Lebo family appears on ‘Family Feud’’
There was a lot of yelling, applauding and booing coming from the Walnut Grill in Mt. Lebanon the evening of May 22, but the noise had nothing to do with the Pittsburgh Penguins’ hockey game.
Gathered around the television screens were about 100 or so of the Buda family’s closest family and friends, with all eyes glued on the unfolding saga of the CW’s “Family Feud.”
Dad Chris Buda and his four sons, Trevor, 17, Mark, 18, Jonathan “TJ,” 21, and Andrew, 23, all of Mt. Lebanon, taped an appearance on the syndicated game show in Atlanta last July, and the episode was broadcast for the first time May 22.
The five Buda men and mother Cyndi knew the outcome, which they kept as a guarded secret for almost a year.
The idea of auditioning for the show rested with Chris, who said he saw an advertisement in November of 2011 for try-outs in Pittsburgh.
Working in youth ministry and with four boys for which he provides, Chris Buda said he is always looking for free ways to have fun. Auditioning for “Family Feud” was a sure way to spend a cost-free, fun weekend. Months passed until the show notified the family more than a year ago that they had been chosen to appear.
Taping went well, and to the delight of Chris Buda, all of the travel and land expenses were paid by “Family Feud.”
“It was a great family vacation,” Chris Buda said. “If we had to pay, we wouldn’t have gone. We were doing this for fun. They flew us down, gave us a car and hotel and they treated us so well.”
Andrew, the oldest and a graduate of Waynesburg University who works at American Eagle, said the try-out was fun. The actual show was more intense.
“It was a little harder than I thought, but it definitely got a lot easier. [The show host] Steve Harvey put us at ease.”
Next time, if given the chance, Andrew said he might try appearing on “Jeopardy.”
“We played games as kids and we watch (“Family Feud”) at home,” he said. “I’m a lot better player at home.”
For the youngest, Trevor, a junior at Mt. Lebanon High School, the experience was nerve wracking. He was 16 at the time of the taping.
“We were told to take two outfits,” Trevor said. “It got a little bit easier as the game went on.” His friends were supportive.
“I thought it was awesome to see my friend and the whole family,” said friend and fellow Mt. Lebanon junior Thomas Cadle.
Mark Buda was 17 when the show was taped and his hair was longer. The senior at Mt. Lebanon High School said, “It was mostly my dad’s idea as he watches the show.” He enjoyed the experience and learned a few things.
“I was not as good as I thought I would be,” Mark said. “Yes, I would definitely do it again.”
Jonathan, who goes by T.J. on the show, announced in his show introduction that he attends the University of Pittsburgh where he is majoring in Chinese, a fact he threw out to the television audience – last name Buda and studying Chinese. He got a few laughs.
During the showing, yells were heard when one of the Buda men would score points with a correct answer.
When Chris Buda first appeared on the screen, he was overheard to say, “I was so freaking nervous” and “what happened to the back of my hair?”
When the camera panned to Cyndi Buda in the taping audience, those at the Walnut Grill erupted into applause.
The crowd roared at Trevor’s answer to what 100 people said they would do if they were a dog. His answer, which was one of the point getters, was “sniff another dog’s butt.”
When, again Trevor, said he would carry condoms in a bra if he wore one, dad Chris said, “That’s a Mt. Lebanon education at work.”
When the final points were totalled, the opposing team, the Fisher family, won. The Walnut Grill crowd booed and began to filter out of the restaurant. Those remaining watched until the end when the show credits ran and the Buda men again appeared on screen for the final dance.
When the applause ended, Chris yelled to the crowd, “Let’s Go Pens.”
While the Buda men lost, the Pens won.