From left: James Addison Sr., Gail Addison, James Addison Jr., Shantina Addison, and Chareese Wimes.
On Friday, February 4, the Daemen community (and entire country) can see Shantina Addison – assistant director of graduate and transfer admissions at the college – and her family compete on Family Feud.
The episode will air more than a year after Addison and her family auditioned on Zoom – while sporting their Buffalo Bills gear.
After being invited onto the nationally syndicated show, the family traveled to Atlanta for the filming last June – which Addison described as “surreal” and “a whirlwind of emotions.”
All-in the Family
The first day at the studio started at 8 a.m. and continued for 14 hours; like all contestant families, the Addisons learned the game show’s rules and regulations and participated in dry runs with other families – and were even subject to another audition.
Tina Addison
“The producers want to make sure you don’t freeze while on camera,” said Addison. “It was nerve-racking.”
The next day, after hours of additional preparation, the family was “ON AIR.”
“Watching the game at home and being on stage are totally different things,” said Addison. “Fortunately, as a contestant, by the time you see [show host] Steve Harvey walk out, you’re ready – you’re a professional,” said Addison, with a laugh.
Whenever there was a commercial break, Harvey made a point to meet the audience and the competing families.
“He does everything from answering questions to giving motivational advice and, of course, makes great jokes,” she said. “The laughter you hear in the crowd while watching the show on TV is genuine – it is real!”
No spoilers
Overall, Addison said the best part of the experience was having time to bond with her family – while traveling, to dining and practicing their on-camera personas.
As far as how she and her family performed? They can’t say – yet.
The episode airs at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 4. on WUTV – Fox 29.
As for Addison, she plans to watch the show at home with her family while also celebrating her birthday, which happens to fall on the same day.
Family Feud is one of the highest-rated game shows in the U.S. and also one of the longest-running shows in television history, debuting nearly 50 years ago.