In early July, Debbie Schweitzer, Ashley's aunt, got a call from her mother-in-law who works at the Southridge Mall in Greendale.,”
The No. 1 answer for Marquette students featured on "Family Feud": Ashley Novak. The College of Communication sophomore will appear on the long-running game show through Thursday.
In early July, Debbie Schweitzer, Novak's aunt, got a call from her mother-in-law at the Southridge Mall in Greendale.
"She works at the mall and saw them doing auditions there, so I went late Saturday night, but they said you needed an appointment," Schweitzer said.
She said there were only five audition times each day, one every hour. Schweitzer returned to the mall Sunday morning to sign up for a slot to audition and was able to get the first audition spot that day.
Novak's team also consists of two of Schweitzer's daughters – Kelly S. and Becy – and an in-law – Billy Kumprey, a 1993 College of Arts & Sciences alumnus. Debbie Schweitzer said she originally asked her husband, but he was too shy. She also asked her other son and daughter, but they were too busy working. She asked Novak's mom, Carol, to compete before asking about her daughters.
"I didn't think the chances that day were very good," Carol said. "I couldn't give up time for work for something that wasn't guaranteed."
After the audition, Novak said her aunt received a postcard within two weeks saying her family was picked and put into the database. They would be asked to appear on the show within a year.
The show called in November and asked the family to appear within three weeks. Debbie Schweitzer said the show paid for the flights and hotel fare for two days for the contestants. They also brought family to California to watch and cheer for them.
Novak said the family went to the studio Sunday morning for rehearsals to get used to the stage. The show then taped six episodes in one day, and the family was on four of those episodes.
"We're all wearing the exact same clothes for every episode even though they are airing on different days this week," Novak said.
Before beginning, she said the show's workers go through a lot of technicalities. They go over the rules of the show and legal agreements. They also let the families practice with the buzzers on stage. Contestants have to bring multiple outfits in case the clothes they wear to the studio don't look good on camera or clash with the set. The workers even made signs for each family to hand out to audience members to hold up and cheer.
Novak said John O'Hurley, the host of the show who is best known for his role as Elaine's boss on "Seinfeld" and his appearance on "Dancing with the Stars," was really nice and told jokes during the breaks between rounds. Debbie Schweitzer said the only long breaks given were for O'Hurley to change his suits for each episode.
The family practiced by playing online and doing sample questions. However, Debbie Schweitzer said that in the end, it doesn't matter how much you practice.
"If you've ever seen the show, it is all about luck because whoever wins the fourth round wins the entire show," she said.
The episodes will air in Milwaukee on CBS Channel 58, Channel 5 on cable, at 4:30 p.m.
“
