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An Interview With Al Rogers
Press Your Luck; Eps 442-445
June 5, 1985 thru June 10, 1985
"Lucky Al" Rogers was a contestant on Press Your Luck for a total of four
days, starting on Wednesday, June 5, 1985 and ending on Monday,
June 10, 1985. During this four episode run, Al took CBS for a grand total of $41,913! I was fortunate to meet Al via the internet, and he was
interested in sharing his experiences for all of my visitors to enjoy. My
questions and responces are in cyan, Al's answers are in blue.
Al, let's start off with you introducing yourself. What was your occupation
and where were you living at the time of the Press Your Luck taping?
I was residing in Wes Covina, California, employed as an Auto Salesman
and Apartment Manager, and I was trying to start a business of my own.
I'm originally from Cleveland, Ohio, which is where I presently live as a
Route Service Representative for Entenmann's Bakery.
How long had you been watching Press Your Luck before you decided
to try out for the show? What made you decide to try out for Press
Your Luck in particular, instead of another show?
Prior to being on the show, I had watched it for what seemed like a
long time, never having seen its presucessor, "Second Chance". The
reason I chose to be on Press Your Luck was because it
seemed to have the largest return on the least effort.
Had you ever appeared on, or tryed out for, any
other game
shows, before or after Press Your Luck?
When testing for Press Your Luck, you are made aware of the fact
that if you qualify there, you can qualify for most other shows, so be
selective. But as of yet, I have not applied to be on any other shows.
How did the entire tryout start? What did you do to begin? And what
went on during your tryouts? Did you get to play a mock game?
When one initially takes the test, they tell you to be very fast, and if unsure, take a good guess. I found best to answer all questions that I could first, then go back. Some of the answers will come to you. Then after testing, you are told if you pass. If not, they send you home, never to test at Press Your Luck again. So go there sharp, no hangoverss! Then, they give you a mock setup to play the game, and that is when you show your enthusiasm. I also really believe that you go there looking and dressing the part. In other words, like you're prepared to play the game. Then you're sent home to wait. Lucky for "Lucky Al", within about a month, they called me to come and play for a producer, (who reads the paper as you show your stuff), then you go home and wait some more! Finally, they call you to come play for real. WOW! Totally awesome.
What was the overall atmosphere like when you were
with all of the other people that were trying out?
I can remember how tense so many of the other potential
contestants were. My theory was to stay loose, and do my thing.
After going to CBS to appear on the show, you sort of get the feeling
from the production aids and others, that you are insignificant, and herded around like sheep. But once you become a winner they treat you real nice.
Did you have any direct conversations with Peter Tomarken or Rod Roddy?
If so, what was it like meeting them? What were they like off camera?
After winning, I had a couple of opportunities to talk with Peter.
He was very nice and friendly. He even gave me an
autographed picture! I never got to see Rod.
On your first episode, you won over $14,000, which would be just the
beginning of your total winnings of almost $42,000. What was
on your mind after you won the intial $14,000?
They normally tape five shows in one day. So on my first show, it
was the fifth one taped. And, there was like two weeks before
taping began again. (Oh my!) - I never questioned if I was going to win.
I knew I was! All I wondered was how much. So, after winning $14,000 on
the first show, I was a nervous wreck! Losing weight even! So, during the
taping of the second show, they were wondering if the audience would
detect the way my face and jaws had thinned down.
What about the second and third times you won?
When I won the secondnd time, I had hit the zone! So the third show,
I was smooth as silk, going on instinct. Shakin' like a leaf in the wind.
Tell me what had happened on your losing episode.
Was it at least a close game?
That guy Martin had been watching and mimmicking me from day one.
He was really irritating. Prior to my first taping, they had us all in a room watching the taping going on downstairs. My feeling at that point was that I didn't want to sit in this room cheering and clapping, getting all excited
over these people that I didnt even know. So, I went to a room by myself, and I meditated, prayed and did positive affirmations to allow my good to come to me. That was when Martin started to wonder what I was doing, so
I told him. After I won, he started to follow me around. I guess
he figured that he could win through osmosis. Well, he did it.
Were there any decisions that you made while playing on the
last episode, that now that it is over, you would change?
If shouldn't have taken those spins instead of trying to milk out
another show. Because I wouldn't have been over the $50,000 limit
if I had won on my fourth show. But what the hey! I did mighty-fine!
How did your family and friends react after you won?
Boy-O-Boy! My family was very excited. But I developed so many
new friends with hands stretched out, saying these three
famous words: "Gimmee", "Lendme", and "Letmehave".
During your run on the show, did you have any kind of
strategy that you used during certain situations?
During my run on the show, my basic idea was to win the first round and
not get greedy. Once I've gotten the lead, not to try to break the bank.
(Other than my decision to pass those spins to Martin during the
events of the fourth game, I wouldn't change a thing.)
There has already been a former Press Your Luck contestant and a daughter of
a former contestant, that appeared on the revival of the show, Whammy: The All-New Press Your Luck. Would you ever consider trying out for
Whammy?
Until whammy gets syndicated, the money is not that great. But if they would
go back to having returning champions I would definitely love to go back.
I think I would go on Whammy just to show I wasn't a fluke!!
Do you have any suggestions that you
would give to people that are trying out for game shows?
If applying for any game show, stay calm and cool.
And act the way the winners do on the show. GOOD LUCK!
Any final words or comments that you'd like to make?
Oh man, it is a mind blowing thing after having won. Leaving CBS, a bus load of people who had been their to see the show, actually stopped, got autographs, and took picutes of me! My GAWD what a rush! It felt like I WAS A STAR!
I'd like to very much thank Al very much for taking the time to answer these questions and for sharing his experiences on Press Your Luck with me. I would like to publish a request. Al is currently on the look for his episodes. His second episode is on the way to him! To our knowledge, there may be someone out there in the trade circuit that has access to the other three days from his sprint on the show. We know that the show aired as a USA Network rerun at least once, but his shows have yet to air on Game Show Network. If you have access to his episodes, please e-mail me and let me know that you have them to offer.
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