June 12, 2006

Tim: OH NO!
Don: Ack.
Gordon: Well, that's bad enough for me to snap out of it.
Tim: hehe
Chico: My work is done here :-)
Gordon: But Tim's work is just beginning, as we now play 20 Questions. As you are a fan of the show, you know how this works, right?
Tim: Go for it.
Gordon: And hopefully you are a real fan, and not a TPIR contestant who doesn't know half the games sort of fan. Or a Tim Meadows who watches the games but who has the playing savvy of a turnip sort of fan.
Tim: Well we do share the same name...
Gordon: OK then. I start...#1 - How did you find out about Wheel of Fortune and how did you apply?
Tim: My wife Erika went last year to audition for Who Wants to be a Millionaire and she overheard local ABC staffers talking about the Wheelmobile event coming to South Florida.: She came home and told me and I was on a mission to audition.
Chico: Can't deny a mission.
Tim: I went to the Wheelmobile, put a slip of paper in a big drum and was lucky to get called on stage. That night I came home to an e-mail from Wheel inviting me to a final audition to be held in two days time. I went to that and two weeks later I was called to be an alternate for "Fun in the Sun" week. A month later I was called to the show in Los Angeles. The rest they say is history. :-)
Chico: Okay... 2) This isn't your first time on the game show. Any other experiences?
Tim: Back in 2001 I was a contestant on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" with Regis Philbin. I won the first fastest finger of my show and ended up in the hotseat across from Regis. I went up to the $32,000 question but ended up walking away with $16,000. I was also in the audience for The Price is Right six times, I am a big fan.
Chico: Did you at least get Rich's Benjamin?
Tim: It was before Rich... and no.... I was not so lucky.  :-)
Jason: 3) I have three questions so I am going to switch it up a little bit...Miami v. Dallas...who ya got?
Tim: Well Miami of course. Come on now. White Hot Heat! GO HEAT!!!! :-)
Jason: Tell them about your experience with the Heat.
Tim: Ok. Back in 1999 I won a contest where I got to play one-on-one with Alonzo Mourning, the biggest rush of my life, Alonzo is a big guy and I was obviously severely outplayed. It was the best two minutes of my basketball career. Oh wait, it was the only two.: ;-)
Don: Alright... 4. Which of your game show experiences was your favourite, and why?
Tim: Millionaire because I was a virgin. I can not explain the feeling I had as a long time game show fan, getting my shot on a big show like that. I felt like it was the culmination of many school days watching shows like SoTC and wishing I won the money the contestants won.
Chico: You never forget your first.
Tim: But it is the experience that stays with you forever, right Jason? True.
Jason: In anything :-)
Chico: Okay, Gordon, you can ask Tim about his booty.
Gordon: My pleasure.
Tim: Erika may object to that. lol
Gordon: 5) So what was your official total amount of booty on Wheel of Fortune?
Tim: A whopping $2,250 but more importantly memories to last a lifetime. I mean come on I was on Wheel of Fortune. :-)
Chico: most popular show in prime access. And sometimes primetime.
Tim: Very true.
Gordon: No second placed swag like a t-shirt or a $50 certificate worth of some gum?
Tim: Nope. They apparently don't do that anymore. But when I was an alternate they gave me something...
Gordon: Pray tell, what was it?
Tim: They gave me a $50 gift certificate to Sherri's Berries
Jason: Yummy.
Chico: Yummy
Gordon: Oooh - so no booty, but you got to lick Sherri's Berries!
Tim: And they were good. lol
Don: lol
Gordon: Did you have them with cream?
Tim: Of course. lol
Chico: NEXT QUESTION!
Gordon: Tee hee hee....game show (^_^) coming up.
Chico: Speaking of... 6) You mentioned your wife Erika is also a fan. She have any experiences you shared with her?
Tim: Well she was my on-air companion on Millionaire and she was with me every step of the audition process. She prefers to be behind the scenes tho. :-)
Chico: Ah. Cool.
Jason: Ok...Tim...you and I have something in common besides Game Shows...Sweepstakes...you said you won 4 cars....7) tell us about it and our hobby.
Tim: I love sweepstakes. Love them, love them. There is no other hobby in the world that rewards you for doing it like it does. I won 4 cars through sweepstakes. Two of them was in what we call a key turn. Meaning you go to an event and get a key and if the key starts the car you win.
Chico: Basically, the H2 bonus version 4.0
Tim: Well, funny you mention Hollywood Squares. Back in 2001 when they had the viewer sweepstakes. Joey McIntyre and the contestant helped me win over $17,000 in cash and prizes as the at-home contestant in the Secret Squares Sweepstakes. We have also won trips to the Oscars, Pro Bowl, London, Paris.... It is a great hobby
Jason: Sweet.
Tim: Your own Jason Block does well is his own right. :-)
Chico: So we hear.
Jason: I try.
Chico: We know :-) Don?
Don: So, you won plenty of stuff in sweepstakes, eh? I gotta ask... 8. Do you have any lucky items that you keep with you (like a rabbit's foot or something like that)?
Tim: Actually yeah..... One thing.... Or should I say person, my wife Erika, she is my lucky charm :-)
Jason: Awww....:-)
Gordon: AwwwwBarf
Tim: lol. I was waiting for that. ;-)
Chico: awww.
Gordon: You were probably waiting for this, too...9). I have met you at the Game Show Congress (PLUG!) in Las Vegas. How many and which ones have you gone to?
Tim: They are so much fun aren't they?
Jason: The best.
Tim: We have gone to two of them. The second one in Las Vegas and the third in Burbank.
Jason: I met Tim in Vegas.
Tim: We plan on going to the fourth in Burbank this year! Buy your tickets now.
Chico: Yeah!
Jason: You plug well too!
Tim: I mean fifth this year. I met Gordon and Jason in Las Vegas. Nice guys.
Jason: We try.
Gordon: usually
Jason: Although if I ever go back to Vegas....I will never stay in the Excalibur.
Tim: Me neither. yuck.
Chico: 10) Your best sweepstakes prize moment. Go.
Tim: Absolutely without a doubt going to the Oscars in 1997 (Titanic not withstanding).
Jason: (hits self with trout)
Tim: That was the most incredible experience of our life. We were inches from celebrities all day. Although I wanted to barf at the Matt Damon Ben Affleck love fest
Chico: Everyone does.
Jason: Agreed. 11) Was there anything about the WOF experience that surprised you?
Tim: Yes as a matter of fact. When the show was all over with, I was tapped on my shoulder. I turn around and who is standing there? The legendary Charlie O'Donnell. He says in his big announcer voice... Timothy...You done good, that was a good show. That was worth it's wait in gold to me.
Jason: And he has that deep voice. And a very nice guy.
Chico: He is, you know.
Tim: Now that was a moment and it wasn't even on camera.
Don: Nice. 12. What did you think of your opponents on WOF?
Tim: Wow. Honestly they were the sweetest ladies. Rebekah was constantly rooting me on. Linda was a great person, good player and an emotional wreck. She was emotional for good reason, her 21 year old son is autistic. I was rooting her on in the bonus round. We had good chemistry during the show, high fiving each other etc... It was a good match-up... The Wheel had me and Linda's skill won the day.
Chico: Ah
Gordon: 13. This is a 2 parter. You'll see momentarily. #1...Assuming that you will be in the Game Show Tournament, who would you team up with?
Tim: Absolutely without a doubt Jason Block. I played with Jason during the Trash Tournament in Vegas and I need to make it up to him.  I was sick as a dog in Vegas.
Gordon: Part 2 - Who would your ideal team be?
Tim: To see or be a participant in? To be a participant in, I would say someone who counters my strengths with my weaknesses. Someone like a Ken Jennings I guess. To watch, it would be great to see anyone play.
Gordon: Your ideal team - you , Jason and who else?
Tim: You Gordon, you! :-)
Gordon: Me?
Tim: Yep
Gordon: Why me?
Tim: Your knowledge of game shows
Gordon: I guess the fact that I was on the team that dismalntled Wayne Forrester and company 175-5 may have had something to do with that decision?
Jason: Maybe.
Tim: You think? ;-)
Chico: Hey, you didn't make all-star team, though :-)
Gordon: I can't select myself. Sorry. Next question?
Jason: Ok....fav place to gamble?
Tim: Las Vegas, although a close second is Atlantic City....You know what happened there...
Jason: What's your game of choice?
Tim: Blackjack, then slots.
Chico: Tim's going with me to Commerce. :-)
Jason: Do you watch the gambling shows on TV?
Tim: I do. Although I do not watch them that often. They are fun to watch.
Jason: Do you have a fav show?
Tim: World Series of Poker.
Jason: Any fav poker player?
Tim: I do not watch it enough to have one, I have to say. :-)
Gordon: Before this turns into 20 questions with Jason Block...Mr. Alexander?
Tim: lol
Jason: sorry. :-)
Tim: ;-)
Chico: Don.
Don: I can't think of anything else to ask...
Chico: K, I guess I can ask something. 15) What's the weirdest thing that has happened as a result of your Wheel appearance?
Tim: Hehe. Now this is funny. I received several phone calls from some weird lady telling me about a treasure hunt going on in Aventura.  It freaked out my wife. Unfortunately I am listed in the phone book. Now who calls game show contestants that they see on TV and asks them strange questions? She asked if I believe in Martians. Very strange.
Don: That's really weird...
Tim: I said only if they were covered in hundreds..
Chico: Damn, son.
Tim: That is ok Don, I can't think of anything else to ask me ;-)
Chico: Okay, time for Chico's Questions We Ask Everyone. 16) Favorite Game Show, past or present.
Tim: The Price is Right. Hands down.: It is just a show that has everything.
Chico: Alrighty.  17) Favorite emcee, past or present.
Tim: Bill Cullen. Bill had a way to engage the audience and the contestants at the same time. He was always interesting to watch. He showed poise throughout his career to the end.
Jason: Fascinating, yet good choice.
Chico: He's the go-to guy.
Tim: Absolutely
Chico: 18) You're the EP. Bring one show from the past back for the audiences and tell us why.
Tim: I would have to say Sale of The Century....
Jason: You just made Joe Van Ginkel very happy :-)
Tim: Simply because I loved the show and I think the format could still work well with some tweaking.
Chico: Excellent choice.
Tim: :-)
Chico: Just off the board here, you ever see Temptation?
Tim: No, I haven't.
Chico: Good stuff that.
Tim: It sounds like a good show.
Chico: It's basically Sale given the Whammy treatment... right down to the title: Temptation: The All-New Sale of the Century. The Aussies dig it.
Tim: Nice. I wish we had that here.
Chico: 19) What game show would you like to challenge next?
Tim: It is between two.... I would have to say I wish Rich Fields would call my name on down already on The Price is Right... I mean I have been in the audience six times already :-)
Jason: Well you are ineligible right now.
Tim: I wouldn't mind getting on Deal or No Deal either. Yeah I have a long year ahead of me
Chico: But it'll be all the sweeter when you arrive.
Tim: So true.
Chico: and finally, the last question... 20) It's Tim Time. Anything you want to get off your chest, here's your chance to do it.
Tim: Isn't it always Tim time? I am kidding of course. Several things... When will we see Jason Block on another game show already? I was fortunate enough to go to TPiR live with Jason in Atlantic City. Now that was fun, I made it on stage and played hole in one for a trip to Vegas and won. When will ABC get smart and bring back Super Millionaire? One more thing... Can Extreme Makeover Home Edition get any soppier? Ok I am done... ;-)
Chico: Alright, I'm thrilled to announce for all in attendance... Tim Sternberg, you have survived 20 questions!
Tim: Phew. That was close... and fun. :-)
Chico: next, something a bit easier. Toilet Time part 2.
Gordon: When we come back - we do something else that's fun - plungering shows!
Chico: This is the show with the hoes, WLTI.
Tim: What a segue-way

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