If you’re like me, you probably love playing along at home with People Puzzler, hosted by Leah Remini! But have you ever wondered what it takes to be a contestant?
“The number one rule is to have fun,” said Executive Producer and Showrunner Rane Laymance, who began his career as a casting assistant on game shows more than a decade ago. “It’s a fun, inclusive, party atmosphere!”
That got my attention, so I asked Rane to fill in some blanks after he wrapped production on People Puzzler’s new season, now airing on Game Show Network! Here’s what I learned about being a contestant on “America’s favorite crossword game.”
GAME SHOW INSIDER: What do you look for in a contestant?
RANE LAYMANCE: If you watch a game show, the players are excited. They’re laughing, clapping, and having a great time. That’s the energy we look for.
What’s one thing people should remember when trying out for game shows?
Once we find the right person, it’s important to find the right show for them. Maybe they came in for Master Minds, weren’t right for that, but they’re perfect for People Puzzler. So, you may not get on the show you auditioned for, but you’re going to get another chance!
What makes someone perfect for People Puzzler?
The best People Puzzler contestants are the ones who know what’s going on in the world of pop culture, not just at this minute, but also in the past.
If I’m not good at crossword puzzles, should I try a different show?
No! You just need to be good at answering questions. And we give you the first letter, so we’re giving you part of the answer!
How do you find contestants for People Puzzler?
There’s a spot on our website where people can sign up to audition. Game Show Network also has a great casting team that goes out and searches for contestants.
Where does the casting team search?
We have recruiters out on the streets of Los Angeles, at places where people gather. But we also have people recruiting virtually in different online forums and chat rooms where people talk about game shows and trivia.
Do you have to live in the Los Angeles area to be a contestant?
People Puzzler is taped in Los Angeles, but you do not need to be local to L.A. to participate! You do need to be able to get yourself to L.A.
What’s the audition process for People Puzzler?
The audition process is just like the real show. Potential contestants get to play a couple crossword puzzles, talk about themselves, and hopefully do well enough to make it on the show.
Let’s say I make it through the casting process. What happens next?
You get assigned a contestant producer. They teach you how to play the game. And they’re with you the whole time you’re filming, to make sure you look and feel good, so all you have to do is have fun and be yourself.
People are often afraid to be on TV because they don’t want to look bad. How do you deal with that?
Some people do fear they’re going to look bad or be made fun of, but we’re not doing those kinds of shows. When you’re on a Game Show Network show you’re going to be treated with respect. We’re not trying to embarrass anybody!
How important is it to foster a diverse and inclusive contestant base?
If I’m watching the show from home, I want to see myself up on that screen. it’s very important that we have all types of people who are contestants, so all different types of our audience members can see themselves playing that game — even if they’re just playing it from the couch.
And it makes for a better game, I would imagine.
Definitely! The more diverse viewpoints you have on the show, the more backgrounds you have people pulling from to answer questions correctly. And that’s the goal. We want our contestants to have fun and we want them to win!
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My thanks to Rane for his Insider perspective! Are you a pop culture pro? Then why not try out to be a contestant on People Puzzler? Just fill out a quick and easy application on our website and you’ll be on your way! Best of luck from Game Show Insider — and thanks for reading!
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