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No! This has nothing to do with the old TV series on CBS from the late 1970's to early 80'
;s. There I was working at the 'museum'. A woman - I'll call Jane - was heading up a project for an event called "The Computer Bowl". It was a set up as a quiz show. 2 teams 5 players each. And, of course, 1 Game Show Host. My being among those that would be excited about the event, I was looking at being THE Game Show Host as plans of the event began to take form. Jane - white female - who headed up the project, 'had someone else in mind' to be Game Show Host. In fact, two things: 1) She thought I 'was kidding' when I spoke up wanting to host the show. [Yeah, right!] 2) I was told later that the game show host was already rehearsing with one or both teams, for the event. She had later spoken to me about it, while I was with her and others at the set where the Game show would take place, saying she wanted someone 'experienced & professional'. I was not only unconvinced at what she was telling me..but I was quite hurt by the way she told me. If you stood there with us you could pick-up right away she did not seem very confident in her words. I mean, there was VERY 'little eye contact' from her as she told me who she already wanted. I was also hurt by that because of how often I was told I give 'great tours' and 'interesting announcements' over the Public Address system. But to be in front of a Video Camera for what would be a closed circuit event...it was given to an older White Guy. Think about it, in what would be the first event of it's kind - out of Boston, Massachusetts - I could have been interviewed by the media because I'm the game show host. Imagine how many people would read the story about me? Perhaps be inspired by the story? "Museum Employee chosen to host first Game Show". I don't even remember how much attention that game show host got. I vaguely remember a local newspaper mentioning any of it. I may not look perfect in front of the camera...but then again, no one is perfect for the camera. When word got around the 'museum' about me not getting picked for the show, SOME of my white friends (as well as my many Non white friends) - inside AND outside the 'museum' - felt the decision for the game show host was 'based more on race than experience'. Think about it...how many game shows during and before the 1980's were hosted by White Men? Especially on TV? How DID they get their lucky break to be Game Show Host? At a museum? Taking out the garbage? Yeah, I DID those things and more. If the Game Show Host were female, I would have been less bothered by her "decision". No matter what skin color/race she is. To 'compensate' my not being picked to host the show, my voice was 'recorded' into a Desktop MacIntosh Computer. All I had to say was "Yes!", "No!" and "Groan!" (like sobbing because a contestant got the answer to a question wrong). My voice - along with others - would be all that's heard during the show. You know...sound FX and the like. The game show went on as planned soon after. After that big event...talk from some collegues went around that the Game Show Host 'was awful'. Were they saying that to make me feel better? I don't think so. My feelings were they got what they wanted...they chose him. Sometime later, an evening party at the museum would include a Video Taped showing of this game at the 'museum' for all museum staff that wanted to attend. I could not wait to see the video tape. While the event was geting started...no one seemed all that into seeing the tape. My guess is they all heard how bad their choice for Game Show Host was. Well, when I saw the first few minutes of the tape I could see he 'was NOT into the show', either. I went home soon after that. I had seen enough. Where is Jane, the woman that planned this "Computer Bowl"? Less than 10 years after that event, she landed a job of some sort at a TV Station or some production company - the performing arts community. No doubt she's still making far more $$$$ than me. It was ALWAYS that way. I worked at the 'museum' before she started working there. No information on what happened to that choice for the game show host. Check out my blog "A Talent With A Blessing And A Curse".
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