# So, I'm invited to try out for THE WEAKEST LINK. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 12, 2002, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-invited-to-try-out-for-the-weakest-link/113720 "2002-06-12T21:12:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-invited-to-try-out-for-the-weakest-link/113720/1 "2002-06-12T21:12:32Z")
Next Tuesday, I’ve been invited to try out for The Weakest Link. Anyone have any ideas of what I am in for? ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-invited-to-try-out-for-the-weakest-link/113720/2 "2002-06-12T22:15:20Z")
No clue but congratulations anyway! Go kick some ass! ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-invited-to-try-out-for-the-weakest-link/113720/3 "2002-06-12T22:21:19Z")
Please. You must work in my all time favorite Straight Dope insult from you: “Did you force-evolve opposible thumbs just to type that reply?” Except, maybe you could make it fit the show. Either way, luck! ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-invited-to-try-out-for-the-weakest-link/113720/4 "2002-06-12T22:29:24Z")
I found some links on strategy for you. I’m not sure how beneficial they’ll be though, as I’ve only seen the show once. [Voting Strategy](http://www.nbc.com/Weakest_Link/votingstrategy.html) [General info](http://www.wchstv.com/synd_prog/weakestlink/) [Looks like the official site.](http://www.weakest-link.tv/about.html) [The UK site?](http://www.twl-online.com/news/arc0-2002.shtml) I’m assuming this is all premature though since you’re just trying out. I’d probably just focus on trying to be a likeable person who isn’t gonna freeze once the camera hits you. But I really have no idea. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-invited-to-try-out-for-the-weakest-link/113720/5 "2002-06-12T22:47:25Z")
I’ve never seen this show, and only vaguely understand how it works, but good luck! ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-invited-to-try-out-for-the-weakest-link/113720/6 "2002-06-12T22:57:44Z")
You presumably already know about the tactic to vote the smarter player of the three eventually left, which then gives you a better chance of winning, yes? I’ve only seen this NOT happen twice: the first episode and the last one I watched. ---
**Author:** ![Arden\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@Arden\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arden_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-invited-to-try-out-for-the-weakest-link/113720/7 "2002-06-12T22:58:19Z")
Give 'em what-for! ---
**Author:** ![Francesca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc348/32.png) [@Francesca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francesca)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-invited-to-try-out-for-the-weakest-link/113720/8 "2002-06-12T23:08:47Z")
It’s a doper invasion! You’ll have to fight [Olentzero](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=119855) for a place. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Carnage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/max_carnage/32/12775_2.png) [@Max\_Carnage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Carnage)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-invited-to-try-out-for-the-weakest-link/113720/9 "2002-06-12T23:47:29Z")
Ooh! I know exactly what you’re in for! I tried out for it last year in Nashville! This is how they did it here. First everyone (about 250 at a time)was in a big room where they submitted an oral test (questions oral, answers written) of about 30 questions in Weakest Link question style (What ‘M’ was the grandfather of Moses…that kind of thing.) They then took up all the papers, graded them, and invited everyone with , I think, 80% or higher to continue. I was one of the lucky. They then took the selected from that 250 to another room where they did interviews on camera and we played one round of Weakest Link, everyone getting two questions. Then we voted someone off and had to explain why. The loser (who in our group actually got on the show) then has to do the little exit interview. Biggest tip? right answers don’t matter…the right attitude does. Be happy, speak up, and be interesting. They see hundreds of people a day, give them a reason to want to see you again. ---
**Author:** ![dreamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@dreamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dreamer)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-invited-to-try-out-for-the-weakest-link/113720/10 "2002-06-13T01:09:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Max Carnage \* > \*\* > Biggest tip? right answers don’t matter…the right attitude does. Be happy, speak up, and be interesting. They see hundreds of people a day, give them a reason to want to see you again. \*\* I had a friend who tried to be on the Weakest Link and he said the exact same thing. They are looking for personality. He said if he had a chance to do it again he’d dress completely different - meaning not his normal every day work clothes. Something that would bring attention to him, something out of the norm I guess. Be Happy, cheerful, even make a joke or something. Anyway let us know what happens and good luck! ---
**Author:** ![evilbeth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/evilbeth/32/2268_2.png) [@evilbeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilbeth)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-invited-to-try-out-for-the-weakest-link/113720/11 "2002-06-13T01:16:44Z")
I am so envious of you people! I would love to be on that show! Good luck. Make us proud! ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-invited-to-try-out-for-the-weakest-link/113720/12 "2002-06-13T01:17:08Z")
I would suggest either really irritating or sucking up to the mean lady. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Carnage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/max_carnage/32/12775_2.png) [@Max\_Carnage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Carnage)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-invited-to-try-out-for-the-weakest-link/113720/13 "2002-06-13T01:49:19Z")
Mean lady’s not there. She’s off drowning kittens while production people do the scouting. ---
**Author:** ![diku](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4af34b/32.png) [@diku](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diku)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-invited-to-try-out-for-the-weakest-link/113720/14 "2002-06-13T06:30:16Z")
I was one of the unfortunate who got cut in the first round. Stupid Mossimo. ---
**Author:** ![Tansu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@Tansu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tansu)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-invited-to-try-out-for-the-weakest-link/113720/15 "2002-06-13T10:55:12Z")
Good luck, Hastur. I think you’ll do well. ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2002, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-invited-to-try-out-for-the-weakest-link/113720/16 "2002-06-17T17:39:58Z")
Oh, great. Give him all the tips, why doncha? At least I know what shirt to wear now. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2002, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-invited-to-try-out-for-the-weakest-link/113720/17 "2002-06-17T18:29:48Z")
Good Luck! I’ll start watching again if you get to go on! The last show I watched, the girl who won was wearing a halter top, skintight pants, cowboy hat and blonde pigtails. She was not exceptionally bright. So search through your closet for your most outrageous outfit, and if you get on, don’t appear to be too smart. They get rid of the smart ones fast. It’s all about winning, no matter how little money you win…in fact, it seems to be more about “how little money can we win?” ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2002, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-invited-to-try-out-for-the-weakest-link/113720/18 "2002-06-17T22:52:59Z")
I would third the advice about being an interesting personality during the tryouts. It does help your chances immensely. I’m reminded of a story I once heard about a young lady who was auditioning for a part… Taken from [this site](http://www.jennifer-too.com/tides/about2.html) > [@](#): > > [she] walked into the audition for “I Can Get It For You Wholesale” at the St James Theater on Nov 16, 1961, wearing a tattered fur-trimmed coat, tennis shoes and a knit cap. The production staff knew they were in for something the moment they saw her, but didn’t know what. He hair was a mess and was loaded down with a case full of sheet music and another with sandwiches. As she walked across the stage, she dropped the case and sheet music floated everywhere. She went to pick it up, her bag tangling in her coat sleeve. While this would have been a disastrous situation for any other performer, it worked in her favour. She had her audience in stitches already; they were unsure whether she was a comedic genius or a freak, and she had barely uttered a single word. > > After introducing herself in a manner which drew a few more laughs, she began her audition. She plopped down on chair, removing a wad of gum from her mouth and sticking it under the chair, then careening across the stage while singing her audition song. She was dazzling. They asked her back for another audition for David Merrick, the famed Broadway producer. After she had left and the magic had worn off, the director asked the assistant to check under the chair. There was no gum; her whole demeanour had been a brilliant act. The young woman’s name? Barbra Streisand. Steven ---
**Author:** ![bibliophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@bibliophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophile)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2002, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-invited-to-try-out-for-the-weakest-link/113720/19 "2002-06-17T23:24:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hastur \* > \*\*Next Tuesday, I’ve been invited to try out for The Weakest Link. > > Anyone have any ideas of what I am in for? \*\* I tried out too! Right after the show first came on the air, I logged onto NBC’s website and signed up just for shits and giggles. Then about three weeks later, I got a call telling me about tryouts at the Sheraton in New Brunswick, so I went just to see what would happen. They broke us into groups by numbers, and would take about 50 people into a room at a time. They give you a pretty broad trivia test, but it wasn’t really too hard. Then you get a break while they score the tests. After the break, everybody in the room stands up and says a little about themselves. They let you know right off the bat that it’s more of an audition as opposed to a contest search. They’re looking for certain “types” to move on to the next phase of the tryout, which is a mock game. I didn’t get that far. From my group, they took a mother of three, and two others, one guy was a grad student, and I think the other was an actuary or something. I’m not sure if any of them made it on the show or not. I’m glad I didn’t. I have no desire whatsoever to be the center of attention. I only went to the audition in the first place because my friends and family knew about it, and would torment me endlessly if it did so. Yes, I was curious, but if I had made the cut, I’m really not sure what I would have done. I met some funny people though. One guy in my group was unemployed, but before that he was a “kid wrangler” on Broadway. Apparently it was his job to keep the child actors in line. Good luck. If nothing else, it makes a pretty good story.