Sane family plays ‘The Feud’

Contestants on the long-running “Family Feud” television game show rely on their quick thinking to win money and other prizes.

Producers of the show also rely on that quick thinking to provide laughs for viewers.

Tunnel Hill resident Danny Sane, the Whitfield County tax commissioner, and four family members recently discovered that firsthand while appearing on the show. Members of Sane’s family — son Travis, daughter-in-law Brooke and her sister Brandy Herron and their mother Jonni Vermeulen — were waiting to be taped and watched several other show tapings. They got a huge laugh out of another contestant’s answer during a show’s opening “face-off.”

“Name something that a burglar does not want to see when he breaks into a house,” Danny said. “This guy just blurted out the very first thing and said, ‘A naked grandma!’ So it’s just amazing to see what’s on people’s minds because most of the time they just yell out the first thing.”

The Sane family appeared on three episodes. The first show aired Monday. The second show is scheduled to air on Friday, Nov. 26, at 9 a.m. on Chattanooga’s WDSI- Fox 61. The date for the third show has not been set.

“Family Feud” is taped at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla. Travis and Brooke live in Mount Dora, Fla., which is about 35 miles from Orlando. They saw an advertisement seeking contestants. Since Brooke had experience on television — she was on the second season of the reality show “The Bachelor” — they decided to try out.

“We are big fans of Steve Harvey as the new host of ‘The Feud’ and we thought it would be fun to go on the show and win some prizes and make some incredible memories together,” Brooke said.

That meant Danny had to drive nine hours to Orlando after work on Friday to make the Saturday audition. That morning, the Sane family was among about 450 other people who had the same idea. The Sanes made the first cut.

About a month later, they were asked to return to Orlando for a taping that would be shown to producers. So Danny had another nine-hour drive. Another month later, the family was told they made the show.

But during taping, one family won five games. That meant every family appeared on the show — except for the Sanes. Danny was a bit exasperated and asked if the family could come to the next day tapings on Sunday. There were already the maximum number of families for that round of tapings. But after Danny told producers he had driven nine hours for the show, they promised the Sanes they would be on camera during tapings on the following Sunday.

The family had the opportunity to win up to $100,000 and a new car. Family members declined to say how much they won so they wouldn’t spoil the surprise for viewers.

“It was a lot of fun,” Danny said. “It was more fun that I expected. We didn’t win a whole lot of money. I can assure you I spent more money in gas going down there than I won. Like I said, we tried and we had a lot fun.”

Travis, a 1999 graduate of Northwest Whitfield High School, said the family practiced by watching the program together and playing video game versions of the show. He occasionally watched the show growing up but became more interested after being selected.

“Her (Brooke) and I were fired up about doing it and kind of drug the others along with us,” Travis said with a laugh. “Everybody had a good time after we got through all of the interviewing process. It was a really fun experience.”

Travis said the most difficult part was keeping up enthusiasm during the long taping blocks. Danny said the actual show also provided challenges.

“The time factor that you’ve got is the big thing,” Danny said. “Some of the good answers are real easy. What happens is the good answers get gone, and then sometimes it gets very, very difficult.”

Since it debuted in 1976, six people have hosted “Family Feud.” The most well-known was Richard Dawson, who developed a reputation for his deadpan humor and affinity for kissing female contestants. Harvey reached stardom in the Spike Lee film “The Original Kings of Comedy.” Danny said meeting Harvey was a highlight of the experience.

“Steve Harvey is an absolute genius at making you laugh,” Danny said. “It takes about an hour and 40 minutes to tape a 22-minute show. And when you guys are watching commercials, he may take 15 minutes just to make fun of somebody’s answer they just gave or to crack a joke or change his suit. One of the funniest people I’ve ever been in contact with.”

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