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Inside tips to get on Hot Seat

Senior Producer shares the word on contestant selection process for Nine quiz.

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“Be yourself on your best day,” is the advice Hot Seat Senior Producer Miles Reeves has for prospective contestants.

Reeves, who has been with production company JAM TV since 2018, sees a lot of hopefuls looking for their chance to face off with Eddie McGuire, but being your authentic self is his advice to making it on the show.

“Even if you’re having a terrible time, you’re stuck in traffic, something horrible happened, you’re ‘hangry’… be yourself but your best self,” he recently told TV Tonight.

“You have to have general knowledge and personality mixed in. I think Eddie represents this really well; anyone who wants to have a chance, will be heard. But the whole show is a bit of luck.”

Last year the show moved to Queensland for six weeks with local contestants with casting moving online.

“In the past we’ve always met people in big groups in halls having an audition test with 100 – 200 people. But this time people signed up to a website and we did large Zooms of about 60- 80 people testing online, and then interviewed in different breakout rooms.

“That was a bit different, but it worked well because we were pushed for time with our turnaround for getting contestants so quickly in Queensland.”

Although the show has now returned to Melbourne, Nine still covers transport and accommodation for interstate contestants. But Reeves also reveals there are more older applicants trying their luck. That may mean younger contenders could stand a better chance of selection.

“We’re looking for people from different backgrounds and different generations,” he acknowledges.

“I think in the past, there were a lot more men than women. Now I’d say it’s pretty 50 / 50 with the applications.

“There’s more choices on television now. So 18 to 21 year olds might not be watching. But you have to have your head screwed on still. We want you to have a bit of nous, a good background and knowledge.

“I ask people I meet at parties, ‘Why don’t you ever apply for the show?’ But they say no.

“You have to be willing to apply for the show to get on.”

Hot Seat airs 5pm weeknights on Nine.

15 Responses

  1. I also made it on back in 2012- my big regret is that I didn’t realise how much I’d freeze in front of the camera! Guessing the producer who picked me regretted their choice, I was pretty awkward. Catering was better than Deal or No Deal!

  2. I applied in 2010 to go on the show, recently got an email asking if I was still interested. Told them no, unless they got a host that wasn’t a racist or a sexist.

  3. I always think that I could never be on a game show because they always introduce contestants with a funny/cool anecdote and I have no idea what they could use for me because I’m so boring.

    “Run into a celebrity?” “No.” “Embarrassing story?” “None”. “Cool fact?” “Nothing”. “OK audition over no no need to even try answer questions we wouldn’t be able to introduce you without a cool story.”

    2. I think you have to listen to Nova in Melbourne when the play the boring stories and then play the Neighbours music over the top….You don’t need to be that interesting, to make you feel better.

  5. Congrats. I remember when I was on everyone was so nice and their communication excellent. Working for myself meant I could go in and I guess as mid 40’s male, my age group was under represented as I was on within a few months of audition.

    While driving in on the day I had massive doubts and thought I was mad for giving up a days salary for this. Nearly turned around. Lucky I didn’t, Only answered 2 questions, won $100k!!

    My advice, give it a go. If I can do it (especially after coming dead last in faster finger) anyone can!!

  6. Zero interest in Hot Seat (as viewer and possible contestant) until the original Millionaire format returns. I stopped watching years ago when I became repeatedly incensed with Eddie so obviously giving away answers to undeserving contestants with his predictable patterns of behaviour. The format being strongly luck-based also disincentivises participation.

    I’ve been addicted to Jeopardy of late (they get through up to 61 questions a night compared to Hot Seat’s 15). I’m disappointed that there has been no attempt at a local version since 1993. As much as I love The Weakest Link as a format, the hosts make or break the show, and the current host is such a monumental step down from her predecessor.

  7. I did the online Zoom audition last year..one of the first groups but was amazing how big the list of prospective contestants are trying to get to audition before being shortlisted..

    I hope I get picked

  8. I finally made it on recently – can’t reveal result but my cousin won $50k last year. She only answered 1 question. So much luck. I had a sweet producer called Beck that contacted me they were so nice to everyone.

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