ABC Millionaire

Here I Come...Maybe. Or Maybe Not

Alright ABC Millionaire, here I come! Or so I hoped. This continues a previous article, where I take you behind the scenes of my ABC Millionaire audition. If you haven't already read that story, you might want to start there instead.

The audition was finished, but the waiting had just started. Within a couple months of returning from New York City, I'd get either a postcard that would make my day, or one that would make me boo hoo at the mailbox.

For the next few weeks, I approached our mailbox with a combination of anticipation and dread. Was my Millionaire audition a success? Did I lose points for begging like the dog I am? If I missed this round, would I try again?

A few weeks after returning from my audition, I peered inside my mailbox to see a postcard with the ABC Millionaire return address. It was resting address-side up. This meant I couldn't see its message. My heart thudding, I stared at the postcard, fearful to touch it. What if it brought bad news? I've never sobbed at my mailbox. Would this be a first? Finally, I reached in. Slowly, I turned over the card. Game show bliss! I'd made it into the contestant pool.

Still, there were no guarantees. (Dang!) And here's why:

This little postcard also reminded me that just because I'd made it into the contestant pool, there were no guarantees I'd make it onto the show. Bummer. More waiting. Over the next few weeks, I kept studying. If Millionaire called, I was determined to be ready, darn it all.

A few weeks later, I received The Call. I was at work, and on my way into a meeting. I should've let voicemail pick it up. But something compelled me pick up the receiver. "Hello," I said, "This is Sherrie."

A woman with a wonderful New York accent said, "Sherrie, I'm calling to make your day…" I sank back into my chair, and she told me the rest. If I could make it to New York in September, I'd have a spot in the hot seat.

Holy crap! I'd made the cut. In just a few weeks, I'd be an official contestant on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.

Wow.



Want more scoop on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? You might enjoy a related article, where I take you into the ABC Millionaire Green room.