Good-looking, funny, and outrageous are the kind of people the hit television game show 'Street Smarts' were looking for as they searched downtown Tempe for contestants last week.
Frank Nicotero, the show's host, and the Street Smarts crew traveled around Tempe and Phoenix searching for the right kind of person for the show's fun persona.
Last Wednesday and Thursday, Street Smarts were on Mill Avenue in front of Harkins Centerpoint Theater. The crew travelled to the Arizona State Fair Friday and Saturday, filming show hopefuls.
The show, which airs on WGN, has two contestants who pick people from the streets who they think answered a question right or wrong.
Nicotero is also a comedian who adds improvisions to the show.
Lindsey Schueller, an ASU communications senior, was asked to be on the show while walking past Saki’s on Thursday.
She said the field producer asked her several ridiculous questions and watched her response before allowing her to be on the show.
Schueller said she was asked questions like, “What kind of city is New York City known as?” and “What does B.O. stand for?”
Rob Czar, the show's field talent producer, said participants must be attractive, crazy, hilarious, and energetic.
The young crew of Street Smarts seem to have a good time interviewing possible contestants. They frequently laugh at the sometimes outrageous answers given by people on the streets.
Czar said he loves his job and he gets to travel all over the country with the crew.
The comical expressions on the show are not always natural. One of the producers was coaching a female participant to make her body language laughable.
The producer was standing in front of the participant directing her like an aerobic’s instructor. She was telling her to move her head all the way to the left, then to the right, and then up and down. The producer also told her to open her mouth real wide and smile.
Street Smarts began airing one year ago and airs daily at 3:30 p.m. EST.
