Sacramento-area man picked as contestant on ‘Let’s Make a Deal’ game. How’d he dress up?

A capital region resident will appear on nationally syndicated game show this week, competing as a contestant on “Let’s Make a Deal.”

Eric Cardenas, a Rio Linda resident, will compete for a cash prize during the episode, which airs at 9 a.m. Thursday on KOVR-TV, Channel 13.

“It was a really, really fun experience,” Cardenas said in an interview with The Sacramento Bee.

Cardenas, a bartender, said he applied through a casting agency to be on several game shows and got a call for an audition from the casting crew of “Let’s Make a Deal.”

“They liked my personality and said I had a lot of energy,” he said.

After a live audition, Cardenas was invited to Los Angeles to be in the live audience and have a chance to compete.

Audience members on “Let’s Make a Deal” dress up in wild and crazy costumes to get host Wayne Brady’s attention, in hopes of getting a chance to compete. Recent contestants have dressed up as farm animals, a flower, an Oompa Loompa and a Jedi knight.

Cardenas created an ’80s heavy metal rocker costume, complete with big hair for his appearance on the show, he said.

When he arrived, he was chosen to compete as a contestant.

“I got to stand a few feet away from Wayne Brady, who is an improv god, which was really cool,” Cardenas said.

Cardenas couldn’t say whether he won a cash prize, saying people will have to tune into the show to find out.