Brandon Twp. – A local woman in the market for cheap vacation entertainment ended up with more than she’d bargained for.
Instead of sitting in the television audience, Brandon Township resident Pat Matthews took the stage of the new ‘Balderdash? game show. The episode is expected to air Thanksgiving, PAX TV officials confirmed Thursday.
This September wasn’t the first time Brandon Township resident Pat Matthews visited Crystal Matthews in California.
Crystal, whom Pat calls her ‘ex-foster daughter-in-law? and best friend, was being promoted to chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy. Pat planned to fly to San Diego Sept. 14 to take part in the ceremony.
‘Crystal had the day off on Friday, so we decided to search online for some tickets to see a TV show being taped,? said Pat.
Formerly a writer for The Daily Tribune, Royal Oak, Pat resourcefully checked out TV Tickets.com.
‘We wanted to spend a cheap day having some fun,? she said. ‘I was hoping to find tickets for ‘The Price is Right,? but it wasn’t being taped that day.?
Along with ordering tickets, Pat clicked on a small icon that said ‘Become a Contestant.?
Ten minutes later, she was answering a phone call from the show producers, asking if she could be in Los Angeles Sept. 15 to audition.
‘I was shocked,? she said.
Pat tuned in to find out what the show is about.
Although she’d never played the board game the show’s based on, Pat was chosen from an audition pool of 12 to tape the show Sept. 17.
‘We had to be there at 8:30 in the morning to see how they do production, take a tour, stand on the stage so we’d feel comfortable,? she said.
While her male competitor received just a dusting of powder before the show, makeup artists fussed with Pat’s hair, applied blush, and sprayed her glasses to cut glare from the studio’s bright lights.
Finding herself only 10 feet from the audience, Pat was surprised how different the stage appears on television.
Despite looking into the cameras, stage fright wasn’t a problem for the contestant, who had to choose from trivia answers embellished by celebrities.
Guest celebrities on the episode include Tom Bergeron, host of ‘Hollywood Squares? and ‘America’s Funniest Videos;? Joanne Worley of ‘Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In;? and comedy writer Bruce Vilanch, along with comedienne Elayne Boosler, who hosts the show.
‘They treated us like royalty,? Pat said.
Her cub scout-leader background proved a boon for at least one question in the show, in which contestants could win a Bloomingdale’s shopping spree or a trip to Mexico.
While Pat’s original intent in the California trip was to celebrate Crystal’s promotion, she considers her stint as a ‘Balderdash? contestant a bonus.
‘It was only a short five-day trip, but it was well worth it,? she said.
Pat admits she didn’t share the network’s enthusiasm about the show airing on Thanksgiving.
‘You don’t understand’this is Michigan,? she said. ‘Everyone will be watching football, deer hunting, or sleeping after eating turkey.?
The Citizen isn’t about to give away the show’s outcome, but Pat’s fans are invited to tune in to watch her’or tape the show’at 5 p.m. Nov. 25 on Charter cable channel 31 PAX TV.