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Watch: This Sudbury-North Bay family's wish if they won Family Feud Canada? A Zamboni

The Lamothe family recently appeared on an episode of Family Feud Canada
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The Lamothe family, from Sudbury and North Bay, appeared on Family Feud Canada on CBC on Feb. 2. (Supplied)

The Lamothe family may not be getting the Zamboni they hoped for, but Debra Michaud said her family’s dream came true when they appeared on Family Feud Canada last month.

The group took a shot at winning the $10,000 prize when they challenged the Adeniyi family in the episode that aired on CBC on Feb. 2.

The Lamothe crew included Sudbury couple Debra and James Michaud, along with Debra’s brother Paul Lamothe, sister Lisa and Lisa’s husband Duane, who all live in North Bay. 

“I put together a silly video of our team and sent it in last July,” Debra told Sudbury.com. “I made sure it showed our fun-loving personalities and would make the producers laugh. It must have worked because I received word the next day that they wanted us to audition.”

The family travelled to Toronto to film the show at CBC Studios in the fall of 2020. 

“Despite there not being an audience this year due to COVID-19, everyone on-set cheered both families on. It was definitely a high-energy atmosphere.”

Debra and James are both educators in Greater Sudbury. Debra is a teacher at Marymount Academy and her husband James is the vice principal at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School. 

“I didn’t tell anyone at work about our episode until the day it aired,” Debra said. “It was incredibly hard to keep the outcome of the show a secret, so we minimized the amount of people with whom we shared our good news.”

When the show’s host, Canadian comedian Gerry Dee, asked the Lamothes what they would do with the prize money if they won, Debra may have jinxed the game when she said the family planned to win the next three episodes and would purchase a zamboni with their winnings.

“So maybe a little humility may have done us well but, I was just joking,” Debra told Sudbury.com. “Though we really would have bought our ‘Lamboni,’ the other family was a worthy opponent and beat us fair and square. The quick hands had it.”

Although the Lamothe family held a strong lead, the Adeniyi won the triple point round and ultimately came out on top.

Despite the outcome, the Lamothe family has no regrets and Debra said, if given the chance, they would “absolutely” do it again.

“Honestly, everything was fabulous. It really was a family dream come true,” Debra said. “Music was blaring, we were hugging, dancing, and pumping each other up. It was unforgettable.”

“After we lost, we got into a big, warm, cozy group hug and said how proud we were of each other and that we would never forget that moment. I deeply love and appreciate my family.”

If she could give words of advice to other families who are trying to get on the show, Debra recommends they “be creative, outgoing, and most importantly have fun.”

“Win or lose, remember that it’s time with your family and a thrilling, unique opportunity.”

Family Feud Canada airs Monday to Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. on CBC.

You can watch the episode with the Lamothe family, and all other episodes, for free on CBC Gem here.