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Nothing trivial about that prize

A Largo woman wins a $21,000 car by nailing a talk show question about a movie.

By TERRI BRYCE REEVES
Published August 31, 2006

LARGO - It was a heart-pounding few moments, but well worth it, Carolyn Sutton says.

Regis Philbin, the amiable co-host of Live with Regis and Kelly, had spun the wheel during the show's "Trivia A Go-Go Grande" contest.

The pointer landed on the biggest prize of all: a brand-new Hyundai Sonata, worth about $21,000.

Then he posed the question: "In what 2004 comedy did Shawn and Marlon Wayans say they co-starred?"

As luck would have it, Sutton had watched the show the day before.

"White Chicks," she said.

Confetti rained down on Philbin and Kelly Ripa.

The studio audience cheered.

And at her Largo home, Sutton jumped up and down.

A fan of contests, Sutton, 44, had previously won a home theater system, Disney tickets, a camcorder and even $1,000 cash from a radio station.

But never a car.

"I was thrilled," she said. "A new car? That's huge!"

It was around 8 a.m. July 12 when Sutton got a call from the television show, broadcast locally at 9 a.m. on WTVT-Ch. 13. The staffer asked questions about Sutton's business, family, marriage - talking points for the hosts - and then told Sutton to stand by until they called back to put her on the air.

"I was shocked. I never thought I'd get called," she said. "There are so many viewers. What are the odds?"

The next thing she knew, Sutton was chatting away on national television with the two celebrities.

They talked mostly about Largo - Philbin thought it was Key Largo at first - and Sutton's business.

Then it was down to business and Sutton nailed that trivia question. The good feeling continued through to this week when she got the car.

On Monday evening, Sutton, her husband and two daughters went to the Crown Hyundai dealership in St. Petersburg to pick up the "deep water blue" 2007 sedan; it was the shade Sutton had selected.

"Oh wow, it's beautiful," she said rubbing her hands over the sparkling sapphire finish.

Her husband, Daniel, shook his head in disbelief.

"How many times do you win a car?"

The car will go to Ashley Nipper, their married 21-year-old daughter. Sutton said she drives a company car - she and her family own a concrete business called Charger Enterprises in Seminole - and her husband just bought a new truck.

Ashley said her new wheels were wonderful.

"I can't wait to drive it; it's my first new car," she said.

So what is the secret to winning contests?

It's simple, Sutton said. "Just enter everything there is to enter," she said.

[Last modified August 31, 2006, 06:42:39]