsdocrosswords.com page….
“LET’S DO CROSSWORDS premieres nationally this summer September 10th on NBC.”
Are they doing a primetime version of the show first to launch, and then the syndication? With NBC folding up Passions is NBC actually thinking about doing their first network daytime gameshow since “Caesar’s Challenge’? (although they have already sold it in syndication right, so, doesn’t seem like that could be true).
I think the “on NBC” reference is due to the fact that NBC O&Os have agreed to air the show. Not all NBC affiliates are airing it, as it was offered in syndication.
I called up and spoke to a live person, who asked for my contact information and said a producer would call me back. I will post more details if somebody does call back. I previoulsy filled out the application at the letsdocrosswords site several times, but heard nothing, so my thinking is that a phone call is the way to go.
- Game Show Pro
I received a call back. To those interested in auditioning, give them a call. The typical exclusions apply:
+ Age = 18+
+ Not employed by any companies affiliated with the show
+ Not on any show in the last 6 months
+ Not a member of SAG or AFTRA
The audition location is in Hollywood.
I just interviewed for the show this afternoon. In LA. It was a lot of fun. You have to pass a 32 question test. I have no idea what percentage passes, I just know I got some wrong, but I still passed. The taping starts in July.
I know this is a longshot but does anybody know if Let’s Do Crosswords! will do auditions outside of LA? I’d love to try out for both Crosswords! and Temptation but my schedule this summer is a little busy for a trip out west to audition. Thanks!
I spoke to a contestant coordinator last night (I’m the same person as #3 on the e-mail list) — the first thing he asked me was whether I’m a Los Angeles-area resident. I said no, and they transferred my name to another contestant coordinator who is in charge of “out-of-town” contestant hopefuls. I was told I should hear from his person today, so we’ll see.
From what it sounds like, the first round of auditions are for LA-area residents only. and auditions for out-of-town folks may start in June — nothing was said to me about auditions in other cities.
Let’s hope the show is good. What’s the bonus round worth to the winner?
The interview process will encompass the entire country after the show starts airing. So everyone who wants will have a chance to try out.
I auditioned for the show today at Tribune Studios in Hollywood, CA and got a callback. A couple things I found out is that they will be casting contestants through September 2007 for sure because they’ve ordered 200+ episodes and it is going to be a daytime show, not primetime. There is an opportunity to build a jackpot of cash and prizes (including trips) with each correctly guessed word.
The entire casting proess took 4 hours. Instead of doing call backs, “Crosswords” administers a written test. If you pass that you go on to interview with a casting coordinator (videotaped) and if she likes you, you interview with a casting producer (also videotaped) all in the same day.
The process begins with a 32 question test where you’re given clues as you would be in a crossword puzzle and you must guest the word. I thought the test was quite difficult. I know I got several answers wrong but I still passed and advanced to the next stage. Out of about 60 people auditioning I would say 1/2 to 2/3rds of them passed and were asked to stay. It was an older crowd of people in their 40s – 60s generally with some exceptions. The crossword clues are not pop-culture oriented with rare exception but more suitable for intellets and bookworms and I wonder just how much personality the show will have and how much popularity it will garner. The flavor is a la Jeopardy in it’s style, tone and complexity.
The interviews with the contestant people were fun and engaging! I was told that I could get a call anytime through June.
Overall the audition process went well. I just wish they could have had the auditions in nicer digs. They were held in a couple of makeshift tents on the Tribune lot where the acoustics were awful and it was freezing for most of the time. Surely with Merv Griffin’s deep pockets he could afford a more suitable place to hold these auditions.
I auditioned today. They must have changed the process, because we had to take 3 tests with 30 questions each. I didn’t make it past the test. I was disappointed. It was hot inside that tent, so I was glad to get out of there, though.