The family feud tale of the Almand and Fulks families is a little different from most – theirs is about love, laughter and friendships forged throughout an extended family of in-laws.
All that and a three-day stint on the popular “Family Feud” game show that starts April 6, and runs through April 8.
“It’s pretty cool how our family really gets along so well,” Fayetteville resident Matt Almand said of his extended group that includes his wife Jamison, her parents Cindy and Jerry Fulks, Matt’s father, Warren Almand and Matt’s aunt, Dianne Almand.
It’s a good thing, too, because Matt sent the application first and told his in laws later.
“We have a really strong relationship” and that was the hook Matt and Jamison hoped would draw attention to their application to be on the show, Matt said. “Jerry and Cindy and Warren (and the couple) that’s how we pitched the team.” Dianne was a last minute substitute for Jamison who delivered the couple’s third daughter right before they were called to audition and could not be away from the newborn for the long hours families must wait in the studio.
“My wife and I are huge fans of the show,” said Matt, an attorney in Chick-fil-A’s Corporate Legal Department. They were watching one night when the show, which tapes in Atlanta, solicited applications for family competitors. “We were thinking no way, but we were feeling adventurous that night,” Matt said.
Six months later, they got the call and had to tell the other family members.
“He twisted our arms,” mother in law Cindy said of Matt. Father in law Jerry, president/CEO at West Georgia Health System in LaGrange, was not easy to convince and said “no” to the television appearance at least half a dozen times before capitulating.
“We just sort of laughed and said ‘are you crazy,’” Cindy said. “But we love Matt and we decided we would support him. It turned out to be great fun.”
Taping the show involves “so many moving parts,” Matt said. “There are hundreds of people in the studio audience, the lights are on you, the camera is on you, the celebrity host is talking to you, you’re trying to stand up straight and smile and play this game all at the same time. You just get in the moment. It’s hard not to get in the moment. We were there to win it and we played well as a team.”
Show host Steve Harvey “loved Cindy,” Matt added. “He would joke with her and put her at ease.”
Families play and tape for two hours and then their appearance is edited down to about 18 minutes. “We had no idea,” Cindy said. “They are trying to make Steve Harvey look funny. The first time we saw it we laughed ourselves crazy. It happened so fast, but it was funny. We just laughed at each other.”
The Almand-Fulks appearance has already aired in some markets, but will make an ATL-WUPA debut starting at 7 p.m.
“It’s such an amazing memory for us,” Matt said. “It’s so fun to watch as a family and laugh. When you watch it, you will see Cindy and I must high five each other 500 times.”
