If the ABC television show “Push, Nevada” came and went without you noticing, you’re not alone. Canceled after only six episodes, the program, produced by Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and two others, barely made a dent in the ratings.
But don’t tell that to West New York resident Mark Nakamoto, 25, who figured out the clues in the show and is now $1,045,000 richer.
Nakamoto, who is a native of Oahu, Hawaii and an editor for a New York City publishing company, is the winner of the grand prize from the interactive television show. The program followed a fictitious Nevada town and asked its viewers each week to look for the two clues embedded in each episode. Viewers were then required to assemble the clues together and with the aid of a code key, call a phone number.
Nakamoto had the “fastest fingers” and got through in the first two minutes after the last clue was given during a commercial during Monday Night Football on Oct. 28.
“It was an automated answering system. It said it would take about 72 hours to get back to me, but it took about 48.hours for them to call me back,” said Nakamoto.
The network kept Nakamoto in suspense by telling him at first that he was either an “alternate” or “the grand prize winner.” At last, on Nov. 6, Nakamoto was informed by phone that he was, indeed, the grand prize winner.
“My first reaction was ‘great!'” said the understated Nakamoto. “My mom was like, ‘Wait. Huh? I’ve never heard of this show.’ My dad thought it might be a scam.”
Obviously, a windfall of this magnitude can change one’s life, but Nakamoto seemed remarkably unfazed by it. In fact, when the Reporter visited him at the public relations firm, PMK, that is representing him, he was perusing a book on mutual funds.
Nakamoto has lived in West New York for almost four years and says that he has no real plans to leave, even though his bank account now looks decidedly Bergen County-ish.
Said Nakamoto, “I originally lived in New York City while going to NYU. I lived in the dorms. Living in the city wasn’t going too well. I talked to a friend of mine who lived in West New York, and so now I live there.” Added Nakamoto, “I have no immediate plans to move. I like the commute. I grew up an hour and a half from my high school, so I really don’t mind the commute. It’s nice to get away from the city at the end of the day. [West New York] is a little more personal. I do like it. A friend of mine used to live in Union City, so I am familiar with the area. Going into that tunnel at the end of the day… you get to breathe.”
Nakamoto’s plans for the money are simple. “I am going to sock away most of it. Although I am looking into an African safari. I’ve always wanted to do that. I am going to get my parents a cruise.”
Interestingly, according to Nakamoto, no one at his job seems to have noticed any of the media reports about him. “I am kind of surprised myself about that,” he admitted. He added, jokingly, “Maybe I’ll return all the gold jewelry I’ve bought.”
The show was a product of LivePlanet Productions, a company founded by actors Matt Damon and Ben Affleck as well as producers Sean Bailey and Chris Moore. All acted as executive producers on the short-lived show. Bailey and Moore are full partners with Affleck and Damon in the venture.
According to the LivePlanet web site (www.liveplanet.com), “LivePlanet creates, markets and distributes entertainment experiences that break down the barriers between traditional media, new media and the physical world.”
Nakamoto isn’t too sure about the “physical world,” but he does know that his bank account is considerably fuller than it was a month ago.
“No one’s asked me for money – yet,” Nakamoto said.