Game shows draw a new kind of contestant

Jasmin Bryant, a 34-year-old out-of-work television producer, was checking job listings when she came across an ad soliciting prospective contestants for the Game Show Network’s “Catch 21.”

After reading the ad’s hook -- the possibility of winning up to $25,000 -- Bryant was intrigued.

“I thought, ‘Oh, my God, $25,000 would really help out a lot.’ Even after taxes it would help pay for my car, my rent, my insurance, the whole nine yards. I’d be able to fly back East to visit my family for the holidays.”

Ashley Coelho, 29, an out-of-work accounts executive, was searching Craigslist for a job when she saw an ad seeking contestants for GSN’s revival of “The Newlywed Game.” Recently married, she talked her new husband into giving it a try.

“It’s really tough out there,” she says. “Cash or prizes, it didn’t really matter -- it was really the only way we could possibly do anything for our honeymoon.”

As the American economy struggles and the unemployment rate remains high, game show producers say they are seeing more out-of-work professionals seeking that potentially big payday -- and as an outlet for fun.

Before the economic meltdown, Bev Pomerantz, a veteran casting director for “Catch 21,” rarely saw prospective contestants who were college-educated, professional and out of work. “That demographic is now maybe 10%,” she says.

Kelly Goode, senior vice president of programming at GSN, the cable game show network, says the company doesn’t keep statistics on the unemployed hopefuls who audition for GSN’s growing string of original programming. But, she added, the numbers of contestants in general are up, and “more of those people are looking for work,” says Goode.

The motivation for contestants, just as in more flush times, is quick money. But for today’s game show hopefuls, it’s more likely to pay rent, groceries and utility bills than an extravagance.

Laurie Ramos, 38, a recent contestant on “Catch 21,” is a teacher. “I’ve been interviewing for the last year for a position, but with the budget cuts, you can imagine how tough it’s been. It was definitely about the money for me.”

The underemployed too have been turning to game shows. Los Angeles voice actor Jill Smith, 42, said that work in her field has slowed up dramatically. A stint as a game show contestant offered a chance to bring in some household revenue.

“It was a profitable day,” she said of her upcoming appearance on “Catch 21.” “I don’t know if you could call it achieving the American dream, but everybody’s looking for a way to make a little money.”

The experience allowed her a chance to get her mind off the harsher realities of life during the Great Recession. “You read the papers and see the television news, and it’s all about how the sky is falling. It gets scary. But a game show is fun!”

The reality of game shows is that many can play but few can win, as Bryant learned.

When she came in for her audition, Bryant was taught the rules of the game -- based on blackjack coupled with general-knowledge trivia questions.

Backstage, Bryant is prepped one last time on the rules of engagement for the show. The audience applauds wildly as host Alfonso Ribeiro and “dealer”/co-host Mikki Padilla walk onstage. The production is relentlessly efficient. It has to be with six half-hour episodes being taped daily.

Ribeiro, whose credentials include “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and “Silver Spoons,” says he has noticed an increase in out-of-work contestants. And he says the stagnant economy has affected the way people are playing the game.

“During the first season,” said Ribeiro, “there were a lot of people going for the $25,000 regardless of how the odds stacked up against them. The second season, which we shot back in March, most people were saying, ‘I’m taking the money I’ve already won. I’m not risking it.’ I think the total was 13 episodes where, if they would have gone for it, they would have won $25,000.”

Bryant fielded the first question -- “According to a recent poll, people prefer what to sex?” -- and correctly answers, “A good night’s sleep.” After eliminating a third contestant, Bryant vied with Tammy Hatala from Clearwater, Fla. Hatala, who started out slowly, found a rhythm, was quick on the buzzer and was soon proceeding to the final segment alone

During the game’s final segment, Hatala wins $6,000. She is asked by Ribeiro if she wants to risk it all for the big money, but she decides to keep what she’s won and call it quits. Bryant applauds from the sidelines and it’s all over.

Later, in the green room, Bryant is philosophical. “I knew going in that it’s a game of chance,” she says. “The only thing I lost was gas money.”

Asked if she’d repeat the experience and try to compete on another game show, she says, “It would be fun to try to get on more game shows. I came into it with an attitude of ‘I’m not doing anything. I’m unemployed.’ So I come and have fun, meet people and get out of the house. Of course, if I had won the money, then I could have relaxed.”

Since her appearance on “Catch 21,” Bryant has not attempted to audition for other game shows because, she said, “none of them really caught my fancy.” She is still hunting for a job while attempting to master the crap-shoot that is the life of a freelance writer. “I’ve been trying to write for some online outlets. I’ve made about 25 cents so far.”

Meanwhile, Coelho and her husband had a good day on the new “Newlywed Game.” (Their episode hasn’t aired yet.)

GSN’s Goode believes the current economic climate has the potential to continue drawing more job seekers into the game show world.

“We have a growing pool of people looking to be on a show,” she said.

calendar@latimes.com