Saturday's cold weather didn't keep thousands of Minnesotans away from a chance to win $1 million.
More than 8,000 people began lining up before dawn at Denny Hecker's Inver Grove Heights Toyota dealership to audition for NBC's "Deal or No Deal" game show.
Bundled in hunting clothes, Santa Claus costumes, snowmobile jackets and fleece blankets, they practiced their pitches for the judges and imagined what they would do with the money. The goal was to do something -- anything -- to help them stand out from the crowd.
"It's been insane," said Carrie Haugerud, general sales manager for the dealership. "I even saw a woman dressed up as a bear."
Casting director Luke Conklin wouldn't say how many contestants the show was looking for, but he said the Twin Cities and Philadelphia are the team's only stops. Those selected might be on the show this season or in the future.
Mario Hesse of Sartell, who teaches criminal justice at St. Cloud State University, told his interviewer that he doesn't necessarily believe in conspiracy theories, but he appreciates them.
"I've never been abducted by aliens," he said, "but it's interesting that the people who say they have always have the same kind of stories."
Mike and Lynda Dupre of Clearwater arrived at the auto dealership at 7:15 a.m. and finished their interview at 2 p.m.
