Stanley sisters celebrate time on Family Feud with watch party

The Stanley sisters accomplished the goal of keeping the results of their “Family Feud” taping a secret for one year. Last week, they watched how others reacted to the answers they gave during their appearance on the popular game show.

Despite only being on Family Feud for one episode, Angela Stanley, Pat Brock, Barbara Wright, Bernice Nelson and Dorothy Simmons had fun meeting comedian Steve Harvey, the host of the popular game show. 

“It was a great experience,” Brock said. “For our family and our legacy. to say that we were on Family Feud is pretty awesome. Even though we didn’t win, I feel as though we did win. I have aspirations of being on television from a national platform hosting my own talk show. This was encouraging to me to keep pushing and continue to operate with the spirit of excellence right here in Dublin, Georgia.” 

Stanley called it a one-of-a-kind experience.

“I’ve been on national and international television before, but to be on this with my sisters was so amazing to me,” she said. 

For Nelson, appearing on Family Feud was something that had been on her bucket list for a long time.

Simmons recalled how they interviewed for the show more than seven years ago. 

“We later learned that a delay is not a denial,” she said. “I am grateful to our baby sister, Dr. Angela D. Stanley, who arranged everything and persevered behind the scenes. She never lost faith and neither did we. To begin with, it was very surreal. As time passed, it became a startling reality. The ‘Twin Sista Queens,’ as we passionately call each other, rejoiced, thanked God and immediately started thinking about what outfits we were going to wear, the jewelry, hairstyles and more. … The biggest question we were asked (for a year) was, ‘Did y’all win?’ My response has been, ‘I guess you’ll have to tune in to see.’ We had predetermined we were winners  before we left our homes.”

Two more sisters – Pamela Ingram and Pauline Montford – were not on stage but were in the audience along with other family members when the Stanley’s faced off against the Merrell family. 

“I will never forget the excitement and the realization of ‘those are my sisters up there on Family Feud,’” Montford said. “They did a great job and were so beautiful. The opportunity to see Steve Harvey up close and his interaction with the audience was fantastic.  He even called out my name. By the way, did I mention how handsome Steve Harvey is in person? And he is hilarious. I will cherish this experience for the rest of life.”

Ingram said she and Montford were also treated “well” despite not being on stage. Besides meeting Harvey, they also met actor Lou Gossett Jr., who recently passed, at the taping of the show.

“I was so honored to be able to share this experience with my best friends – my sisters,” Ingram said. “I’m so thankful that out of thousands that God choose us, the Stanley family, from Dublin, Georgia.”  

On the day of the taping, the sisters were taken to the studio on a shuttle bus. 

“We were like kids on a much anticipated school trip,” Simmons said. “Backstage and the holding rooms were filled with other wonderful families. You never knew when your name would be called so we all had nervous energy to a certain degree. When one of the producers came and said, ‘Stanleys’ you’re up next, immediately my heart dropped, but it was filled with excitement and anticipation. The makeup station was exhilarating! It gave me that celebrity feel that I have always desired. I also had an epiphany moment that felt like this is just the beginning of something much greater.”

The sisters heard the applause for the other family before the announcer said, “Put your hands together for the Stanleys from Dublin, Georgia.”

“By this time my adrenaline had taken over,” Simmons said. “The lights were mesmerizing. Then the moment we all had been waiting for became a reality. Mr. Steve Harvey came out looking fly as ever with those pearl white teeth and that one of a kind mustache. It was the highlight of the entire experience. There he was, right before us. He had seen us for two days because we were in the audience on the front rows cheering on other families, laughing and often responding to his jokes. Yes, you get a free comedy show at the Feud and life advise all in one package. Each taping took about two hours because of breaks, jokes and getting to know all 10 people on the stage, which was informative and also filled with laughter.” 

The Merrells took an early lead and was able to win the second face-off which had the question of what accessory might Barbie come with as a senior citizen. When the Merrells had their third strike, the Stanleys were able to steal when they responded “reading glasses,” which was on the board and allowed them to take a 88-68 advantage. 

To start the third round, Brock went to the podium for a face off when the question was other than food, what do men like to put in their mouth? Brock hit the buzzer first and said, “Their woman.” Her response was one of the answers. After winning the face off, Nelson gave what might be a part of Family Feud highlights for a long time when she said their “foot.” Harvey’s reaction was laughing hysterically, while Nelson’s sisters chimed in with “good answer” and “it’s up there.” Sadly, it was not on the board. 

“Steve lost it, but it was a very good answer,” Stanley said. “From Pat’s answer through the whole two minutes worth of responses after that made it on Youtube. I was so blessed that (Pat’s) answer allowed all of our sisters an opportunity to answer. … To be on the Family Feud was on Bernice’s bucket list, and it is so awesome that it is her answer that is going viral.”

The Stanleys had a chance to win the game and play for fast money, but their final answer was not up on the board. It was a show where the surveys just did not go their way.

“We gave good answers,” Stanley said. “The surveys just didn’t say it.”

Harvey walked over to the Stanley’s and thanked them for appearing on the show. “He told us that he literally wanted us to win,” Stanley said. “Behind the scenes we were able to talk a little bit more and talk about the foundation and I was allowed to sing. Because I had written a song, I was allowed to sing it on the show. We had some very intimate times and some beautiful moments.” 

Thinking back on the taping, Stanley recalled how it helped because they had just lost their brother, James, before going to Atlanta to film their show. 

“We had just bury him on a Saturday and we had to travel on Tuesday,” Stanley said. “This was a healing. To not only have this experience but have an opportunity to represent God and our family, I’m glad we did it. It’s been a year since my brother has gone on to be with the Lord.” 

“My experience was one to remember,” she said. “It was my idea to go, but thank God for my sister Angela for making it happen. First of all,  I got to meet Steve in person. He was so great to talk to and even more handsome. Behind the scenes was fascinating. Everything was fast and in sync. Very timely. Everyone treated us like stars.”

Wright saw their time on Family Feud as a lesson for people to keep reaching for their goals. 

“Being on Family Feud was a dream which came true,” she said. “We as a family talked about being on Family Feud years ago. Don’t give up on God. All things are possible to them that believe! This was an experience after the lost of our dear brother weeks before doing the Feud but God brought us through it all! We have to trust God in whatever you do!”

Stanley said they did not know at first if they wanted to do a watch party. Brock talked it up and the watch party became a reality on May 3 at the Old West Laurens High School. Family and friends gathered to watch the show and have fun.

“We’re so glad that we did because it gave us the opportunity to share it with our community, families, friends and the world,” Stanley said. “Like Pat said, win, lose or draw, it was an amazing experience.”