Game show fanatics who have always wanted the chance to answer “the number one question on the board” are in luck. The popular TV game show “Family Feud” in its live version, will take over the Palace Theatre on Friday, May 2.
• What: “Family Feud Live”
• When: Friday, May 2, at 8 p.m.
• Where: Palace Theatre, 19 Clinton Ave., Albany
• How much: $27.50-$47.50
• Info: 465-3334 or visit palacealbany.com
Sean Allen, spokesperson for the Palace Theatre, said the live version is the same game everyone knows, but with a twist — no family is required and everyone, including the audience, will have a chance to win.
“They don’t actually pick a family,” Allen said. “They pick randomly from the audience to act as a family … you don’t have to bring your whole family to play the game.”
Prior to the show, audience members will have a chance to register to become contestants, and just before the show begins, the contestants will be announced and makeshift families will be created.
One eager ticket holder is thrilled about the slight deviation from normal “Family Feud” play.
“I am going with a couple of my friends from back in college … sorority sisters count as family, right?” said Elizabeth Rose of Slingerlands.
Rose said she is a huge fan of “Family Feud” and will do anything for a chance to play.
“I love the show on TV, and I feel like I am always coming up with what I think are the most obvious answers that no one ever seems to guess,” Rose said. “The things people actually do guess crack me up, though. But I feel like I would be awesome at playing in real life so as soon as I heard it was coming to the Palace, I called up a bunch of my friends to see if they wanted to go too.”
The show is played in the same manner as the TV show, and contestants will experience the same family drama with the opportunity to win as much as $10,000.
Other than the “no family requirement,” the other main difference with the live version of the game is audience members will also have a chance to win.
“There will be additional smaller games as well,” Allen said. “Everyone will get game cards to play along with the game.”
Audience members will receive a game card that will allow them to win prizes throughout the show or win an opportunity to compete in the Fast Money and Super Fast Money challenges.
Family Feud has been around for more than 35 years, remaining one of TVs most popular game shows most recently with host Steve Harvey and his unexpected antics.
“I love it when Steve Harvey rolls his eyes at people,” Rose said. “I grew up watching the old ones though, so I have been watching since I was a kid.”
Though the live show won’t be hosted by Harvey, it promises the same drama and hilarious survey results that have kept audiences tuning in for close to four decades.
Live versions of TV shows are becoming very popular with audiences. Last year’s “The Price is Right Live” show at the Palace sold out two shows, and the recent showing of “America’s Test Kitchen” was also a success, according to Allen.
“We had people win a lot of big prizes,” Allen said about “The Price is Right” show. “The biggest prize was a new car. No one won the car, but a few people won trips and expensive home electronics.”
Allen said the audience was very involved without a dull moment.
“The audience was really into it … waiting to be called, not knowing what was going to happen,” he said.
Allen said he believes the live game shows bring something different to the stage.
“We have the ballets, symphonies, rock, comedians,” he said. “Game shows been around forever, the demand is here and people enjoy them.”
For Rose, it’s an opportunity that she couldn’t pass up.
“I hope I get on stage, get my buzzer ready and lead my team to victory,” Rose said. “Me and my friends are planning on wearing neon outfits so we hopefully get noticed. I will do anything I can to get on this show!”
Rose hopes to walk away with some cash to pay off some student loans, but said she would also do something fun with the money.
“If I had enough for a trip, I would probably go to Vegas with my friends because I have always wanted to go, but I never have the money to go, but the smart thing to do would be to put it toward my loans that I have been paying off for years,” she said.
See “Family Feud Live” at the Palace Theatre on Friday, May 2, at 8 p.m. For an opportunity to be selected as a contestant, guests must register at the box office three hours prior to scheduled show time. Contestants will be selected in a random draw just before the show. For more information or for tickets, visit palacealbany.com.