TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

More than 1,000 come to Tampa for chance to be on 'Millionaire'

News Channel 8 photo by Peter Masa

The show needs 110 contestants for 11 nighttime episodes with Regis Philbin.

ADVERTISEMENT

By DANIELA VELÁZQUEZ | TBO.com

Published: June 19, 2009

Updated: 06/19/2009 11:38 am

TAMPA - Marla De Freese, of St. Petersburg, needs a new church. Marc Morrison, of Orlando, needs a job. And Andres Ona, of Miami, just wants some cash.

More than 1,000 people have tried out this morning for a chance to be on "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire."

Those who came to the St. Pete Times Forum this morning were given two tests, one with movie questions to compete on a special Netflix movie trivia episode, and the other testing general knowledge. If a person passes one of the tests, he will be called back for an interview this afternoon, co-executive director Rich Sirop said.

"The American Idol crowd was insane," said Joshua Fillinger, 31, of Seminole. "This is much easier, much cleaner. And they're not trying to make me sing." He tried out for 'Idol' in Norfolk, Va., several years ago.

The show needs 110 contestants for 11 nighttime episodes with Regis Philbin. Producers are also looking for an additional 300 contestants for the syndicated daytime version with Meredith Viera. Once a person is interviewed, they can be considered for two years.

"At least one [contestant], probably more, will be from Tampa," said Sirop.

Producers are also searching for engaged couples to compete on a special wedding week, where the show and Brides.com team up.

"It's purely relateability and likeability," said Sirop. "I will pick someone quiet if there's something endearing about them," he said.

The tryout hopefuls ran the gamut from young to old, local and far away. Each had a different reason for wanting to cash in.

Morrison, 44, was laid off from his pharmaceutical sales job at Pfizer in January.

'"I had an interview yesterday, but not today, so I thought I'd make it."

Sirop said the show's producers are seeing contestants who've been affected by the economy – not just ones who are unemployed like Morrison – but who are struggling to make ends meet as they deal with cuts in hours and shifts in wages.

De Freese's mission was fueled by a higher power – she wants the cash to build a new church for her congregation.

A car ran into the building Beacon of Hope Ministries in Dunedin was renting about six months ago, she said. The congregation now meets in a conference room at the Executive Inn in Clearwater.

"I love Meredith. I love the show," De Freese said. "I'm going to win the million, and we're going to have a real church."

The producers are looking for contestants for both the syndicated version of show with Meredith Vieira and the "10th Anniversary Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" with Regis Philbin to air on ABC in August.

The syndicated version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" with host Vieira, will premiere its eighth season on Sept. 7, and can be seen locally on WTSP, Channel 10, weekdays at 4 and 4:30 pm.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT