The Rules You Didn't Know 'Family Feud' Contestants Have to Follow (2024)

The Rules You Didn't Know 'Family Feud' Contestants Have to Follow (1)

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If you've ever wondered if your family has what it takes to win Family Feud, we've got news: It takes more than just quick thinking. Contestants have a slew of rules they have to follow if they even want to compete on the game show. Do you have to clap after every answer? Can you interact with Steve Harvey when the cameras aren't rolling? And do you really have to be related to your teammates? We got to the bottom of all of these questions. Annnnd the top answer on the board is ...

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1

You have to start with an online application.

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To start the application process, head to the game show's site. Fill out your info, click submit, and that's it! If you're selected to move on, you'll hear back from producers within four weeks.

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2

Make sure to send in a video.

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Though not required, an audition video is highly encouraged by producers. The short clip should show off the personalities in your group, according to the application: "We are looking for families who have energy, enthusiasm, and an ability to play the game!"

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3

Confidence is key.

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If you're on the shy side, Family Feud might not be for you. "Whether you're filming your audition video or attending a local tryout, try to be bold and assertive," head of casting Sara Dansby revealed. "We're looking for high energy, but it all comes down to confidence. We need people who won't freeze up on stage, so we can make an exciting show!"

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4

If you make the cut, you move onto the audition.

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Once you pass the first test, your family might be asked to participate in a mock game for producers. If you can impress them — and then pass another round of interviews — you'll be put into a database of families that the show can call up at any time.

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5

Do some research before applying.

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Producers want to see that you're a fan of the show, so make sure you know how to play. "Aside from energy and enthusiasm, we also look for an ability to play the game and to come up with answers," head of casting Sara Dansby shared, "And if you love the show for a specific reason, mention it!”

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6

Sorry, families of six — only five people can play on a team.

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Even though your family of six can audition together, only five are actually allowed to play if casted.

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7

But producers will help you narrow down who stays and who goes.

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In the case of former contestant Danielle Green, producers gave her family of six "non-negotiables" (they definitely wanted her parents and brother to play, because of their unique backstories).

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8

Don't be camera shy.

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Family Feud films in front of a studio audience so having stage presence is a huge plus. Being able to be loud, joke with Steve Harvey, and maintain high energy are all things producers look for in the families they choose.

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9

Good news, teens — there's no age requirement.

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Unlike many other game shows, any age is allowed to compete on Family Feud. That being said, producers usually suggest families only bring along kids ages 15 years or older, as the nature of some questions can lean more adult.

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10

Yes, you really have to be related.

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It wouldn't be Family Feud without family. In order to be eligible to compete, you must bring along five relatives through either blood, marriage, or legal adoption.

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11

No politicians, please.

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No candidates running for political office are allowed to be on the show.

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12

No game show vets either.

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Another ineligible group? Anyone who has been featured on more than two game shows in the last year.

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13

'Family Feud' pros are a no, too.

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If you or anyone on your team has appeared on Family Feud before, you must wait 10 years before applying again.

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14

Connections can't get you casted.

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No nepotism here! If you or anyone on your team knows or is related to someone employed by the production companies involved in the show, or any Steve Harvey-owned company, you can't compete.

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15

You must be a United States citizen.

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Or you must have permission to work within the United States.

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16

Practice, practice, practice!

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If you really want to win big on Family Feud, it won't come without some work. Before the big day, you should watch old episodes or play the board game.

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17

Shake off any nerves at rehearsal.

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According to a former contestant, an entire mock game is played before the actual show, to test out lighting, sound effects, and more.

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18

You won't know the questions beforehand.

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Fun fact: The Wall Street Journal reported that the show uses polling firm Applied Research-West to call random people (who aren't told their responses are for Family Feud) to gather survey data. Writers typically send in 100 questions to executive producers, who then narrow it down to 30 or 40 before the polling begins.

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19

Expect to be busy.

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The taping schedule can be a bit hectic — especially if your family moves on to film another episode. According to a former contestant, producers shoot anywhere from four to six episodes in a day. "The atmosphere was very fast-paced," he wrote on Reddit. "For example, when you finish a game, they whisk you backstage to hook you up with a wireless mic while they give you instructions and all you are focused on is getting some water."

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20

You have to clap after every response, even the bad ones!

The Rules You Didn't Know 'Family Feud' Contestants Have to Follow (21)

No matter how crazy it is, contestants must remain enthusiastic and cheer for every. single. answer. As former contestant David Newman wrote, "Enthusiasm not only makes good game show TV, it also makes good teamwork environment."

The Rules You Didn't Know 'Family Feud' Contestants Have to Follow (2024)

FAQs

How do they come up with the answers on Family Feud? ›

The challenge of this game is to come up with the most popular answers to each question. The answers to the questions provided are unique in that they aren't factual "answers" at all. They are based on the answers provided by a survey completed with our AJPR kids!

Where does Family Feud get survey answers? ›

You won't know the questions beforehand. Fun fact: The Wall Street Journal reported that the show uses polling firm Applied Research-West to call random people (who aren't told their responses are for Family Feud) to gather survey data.

What are the rules for the Family Feud game? ›

The first contestant to buzz in gives an answer; if it is the most popular, his/her family immediately wins the face-off. Otherwise, the opponent responds and the family member providing the higher-ranked answer wins. Ties are broken in favor of the contestant who buzzes in first.

Has any family ever won $100,000 on Family Feud? ›

Selected for their quick wit and family unity, Rick Carson, mother Virginia White-Carson, along with siblings Damon Burkett, Dane Burkett and Dominique Burkett, joined forces for a chance to win a grand prize of $100,000. Their efforts paid off as they emerged victorious, bringing their first win to the Borderland.

How many episodes of Family Feud are filmed in a day? ›

You arrive in the morning and they have a continental breakfast (coffee, juices, donuts, etc.)... After that, you get Subway subs for lunch, and then that's pretty much it. They filmed four episodes our day (and we were all four), and I think we got a snack after the third game while Steve ate dinner.

How long do contestants get to answer on Family Feud? ›

For each Fast Money Game, the contestant who goes second goes offstage and is fitted with headphones playing music at a volume so as to prevent them from hearing what is going on onstage. The remaining contestant is asked five (5) survey questions. She/he has twenty (20) seconds to answer those questions.

How does Family Feud pick contestants? ›

According to the website, producers are looking for “energy and enthusiasm, [and] an ability to play the game and to come up with answers.” You'll hear whether or not you've been selected within four weeks. If the casting team wants to move forward, they'll reach out to schedule a Zoom audition for the entire family.

How do you get invited to Family Feud? ›

Fill out the application online. They'll let you know in 4 weeks if they're interested in having you on. Write a short description of your family and shoot a short video introducing you and your family to apply. Make your application as positive and upbeat as possible to increase the odds that you're selected.

How do contestants get paid on Family Feud? ›

They haven't received the $20,000 prize money yet, since it's only paid after the episodes air. She said the show automatically splits it five ways, $4,000 for each family member. True to the “Family Feud” spirit, they're spending their winnings on each other.

Are you allowed to pass in Family Feud? ›

The team that buzzed in with the correct answer receives control of the board and has the option of playing or passing control to the other team. The team that has the control tries to reveal all of the correct answers to the question before receiving three strikes.

Can you play against your friend on Family Feud? ›

Players can invite their in-game friends to Live matches through the Live now bar (on the bottom of the menus) or from their Ludia inbox. To send in-game friend invites, you must first connect your game account to Facebook.

Is Family Feud still giving away cars? ›

Conversation. will no longer give away a car to 5 day champions. 5 day champs will now receive a trip plus a $10,000 bonus for a total of $30,000.

Has anyone won more than $40,000 on Family Feud? ›

Former NY Lottery star Yolanda Vega & family continue Family Feud winning streak. The Vega family has won four games in a row on the popular game show Family Feud, winning more than $40,000.

How does Family Feud get their answers? ›

Participants work in teams to try and come up with all of the top responses from survey questions. After a head-to-head guess to start each round, teams can either pass the question to the other team or play and try to guess the rest of the top responses with their team.

How do they pick the family for Family Feud? ›

As outlined on the “Family Feud” website, your team members must be “related by blood, marriage, or legal adoption.” Although there's technically no age limit, the show recommends that contestants be aged 15 or older due to the nature of the questions.

What is the point system for Family Feud? ›

The current format of "Family Feud" assigns single-point values to the first two rounds, with points doubled in the third and tripled in the fourth round.

How do Family Feud questions work? ›

Family Feud questions are prompts used to play the game show game. These questions are in a survey format. Typically, the game masters poll an audience of 100 respondents and assign point values based on how many people answered the same way.

What are the mechanics of the game Family Feud? ›

Participants work in teams to try and come up with all of the top responses from survey questions. After a head-to-head guess to start each round, teams can either pass the question to the other team or play and try to guess the rest of the top responses with their team.

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