No deal for Seneca man on long-running game show

Twenty years ago, Robert Anselme of Seneca filmed a commercial and did some voice over work on the radio. He even received a Screen Actors Guild card, he said.

But Anselme, a retired pipefitter who now works as a Medicare consultant, always wanted to win a car on a national television game show.

So at the encouragement of his wife, Lorinda Anselme, Robert began applying to various game shows. Robert wound up going through several interviews for “Let’s Make a Deal” and was chosen for its virtual wall – virtual because of the social distance restrictions this past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Robert will appear on the show March 29, April 16 and April 21, he said.

“Let’s Make A Deal,” which began in the 1960s, was known for contestants showing up in costume, hoping to get selected to make “wacky deals,” according to the show’s website.

Robert decided to wear his Halloween costume, which was a cross between B-horror movie host Svengoolie and a former host from the old “Creature Feature” series.

And then Robert sat for eight hours a day in front of his laptop for three days, which lacked the energy of a being part of a live audience, he felt.

“It was a lot of work,” Robert said. “I’m more of a serous person. They want you to clap and jump around and show enthusiasm.”

Robert was not picked to “make a deal” — although several other people on his virtual wall were selected, he said.

But he’s not daunted.

“I have a couple of other shows I’m going to apply for,” Robert said.

Robert was still happy to be part of the virtual wall and he enjoyed his short stint of fame. Neither he nor Lorinda are on any social media sites simply because they have no interest in them – although that might change once they become grandparents, Robert said.

But having a social media presence, he feels, cannot compare with his most recent experience.

“There is nothing like being on live TV,” he said.

Robert also gave Lorinda credit for encouraging him to keep trying for appearances on other shows.

“Maybe I’ll get lucky one of those times and I’ll win a car,” Robert said. “I’m not holding my breath, though.”

“Let’s Make a Deal” airs on CBS. For airtimes, visit cbs.com/shows/lets_make_a_deal.