Fort Bend PeoPle

EFort Bend family competes on TV game show Family Feud

Ever since she was a girl, Vanessa Inga Brown wanted to compete on a TV game show. “I’ve always thought it would be fun,” she shares. “Whatever game show would be fine with me.” The Fort Bend resident’s dream came true this past year, when she, her husband Delrick, her brother-in-law Aaron, and her parents-in-law Paul and Marsha Brown were selected to compete on the TV game show Family Feud.

Feud FactsBrown found out about Family Feud auditions while scrolling through Sugar Land Magazine’s Facebook page. “It sounded like something fun and something the family would want to do,” she recalls. In Family Feud, five members from two

families each battle to give the top answers to questions asked of 100 people surveyed across the country. The winning family competes in a fast money round with the chance to win $20,000. Win five games and you get a new car.

Brown and her husband chose his brother and parents to be their teammates, because they live close by in Brazoria County. “It was easy to make a selection, because my family all lives in Austin,” she explains.

Standing out from the CrowdThe Browns estimate that about 500 people showed up to the auditions. “They had a stage set up just like Family Feud, with

Written by Tonya Ellis | Photography by Suzi Issa

Family Feud

Delrick, Vanessa, Aaron, Marsha, and Paul Brown, with the help of 4-year-old Devan, recently

competed on Family Feud

Fort Bend’sFamily

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fake buzzers. They wanted you to show lots of energy and get a feel for your family,” Vanessa says. The Browns impressed the judges enough to be asked for a second interview in a back room. A month later, they received a post card inviting them to audition in Atlanta.

Their game playing ability helped them stand out from the crowd, but their height could have also put them above the competition, Vanessa guesses. “I’m six feet, and my husband’s tall, and all the family is really tall,” she says. “We thought maybe we stood out. Plus, I had high heels on.”

Survey SaysOnce they had the green light to go to Atlanta, Vanessa’s mother-in-law Marsha kicked the preparations into high gear. “She was organizing the practice and putting us through mock speed rounds, so we would get that quick-thinking demeanor,” explains Delrick. “She taped the shows, and anytime you walked into the house she’d ask you a question. You’d say, ‘Could you say hi?’ She was definitely the quiz guru.”

On the SetWhen they arrived in Atlanta, the Browns had another audition on the real show set. They passed that test, and were chosen for the actual show. “It was just a crazy experience to see how they do shows and see how it’s taped,” says Delrick. “[Host] Steve Harvey was hilarious. He was cracking jokes, non-stop.” He adds, “It was exciting to be there. If you saw all the people at the audition - there were people everywhere. What are the odds to go from that point, to the point where you’re actually on the show, the lights are going, and the bells are dinging? That’s quite an accomplishment.”

The Browns were in the studio from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. watching about five other pairs of families face off until their feud started at 7 p.m. Harvey would perform monologues throughout the process, making it seem like a comedy show. “It was a long day,” says Vanessa. “They have a DJ that tries to get the audience involved, clapping, cheering, and making

loud noises. They fed us breakfast, and then [we had] lunch at 4 p.m.” Vanessa was most surprised by Harvey’s many outfits. “He changes after each show to make it look like the next day,” she says.

Game OnThe pressure was on once the Browns hit the stage for their game. “It’s an adrenaline rush,” says Delrick. “I played sports growing up, and I felt the same kind of jitters and excitement. You’re excited and revving and ready to go. We were getting pumped up and egging each other on.”

“I was extremely nervous,” adds Vanessa. “My lips were shaking. What kind of calmed me down is I wouldn’t look out in the audience.” Vanessa says she was anxious that Harvey, who is famous for joking with contestants about their answers, would tease her. “There was a question where it asked you what sport gives you a size advantage, and the answers were wrestling, football, basketball, and a jockey,”

she recalls. “When it was my turn, I couldn’t think of anything, and I told him soccer. Steve Harvey gave me a look like, ‘Soccer? Really?’”

Family TiesVanessa and Delrick made sure to include their 4-year-old son Devan in the experience, even though he couldn’t compete on the show. “I actually gave a shout out to him,” says Vanessa. Devan also taped a home video encouraging his family members who played on the show.

The Brown family recalls a pact they made from the very beginning. “We made sure we understood that nobody would get mad at each other,” says Delrick. “Your family is so much more important than that. We had a great bonding experience. It’s something we will remember for the rest of our lives.” Be sure to tune in to Family Feud on The CW39 April 16 to see how the Brown family did! SLM

TONYA ELLIS enjoys freelance writing and loves watching the Family Feud game show with her family.

Want to try out for Family Feud?

Family Feud host, Steve Harvey, kept the Brown family laughing the entire time while on the show

Follow these tips to stand out from the crowd 1. Show plenty of enthusiasm. Family Feud producers look for contestants who have charisma, stand out, and make things interesting. 2. Dress to impress. Keep clothing modest, but attractive. Don’t wear blue or black, since they tend to blend in with the set. If a family member is in the military, have them wear their uniform. 3. Know the rules of the show, and play the game well. 4. If there aren’t tryouts in your area, record an interesting home video that might take you to the next level. The show website provides guidelines. Be creative and let your personality shine through.

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