Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? (Pt.2)

Even as Dylan was leaving for New York in early March (they had shipped a bunch of his furniture back the week before), none of us, not even he, knew what to expect.  All we knew was that we just had to shut up about it.  We searched the internet, but the only other show under that title, from the year before, was a completely different idea than this year's show.  All we could do was wait for news.


When Dylan called to check in on the first evening, we learned that he was in New Jersey, for one thing.  That's where the Macy's Magic happens.  And that he was getting new clothes and a fancy haircut.  Oh, and that the other two contestants were women.  Did we know there would be some sort of challenge by then?  I can't remember.


And that was about the extent of it.


He had left for NJ early on a Tuesday morning.  About Thursday, we heard that we needed to be in San Francisco on Saturday, March 10 at 3pm, all together, in front of one computer set up for Skype.  I'm sure that was requested of all three contestants' families.


Rachel had a good set-up at her house.  That's where we decided to go.  So, there was a relationship set up between Rachel and the assistant producer for the show.  They talked many times that day, the AP being just a little nervous about our meeting our end of the deal (everybody present?  Skype working?).  Rachel trying to ease his mind about it.  

The time kept changing.  Earlier.  Then later.  Emi and Mike struck up a game of Mancala.  More phone calls from the AP.  More assurances by Rachel.  Then, we're given a Time Certain of 5pm. At about 4:30, Rachel and Mike's internet connection flaked out.  Yikes.  The usual fixes didn't work.  So, they called a neighbor and asked for the password to their connection.  By 10 of, we were up and running, again, with literally minutes to spare.  Whew.


Finally, and I don't remember the time, we were told to sit down in front of the computer screen and wait.  Soon, we got connected up and, after a few more minutes, we watched a meticulously-groomed-Clinton-no-Dylan!-walk up to the other computer in NJ.  


He chatted about nothing for a few minutes, then dropped the bomb.  He held up a fake check made out to Dylan Gold for one million dollars signed by Macy's and told us he'd won.


Pandemonium.  You can imagine.  I think they liked the footage from the other side.


He had just found out about a half-hour beforehand.


And he'd be home the next day to tell us all about it.  And that was it.


We decided to go out for dinner to celebrate.  Mike's birthday would be in two days, so we worked that in, as well.  (that's a birthday cake I made for him below)

Next day, we picked Dylan up at the airport and peppered him with questions.  He told a lot of stories.  One of the coolest parts, was that he and the other two contestants, Katie and Pat, were wonderful people and they became good friends over the course of the week.

He talked some about how it felt to be "made over", head to foot.  Hair stylists, make-up artists,  tailors.  It's not surprise that he ended up looking a bit like Clinton Kelly, the host. 

(Clinton also co-hosts "What Not To Wear" on TLC--a show I had actually been on a number of years ago as part of the group of supportive friends for the subject of a makeover, Molly Phillips, Francine's daughter.  So, yes, fans, this is the second TLC reality show on which I've appeared, however briefly and insignificantly, and both hosted by our friend, Clinton Kelly)

He also told the story that, somehow, he was given the wrong socks for the final judging, and the crew scrambled for a half-hour before they found some of the right color--on the feet of the hair stylist.  So Dylan was wearing that guys socks for the finale.  Ha!

He had a great time with his "mentor" for the challenge, Sheila Bridges, a well-known interior designer, who coached him on his cubicle decor as well as his oral presentation to the judges. He had very positive interactions with the judges, as well.


All in all, he reported a wonderful experience and was still a bit dazed by it all.  As were we all.


Next:  The Show