Vancouver family competes on ‘Family Feud’

It’s not often a family is rewarded for their ability to feud.

The Frey family from Vancouver are excitedly awaiting their Thursday appearance on the long-running game show “Family Feud,” airing 5 p.m. on KPDX (Cable 13, Broadcast 49).

Jack Frey and his adult sons Matt, Mark and Tom, along with Tom’s wife Angie, traveled to Atlanta last July for the taping, where they competed against another family for a chance to win up to $100,000 and a car.

Family Feud first aired in 1976. Though its hosts have rotated over the years — currently it’s comedian Steve Harvey — the format remains about the same. Families compete by guessing how average people responded to a variety of questions and contestants get points for picking the most popular answers.

The Freys took a road trip to Tacoma for the audition last year, playing a test game in front of mall shoppers before being interviewed on video. Matt said it was his sister Chris Barker who persuaded the clan to try out, though she didn’t make the final five-person team.

“It was her idea and she was the only person that was denied by Family Feud,” he said.

Matt said the family agreed to share any winnings with the left out sister.

If you’re hoping for a spoiler on how they fared, prepare for disappointment. The family is bound by secrecy until the show airs.

“My wife doesn’t even know. I’ve told nobody,” Matt said. “It’s way more fun for people to watch it and experience it.”

But he did give a hint.

“It’s worth watching. I promise you that much,” Matt said.

Stover E. Harger III: 360-735-4530; http://www.twitter.com/col_hoods; stover.harger@columbian.com.