Rockville Centre family takes ‘Family Feud’ to TV

For years, the Griffo family of Rockville Centre played “Family Feud” at home. Last February, they took their ‘family feud’ to the big stage — and now the village, and everyone else who views the syndicated game show — gets to watch. 

Robert Griffo, sister Jeannine Palladino, brother Michael Griffo, niece Antonia Griffo and nephew, Joseph Meszaros, spent two days filming four episodes of the popular game show in Georgia. Michael is the co-owner of Lenox & Park Italian American Bistro on South Park Avenue, while Jeannine, Robert’s sister, owns Jeannine’s Gifts on North Park Avenue. 

The episodes, taped Feb. 9 and 10 at Trilith Studios in Fayetteville, near Atlanta, will air Sept. 30, Oct. 1, Oct. 2 and Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. on MY9. Lenox & Park will be hosting a watch party on Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. 

The Griffos are keeping the results under wraps for now. The family is talking about what it was like to turn years of playing along from home into a real television experience — complete with cameras, a studio audience and host Steve Harvey. 

“We always said we wanted to be on,” Robert said. “Everybody wanted to take turns being Richard Dawson.” Dawson was the original host.  

That longtime dream finally started moving toward reality in the summer of 2024, when another family member posted a link in an online group chat saying that “Family Feud” was looking for a family. 

Jeannine was at her vacation home when she saw the message. She had her computer on her lap while doing work and decided to fill out the application. 

“I thought I was just doing it as a goof,” she said. 

The application eventually led to a Zoom audition, where the family reenacted the game for producers. The family was offered dates to tape, but the first dates did not work for them. Producers told them to call back in December for the next season. 

That call eventually resulted in the family being selected for the show’s 50th anniversary season. 

Once the lineup was set, the Griffos began preparing for their television debut. 

They practiced individually and together, including during Thanksgiving, and played a version of the game on an iPhone. Robert became particularly invested in watching the show, recording episodes and studying it for about a year. 

The family also practiced together before traveling to Georgia. Robert said he even stood in his living room with his eyes closed while pretending he was on the show. 

Jeannine took a somewhat different approach to preparation. 

“I unfortunately did not practice that much,” she joked. “That’s because I was so busy with my own life.” 

But she also learned that no amount of preparation could completely eliminate the nerves of actually standing on the set. 

“The practicing doesn’t matter because as soon as the person that goes before you takes your answer, you go completely blank,” she said. 

The Griffos arrived in Atlanta the day after the Super Bowl and soon found themselves experiencing the behind-the-scenes process of making a television show. They had hair and makeup appointments, rehearsals and practice rounds before the actual taping. 

The production staff kept the families energized throughout the long days. 

“It’s 14 hours of very high energy,” Jeannine said. 

For Robert, the nerves were particularly strong when he first walked onto the set. As team captain, he would be the first Griffo at the lectern. 

“That’s the most, I think that was the most nervous that I was because I was the captain,” he said. “So, I was the first one up to the podium. That was very nerve wracking.” 

The set itself was another memorable part of the experience. 

“It looks just like it does on TV,” Robert said. 

While viewers at home see the colorful set and contestants under the lights, the family experienced the production from a much different perspective, surrounded by crew members, cameras and the energy of the studio. 

And then there was Harvey. 

Robert said the host immediately helped break the tension. Harvey noticed the suits Robert and Michael were wearing and joked about their appearance on one of the episodes. 

“He’s like, ‘Oh, I see what’s going on. You guys are pimps,’” Robert recalled with a laugh. 

Jeannine had her own memorable exchange with Harvey. She was second in line at the lectern when Harvey looked at her and said, “I see you’re the number two in line, but something tells me you are the boss.” 

“Well, you got that right,” Jeannine replied. 

Jeannine said Harvey also helped make the enormous studio feel more personal. During breaks in taping, she watched him interact with members of the audience and keep them entertained. 

For the Griffos, the experience was about more than appearing on television. It gave the family a chance to spend time together and create memories that will last long after the episodes air. 

“I had a great time with my family and that’s what’s most important,” Jeannine said. 

Robert said the family’s connection to Rockville Centre was also part of what they brought with them to Georgia. 

“We were born and bred in Rockville Centre, you know, very close Italian family, and I think just from the community that Rockville Centre cultivates, we exemplified exactly what that community is about,” he said.