Young and old, fit or flabby, dressed in everything from kilts to pink T-shirts, hundreds of would-be Survivors queued up at Snoqualmie Casino on Saturday, Jan. 2, seeking TV fame and fortune.
More than 250 people lined up at an open casting call for the long-running CBS reality challenge show, snaking past the slot machines and out the casino’s front door.
For some would-be survivors, such as North Bend resident Shane Malone, who came on a whim, it was their first chance a stardom. For others, such as Belfair resident Jim Eberhard, Survivor auditions are old hat.
“I’ve been through this 10 times,” said Eberhard, who claimed he came more for the challenge than the tempting $1 million prize.
“It’s a cattle call,” he said. “The person that stands out on camera is the one who gets in.”
“You’ve got to sell yourself in a minute or less,” said auditioner Dave Neil of Spokane. That 60-second chance doesn’t do most people justice, he added.
To help make their case, contestants could bring short video clips of themselves, and were also asked to fill out a questionnaire on their survivability. Questions included “What would you not do for a million dollars?”
“I wouldn’t intentionally hurt anyone,” said regular auditioner Susan Winton of Everett. This trip marked her eighth audition.
“I keep trying,” Winton said. “I’m not about to give up.”
Ronnie Harris of Woodinville was the first in line for the Survivor cast call. He arrived at the casino at 8:30 p.m. the night before, and read a book, made laps around the tables and checked out the slots to stay awake.
Maple Valley resident Terri Berringer brought an entire “Terri’s Tribe” of T-shirted supporters to cheer her on.
“I am such a fan,” said Berringer, who described herself as a survivalist. “I’ve watched every single episode. I know how to outwit, outplay and outlast.”
Following the audition, producers will select a number of semi-finalists, who will be invited for a final round of interviews in Los Angeles.
About 16 finalists will be chosen for two cycles each, to compete and participate in the Survivor show.
CBS airs two cycles per year. Cycles 21 and 22 will be filmed in summer to fall of 2010 at a remote location yet to be determined.
The cast call line was one of the largest that the casino has seen since opening last fall.
In a statement, Mike Barozzi, chief executive officer of Snoqualmie Entertainment Authority which operates Snoqualmie Casino, said he was thrilled to take part. The casino also hosts the Northwest Regional Emmy Awards and the recent KISW Salutes the Shield benefit for Lakewood police.
“We look forward to hosting even more events like these in 2010,” Barozzi said.
