You may be stunned to learn that you don’t see most of what really happens during a taping of the game show Family Feud. In fact, sitting in the audience of the popular game show will absolutely shock you! Much of what happens on the stage is edited out and the final version you watch on television looks almost nothing like what you see if you’re lucky enough to be in the studio during a taping.
I recently spent a day at the Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta where Family Feud is currently produced. Comedian and entertainer Steve Harvey has been the host since 2010 and was on hand for two separate tapings during my visit. It was an all-day event that started in rainy rush hour traffic that left me absolutely exhausted when it was all said and done. And I’d absolutely do it all over again.
Getting Tickets To See Family Feud
I knew I’d be passing through Atlanta in early March and kept checking the Family Feud tickets website to see if any had become available. Family Feud tickets are absolutely free and can be claimed online. The only catch is that the studio releases more tickets than there are actual seats in the studio. This is done to make sure they have a full house during the taping.
Typically there is a morning taping with two episodes and another taping later in the day with one or two episodes. They bank all of these episodes to run daily starting in the fall. The tickets are handled by On Camera Audiences which also provides tickets to shows like Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.
Arriving For A Taping Of Family Feud
I decided to pick the early session and claimed a ticket for a Monday morning taping in Atlanta. The ticket said the show begins at 10:30 but that’s not really the case. An e-mail I received the day before said the gates to the studio opened at 10:30 – but that turned out not to be true either. Thankfully, I arrived just before 10:00am and cars were already lined up to get through security.
It was a rainy morning and the studio’s security folks were in shockingly good spirits despite having to stand in the rain. Holding an umbrella and checking one car at a time – the crew member asked for a valid ID; the QR code that had your ticket information; and asked to take a photo of you on their iPad. (I’ve never had that done at any other TV show taping – so not sure what that was for.) The young lady even asked to look in the back seat of my car.
Once you get through the checkpoints – signs direct you to a parking lot where buses are waiting for audience members. As the bus fills up – it departs the parking area and takes you a bit deeper into the studio complex. You’re taken to a holding area that’s full of folding chairs. Again, you pass through a metal detector and check-in with a representative from the show. You’re then directed to take a seat.
Hopefully you’ll be lucky like I was and sit next to some nice people for good conversation as you wait. Otherwise, this part is incredibly boring. The holding area looks like a large prison cell and it’s quite cold. You may wait here anywhere from an hour to two hours depending on how organized they are that day.
There’s no getting around this part of the process and my suggestion to you is to arrive at least 40 minutes before the time listed on your ticket so you get a seat. Otherwise, you may get bumped and you will have wasted time in traffic and money you may spend on lodging, etc.
Sitting In The Audience Of Family Feud
Eventually a coordinator will alert the crowd that it’s time to walk over to the soundstage. They’ll give some basic rules to follow and let you know that under no circumstance are you to yell out at Steve Harvey or bring him gifts.
The crew directs you into the studio which is so much smaller than you imagine it’s going to be. I’ve worked in the media for more than 20 years and have attended all sorts of television show tapings. However, I’m still always shocked at how the magic of television makes these sound stages seem so much bigger when you’re watching at home.
The Family Feud studio seats about 150 people. You’re likely to be in the first five rows if you showed up on time. There’s a second set of seats that are reserved for families that are going to be on stage later in the day as contestants. Overall it’s very intimate and there’s not really a bad seat. I was seated center of the fourth row and had an awesome view of everything!
The Warm-Up Guy Welcomes You To The Show
Most of the shows I’ve attended have some sort of a “warm up” host to get the audience involved and keep them entertained between breaks. And most of the time – these guys are cheesy and annoying. However, Family Feud’s “warm up” guy is a comedian called Rubin Ervin and I was absolutely impressed with his skills and timing. He was very funny and even invoked some self deprecating humor which I love.
If you’ve never been to a live taping before – you’ll hear things like you are “the most important part of the show” and “sit up straight because you’re about to be on national TV!” All of its complete B.S. but people get excited and that’s what they want. Rubin went over some basic guidelines for the Family Feud audience on when to clap and reminded people to read the answers on the board at the end of each round. He also reminded folks that you’re not supposed to yell out guesses like you do when you watch at home.
Steve Harvey Makes His Entrance
Steve Harvey makes his initial appearance to the audience as the first taping begins exactly like you see on television. The crowd goes nuts and he introduces the two families on stage.
But then it gets crazy.
Harvey appears to have no care in the world about editing or timing and just has a blast talking to nearly everyone on stage. During the first taping – he spent nearly twenty minutes bantering with the family standing stage left. He teased the contestants; asked each one of them what they did for a living; and did at least ten minutes of improv after a girl told him she worked at Chili’s and rattled off some entrees he should try.
None of this will ever appear on television. And it was all hilarious.
He spoke with the audience during commercial breaks and shared his humorous opinions on everything from the current president to having to talk with Human Resources about his behavior at work. He talked about a recent meeting where he was reprimanded for how he joked with a heavy set man in the audience a few weeks prior. Apparently Steve asked him if he could eat an entire ham.
He mentioned to the audience that there were two lines on the stage – one for TV and one for the audience. He often bounced between the two during the actual show and shared his opinions on answers that were given or other random thoughts. At one point, he walked all the way up to the edge of the stage and said of a survey answer: “That’s some mother f—ing bull—“.
In response to some questions from the audience he also mentioned that he hasn’t been in a grocery store since the 1990s and doesn’t drive himself anywhere. He said he hates most new music and loves old-school R&B groups like Earth Wind & Fire.
Steve Harvey Loves The F-Word
After decades of doing stand up comedy, I assume that Harvey probably doesn’t even realize that he cusses as much as he does. If you’re expecting a completely family friendly show – think again. He routinely dropped F bombs in front of the audience.
At one point he actually talked about how his warm-up guy initially played rap music for the audience that had filthy lyrics and he told him that needed to stop. He said “you can’t be playing that in front of old ladies and families”. Which was ironic because as he was telling the story – he used the F word at least ten times. Might as well just play the rap songs!
Just Watching Is Exhausting!
I arrived at the studio shortly before 10:00am and I didn’t leave until 3:30 that afternoon. Keep in mind, on television – the episodes of Family Feud are less than 30 minutes long. I feel horrible for the poor person that has to edit out all of the extra jokes, chatting, and cursing from these shows! But they do a great job because you have no idea if you watch at home. It’s like an entirely different show in person!
You’re welcome to bring a snack to enjoy in between shows. The studio does provide a bottle of water when you check-in. There are bathrooms to use before the show and during the one break between tapings.
Near the end of the second taping I was actually yawning. Not because I was bored or not enjoying the shows – you will literally get worn out. Constantly clapping, laughing at Steve, laughing at some of the ridiculous answers you’ll hear, it’s all going to wear you down. But it’s really worth it.
Is It Worth Seeing A Taping Of Family Feud?
Absolutely. This was probably the most fun I’ve ever had a television show taping. More fun than The Price is Right, more laid back than Jeopardy or The Tonight Show. It’s really just a lot of fun.
And my hats off to the producers of the show that let audience members snap a few photos while they are in the studio. Nearly every television show taping makes you keep your phones locked away or threatens you if they catch you taking a photo. Jeopardy was the worst. I really appreciated that the Family Feud crew allowed and encouraged audience members to take a quick selfie of themselves in the studio before the tapings started.
If you are going to be in Atlanta I would encourage you to try and snag a ticket to experience this all for yourself. Even though it will eat up most of your day you’ll really be glad you had the opportunity to enjoy this in person. You may even wind up on television! (No, you won’t.)