It is nowAugust 8th. A recap on the past several months......
May, June and July proved to be some very stressful months for me. We were hitting out busy season at work, and that took up a lot of time an energy for me. Sometime near the end of August or early September is when things start to clean up for the season, but it is also the time where I will start my travel season. Trips halfway across the country were getting booked, and I started to get worried I would have to cancel one or some of them if I got my call from the producers for filming. I tried to keep all trips as loose as possible, even though I knew that it could still take another year until I got my call.
Nearly three months breezed by with no news. With work being crazy and having joined a kickball league, I had put Wheel to the back of my brain. People constantly asked me if I had heard anything, and I would reply no, and just shrugged it off. Work was my focus at the moment, and any time spent thinking about it could be considered a waste of time. Of course, I still play the Facebook game and watch the show as often as possible, but I didn't want to spend any more time than necessary dwelling over when I would get a call.
Then last week came. A very stressful week at work. Two kickball practices and a game. A trip up the coast for work. Endless phone calls from customers. My grandma's birthday at the end of the week. By the time Friday afternoon came, I had about had it.
My phone rang at about 4:30 Friday afternoon with a 310 number. This was not a number I recognized. I shrugged off the prospect of who it could be, and prepared myself to put out another fire with a muffed delivery or a missed order.
"Hello, this is Jared" I answered.
"Jared, this is Gary with Wheel of Fortune" is what I heard from the other end of the phone.
I lit up immediately! The conversation took place, and I found out I would be filming this Thursday, August 18th in Culver City. I was informed I would have a package mailed to me with further information and instructions.
So here I sit, Monday afternoon, only three days after receiving my call, with another eleven to go before I get on that stage. Nerves are starting to set in, hotels are being booked, travel plans being jockeyed around for my family. I am extremely excited for this opportunity, and can't wait to spin that wheel!
I will keep you guys informed as to the status of my adventure.
Thanks for reading!
Jared
Monday, August 8, 2011
May 11, 2011-My Birthday!
I woke up the morning of May 11, knowing that I was now 26 years old. I was looking forward to a nice dinner at Black Angus with my family. I had made a joke in passing the night before about how great it would be to get my letter on my birthday, how that would be an awesome birthday gift.
Sure enough, I got my letter, on my birthday, informing me that I would be a contestant on Wheel of Fortune!!! This was it! I get to meet Pat! And Vanna!
But when?
I became a tad discouraged reading that it could take up to 18 months to get the chance to film your episode. And at that, you could be called as an alternate. I knew that my wait time could be long and drawn out. I felt it best to try to keep it out of my mind, and let things take their course.
I had read on several other blogs that when other contestants had gotten their calls for filming the number had a 310 area code. Being in sales, and selling to people all over the country, I received calls from the 310 fairly frequently. Each time, I perked up a little bit, and then recognized the number as a customer and went on about my days.
Sure enough, I got my letter, on my birthday, informing me that I would be a contestant on Wheel of Fortune!!! This was it! I get to meet Pat! And Vanna!
But when?
I became a tad discouraged reading that it could take up to 18 months to get the chance to film your episode. And at that, you could be called as an alternate. I knew that my wait time could be long and drawn out. I felt it best to try to keep it out of my mind, and let things take their course.
I had read on several other blogs that when other contestants had gotten their calls for filming the number had a 310 area code. Being in sales, and selling to people all over the country, I received calls from the 310 fairly frequently. Each time, I perked up a little bit, and then recognized the number as a customer and went on about my days.
April 2011-PROGRESS!
It is now April of 2011. After a career change, a move back to San Diego, and some major life changes, I decided to register to become a contestant one more time. With quite a few years since my last online registration, my interests had changed considerably, I was a few years older, and had gained a lot of life experience. At the urging of my father, I put in one last application. It took two short weeks for me to hear back. I had landed my audition in LA!
My audition was set for Wednesday, May 4th in Culver City. I prepared to take the time off from work, get clothes to the dry cleaners, and make sure I did as much research as I could to prepare myself for the audition. I learned that I would not be spinning a wheel, that there would be a test, and to BUY VOWELS! I departed San Diego Wednesday morning for what would be a very exciting day.
After seeing a few customers in the area, I found my way to the hotel where auditions were taking place. Found a spot to eat lunch in the area and just relaxed for a little while. I walked into the hotel about 20 minutes before my audition was scheduled to start. I began sizing up my competition, and talking with fellow auditioners. The nerves began to hit me. What if I call a letter that's already been called? What if I solve the puzzle incorrectly by one letter? That wouldn't look good at all! Soon, Gary came out into the lobby and welcomed us. We filed into the audition room, and watched a little bit of the history of Wheel of Fortune.
Seeing the old sets was really cool, as it took me back to my first few times watching Wheel, and playing the board game with my family. The nerves began to settle as we filled out our applications and got placed into a seating chart. Then the fun began! The makeshift wheel began spinning, letters were being called, and vowels were being purchased. With a puzzle being solved, out went an autographed picture of Vanna. Lucky guy. Shortly after, my name was called to stand up and play a round. I started off strong, guessing correct letters, bought a vowel or two, spun again, and bankrupt. It seemed too early to have my turn be done. I sat back down, waiting to find out what happened next.
As everyone had received their turn, the judges announced that we would now be taking a test. After the tests were passed out and Gary told us to start, I began to scribble furiously. There is no way I'm going to solve all these, I thought. All too quickly, time was called. We passed our tests in, and had a 15 minute break.
When we came back, we found out that there would be some cuts made. If your name is called, you stay. If not, it is the end of the road for you. I waited anxiously to learn my fate. 19 names were called, and knowing that only 20 people would move on, I hung my head. Then I heard my name called, let out a loud "YEA!!" and shook hands with my neighbors who had also made the cut.
The second round of auditions began, with a more in depth version of playing the game. Puzzles seemed more difficult, we had to display energy, and again, BUY VOWELS! I successfully solved a puzzle and went on to make the final cut. We played one more round, 2 groups of 4 and a group of 3. We had to pretend to spin the wheel, buy vowels, clap, guess letters correctly, and boom. It was done.
We were informed that if we made the show, we would receive a letter within the next two weeks. If we didn't receive a letter, we could try to audition again after a year. Thus began a week long wait.....
My audition was set for Wednesday, May 4th in Culver City. I prepared to take the time off from work, get clothes to the dry cleaners, and make sure I did as much research as I could to prepare myself for the audition. I learned that I would not be spinning a wheel, that there would be a test, and to BUY VOWELS! I departed San Diego Wednesday morning for what would be a very exciting day.
After seeing a few customers in the area, I found my way to the hotel where auditions were taking place. Found a spot to eat lunch in the area and just relaxed for a little while. I walked into the hotel about 20 minutes before my audition was scheduled to start. I began sizing up my competition, and talking with fellow auditioners. The nerves began to hit me. What if I call a letter that's already been called? What if I solve the puzzle incorrectly by one letter? That wouldn't look good at all! Soon, Gary came out into the lobby and welcomed us. We filed into the audition room, and watched a little bit of the history of Wheel of Fortune.
Seeing the old sets was really cool, as it took me back to my first few times watching Wheel, and playing the board game with my family. The nerves began to settle as we filled out our applications and got placed into a seating chart. Then the fun began! The makeshift wheel began spinning, letters were being called, and vowels were being purchased. With a puzzle being solved, out went an autographed picture of Vanna. Lucky guy. Shortly after, my name was called to stand up and play a round. I started off strong, guessing correct letters, bought a vowel or two, spun again, and bankrupt. It seemed too early to have my turn be done. I sat back down, waiting to find out what happened next.
As everyone had received their turn, the judges announced that we would now be taking a test. After the tests were passed out and Gary told us to start, I began to scribble furiously. There is no way I'm going to solve all these, I thought. All too quickly, time was called. We passed our tests in, and had a 15 minute break.
When we came back, we found out that there would be some cuts made. If your name is called, you stay. If not, it is the end of the road for you. I waited anxiously to learn my fate. 19 names were called, and knowing that only 20 people would move on, I hung my head. Then I heard my name called, let out a loud "YEA!!" and shook hands with my neighbors who had also made the cut.
The second round of auditions began, with a more in depth version of playing the game. Puzzles seemed more difficult, we had to display energy, and again, BUY VOWELS! I successfully solved a puzzle and went on to make the final cut. We played one more round, 2 groups of 4 and a group of 3. We had to pretend to spin the wheel, buy vowels, clap, guess letters correctly, and boom. It was done.
We were informed that if we made the show, we would receive a letter within the next two weeks. If we didn't receive a letter, we could try to audition again after a year. Thus began a week long wait.....
My first Wheel Mobile Experience
March 2009. I have been living in Orange County for a few years at this point. I continued to play Wheel of Fortune as often as possible with my roommates. One night while watching, they played a spot that the Wheel Mobile would be at a nearby casino. I quickly checked my schedule, found out that I would be able to go, and began to do a little research on what to expect at the event.
I learned that much like getting a response from an online Wheel of Fortune registration, getting picked at a Wheel Mobile event was a long shot. But then I began to think: It's a random Wednesday afternoon, the casino is in the middle of nowhere, there's no way there will be the volume of people that I had read about. With a clear and open mind, I found myself at Morongo Casino. I walked through the front door, and quickly found the line to register for the event.
As I stood in line, I wondered how long is this thing? Well, there's the wall of the casino, it can't go much further than that right? Boy was I wrong! After standing in line for a few hours, I received a work call, and had to step out, thus making it so I couldn't hang around for the event. I was bummed, but I wasn't so confident that I even would have had a chance to audition. This would be my last experience with Wheel for a couple of years.
Introduction
Hey all! My name is Jared. This blog will be about my experience with Wheel of Fortune, from wanting to be on the show, to my first Wheel Mobile event, to my audition, to selection, and eventually to filming and my air date. I will try to bring everything up to date as quickly as possible, so bear with me. With a short 11 days away from filming, life will be hectic. So here goes my story......
I'll start with how I became interested in Wheel of Fortune. Aside from my interest in Vanna White, I found that I had a knack for words and for solving puzzles at a fairly young age. By the time I came into my teenage years, I began to get pressure from my family to get on the show for "Teen Week." I filled out the application online, and never heard anything back. As the years went on, and many nights were spent playing Wheel and Jeopardy with the family, continuous urging prompted me to attempt to register to be a contestant again. Again, no luck.
Fast forward to 2009.....
I'll start with how I became interested in Wheel of Fortune. Aside from my interest in Vanna White, I found that I had a knack for words and for solving puzzles at a fairly young age. By the time I came into my teenage years, I began to get pressure from my family to get on the show for "Teen Week." I filled out the application online, and never heard anything back. As the years went on, and many nights were spent playing Wheel and Jeopardy with the family, continuous urging prompted me to attempt to register to be a contestant again. Again, no luck.
Fast forward to 2009.....
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