Be a Contestant — Name That Tune

Name That Tune: How to Be a Contestant

Think you have what it takes to identify songs from just a few notes on national television? Becoming a contestant on Name That Tune requires a combination of musical knowledge, on-camera personality, and competitive spirit. Here's everything you need to know about the casting process and how to prepare for your shot at the show.

The Application Process

Name That Tune casts contestants through CBS's casting department and associated production company resources. The process typically involves these steps:

1. Online application: Submit through CBS's casting portal or the production company's website when applications are open. You'll provide personal information, a photo or video, and answers to questions about your musical background and personality
2. Music knowledge screening: Unlike many game shows where personality is the primary casting criterion, Name That Tune requires demonstrable musical knowledge. Expect some form of music identification test during the audition process
3. Video or in-person audition: Selected applicants are invited to audition, where casting producers assess your on-camera presence, energy, and ability to perform under the kind of pressure the show creates
4. Mock gameplay: You'll likely play simulated rounds of the game, including a Bid a Note mock-up, to demonstrate that you understand the format and can compete engagingly
5. Final selection: Producers select contestants based on musical ability, personality, and the need to create varied and entertaining episodes

What Producers Are Looking For

Name That Tune casting balances two priorities: musical competence and entertainment value. Producers need contestants who are:

• Genuinely knowledgeable about music across multiple genres and decades. You don't need to be a musicologist, but you need to know more than just your favorite genre
• Energetic and expressive on camera. The show needs contestants who react visibly to the music, celebrate when they're right, and handle mistakes with humor
• Competitive but likeable. Bid a Note requires a willingness to bid aggressively, but nobody wants to watch an abrasive contestant. The ideal player is fiercely competitive and warmly personable at the same time
• Quick under pressure. The show's format creates intense time pressure, especially in the Golden Medley. Producers need to see that you can think fast when the stakes are high
• Authentic and relatable. Viewers connect with contestants who seem like real people with genuine passion for music, not performers putting on an act

How to Prepare Your Musical Knowledge

If you're serious about competing, start building your musical arsenal now:

• Study Billboard hits from every decade. Name That Tune draws from the 1950s through the present. Focus on songs that reached the top 10 in their era — these are the most likely to appear on the show
• Learn to recognize songs from their openings. Create playlists and practice identifying songs from just the first 2-3 seconds. This is the specific skill that wins Bid a Note rounds
• Diversify your genres. Don't just study the music you love. Make sure you can identify rock, pop, country, R&B, hip-hop, and classic standards. The show draws from all of them
• Use music quiz apps. Apps like SongPop and other music identification games provide excellent practice in a competitive, timed format that mimics the show's pressure
• Listen to "greatest hits" compilations from each decade to build a broad foundation. Compilations are efficient because they collect the most recognizable songs in one place

Audition Tips

Based on successful game show auditions across the industry, here's how to maximize your chances:

• Be yourself, but be your most energetic self. Television requires slightly bigger energy than everyday life, but it should still feel authentic
• Show your personality in the application. Answer written questions with humor and specificity — generic answers get overlooked
• Have a great story about your relationship with music. Why do you love music? How did it shape your life? Producers love contestants with compelling personal narratives
• Practice competitive gameplay before the audition. Play music quiz games with friends so you're comfortable with the speed and pressure of competitive identification

Staying Ready for Casting Calls

Name That Tune casting calls are announced periodically during production cycles. To be ready when the next opportunity arises, keep your CBS casting profile updated, follow the show and network on social media for casting announcements, and consider applying for other music-related television opportunities to build your on-camera experience. The musical knowledge and competitive personality that make a great Name That Tune contestant are transferable to many other entertainment formats, so every audition experience makes you a stronger candidate for the next one.