I made a ‘ Deal’ and I won, even during the pandemic

I don’t need to tell you that the news cycle has been relentless this past year, especially for journalists. The last thing that I want to do after a long day of intense news coverage is watch more news ( sorry, bosses). So thanks to the pandemic, I’ve rekindled my love for game shows. Watching people win money, vacations and cars is exactly the energy and joy I need.

I’ve loved game shows ever since I discovered the Game Show Network when I was younger. The witty hosts, excited contestants and fun prizes are enough to get anyone hooked. Add in crazy costumes, and “Let’s Make a Deal” easily became my favorite. The reruns with original host Monty Hall seemed like the most fun and exciting place to be. As I got older, I was happy to see that Wayne Brady would carry the torch and host the “biggest party in daytime television.” With my new pandemic work- from- home life, I was finally able to watch as they aired and wished that someday I could be a contestant.

In April, I stumbled across a Facebook post looking for people in Southern California who were interested in being contestants on the show. I quickly sent a message expressing my interest, applied and received word back the same day confirming a Skype interview the next day.

I thought I nailed it, but didn’t hear back for months and figured my dreams were dashed – until a Monday in December when I received a phone call asking if I wanted to be a contestant. My taping would be three days later, as long as I could quickly take and pass a COVID- 19 test.

The only thing standing in the way of my bucket list dream was a test for a deadly virus ravaging the world. But I received a negative result and was cleared for the show. ( My episode aired Feb. 18.) The upside to the COVID- 19 safety protocols? The show had greatly reduced the audience, from which contestants are chosen, to just 10 people from the usual crowd of 150 screaming, costumed fans. Everyone in the audience would have the opportunity to play a game at some point during the show.

On Thursday I pulled up to the lot dressed in my required costume. Due to the short notice, I cobbled together all of my gear from the garage to dress up as a rock climber. It was an expensive costume. We were instructed to keep our masks on as producers escorted us to individual holding pens, where audio technicians and other producers prepared us for the show and tried to hype us up.

Once we were seated in the studio in our socially distanced pods, we were instructed to remove our masks when taping was about to start and to put them back on when we cut for

commercial breaks. Gone was the chance to hug or high five Brady, announcer Jonathan Mangum and model Tiffany Coyne. We were told where to stand if we were called down to play, six feet away from the hosts. Behind us on screens were the new pandemic addition of “at- homies,” contestants chosen to attend the taping from their homes over video chat, and who also had a chance to play.

I was the first contestant called to kick off the show. I was so excited and incredibly nervous. I stumbled through my introduction and explained that I actually use all of this gear to climb rocks and hike mountains. Wayne thought I was a spelunker, much to the dismay of my climbing friends

As my “deal” began, I chose the mini curtain and won a music room valued at $ 6,037. I sat down and cheered for my fellow contestants as they played and won their deals. Only one contestant lost ( or “zonked”) in the entire episode.

When it came time for the Big Deal, a contestant named Leah was in first place after winning $ 10,000. During the commercial break, she broke down in tears, saying that she and her husband really needed the money. Leah kept her winnings and did not go for the Big Deal. I was next in line in terms of prize winnings, and I said goodbye to the music room.

My boyfriend offered some sage advice before I left home and told me to go for Door No. 3. Wayne started with Door No. 2, a photo studio valued at $ 7,048. I’ve watched enough episodes to know that if they called my door next, I most likely did not have the Big Deal.

This is about the moment where my brain ceased functioning. Wayne called on Door No. 1. All I saw were the tips of skis and I started asking Wayne if I won the Big Deal.

I had.

Door No. 3 opened, unveiling a brand new Volkswagen Tiguan. I screamed, jumped and eventually sprinted to my new vehicle.

After the show, my fellow contestants congratulated me and we exchanged some contact information. Unbeknownst to me, another contestant who also works for my company was on the show and left a winner. Our chance to compare notes was cut short as we were urged not to linger, a snap back to the reality that we were in a pandemic.

I’ve noticed in the last few months that game shows have more frequently appeared on television, with shows such as “Deal” in prime- time slots. The energy definitely isn’t the same as a crowded live audience, but I’m glad they’re making this work.

As Leah said during her “deal,” we haven’t had excitement in a very, very long time.

PROVIDED BY SANDY HOOPER Sandy Hooper waiting in a socially distanced pen before taping.

PROVIDED BY FREMANTLE Sandy Hooper, a USA TODAY senior producer, is a contestant on the game show “Let's Make a Deal”