I took the test to be on Jeopardy in 2005, and passed. However, when they called, the date they wanted me to fly to LA was the week of a big family celebration that I couldn't miss, so I didn't go. Just as well, as I'm pretty sure I would have frozen on camera and done terribly.

I was chosen to be a contestant on Hollywood Squares, and I went to the taping with my five changes of clothes, went through make-up, etc, but I had to wait for the guy in front of me to lose before I could go on. Unfortunately, this happened to be the last taping of the show, and so anyone who did not go on did not get to return for another chance😞. This was in 1989 when John Davidson was the host.

I did notice that all of the male contestants chosen seemed to look very similar, whereas the female contestants chosen were rather nondescript by comparison. I was told that John Davidson preferred male contestants to have a certain look, and I guess I had that look. I was hoping to possibly win a car, since I needed a new one at that time, and so did everyone else who was a prospective contestant.

All I got out of it was a free lunch, plus the experience. I did also learn that I have "stage presence," for what that is worth. I have no fear of cameras and will say whatever comes to my mind when asked questions with a camera staring at my face. I can see, however, that some people might be intimidated in such a situation, or freeze up. That is why they have auditions.

I have no desire to be in front of a camera. I don't even like having my picture taken. So a game show would be a big no. I am comfortable in front of others and have no problem with performing live. But I simply never liked being in front of a camera, even as a child.

I was one of three or four kids (as they had each day, I forget the number) on Art Linkletter's House Party when I was 7 or 8 years old. It was a weekday afternoon TV show. It was a nearly all day experience and I still remember having a lot of fun doing it. I got some "gifts" for being on the show and they sent me a 78 rpm record the next week in the mail that was a recording of the segment I was on. Both I and my parents played that record so much, it got very scratchy to listen to. I don't have it now.

Does that count?

Elmer, I would say that counts.

My sister applied for Password years ago. She was a young college grad and new mom and found it was going to entail flying to CA about three times just in the auditioning and preliminary things. She - along with her first husband - were in the middle of remodeling a one room school house on acreage into a family home with barn. That particular period, they were growing their own food, building their own home, making most of their clothing - it was their back to nature period. She didn't go to the audition after all. I think she would have done well ;0)

Elmer, I remember Art Linkletter's House Party as a kid. Fun show.

I know at least three people that have been on Jeopardy, one had at least a five day winning streak.

Well my Mom and Dad (RIP) were both on camera in the audience on "The Price Is Right" in the show's most popular commercial - for about 10-15 years. We lived about 2,000 miles away from them and my kids grew up seeing their grandma and grandpa on TV several times a week. It was funny.

Similar to Elmer. I was a contestant on a televised game show for elementary school kids called QuizDown. I must have been in 5th or 6rh grade. I seem to recall I did pretty well - my mom was tickled pink - but I don't remember much more than that. Except the TV studio tour, which fascinated me....that for some reason sticks in my head :-)

No and no. I'd freeze and look mentally damaged.

Cameraman: Nickel, what's your name?

Me: ???? (open mouthed silence)

Nope, my five seconds of tv fame came when I was answering phones for our local PBS station’s on air auction. One of my co-workers was on Wheel of Fortune. She didn’t win.

No, never wished to be on a TV game show, but I used to work with a woman who won her car on The Price is Right. It was a tiny little car and she was glad to have won it. She had the expected personality type to appear on that game show. From what I understood at the time (1980s), for that show, they 'test' the audience while in line waiting to get in and then call your name to 'come on down!' if you met the expectations.

I was in the audience at The Price is Right in 1983. I was in the row behind the contestants, so I was on camera. I also applied for Wheel of Fortune but didn’t make pass the first audition. A guy I worked with got on The price is right and had an almost perfect game. He was the first on stage, won his game, spun 1.00 on the wheel to get the $1000 and ended up winning his showcase, missed winning both by a few hundred. His showcase had a car in it. Due to the high shipping costs to Canada, he finally settled for $20,000.00 US dollars.

That's why I came back to this thread just now, I wanted to ask how the prizes and/or money is actually given to the winning contestants. Do they go home with them that day, two weeks, weeks, months, years later? Can they take the money, i.e. the car (thanks liira). What about the trips? Do they choose when they want to go?

No, unless you count an appearance on the local children's show back around 1959 ("Uncle Al"). I was pulled out of the audience to sit with the two stars during a segment - can't remember what it was, though!

My sister and her husband appeared on the premier episode of a local game show back in the early 70's - my sister had great presence, I thought! I still have the newspaper clipping announcing the debut of the show, which used a still of her from the taping. I don't remember if they won anything.

My older sister was on Romper Room back in the mid 50s.

I applied to be on The Bachelor a few years ago but it turns out you can't be married ;-p

Gifts and cash typically arrive at a "later date". Promptly but not like the next day. Winners have forms to fill out, including tax forms because "winnings" are taxable and are reported on 1099s to the feds and state authorities.

My husband and his sister were on the Bozo Show when they were little. I don't remember what they got. It was a trinket or something.