Stars in our Midst: Chris Gardner

Hey that’s Chris! On NBC “The Wall”, June 2023.

Hey that’s Rachel! On NBC “The Wall”, June 2023.

As many of you know, Rachel and I were invited to Los Angeles in September to play on NBC's game show, "The Wall". This invitation was after months of interviews, Zoom meetings, rehearsals and a whole lot of paperwork.

It was a very unique experience as we were flown out and locked away in a hotel room for a week, uncertain if and or when we were going to play. Due to Covid concerns, producers over booked couples/teams in the event anyone tested positive during the daily Covid tests. Because of this, only about half of the couples flown out actually got to play.

After six days of anxiously waiting, we were finally told that we were going to get to play, and that we would be the last couple playing for this season! 

Each team has a "story" that the producers focus on, ours being the mountain lion incident from 2020, and the fact that we were a recently engaged park ranger couple.

As with any show, a lot of it was scripted in regards to what they wanted us to say, and how they wanted us to act. That being said, this is the disclaimer for it being awkward and cringy for Rachel and I.

The episode aired on June 19th! I am not going to give a spoiler so instead I’ve attached a link to The Wall's website just in case you want to see what it's all about and watch us embarrass ourselves (and win a bit of money) on national television! 

Each month, ‘On the Ground’ will feature a new star in our midst, and it may be you! Is there a talent you possess or a hobby that has nothing to do with Natural Resources…but offers joy, contentment, and meaning to your life, or is just plain fun? Send your perspective and supporting photo or video to Korrie Johnston to be added in future months.