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In 2009, I took the written test to be a contestant. I passed.

In 2010, I took it again. It was a different test. I passed.

In 2011, I took it again. It was a different test. I passed.

But I have been rejected each time in the “1-minute interview.” I get a postcard a week later telling me that I have not been selected. No reasons.

The way it works. Go to the web site and see when the auditions are being held. Sign up online and then they send an email confirmation of the date of your test.  On the test date, line up outside and wait until they start to let you in. Most of the auditions are at the ABC Offices (a cafeteria) on 67th in NYNY. There is a metal detector and guards. I guess the ABC people don’t want any irate MILLIONAIRE wannabe going crazy.

I walk into the cafeteria and am handed an manila envelope and a Scantron sheet. The envelope contains the written test. The Scantron is for your answers. Fill in the circle with a number 2 pencil. Remember those from every standardized test you have ever taken? Sit down and wait. The staff tells you stale jokes (I think they are the same ones each time) and everyone seems a bit nervous.

Then you are given the basic rules. You have 10 minutes to answer the 30 question multiple choice test. Answer each on the Scantron sheet. Make sure you fully erase any changes and don’t write beyond the lines. Also don’t write on the test. Each test has a number. Write that on your Scantron.

Then after a few questions from the audience, the test begins. 30 questions in 10 minutes. It may seem quick but it is enough time. No time to sit and ponder. Since it is multiple choice, I have found the tests very easy. The subjects are pop culture, movies, music, simple history, geography, etc. It really is a test to see how wide a path of worthless information one knows.  It helps to know trivia from many eras.

After 5 minutes, they tell you the time is 1/2 up. Then a 9 minute warning. Then time to put pencils down.

They collect the tests and run them through the Scantron. That just takes a few minutes. Everyone looks relieved and chatty. Who knows? Out of the 150 people taking the test, each time about 10-15 pass. So 90% of the people are asked to leave. They start to announce the numbers of those that passed. If your number is called, you move to the other part of the cafeteria. The rest leave.

I have passed the test three times in three attempts. I feel I could pass it 100 times. I am not cocky, just I have taken it three times and find the test easy.

But I have also failed the personal interview three times. That part seems easy, but I am not getting through the process.

They take your picture and add it to your file. Then one of the interns calls out your name and it is time for the interview. She asks a few questions like, “what would you do with a million dollars?” and “are you married? family? work?” – basic inane questions.

I have not passed the personal interview barrier…. yet.

I am disappointed. I have always wanted to be on a game show. I understand they can’t give reasons for rejection but I would like to know why…. Am I ugly? Am I too talkative? Am I too shy? Am I not white enough (the auditions are overwhelming white)? Am I boring? Am I not the right age? I just don’t know.

It is what it is.

Oh well, although you can try up to five times in a season, I have decided once a year is enough. I will try again in 2012.

Maybe 4th time is a charm?

After all this angst, if I ever get chosen and make the show, I will probably be the dummy that misses the $100 question!

Life goes on.

Rupert Murdoch’s media empire has come under tremendous attack the past few weeks.

I am not a fan on Murdoch and have believed his actions have always been one step ahead of the law. So this latest scandal doesn’t surprise me.

Evil Media Conglomerates are common in history.

Rupert Murdoch is just the latest in a string a mega-maniacal media barrons who manipulate the news, intentionally mis-lead and create a story they want to tell. Murdoch’s cronies went too far and broke the law. They should be arrested and jailed.

But again, this is not the first time, nor will it be the last time someone gains monopolistic control over the media.

William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer were known for their battles and the tension to get a story created ‘yellow journalism’ and the active mis-leading of the truth. Hearst is even credited (blamed) with stirring national sentiment and created the Spanish-American War. That is power?

Murdoch is evil. What he has done in the UK is completely wrong and he deserves to be brought down.

Will anyone see that his FOX NEWS in America has done more to harm our Democracy than any single entity of the past 50 years?

Murdoch is old and maybe this scandal will kill him. But there will be others. As long as the media has such control over how and what people think, there will be criminals like Murdoch to exploit it.

Twenty-seven major league players have at least 3,000 hits in their career. Over 100 years of Major League Baseball, only 27 players have reached this plateau. It is a major milestone.

Derek Jeter is two hits away from joining this group. So, for this post, I am going to assume he also has 3,000.

• 12 have batted left-handed.
• 14 have batted right-handed.
• 2 have been switch hitters.

To achieve 3,000 hits, a player must average 200 hits a season for 15 years. That is an amazing level of consistency over a long period of time.

Nine players have achieved all their hits with one team:

• Stan Musial – Cardinals.
• Carl Yastrzemski – Red Sox.
• Cal Ripken – Orioles.
• George Brett – Royals.
• Robin Yount – Brewers.
• Tony Gwynn – Padres.
• Craig Biggio – Astros.
• Roberto Clemente – Pirates.
• Derek Jeter – Yankees.

Two players have over 4,000 hits. Ty Cobb, who played in the early decades of the 20th century and Pete Rose.

Roberto Clemente ended his career with exactly 3,000 hits.  He died in a plane crash during the off-season. He was part of an effort to bring supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. What a class act.

Here’s the the 28 men who have achieved 3,000 hits in a career. Quite an accomplishment.