Go from Dull to Fascinating: The Surprising “Game Show” Trick that Really Works

Here’s a true story about getting your ducks in a row for being prepared for any real-life situation.

Ever been on a game show?

I have.

Way back in the day, I took a little trip to Hollywood, certain that during my one week of vacation I would be “discovered.”

• I hung out in drugstores, drinking milkshakes like Lana Turner. But I wasn’t sure how Lana Turner actually drank a milkshake, and nothing came of that.
• I even tried having famous parents who would use their influence, but they refused to cooperate by not being famous.

So the best I could do in my one week in Hollywood was audition for game shows.

Game Shows?

Hard to believe there was a time when the afternoon TV line-up was nothing but:

• game show
• game show
• washed-up celebrity talk show
• game show.

As much as I would have loved to appear on a washed-up celebrity talk show, I figured the more likely path to show-biz super-startdom was the game shows.

I managed to audition for about six of them, and got accepted to be on one called Wordplay.

“Audition” makes it sound quite grand and Hollywoody, but it was really just a written test to see if I knew enough trivia. And I had to have a suit.

I passed — I know a LOT of trivia.

And I look damn fine in a suit, smiley emoticon.

Now here’s the secret to being prepared to be charming

Despite how it looks, we game show contestants are NOT naturally charming and full of fascinating anecdotes. Those little stories that tickle the host so are DRAGGED out of us. First in a written questionnaire, then in practice with a pretend-host stand-in, long before you ever get on the air.

(One of anecdotes involved a 25-foot scarf I was knitting because I had learned how to start a scarf, but not how to finish…)

They WANT you to have your little stories down pat.

They want you to look natural.

And here’s the trick: what looks natural is almost always the result of preparation.

This was an invaluable lesson for a wide-eyed youth in tawdry Tinsel Town.

So to look too look, use Danno’s Game Show Rule.

Going into a new situation — speaking at a new event, or even a simple social affair, I always plan ahead a little bit, and reason out a few helpful conversation starters, amusing anecdotes, or probing questions.

It sounds shallow, maybe, or cold — but think about it. You are greasing the wheels of social interaction!

Build a Repertoire, Don’t Rely on Inspiration

In my wonderful world of ukulele playing, I plan out what songs I like to play, which songs I’m actually good at playing, and which songs tend to please the listener.

It’s relaxing knowing ahead of time at least a little bit of what you’re getting yourself into.

Keep a list of songs that you know. Then, you won’t fumble trying to think of one—you just check your list.

The pros can improvise. YOU can build a repertoire.

You’ll LOOK like a pro, because you’ve got it worked out in advance.

It’s relaxing knowing at least a little of what you’re getting yourself into, whether it’s small talk at a party or a musical performance in front of friends.

Oh, and in case you’re curious, I lost my episode of the game show. But my pre-planned anecdote got a big laugh.