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Hidden sting in contestant applications for THE 1% CLUB AUSTRALIA

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Appearing as a contestant on a television quiz show can be the road to riches, but with new twist it appears you now have to pay for it first.

At their recent Upfront event the Seven Network rolled out a range of new programming to get us all excited for their 2023 schedule.

One of those shows will be a local version of the successful British format THE 1% CLUB, where contestants aren’t quizzed on their general knowledge as much as they are on the way they think and solve puzzles.

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The 1% Club Australia will be hosted by US-based Aussie comedian Jim Jeffries, made by BBC Studios Australia, and the casting call is open right now for contestants ahead of filming across January in Melbourne.

However, there’s a sting in the tail of the application process for prospective contestants (see dot point in red below):

It reads:

If you are selected to play, all expenses including flights and accommodation are at your own cost. Filming will take place in Melbourne, in Jan 2023.

Normally, once prospective contestants pass the audition phase, when they are called for a taping the studio/network covers the cost of their flights and accommodation, and sometimes paid a small amount for appearing on the show – other than (hopefully) winning big money as a part of the game.

Normally, the makers of the show tour capital cities for the casting call, or now more commonly prospects are asked to send in a video application for producers to review. It often also includes a sample quiz or test as a part of the process.

This bold warning by BBC Studios Australia is the first time TV Blackbox has seen such a condition for contestants, and changes the long-held industry expectation on contestants who are successful in their application to appear on such shows.

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Given the cost of travelling to Melbourne and covering accommodation is reasonably expensive, perhaps the producers are only looking for the wealthy 1%?

Have you seen similar in your application for a reality or quiz show on TV? Let us know in the comments below!

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Know more about this or another Australian media story?

Contact the team anonymously at TV Blackbox

Steve Molk
Steve Molkhttps://tvblackbox.com.au/author-steve-molk/
Steve Molk is sharply focused on the business of TV in Australia across all its formats - FTA broadcast, commercial, subscription, catch up & BVOD. Based on the Central Coast of NSW he's a passionate advocate for Australian-made programming, particularly drama and comedy. He loves podcasting, gaming & watching too much TV. For all media enquiries please call or text 0401-709-405
Comments

9 COMMENTS

  1. Mastermind, Hard Quiz, The Chase and Hotseat all have the same thing now. I think The Chase has been like this since it started. When hotseat was WWTBAM, contestants from outside Victoria were accommodated and flown to Melbourne. It just means that the contestant pool will be skewed in favour of Victorians…again.

    • Hi Phil – that’s strange, as I checked with both The Chase Australia and Hard Quiz application processes and neither mention that contestants will need to pay for their own travel and accom. A shame if this is what it has become.

      • I think it’s pretty normal for these shows to cast locally or you pay your own way. When I was on The Chase I had to cover my own accommodation because I chose to come up from Geelong the night before and interstate contestants paid own airfares. When I was on The Weakest Link my accommodation was covered. I’ve got an audition for the 1% club.

    • Correct. I have been on Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Million Dollar Minute, applied for the Chase plus years ago appeared on Sale of the Century, Press Your Luck etc and I have never been offered ANY money or expenses reimbursement for appearing, even after being successful on two.

      As I saw it were I to be a carry over champion there may have been accomodation covered due to filming across multiple days shooting.

  2. From personal experience, when I appeared on Mastermind I had to make my own way to Sydney. Every application I did for Chase Australia I was told I had to make my own way there whether it was being recorded in Melbourne or in Sydney. My trip to Sydney to record The Chase back in March cost me a night’s accommodation, two days off work, a full tank of petrol and a bit of stress while the satnav couldn’t find our hotel.
    Likewise when I applied for Million dollar minute 7-8 years ago I even had to go to the audition in Melbourne at my own expense (from Canberra).

    • Yep, me too. Taking a gamble on ourselves. Only worked successfully twice but I loved it. Mind you didnt appreciate the mind games some other Millionaire co-contestants play in off screen wait.

      Also on Million Dollar Minute, sat next to guy who felt it appropriate to abuse gays, Indigenous Australians and make sexit comments about women, or calling people crazy. I had a minor anxiety attack as I needed to dhallenge him being offensive. I was so ‘off my game” no way I had a hope of being ‘normal’ in time for shooting.

      Its all about sabbataging others. The type of guy will surprise people from conservative dress. Yes, always guys, old and young.

  3. I did the UK version of this in 2021 and it was a bloody awful experience. It’s the only show I’ve come across where travel wasn’t covered, but they also didn’t provide food or drink in the nine hours we were filming for. They also stopped the woman next to me using the bathroom during a filming break by screaming in her face during one of our COVID lockdowns. Not a fun experience.

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