October 16, 2025
Volume 55 - No. 42
GAME SHOWS
DICK CLARK By Dawna Kaufmann In the summer of 1972, my thenboyfriend, Nick, and I moved from the San Francisco Bay Area to Los Angeles. We had been living together for a couple years, but now it was time to finish our college educations and make our way in the world. My goal was to become a TV comedy writer, and to get there I would take a series of TV production gigs to understand how programs come together. But first I was
bedazzled by another opportunity, one that promised instant riches and possible fame -- the game show industry. I always loved watching game shows, and the lure of seeing someone’s life change in a half-hour was irresistible. I was an extrovert, while Nick was the opposite, so when we went to a taping at CBS Television City for The Price is Right, I made us sit in different rows of the audience where casting producers in-
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terviewed people they might want to choose as the day’s contestants. When one fella asked me “What do you do?,” I answered: “Anything once. And if I like it, more than once!” I could tell from his smile I would be welcomed on the show. In the lead-up to the show’s start, I could see the camera pointing to where I was seated, so I powdered my nose and put on some lipstick for my big debut. Soon, the announcer said, “Dawna Kaufmann, come on down!” And with a loud whoop, I
ran onstage to the show’s host, Dennis James. Not that I knew who he was, or what the show was about. I had never watched a single episode before, but that didn’t stop me from bouncing around like a kangaroo. Somehow dumb luck was with me that day. I aced every game I played and won the final showcase, which was all about transportation. Two bicycles, an air boat (perfect for navigating the Florida everglades!), and an AMC Gremlin car---all brand
Game Shows See Page 2