Campus Connection

Show scheduled to air Monday, May 1

For the Katschke family, their latest feud has been going on since November 2015. That’s when UW-La Crosse student Betsy Katschke and her family from Franklin, Wisconsin, began the process of getting on the popular, long-time TV game show, “Family Feud.” The family finally succeeded in becoming contestants on the show last July, but they have had to wait until Monday, May 1, to reveal how they did. (La Crosse viewers can catch the show at 3 p.m. on Fox 25.) Katschke, a senior majoring in organizational and professional communication studies with a theatre minor, says her family enjoyed watching game shows, including the original “Family Feud,” when she was growing up. In fact, her parents and older brother auditioned for a variety of game shows over the years, but never made the cut. The family decided to give it one more chance when they heard about “Family Feud” holding auditions in Milwaukee in November 2015. They made the cut and were flown, all expenses paid, for the show’s taping in Atlanta in late July. They weren’t assured a spot on the show, but knew they had a good chance. The experience was fun for the whole family, says Katschke. “Everyone involved behind the scenes was really wonderful, especially the producers, Steve Harvey's warm up comedian guy, Rubin, and Steve himself,” she says. The family was there for two days of filming episodes, each lasting up to two hours to film. Both days started with a dress rehearsal looking for contestants who were loud, energetic and enjoyable when playing the game or being introduced. “From there, it is just a big waiting game to see if you would be selected to play the game,” Katschke says. “While onstage playing the game, you have to give about 150 percent with energy and excitement.” Katschke particularly enjoyed filming breaks when host Harvey would tell stories, answer questions or come over to continue conversations with players. She assumed there would be rules on talking with the other families, but it was the complete opposite. “Both days, there were about 10 families all hoping to be selected, and in between episodes we all mixed and mingled with each other over meals, and one point just had a fun dance party with everyone,” she explains. Katschke, whose sister, Katie, graduated from UWL in 2014, says the whole family was treated well throughout their stay, including hotel rooms that looked out on Olympic Park, the new Atlanta Falcons stadium and other tourist attractions. Katschke can’t say how the family did on the show due to contact pledges. But, she encourages others to take the opportunity if they get it. “Being able to share this with my family was amazing,” she says. “If anyone else has the chance to audition, go for it.”