Autumn E's Blog Post
Monday, September 2nd, 2013
My journey to the Wheel happened rather quickly, well, once I finally applied online for it. I grew up watching Wheel of Fortune with my dad. We rarely missed an episode and probably wouldn’t have, if there were DVRs back then. I have always loved solving puzzles and guessing games, so I was drawn to Wheel of Fortune and still am to this day. It wasn’t until my fiancé, realizing my crazy obsession with the show, finally convinced me to apply for the show. My dad always told me I should tryout but I always responded, “Are you crazy?” I would never make it on the show, there’s probably thousands upon thousands of applicants. I guess I’ve decided to become more adventurous and take more chances after hitting the big 3-0! So I finally applied online in October, filled out the questionnaire, marked that I was thirty years old and clicked the submit button. And the wait began.
A few months had gone by and I was already accepting the fact that I did not get selected. Oh well, I had nothing to lose. Then, the end of January rolled around, and I was coming home from a weekend snowboarding trip when I received the news. I screamed in excitement, I made it to the Wheel of Fortune auditions! Then I read some more and realized they were the following week. Yikes, I need to get home and prepare!
After preparing as much as I could in one week, audition day was here. I was very nervous and excited at the same time. We were greeted by the contestant coordinators and explained what was going to happen, and what they were looking for. There was about seventy of us and I was towards the back of the conference room. We started playing some simulation games where the coordinators called your name. If your name was called, you were to stand up and play as if you were on the show. My name was called, I shouted my letter and of course it wasn’t in the puzzle. Instantly I thought, There goes my chance. I didn’t lose hope though and luckily my name was called a couple more times to shine. After the simulated games were over, we were given a five minute test where we had to try and solve different puzzles that had missing letters. That was probably the fastest five minutes of my life! I did alright but had no idea if I would make it to the second cut.
We had a quick break while the coordinators decided which participants they would like to stay for the next round. Again, I was nervous and excited, and was hoping I would get called to stay longer. The experience thus far was already so much fun, who wouldn’t want to solve puzzles?
We got called back in the room and I was called to stay. Yay! We played some more intense games where we actually had to go up and spin a pretend wheel and even introduce ourselves. My nerves had calmed down a lot since the first round so I was just trying to have as much fun as possible. My turn was over and once the others finished with their turn, we waited again.
When the coordinators came back, they told us there were two openings for the taping on Thursday. They asked who would not be able to tape then. I definitely was not going to decline the opportunity so I remained quietly in my chair and was praying I would be picked for the Thursday taping. The time had come and they were announcing the two that made it. I heard, AUTUMN. My name was called!! I jumped up with excitement. The rest is a bit blurry as I was so shocked but I just remember saying over and over to my mom, who came with me to the audition, Oh my gosh, I am going to be on Wheel of Fortune! How did this happen? What if I win a lot of money? With so much excitement, my mom called my dad, and I called my fiancé (of course he didn’t believe me at first).
When I got home, I read and re-read (about ten times) my packet and tried to prepare as much as I could in one day! The toughest part was choosing my outfit! So far, the experience had been so much fun and the coordinators were a blast to audition with! Stay tuned for my upcoming show on Thursday, September 5th to see how I did!!!
Friday, September 6th, 2013
Two days passed and it was go time. I was up bright and early and on my way to be a contestant on Wheel of Fortune. I’m pretty sure I was still dreaming at this point. I got to the studio and was escorted into the contestant’s room to begin the day. There were 18 of us sitting there full of anxiousness and excitement. The contestant coordinators reviewed all the rules and gave us pointers. At this point, my nerves had calmed down slightly when we were told we had a few hours until taping. Phew, I could relax a little!
During these hours, we got our hair and make-up done by the wonderful stylists, got our pictures taken, toured the studio, and even meet Vanna! She was so sweet and wished us all good luck. We also got a chance to practice spinning the wheel. That thing was heavy! I tried so hard to get a good spin but I felt like my spins were so wimpy. Next, we found out who we were playing with and what order we would film in. I had the pressure of picking for my show and wished for any number but one. I picked number five. Ahh relief, even more time to relax and watch the other contestants film their shows.
I had such a great time watching and cheering for everyone while getting some last minute practice by solving the puzzles quietly in my head. Show 1, 2, and 3 were all finished. There was one more show before it was my turn. Nerves were setting in and I was called back in for last minute hair and make-up touch-ups. I just kept trying to tell myself to have fun and to pretend that I’m at home playing on my couch.
Next thing I know, we were called to the stage it was show time! Lights, cameras and an audience just like playing at home! We got a few more practice spins and that was it. Going into the game, I remember just wanting to solve at least one puzzle.
Well, here it goes, the music started and Pat and Vanna came out. It was so unreal. Was this really happening? The first toss up started and I rang in and solved it! Okay, I solved my first puzzle, I could relax a little, I thought. We did our introductions with Pat and boy is he quick and witty.
I missed the next toss up round so I cheered for my contestant buddies until it was my turn again. My turn came back around on the first puzzle and I was in the zone. From here on out my memory was pretty patchy. I remember bits and pieces but the whole experience felt so unreal. I solved the first puzzle and won a trip. I remember being much more relaxed but still felt I was in a daze.
Throughout the rest of the game, and I cant remember the order, I had spun a Wild Card, landed on the Million Dollar wedge, and solved the prize puzzle. All of a sudden, Pat is congratulating me and telling me I’m going to the bonus round. I was already in complete shock throughout the game, and now I’m going to the bonus round with the million dollar wedge and the wild card? This was definitely not real life and I was having the best dream ever! So I headed to the bonus round wheel, which I may add, suited my upper body strength much better. I spun the wheel and walked over with Pat towards the puzzle. I picked my letters and my extra consonant from the Wild Card, and all I got was one G. I thought to myself, uh oh, I’m in trouble. I had four letters out of the entire eleven letter, two word puzzle.
The countdown started, I took a quick peek at the remaining letters available, and out of nowhere, I solved the puzzle! I was beyond ecstatic and couldn’t wait to see what I had won. Pat opens the card and it read ONE MILLION. Streamers and confetti came pouring from overhead while I was standing there with my hands covering my mouth in complete and utter shock. Pat and Vanna came to hug and congratulate me while my parents and fiancé run out on to the stage. I didn’t remember much after that other than shaking profusely in amazement, still with my hands covering my mouth! I didn’t sleep that whole night. I still didn’t believe it had happened, however, the paperwork was there sitting beside me to remind me that it did. What a crazy and adventurous couple of days. I guess turning thirty hasn’t been too bad! I could not be more grateful for my experience. The whole process from auditioning to filming was forever memorable. I want to thank everyone, Pat, Vanna and the whole Wheel of Fortune team for this a fun-filled and unforgettable experience.
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