Well, I finally made it to immortality. Sorta.
In the early days of TV, and even before that in radio, there was a show called THIS IS YOUR LIFE, which the noted game show pioneer Ralph Edwards sold on the heels of a popular segment of his hit game show TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES–one that was so popular at one time that a city in New Mexico voted to name itself after it. It was considered an honor to be selected as a subject, but it was often a reminder that one had reached a point in one’s life where enough had happened to warrant a look back. Which more often than not meant the subject was, well, old. Most of the subjects were surprised in real time, though sometimes they broke from the mold to avoid a real surprise. As Wikipedia reminded, (f)or example, Eddie Cantor had a heart condition, so the show’s producers made sure that he was not surprised.[2]
Alas, neither Edwards nor THIS IS YOUR LIFE have been around for a while, let alone Cantor. But at least among game show fans the torch has been taken up by a genial podcaster from the metropolis of Leola, Pennsylvania named Christian Carrion. By day, he works in hospitality at what sounds like a quaint rustic inn (it just happens to be one of his podcast’s sponsors). By night and weekend he’s the producer and interviewer of an effort called TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF, which has already told the stories of more than 100 people who fit the definition that accompanies his Apple Podcasts explanation:
In conjunction with the National Archives of Game Show History at the Strong Museum of Play, BuzzerBlog presents a brand new podcast chronicling the stories of game show contestants from all walks of life. Listen as everyday people talk about what happened before—and after—their game show appearances. Find out what motivates folks to appear on game shows. Hear behind-the-scenes stories from your favorite game shows, told by the stars of those shows—the contestant. Christian Carrion hosts Tell Us About Yourself: Conversations with Game Show Contestants.
The archives have been mentioned in previous musings as the passion project of two veteran game show producers, Howard Blumenthal, most notably the mind behind the 90s PBS kids hit WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CARMEN SANDIEGO? and Bob Boden, most notably the person behind about two dozen formats, including his current role overseeing the syndicated FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK, and who is also almost my longest-lasting and, yes, oldest, friendships. Bob has also spent decades collecting enough memorabilia from the shows he’s both worked on and attended to overflow his large garage, and since at some point he’s probably gonna downsize all of that needed a destination. And combined with what dozens of other personalities and executives had in their own garages that’s apparently enough to start an entirely new wing at this museum originally devoted to physical toys that occupies a cozy niche of the campus of the University of Rochester. And like any good modern museum, it’s gonna have a significant audiovisual component. Dozens of more prominent people have already had their life stories immortialized via lengthy oral histories. If you’ve got a few spare days at any point there’s a trove of entertaining trivia awaiting you there.
But since as any one of these executives and creatives would eagerly tell you a good game show is only as good as the people you choose to be on it, there was still a void in these archives for the stories of the more interesting ones to grace a screen. That’s where Carrion came in. His own biography makes him a worthy candidate for his own show (and yes, he’s part of the first 100 produced):
I’ve been a contestant on The Price Is Right, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, The Chase, Hip Hop Squares, Let’s Ask America, and Match Game. Former general manager and news director of WSIN 1590 AM in New Haven, CT. Studied broadcast journalism for four years at Southern Connecticut State University. Worked as the head writer for a game show pilot produced in New York for VH1 in October of 2013. One of the hosts and co-founders of the 24-Hour Game Show Marathon, an annual charity event that has raised thousands of dollars for several charities since 2012.
What evolved out of a pandemic project where he began to randomly interview people over zoom just to have human contact eventually evolved into this nichier effort but as he explains it it’s basically the same deal. Two people with passion talking about something they love. And I’ll confess as this project evolved I was a tad jealous at who got profiled. Not just because they preceded me on this podcast, but because in many cases they had won more money, been on more prominent shows or seemed to have more support in their personal lives than I have tended to have.
So finally as January turned to February Christian finally got around to our chat. At the time we recorded it I was–I thought–upbeat and reflective. I told a few stories that regular readers here have already read, plus a few others that I’ve never felt were significant enough to warrant a musing. As our conversation droned on and on, I had planned to tell my own version of a story that Christian has asked of other subjects–what was your tape day like? We got so sidetracked by our back-and-forth I never get around to telling my own saga. So here goes:
I rode a Los Angeles bus up Wilshire Boulevard carrying a change of clothes on a hanger while wearing my one good polyester suit during a typical fall day–which was substantially hotter than the upstate New York climate I left behind. I had somehow thought what on a map looked like a seven block walk to Television City was more like a mile–I learned that day that city blocks are apparently a lot longer here than in my Queens neighborhood. I nearly sweated through my suit by the time I got to the studio; makeup and towels were never more needed.
While the producers couldn’t formally commit to my appearance (I had already sat through one tape day prior to my school year commencing without getting on), they strongly hinted that I should be ready. As the second show of the day was about to conclude, I got my call. Episode A-131D of WHEW!, which even Wink Martindale has released on his site, shows that polyester suit and my manic pace at work. The change of clothes, and how I paid for my last two years of college, is immortalized in this clip, which has followed me around for years.
During the aftermath, where the very same Bob Boden can be audibly heard giving cues to on-stage talent in what would ultimately be a preview of his career, we celebrated in Hollywood, me still carrying my change of clothes on a bus. I wanted to call my relatives to let them know what happened, but in those days one needed a dime to make a pay phone operational (Google that if you must). I had used up my last change on the bus ride over. So I borrowed a dime from Bob–which, if you know him, was arguably traumatic. Yes, I eventually repaid him.
Maybe that’s not the most provocative or inspiring musing I’ve shared. It’s arguably not even as interesting as the many that Christian Carrion had already allowed his subjects to tell. But it’s my story. And since it’s a slow holiday weekend where a lot of the country has weather issues, I’m kinda hoping you may find the time for this latest contribution to it.
Considering what’s happened to me since this was produced, it’s a slightly more bittersweet moment for me. I’m feeling far older and lonelier than I have in a while, and I can’t help but be a little conflicted that my career has been prolific and lengthy enough to warrant the clickbait that Christian chose. I’m still determined that the final chapter hasn’t been written, but the last ten days have been for me grim reminders that despite my fervent efforts to the contrary that just might be the case.
So if it has, future generations of game show fans–maybe even descendants of yours–will be able to have my first-hand account via my still-prominent Noo Yawk accent. Tell me what you think. More than ever, I could use the feedback.
Until next time…