I like a good adventure. That's why it seemed so perfect.
Back in November, I had submitted a request to futility.com, the web home for Comedy Central's "Win Ben Stein's Money." I wanted to know what it would take to be a contestant on the show, since I seemed to do well enough playing along at home. I had never been on a game show before, and the only other show I had been this adamant about being on was "Wheel of Fortune." However, I didn't think I could look that goofy on command, so I decided to go head-to-head with a Pepperdine law professor whose greatest claims to fame were writing speeches for Richard Nixon and standing in front of a film classroom saying, "Bueller? ... Bueller? .. Bueller?"
When I got the call on January 6, I was told I needed to be in Los Angeles, Califor - Ni- A in nine days. Could I do it?
Ummmn, sure.
Trick is, I live in Fort Worth, Texas (thirty miles west of Dallas), about 1,200 miles away from the studios. There was no way I would be able to get a decent airfare at that short of notice without bending over and calling American Airlines "Big Daddoo." So, I was gonna do the Easy Rider thing, nineties-style. Drive across the country in about a day or so, do the audition, then be back for work Saturday night. Simple, huh?
Here's a collection of notes and quips I took on the trip. No photos this time... but if I get an actual shot at the game show... who knows? Enjoy.