I Started my Dream Job (Just in Time to Get Shut Down Again)

I got the call in April that I would be starting as a prop assistant to my good friend, Christine on the game show Let’s Make a Deal… and then I waited patiently all summer as the world was sick and the TV industry was shut down.

By October (and right around the time I stopped posting updates on here) my future employers had put enough protocols in place to bring us back to work. We got tested every Friday, we kept our masks on the whole time and weren’t allowed to eat inside or mingle too much outside our “zones”. I’ve talked about it before: working during covid sucks. But it must be done, and I’m lucky that the people I work with are generally all very respectful and wear their masks.

But despite COVID trying to make this job less fun; I’ve definitely found my calling. I mean, I knew I loved props when I was busting my ass at The Real — now I see what it’s like to work my first union prop job. I’m respected and compensated for what I can do, with proper breaks and free lunch. It’s different than I’ve ever had before, and I am so grateful. And most of all, this job is fun! I feel fullfilled at the end of each day and ready to start working again in the morning — I wouldn’t be able to handle the 60 hour weeks otherwise. I love what I’m doing, and I’m doing so well at it and meeting the greatest people along the way.

If you haven’t ever seen Let’s Make a Deal, it’s a gameshow hosted by Wayne Brady where the contestants dress up in costumes and play games to win money. We get to make and prep all the handheld props (like cards, prizes and checks), but we also get to set up all the games before they play. It’s so fun to watch the contestants play and we all get excited when they win big.

What I love the most is listening to the show as we’re taping, because sometimes Wayne will start improving with a contestant and call for a prop. I love being able to quickly grab the prop we need and run it out to set. On one episode, the cast played a game of Quidditch with hula hoops, and a selection of balls we grabbed and ran out. It’s hilarious to see what they do in such quick time and I love being able to help with it.

But unfortunately, it’s quite difficult to stay socially distant in this business and we’ve had a couple people test positive on our crew before the holidays. After Christmas the city’s health department put out a request for the entertainment industry to pause production, and my show responded by extending our holiday break an extra three weeks. It really is the safest decision and I’m ultimately glad to be staying home and staying safe, but I surprisingly miss working! Granted I did have 7 months off last year, the last thing I want to do is sit at home again. But I will continue to be patient, because the more patient we all are, the sooner this can all be over.