SAVANNAH — A spontaneous game show appearance rekindled nationwide relationships for Mansfield native Benji Cates.
A 2009 Madison High School graduate, Cates competed May 7 on NBC’s “Weakest Link,” ultimately winning the television game show centered around general knowledge questions.
His victory prompted swarms of messages from friends and family — an added bonus for the elementary school music teacher who now lives in Savannah, Ga.
“It (the game show appearence) served to reconnect me to different times and periods of my life,” Cates said. “A lot of people reached out and sent their well wishes — whether through social media or text messages.”
“It kind of served as a time capsule for my life a little bit and I thought that was a really cool thing — that it ended up working out that way.”
The teacher added he was proud to represent his hometown on national television.
“I absolutely love Mansfield and Richland County. The fact that I was able to represent and win with their city as my hometown made me really proud,” Cates said.
Results kept secret for more than a year
For more than a year, Cates was the only person — outside of other contestants and NBC — who knew the outcome of the show.
He said his episode of “Weakest Link” was filmed about a year and a half prior to its airing on television.
“It was really cool because I hadn’t disclosed the outcome really to anybody,” Cates said.
“It was fun feeling as though my community — whether it’s Mansfield, Ohio, Savannah (Georgia) where I live now or Michigan where I used to live — these communities were kind of texting me and they were enthralled by what was going to happen.
“I was really glad that they were able to root for me in real time. I was the only person who knew how it was going to end. Everybody else got to watch it like a sporting event, which was pretty cool.”
Cates, son of retired Mansfield radio personality Rusty Cates, received a surprise himself as he watched his episode air.
A conversation about barbershop style singing was kept in the show, warming Cates heart.
He said barbershop harmony is something “near and dear” to his heart and feels the style of music doesn’t receive as much public acknowledgement as it should.
“I got a lot of response from friends that I know through barbershop, who also are advocates for that style of music, reaching out to me and saying how much they appreciated that I represented barbershop quartet singing on television. I was really happy to have that opportunity,” he said.
‘Weakest Link’ win helps Cates plan for future
For his first-place finish, Cates won $62,000 on “Weakest Link.”
He said between the time the episode filmed and aired, a lot of major life changes occurred.
“Much of my life is different from when it filmed,” Cates said. “I’m living in a different place, different relationship status, different job, stuff like that.”
He plans to put his prize earnings towards something which will put him in a good position for the future.
“The big thing that I’m eyeing is putting a down payment on a house down here in Georgia and being able to set myself up financially for a good future,” Cates explained.
“If I can get myself a little bit of a head start on that and not have to be saving up for a down payment, then that’s really great. What a blessing.”
Teacher trivia contest inspired audition
After a strong performance in a teacher trivia contest at his previous school, Cates was inspired to browse casting calls for television game shows.
He stumbled upon a national calling to audition for NBC’s “Weakest Link” and applied for the show — which was followed by a callback and interview with a producer.
In order to standout among other applicants, he knew he’d need to do something to stand out during his audition. An inflatable hot tub and a dress suit were the answer.
“I wore a full suit and tie in the hot tub and did my interview from there. Ultimately I just wanted to have a hook to be memorable,” Cates previously told Richland Source.
“That interview must have went well because — low and behold — eventually I was in Los Angeles filming for the “Weakest Link.”
Cates’ episode aired May 7 on NBC. It remains available for streaming on Peacock.
While an appearance on “Weakest Link” is a one-and-done opportunity, Cates said he’d be “thrilled” to return if the show ever considered hosting a tournament of champions.
Victory celebrated from Michigan to Georgia
Since Cates’ episode aired, he’s continued to receive celebratory messages from past and present coworkers and students.
The teacher said he played the show’s final segment for his students in Savannah.
“They all lost their minds. It was amazing,” he said. “The screams of a bunch of second graders who were excited to see their teacher win on national television was priceless.”
Cates also has the opportunity to go from contestant to host after a local bar messaged him following his victory.
Totally Awesome Bar, a pop culture themed bar in Savannah, asked Cates to help organize and host a trivia night — where he’ll ask questions instead of answering them.
“They reached out to me that they’re trying to host a ‘Weakest Link’ night instead of their normal trivia,” he said.
“They’re going to do a ‘Weakest Link’ format and they want me to come and help host it, so I’m really looking forward to that.”
