The Family Feud Experience

Here is an email I shared with one of the readers, and family feud hopefuls, I hope this information helps:


I'm glad you got a chance to see my family and I on the Feud, we had a lot of fun both on the show and behind the scenes. I've been meaning to blog about the experience that viewers didn't see for a while now, so thanks for the added incentive. 

I called the number that comes on at the end of the episode and it gave me instructions to email them. After that initial email, they asked me to give a very brief bio of my family, and later invited us to auditions they were hosting in schaumburg il, right outside of Chicago mid to late May of last year (2010). They held 2 days worth of auditions here, we auditioned the second day with somewhere near 100 other families (lots of people).  The families were allowed to audition up to 6 family members and the producers, should they chose you, decided which family members would participate in the end. At the audition, we had to check in, and they briefed us on what was expected of us, they stressed it was not COMPLETELY about getting ALL the right answers, but about how you played the game, and how you interacted with your family. Team captains had to introduce their family, and we played a mock game with 2 questions. They wanted to see how each family did answering the questions right out the gate, and how we did coming out of the huddle. We also had to fill out an application, with 2 essay questions on it. (Why you should be on family feud, what family feud means and has meant to your family, something along those lines, not exactly sure)

After the mock game, the casting director, Sarah thanked the families for coming, and pulled select families to the side to interview with the executive producer Gaby. The interview, which was the same day in the same building, was intended for the producers to learn more about us as a family, (our relation to each other, what we did, what was unique about each of us, our professions, why we wanted to be on the feud, basically anything that stood us apart from the rest). 

Maybe two weeks or so after the audition and interview, we received a post card in the mail thanking us for participating in the audition. This postcard was sent to all families that auditioned, so it shouldn't be looked at as a sign your were casted. About two weeks or so later, I received a call from one of the Production assistants, Bryce, letting me know that we were casted. Because I was the team captain, he contacted only me, so it is very important that whomever your team captain is, is reachable. I would suggest not changing phone numbers or email addresses anytime soon if you can help it. We immediately went to work on availability. They were extremely flexible in terms of the taping dates matching up with our schedules. We taped the 3rd weekend of July so you can see its a pretty fast process.

They covered ALL travel and lodging expenses, which included the Flight, and a 2 night 3 day stay in Orlando. And transportation to a from the airport, hotel, and studio while in Orlando. We were responsible for any travel Outside of the show that we wanted to do on our on. They provided 3 rooms, and transportation to the hotel from the airport for extra family members. We had to provide our on meals, though the hotel had complimentary breakfasts, and we were fed while taping.

They did actually pay us according to our winnings, we were responsible for the taxes 40%. Each family member got their own check. Our original air date was in September I believe, we didn't get a check until after thanksgiving I believe. We received separate checks for each show we won. All in all it was a great experience. The entire staff worked to ensure each family was comfortable and had the best possible time. 

 I think thats the "gist" of it. Good luck to you and your family. Feel free to ask any other questions you may have.

God Bless, Stephanie