Lansing - When the number 67 was called, Ken Pierce stood up to introduce himself to the crowd.

“My name’s Ken, I’m a safety consultant and a recovering anorexic,” the stocky Grand Ledge resident announced to erupting laughter.

Pierce was one of 83 Michiganians who showed up at 9 a.m. Tuesday to the Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Ave., to do just about anything for the chance to be told, “You are the weakest link... goodbye.”

“Weakest Link” came to Lansing to hold auditions for the syndicated version of the game show hosted by George Gray. The original NBC version hosted by Anne Robinson is no longer on the air regularly, but it will return for special episodes.

But acting outrageous to get a spot on the TV show is nothing new.

“We’ve seen people stand on chairs, sing songs, make up poems,” said R.J. Portella, senior contestant coordinator for the show. “Just when you think you’ve seen everything, that guy comes along.”

Around 120 people usually show up to audition, Portella said.

The prospective contestants were asked to stand up, introduce themselves and explain why they wanted to be on the show. Answers ranging from money to fame to being turned down by “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” ensued.

East Lansing resident Susan Lindman made it to the final rounds of the rival game show six times before making the jump to “Weakest Link” tryouts.

“I was frustrated, so I thought I’d give this one a shot,” she said.

Once the introductions and applications were complete, the quiz began. Portella read questions such as, “In what city were the 2000 Summer Olympics held?” and “How many oxygen atoms are there in two molecules of water?”

After 20 questions in various areas of study, the tests were collected and contestants waited for the staff’s decision.

As contestants waited, they denied any nervousness.

“I think we’re old enough to know better than to be nervous,” Pierce said.

Lindman said the experience up to that point had been worth it.

“It’s not so much the end prize I’m concerned with; I’ll work just as hard for a $5 prize as a $500 prize,” she said. “It’s all about the fun.”

All Pierce and Lindman got was fun - their names were not among the 23 chosen to move to the next phase of auditioning.

For the second round, the remaining 23 were broken up into three groups of six and one of five to talk about themselves on camera and play a practice version of the show.

To his dismay, Tony Baltimore, spokesman for U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, was voted off in the pseudo-round.

“You want to keep the strongest link at least until they’ve gotten you some money,” he said.

The vote didn’t sway his confidence.

“I think I did a very good job even though I got voted off,” he said. “I’m expecting a call back, I’m going to go on the show, and I’m going to win the money.”

Portella said the show’s producers will review the tapes to make the final decision, but if potential contestants displayed what got them to the second round on tape, they have a good chance of getting a call.

“We’re looking for bright, enthusiastic, articulate people,” he said. “Basically the mirror of America.”