Josh K.

Josh K.

Theme Week:
America's Game
Contestant:
Josh K.
Hometown:
Newton, MA
Week of:
September 7, 2009

Posted 09-11


To say that I am satisfied with my experience is an understatement. I can’t believe how well my show went. One of my goals had been to win a trip to help my wife relax. My wife has the hardest, most thankless, and yet most rewarding job on the planet. She takes care of our two young children. I wanted to take her somewhere warm to give her a break from constantly caring for others and let me take care of her the way she deserves. Now, I get to accompany her to Puerto Vallarta!!! I am absolutely thrilled. In addition, money has been real tight for us and we’ve been struggling just to make our mortgage payments. Now, we’ve got some breathing room and we can make some repairs around our house. I feel so fortunate to have won so much money.

From the moment the show started, I just felt like everything fell into place for me. I was able to identify the first two toss-ups, giving me control of the wheel for the first round – which turned out to be the coveted “prize puzzle.” I was able to work through that puzzle without the other contestants even getting a chance to spin the wheel. From then on, it seemed like the other contestants seemed to catch bad breaks and I could do no wrong. I honestly felt a little guilty because I knew that this was their big opportunity as well, but I have a family to care for and they are the most important thing in my life. My fellow contestants, Stella and Heather were such nice people, I was honored to have shared the stage with them, and I wish we could have all won $50,000.

After each puzzle, Pat and I had an opportunity to chat. Every time we went to a commercial break, he was standing next to me. I love hockey and continue to play in men’s leagues. So when I heard that Pat was an ice hockey enthusiast, I knew I had to try to talk to him about that. We spent a lot of time chatting about hockey and making jokes. He is really good at making everyone feel comfortable and helping alleviate any intimidation a contestant might be feeling.

For a full month after the show was taped, every morning, I woke up and looked at my paperwork from the show, detailing the money and prize that I had won, just to make sure I hadn’t dreamt the whole experience. After the show I felt like Rocky at the end of Rocky II. I wanted to say, “except for my kids being born…this is the greatest night, in the history of my life!” I can safely say that going on Wheel of Fortune was one of the greatest experiences of my life. If you get the chance – do it!



Posted 09-07


It’s all my mother’s fault. She is a great puzzle solver and a word worm. So I thought that she should go on “America’s Favorite Game” (and possibly bring home some cash!). I signed up on the website just to get the information for her. Then, a few months later, I received an email inviting me to an audition taking place in New York. I immediately called mom who, without hesitating, declared, “road trip!” Mom and I drove to New York to try to become contestants on a show that we’ve both loved for a long time.

After a few hours of guessing letters, pretending to play the game, and a puzzle solving quiz, mom and I survived the cut that sent home most of the people who were there to audition. We made it to the final group that day consisting of 22 potential contestants– I remember because that’s my lucky number and I thought it was a good sign. After all 22 of us had a chance to pretend like we were spinning the wheel and taking a turn at the game, we were excused. They told us that we would receive a typed letter within a couple of weeks if we’d been selected as contestants. Sure enough, that letter came and it was the most exciting piece of mail I’ve ever received. A few months later, when the contestant coordinator called to give me an actual tape date – it was even more exciting!

The day of the show went by really quickly. It was nice to see the people from the contestant department (who were the ones at the audition) because they are so nice, so fun, and so comforting. They are the ones who make the experience as enjoyable as it is.

On the day of the taping, we were told to be at the studio by 7:45 a.m. so I arrived at 7:30. They took us inside and showed us the set and the wheel – which is such a surreal experience. After seeing the set and the wheel every day for so many years it all felt incredibly familiar. And a few hours later, while we were filling out some paperwork, Vanna walked in wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Without makeup or a fancy gown, she is even more beautiful! I’m pretty sure she wanted to ask me out, but I’m married. So I just sat in the back of the room too afraid to speak.

Six shows are taped during the day. So contestants are split into groups of three, and then asked to pick numbers (1-6) to determine the order in which they will compete. Our group picked 6 meaning we got to see all the other shows taped before it was our turn. I think I spent the entire day shaking in my seat, nervous for when it would be our turn. They are very accommodating to the contestants, providing coffee, water, snacks, soda and lunch. I was so nervous that my mouth felt like cotton. So I drank about 17 cups of water, which made me have to pee about 15 times. It’s really a vicious cycle! But I did get to meet some wonderful people, and make some new friends. The other contestants - who were my companions on a crazy journey, the contestant coordinators - who are the most wonderful tour guides, and the make-up artists – who somehow make everyone look good, made it so much fun to spend the day in the studio.

Some of the other contestants and I spoke about our goals for the show. I remember one guy just wanted to make Pat laugh. My goal was simple: I did not want to make a fool of myself on national television. I thought that if I could avoid guessing a ridiculous letter or saying something foolish, I would consider my experience a success. In fact, I didn’t even tell anyone but my immediate family about the show because if I did humiliate myself, I didn’t want anyone to be watching. At times, when I was feeling greedy, I added a second goal: I wanted to take my wife on a trip somewhere warm. On Thursday, September 10th, you can judge for yourself whether I succeeded.