It’s not my birthday or Christmas as far as I’m aware, so I’m not sure how I can explain getting to write about Family Feud twice in one day, other than dumb luck. A Redditor who goes by the name “notreallyslimshady” (otherwise known as Cole Simmons) — a plucky then-16-year-old who appeared with his family on an episode earlier this year — gave an AMA about what it was like appearing on Family Feud. This is so exciting! Let’s pull back the velvet curtain, (and by velvet curtain I mean Steve Harvey’s mustache) here’s everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Family Feud.
How is Steve Harvey really?
He is an amazing guy. You don’t really see him except for when the cameras are rolling because he has to change outfits in between the episodes. He is a lot shorter than I had imagined.
Everyone that watches the episodes points out that we had a total bromance. He told me he was going to take me to Miami, but I am still waiting on that call…
Did you ever have to make up a stupid answer because you couldn’t think of anything good to say?
Yes. Question was “What is a card game that you would be surprised that people strip to?” I blanked out on card games so I said 50 Card Pick-up. That’s not even how many cards are in a deck…
did your family yell “good answer” and clap for you?
Yes. They were pity claps.
What kind of snacks did they have backstage?
You arrive in the morning and they have a continental breakfast (coffee, juices, donuts, etc.). You do rehearsal for a couple hours to get used to the set, make sure any clothing doesn’t disagree with the cameras (white and stripes), and because they still haven’t picked who will play.
After that, you get Subway subs for lunch, and then that’s pretty much it. They filmed four episodes our day (and we were all four), and I think we got a snack after the third game while Steve ate dinner. It was a granola bar if I remember correctly.
I can just imagine Steve eating a lobster dinner…
“But s-s-s-sir, what about the contestants?”
“FEED THE MULES GRANOLA!”
He doesnt shell it or anything, just bites right through it with his giant white mechanical teeth.
Can confirm
I hear they shoot a week’s worth of episodes in a day. Were all your appearances shot on the same day?
Yes, all four episodes were shot in the same day. They said they shoot anywhere from four to six episodes in a day, depending on the week.
How white are Steve Harvey’s teeth in person?
Very. I told him so.
Did Steve Harvey react to anything you said?
He reacts to everything. They film for an hour for every episode (~20 minutes) and just cut it to the good parts.
What did you do with your winnings? Do they tax much of it?
You don’t get your winnings until 90 days after the show airs. It is automatically divided five ways. It will be subject to income tax.
How do they divide the car if you win it?
If you get the car, they just give you a car and you figure it out. If you take the cash equivalent, that is divided.
Were there any actual bullsh*t answers?
“Name a place where you have to turn off your cell phone?”
Top answer is hospital. WHAT?!
there’re signs all over that say to turn your phone off at the hospital.
But is that your first thought compared to a movie theatre or airplane?
Was the other family super black to balance out how incredibly white your family appears to be?
I always had a theory that they did that, and it turns out I was right. They do black vs. white whenever they can. Our fourth episode was white vs. white because they had flown that family in from either Oregon or Washington and didn’t want to pay to keep them another night.
Why do they do that?
To appeal to a wider audience
So since you won money, you can’t be on other game show for 5 years right? Or does that not count since you weren’t solo?
I’d have to revisit the contract, but I think it was 30 years…
What kind of contact, if any, did you have with Steve Harvey? What was the atmosphere like there?
Steve is a great guy. The only contact we had was while we were filming. When we lost on the final episode, he pulled me aside as we left and told me I was a bright kid and that I was going places.
The atmosphere was very fast-paced. For example, when you finish a game, they whisk you backstage to hook you up with a wireless mic while they give you instructions and all you are focused on is getting some water. However, the cast and crew are incredibly friendly. We had two guys named Carlos and Bryce that would cut up with us on breaks.
What’s up fellow family feud bro! (I’m 2nd from the left.)
Please tell me….does the money ever come? It’s been almost a year…
Really? I remember it took a while but we got it. (Wasn’t much though due to only doing one fast money and not getting the 20k.)
What! I love it so much that another Family Feud contestant found their way to the AMA.
What does Steve Harvey smell like?
Moustache conditioner
