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_ ane ia i Es See heron TV this week and next! Vernona Beatty had no desire to be on TV. It as her daughter, Kelly Sweetman, who watched Jackpot all the time and wanted to appear as a contes- tant. It was Kelly, who asked.her mom to escort her downtown to the studio because, as Vernona says, "She doesn't know her way around Toronto the way I do." And it was Kelly who pulled the whammy oi: her mother and signed Vernona up as a possible contestant. Thus, it is Kelly who is ultimate- ly responsible for Vernona's ap- pearance on Jackpot every night this week and next. It was also Kelly who called the Star to let everyone know about her soon-to-be-famous mom. "I'm going to kill her," says the soon-to-be-famous mom with an in- fectious laugh. Kelly was a regular view of Global's energetic game show and it was while her husband was on the night shift last spring that she in- vited Vernona over to watch the - show with her. During the show, a phone number was broadcast advertising the show's needs for new contestants. For a lark, Kelly called and booked an appointment. This year, more than 20,000 peo- ple will be screened for 416 contes- tant spots on Jackpot, hosted by Mike Darrow (weeknights at 7:30 p.m.). Because of the odds, Kelly didn't really expect to be 'chosen, and wasn't terribly disappointed when she wasn't, but for Vernona, who wanted no part of the whole ex- perience in the first place, well -- the whole thing came as quite a shock. On May21st, the two women head- ed for Global's studio in Toronto for -an audition, a crowded, confusing . affair where Vernona says "people waited for their interviews like lost sheep." Vernona, a shy person at the best of times, admits she was over- whelmed by all the activity. When the receptionist asked her daughter's name, Kelly replied "Kelly Sweetman." When the woman asked Vernona her name, she replied "Vernona Beetman." They both had a good laugh at that one, and even Vernona has to admit there were many giggles throughout the whole "ordeal." The audition was a long process with several elimination steps before a few were chosen. Kelly, who wanted to be on the show, pass- ed several tests before being eliminated. Vernona counted on be- ing eliminated every step of the way and was horrified when she discovered she had made it. Actually, she went home after the audition, didn't hear from the studio for nearly two months, and forgot "about the whole thing. But a few days before June 21, the studio call- ed her at her Cartwright home and told her, she was expected at the show's taping June 21st. The call came at a bad time. Pro- bably the worst time. A close friend had just passed away and Vernona was in no mood for the frivolity of a game show. The studio, however, pointed out that she had no choice, so she reluctantly prepared for the taping. The person who called advised Vernona to wear bright colours and aksed her to appy her own make-up. "I never wear bright colours and I don't wear much make-up," Ver- nona recalls thinking in a panic. But Kelly helped her out by taking her on a wild shopping spree, where gig- gles were galore as the two women picked out a myriad of colourful clothes and make-up. All prepared, she headed for Toronto for a 1 p.m. taping. On the way she tangled up in Blue Jay baseball traffic and figured she would be late and miss the whole thing. "I thought, oh great, they'll go on without me," she says. Needless to say, she wasn't that late after all. They continued with her, much to Vernona's chagrin. But there was a chance she mi still be eliminated. Two ple were called just in case something happene, and she kept hoping to be one theAwo told to go meant to go,"' she get out somehow!" Turns out, she wasn't sent home. The taping (which included a week's worth of shows in one day) includ- ed the nervous Vernona, who wound up doing so well she '"'won the trip back" for a second week's worth of taping the following day (Sunday). She couldn't believe her luck. Bad luck, she thought. On the second day of taping, she was so nervous and tired that she thought she'd never survive. "The first question they asked me that day, they might as well have been speaking in Russian," she recalls. "I didn't understand a word they said." "I tried to get back in the swing of things, but I was just so tired." Tired as she was, she won a se- cond return trip, which is impossi- ble on Jackpot. This confused the studio people so much the director Ss. "I've got to 1986 z ANNIVERSARY B > To 2& SCUGOG CHORAL SOCIETY IN COOPERATION WIHTH TAMSMWITTMARRK MUSIC TIBRARY INC Vernona Beatty and her daughter Kelly Sweetman wave merrily in front of a whole slew of TV sets at House of Howard, after Vernona made her television debut on the Global Network called. "CUT!" (something that never happens during a live taping), and the producers mulled over what to do for several minutes. In the meantime, Vernona suf- fered miserably under the hot lights until she couldn't stand it any longer. The shy, reserved Vernona finally shouted, "MAKE UP YOUR MIND WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO BEFORE I FAINT!" A decision was made, Vernona would not return, and the taping drew to a close. "When all was said and done, Ver- Ll Ce sa hl Lo a INC LE a LD EE a ah AA LTE LE aL ven di ian sai a a cass PORT PERRY STAR -- Wednesday, October 15, 1986 -- 9 Vernona Beatty hits the Jackpot nona had won about $800 -- money she used to buy a VCR from the House of Howard. "So you can tape the Jackpot shows!" her daughter Kelly enthused. 'Oh, no!" says Vernona firmly. "No way." Looking 'back, she admits it wasn't all bad. "Mike Darrow was just super, really great to work with. And I have nothing but praise for the Global people,' she says. Vernona also enjoyed meeting Marlin Travel MARLIN TRAVEL FILM NIGHT show 'Jackpot'. Vernona, who didn't want to be on TV in the first place, ended up doing quite well. See story for details. other contestants and "met a fellow from Bowmanville whose livelihood is farming," as is Vernona's family. She says Mike Darrow occasional- ly made reference to their farming background and wise-cracked, when the question was right, "You farmers should know the answer to that." When it comes right down to it, Vernona didn't have a bad time. And would she do it agan? The reporter expects her to say no. "You know," she says, "I just might." - Focus on ... VENEZUELA ~ COLUMBIA Come explore through our Audio Visual Presentation and first hand discussion the two northern- most countries of South America. Both are situated on the Caribbean Sea and boast reliable weather, good beaches and reasonable prices. Thursday, 30 October, 1986 SCUGOG PUBLIC LIBRARY 7:30 P.M. (doors open at 7:00) Admission is FREE with door prizes and refreshments to enhance the holiday mood! * Please RSVP by calling 985-2268 or 985-2887 * WINTER HOURS: Mon-Thurs ... 9:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. Friday ... 9:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Saturday ... 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Books and Lyrics by: ALAN JAY LERNER Music by: FREDERICK LOEWE Adapted from George Bernard Shaw's Play and Gabrial Pascal's Motion Picture "Pygmalion' All Winter Brochures are Now Available. Director. NINA FOXALL Musical Director: TOM MILLAR a TOWN HALL 1873 Queen and Lilla Streets, Port Perry LINDA JACKSON Travel Consultant BRENT TAYLOR, CTC Manager PERFORMANCES . WEDNESDAY NOV 5 WEDNESDAY NOV 12 THURSDAY NOV 6 8:00 THURSDAY NOV 13 FRIDAY NOV 7 M. FRIDAY NOV 14 SATURDAY NOV 8 SATURDAY NO\ 15 Travel is our Only Business or 985-2887 TICKETS: Senior & Children (IR & under) $5 00 Hy '8.00 (Wed & Thurs Only) Available at Irwin Smith Music Ltd 191 Queéfi|St., Port Perry MEET THE CAST IN THE LOWER HALL AFTER THE PERFORMANCES EAC & SATURDAY TET =---- TY TRS--" VENT RIETY