GSC-5 EXTRA!

Last edited: Thursday, July 15, 1999

[Following the conclusion of GSC-5 in August ’96, Chris Lambert!, Chris Dickson, Aaron Solomon and I were guests of noted game show guru Bob Boden at a taping of the (short-lived) Family Channel game show, “Wait ’til You Have Kids.”  This is the story of a very special afternoon.]

We got there a little late, so Aaron Solomon mentioned Bob’s name.  You would’ve thunk he’d flashed a wad of $100 bills!  Next thing you know, we’re seated in the front row.  First, Brian Conn (one of the “Family Challenge” segment producers that Aaron was working with at the time, now lead Production Coordinator for Hollywood Squares) stops by and says hello, followed quickly by Bob Boden.  Next thing you know, we’re introduced to Jay Wolpert, who kindly invites us to watch the show from the control booth, if we’re so inclined.  (IF WE’RE SO INCLINED?!)

After the second show was clear, we decided to take Jay up on his invitation.  True to his word, we were led up to the control booth, where Jay introduced us all around.  While watching the “behind-the-scenes” show, the four of us kept looking at each other, giving each other the thumbs-up, unable to believe our good fortune!  (Or, to use the words of Chris L!, “This rocks!”)
But it gets better!

After they wrapped the third show, Jay called for a staff meeting.  Thinking he was going to discuss matters best left behind closed doors, we prepared to give our enthusiastic and sincere thanks and take our leave, but Jay woudn’t hear of it: he invited us to attend the staff meeting!  We tried to enter the conference room as unobtrusively as possible, but Jay welcomed us with open arms and asked us to introduce ourselves.  He then went through the notes he’d made during the first three shows, asking questions and making comments, all designed to make for a better show.

After the meeting…lunch!  (This is Hollywood, after all!)  We joined Jay and the staff for lunch at the studio.  Jay proceeded to take a seat with us, entertained questions, and generally shared his candid thoughts and opinions about game shows, including his own “Whew!” and the original “Double Dare.”

After lunch, we really did have to take our leave L.  But what an incredible, unforgettable day!

On a personal note, the best part of the experience was that my friends were there to share it with me.  With that in mind, I would like to say some final “Thank yous”: To Jay Wolpert and everybody at Wait ’til You Have Kids, Bob Boden and Brian Conn for their hospitality; to Brian Hamburg and Aaron Solomon for arranging this event; and Chris and Chris for being Chris and Chris.  You guys rock!

If you’re interested in reading about a couple of unsold Jay Wolpert pilots, click here.