University of Maine at Presque Isle alumna Erin Pelletier has done a lot since graduating in 2009—including moving to Atlanta and graduating from law school—and now she can add national game show contestant to her list. Pelletier and her boyfriend Troy Connolly will appear tonight on the premiere episode of the new TBS game show Separation Anxiety.
According to its website, Separation Anxiety is a comedic, relationship-based game show featuring a unique twist that isn’t revealed to contestants until after they’ve played the game. The show premieres tonight on TNT at 11:30 p.m. It will premiere on TBS on Sunday, March 6 at 11 p.m., and will run again on TBS on Tuesday, March 8 at 10 p.m.
Pelletier said there are lots of reasons that people should watch the show—and she’s not just saying so because she’s a contestant.
“Think of all of the best parts of game shows you’ve seen in the past and combine them; that’s Separation Anxiety,” Pelletier said. “The show has hilarious hosts, team work between contestants, large amounts of money at stake, and extremely stressful situations. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a game show quite this entertaining!”
The premise of the show is that hosts tell a couple they’re on an internet game show, separate them, and only let one of them in on the secret: that they are on national television and playing for 100 times the amount of money that their partner thinks they’re playing for.
“I’m just so glad I was the one left in the dark and Troy had to deal with the anxiety!” Pelletier said.
Pelletier and Connolly became contestants on Separation Anxiety by chance. On their way back from a trip to Orlando last summer—they were celebrating Pelletier’s graduation from law school—Connolly received a message on social media from a casting director asking if they wanted to participate in a new internet game show. The couple thought it would be a fun opportunity and agreed. After submitting applications and taking part in multiple interviews, they received the news that they’d been chosen to be contestants.
Pelletier can’t share details about how she and Connolly did on the show, but she hopes many will tune in to find out.
As for her alma mater, officials are very pleased about where Pelletier’s wings have taken her. Originally from Madawaska, Maine, and a graduate of Madawaska High School, Pelletier graduated from UMPI in 2009 with a B.A. in English, after what she describes as “four of the best years of my life.” While at UMPI, she played women’s soccer and softball, worked in the Admissions Office as a student ambassador, was a University Times staff writer, and served as class president her senior year.
She’s lived in Atlanta for 6 years. In May 2015, she graduated from Georgia State University with her J.D., and, after studying for three months, passed the Georgia Bar.
“I have since accepted a job as a State Government Business Development Manager, and although it is not a traditional legal career, my degrees are what opened the door to this opportunity and I am truly enjoying it,” she said.
Since moving to Atlanta, Pelletier has also kept up her love of sports. She’s played on multiple sports teams and is currently part of co-ed soccer and softball teams.
“I’ve never wanted to stop playing sports since leaving UMPI, and thankfully there have been plenty of opportunities for me to continue being active,” she said. “I currently live in a great area of the city with my boyfriend and our two kitties. We have a few things to look forward to in the next few months, since we will hopefully buy our first home and adopt a puppy!”
For more information about Separation Anxiety, visit its website at http://www.tbs.com/shows/separation-anxiety.html or its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SeparationAnxietyTBS/.