Jordan Runtagh | August 14, 2014 8:00 am

At one time or another, we’ve all shrieked at the TV when some bozo blows an easy question on a game show. Once indoor voices are resumed, we’re tempted to feel tremendous sympathy for these poor souls. It’s only natural to take upon yourself that intense pressure brought on by crowds, cameras, and cash has caused them to become a bundle of nerves and choke, right? Incorrect.

I in person have been one of the aforementioned bozos, and that beyond doubt wasn’t the way it went down. The crowds, cameras, and cash have the total opposite effect, with adrenaline turning you into a sort of coked-up trivia nerd with a God complex. All eyes are on you, so clearly you must have all the answers. You truly start believe that you know things, even topics that you know NOTHING about. Case in point-

During the lengthy preparation process, producers constantly remind you to take risks and “really go for it.” After you get a few right answers under your belt, caution quickly goes out the window. Suddenly you feel like George Clooney in Ocean’s 11. You’re about to pull off the big con! You are about to succeed where many (thousands? millions?) have failed!

And that’s how you fail. Your brain has been lulled into a fake sense of security, and certainly you say “A” when you should have said “C,” or say “Jerry Seinfeld” when you should have said “Katie Couric.” What’s worse, you say it with such conviction. Before you know it, the crowds, cameras and cash are gone and you find yourself in a Chipotle wondering where it all went incorrect. It’s a very common tale. The household always wins.

But hey, at least I had a decent run before my fall from grace. I honestly don’t know what the hell happened to these folks during their truly epic bombs.

8. Enbalming Fluid Bomb (Who Wants To Be A Millionaire)

The Struggle: Embalming fluid is used in cadavers, so all this Millionaire rival has to do is identify which of the four items is a dead human body. This is apparently harder than it looks.

7. Wolf In Difficulty

The Struggle: CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer doesn’t give particularly stupid answers during his time on Difficulty. It’s quantity over quality as he distinguishes himself with a rapid succession of incorrect responses. That result lands Wolf $ 4,600 in the hole…and that’s just the first round!

6. Word Salad (Wheel Of Fortune)

The Struggle: On top of being really ridiculous, this woman’s unique response to an easy word-puzzle is oddly gorgeous.

5. It’s A Family Name (Family Feud)

The Struggle: The contenstant is questioned to say a man’s name that starts with the letter “K”.  Drawing a blank, he goes with the next best thing: a quick food string.

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