There's a lot of practice that goes into making the spelling bee you see on TV. For the spellers, sure, but behind the scenes, as well.
This afternoon, we're sitting in the ballroom where spellers will take the stage tomorrow. The lights have just come on, the microphones are being tested, and behind the rows of Bee personnel, the lines of seats are empty.
But on stage, we're going through some sample words -- manicure, tragic, biblical, canasta. Dr. Bailly's reading definitions and giving our "spellers" sentences. So far, we haven't heard a ding. (Yes, the bell's here, too.)