.jpg) |
| Waiting for the auditions to begin... |
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The only picture I could really take since
they didn't allow cameras in. |
Just two weeks ago, both Jimmy and I received an email
congratulating us that we had been selected to attend the Wheel of Fortune final
contestant auditions. Filled with lots of excitement and much laughter, we made
our way to the St. Paul Hotel on Wednesday to attend this fun,
once-in-a-lifetime audition that we have jokingly “dreamed” about for so long.
Auditions began at 10am with a conference room filled with
about 70 want-to-be-Wheel-contestants! We all took a seat and filled out an
application asking us basic information about who we are and if we would be
interested on being on any “special weeks”. The contestant coordinators made a
sitting chart so they knew who was who and explained how the auditions would
work.
The first round consisted of them randomly calling out someone’s
name. That person would stand up and
then call-out letters of the puzzle until they got one incorrect or would land
on a bankrupt (just like the actual show).
Since Jimmy and I were there together, we were able to try-out as a
pair. So when they called our names, we stood up with lots of enthusiasm. We took turns calling out letters and were
doing great until we got bankrupt. However, the staff were the ones “spinning”
the wheel and we noticed once a person/pair had been calling out letters for
awhile, they would just land on bankrupt to give the next person a chance.
What they were looking for were to see if you could call
logical letters, if you could project your voice, if you were
enthusiastic/happy and if you remained calm under pressure. All which make for a good contestant on the
actual show! J
Next, we all took a 5-minute written test. The test
consisted of 16 incomplete puzzles where we were supposed to fill in as many as
we could in the time allowed. This was
challenging! When finished, I think I only fully completed 4 or so of the
puzzles and Jimmy thought he had about 9 completed. So I informed Jimmy if we didn’t make it to
the next round, I would be the one to blame! J
The contestant coordinators left the room to grade the tests
and to decide on who would continue on to the final round. When they came back,
they announced 25 people they wanted to stay and continue to play. Everyone
else was asked to leave. Jimmy and I
were the very last ones to be called! Wow, were we pumped and a bit shocked!
Now it became more serious and intense.
The final round consisted of us going up front with the
other three pairs to play a mock version of Wheel of Fortune. We interviewed
like they do on the show and then played a couple of puzzles. Once again, all
the letters we called were in the puzzle until we landed on bankrupt. However,
on our next turn we were able to call letters and solve the puzzle! The category was “Same Name” and the puzzle
was “Relief and water pitcher.” It was a good way to end our auditions! J
Now we just wait to see if we are selected to be on the
show! If they would select us, we would be notified by mail in the next few
weeks. How CRAZY would that be!!
Yes it would be disappointing not to receive a letter,
however, this process has been tons of fun. It has been a wonderful experience
to share with my best friend and have given us lots of laughs! Regardless of
what happens, it’ll be a good story to tell our kids someday as we all are
watching The Wheel some night after supper! J
Thus if you don't hear a follow-up, you'll know our Wheel of Fortune dreams end here!
