It’s only natural that the Patterson siblings tap danced their way into Steve Harvey’s heart.
As children, the four sisters were part of a tap dancing troupe called the “Tangerines.” So when Cecilia Harris, Sheila Patterson, Yolanda Doyle, Pat Hill and Sam Patterson decided in November 2014 to audition for the “Family Feud,” they incorporated tap dancing into their tape. They made quite an impression as their tape was selected from thousands of submissions.
The “Family Feud” is a television game show hosted by comedian Steve Harvey, where two families compete to name the most popular responses to survey questions for cash and prizes.
When the Patterson’s episode airs at 6 p.m., Feb. 23, on KDNL-30, Sheila Patterson and Pat Hill, RN, will be familiar faces to their colleagues at Christian Hospital and Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital. Sheila works in environmental services at Christian and Pat is an emergency department nurse at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital.
“Our mom, who died a few years ago, loved “Family Feud,” Sheila Patterson says. “We decided to audition in memory of our mother.”
Six months later, Hill’s birthday, they received a call that they were selected.
The siblings practiced in front of their children weekly to prepare for filming. In late July 2015, they headed to Atlanta, Ga., along with several of their children and their tap shoes, for rehearsal and taping. “It was the experience of a lifetime,” Hill says. “It was organized and professional.”
Although Steve Harvey has received bad press after misannouncing the Miss Universe pageant winner, the Patterson siblings are fans. “His jokes were funny and natural, and he was very personable,” Hill says.
“Steve Harvey was funnier in person,” Sheila Patterson says. “He made everybody feel like he could be your uncle, your brother. Of course if he finds a way to get you, he’s going to run with you the whole time – that’s Steve, he’s a comedian.”
Sheila Patterson experienced firsthand what she calls a “special moment” with Steve Harvey during the filming that some may have seen on social networking sites. “I certainly will never forget that moment,” she says.
The siblings tried to stay cool under pressure during filming. “You’re in front of lights and on TV with a live audience,” Sheila Patterson says. “It’s pressure, but when you relax it’s a good pressure.”
The Pattersons tap danced for Steve Harvey, but they don’t know if their dancing made the final cut. As to whether they won, that’s a secret. You will have to tune in Feb. 23 to find out.
“It was truly a family experience, which is one of the things I loved most,” Sheila Patterson says. “Now it’s part of our family history. Nobody’s a loser on this show because it’s all about family fun and the experience that you will always have.”
“My mom would be so humbled, seeing us together and knowing she left behind a family she can be proud of,” Hill adds. “My mom always said, ‘keep it moving’, and we’re still moving.”
Link to the Patterson Siblings audition tape