My Wheel of Fortune Audition…

So, I did a thing…

I’m pretty old. Since I was a little kid, I’ve watched Wheel of Fortune. For years I watched with my mother, then I watched with Sweet Husband, and I’ve watched it alone. No matter what, I watched it. The time slot is perfect for me—after dinner but before winding down for bed. The game-style was perfect for me. It is different every single night—no repeats! Regular people having fun and winning stuff. Classic. Perfection. 

What Lead Up To It

For years my kids have told me I should audition for Wheel of Fortune. Every night, while they did their homework, I would be solving puzzles and they would be yelling from the other room “You should be on there, Mom!!!”. 

Then. After 20 years. They dared me.

Well, they found my weakness—you can’t back down from a dare! 

The Audition Process

COVID changed how Wheel of Fortune does their entire contestant pool, and it is easy and quite user friendly. Everything up until the day of taping is done online using Zoom meetings, so you are in the comfort of your own home. Here are the detailed steps:

Video Submission

Applying to be on this spectacular show was really quite easy, and I encourage anyone with any interest to start the audition process from their website. You need to fill out a very short form, and upload a video of yourself. The only “rule” with the video is to not waste time saying it’s “been my life’s dream to be on Wheel,” because that’s true for everybody!

Robber Baron did the Wheel of Fortune audition video for me from what was my teaching office when we were locked down for COVID. No fancy background, no fancy clothes. Just me, introducing myself and making a very short pitch about why I would be a good competitor on my favorite show. I sent that off and hoped.

Live Interview

Months, and I do mean months, later, I got the email. It invited me to a live interview with one of the producers of the show. This is where the Wheel of Fortune audition really started to set in. I absolutely freaked out and couldn’t believe I had made it to the next level! Then, I signed up for the very brief—ten minute—interview online with the producer, and worried about what to wear. I figured that since I just wore a “work outfit” on the video, that would be fine for the interview, so I went with that. The interview was closer to five minutes, and was simply an introduction so they could speak to me, and to let me know what MIGHT come next. At every step, they are quite clear that NOTHING is guaranteed. 

Audition

Within a month, I got that all-important email scheduling my live audition. While this was online as well, it was significantly more high stakes, because I would be playing the game itself with a group of other people trying to get on the show. This was a full hour process, and we played a wide variety of puzzles both against each other, and individually with just the producer. This audition was so much fun I can’t even tell you! We got to chat as contestants, and felt some of the actual pressure of being on the show in a safe and relaxed environment. They reminded us again that nothing is guaranteed, but reviewed what MIGHT come next. 

The Email

When I was informed that I would be taping a show, I was at my desk at school. I actually yelled out a curse! Don’t worry—I only had a few kids in the room. 

The email included my taping date, instructions for entering Sony Pictures Studio, and a number of important attachments, and let me to…

The Paperwork

Legal Docs

There are a ton of documents you need to fill  out and submit after you’re accepted from you Wheel of Fortune audition and prior to your taping date, and I totally understand why. Maintaining the integrity of the show and its outcomes is very important. It took a long time to read and sign all the documents.

“Pat Chat”

I also had to fill out a detailed information sheet that Pat Sajak would use in my introduction. Honestly, all I cared about was mentioning my fantastic family…and I wanted to work my school in there, too! 

The Day Before

We were told that Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy are the only shows that were never shut down due to Covid, which is quite impressive considering the entire crew and players. For these reasons, we needed to be Covid tested at Sony the day before the show. Not just me, but my guests, as well. 

Actually driving into Sony Pictures Studios was so exciting I could barely breathe. While the Covid testing was quick and certainly painless, we absolutely lingered on property just to be, well, on property!

The Morning Of

Early Morning

Like I actually slept the night before!!! HA! I had to be on the lot by 7 am, fully dressed including hair and makeup. Sweet Husband and the kids had to be in the Studio parking lot by 11 am, so the kids slept in while Sweet Husband drove me to the lot. We were scheduled to meet in the same parking area where we had COVID tested the day before, and as soon as I got out of the car, it was Old Home Week! All of the people from my live audition were there, and we were all so excited we didn’t have time to panic and be nervous.

Extra Outfit

I had never noticed what the contestants wear on Wheel, but having been through the process now, I see that there are specific—and quite logical—things that are requested by the show. I wanted to wear blue, because it’s been my favorite color my whole life. This is apparently a very common thought among contestants, as most people were in blue! I had a blazer on, and my most comfy khaki dress pants. We were told to bring an entire extra outfit, just in case. On my day, nobody needed to change due to a spill or clash of colors, but I was glad I had something with me just in case. 

“Camera ready”

We were told to be camera ready when we arrived, so I did my makeup and hair just like I do every day—with very little effort or skill!!! Over the course of the day, hair and makeup worked on me four times, but changed very little. I told them to go ahead and do their best, but they assured me I looked great—just needed a little more powder and lip gloss for the camera. They were, clearly, very sweet and thoughtful liars!!!!

The Entire Day

More paperwork

After checking in, we actually went to the Jeopardy set first—boy was that exciting! We had a lot more paperwork to finish, and we had presentations and videos by several important people associated with the show. It was all logical and expected, and I tried my best to focus on everything that was being presented to us, even though I was totally fan-girling the entire experience of being on set!

The rules are important

They spent a lot of time going over the very important, and sometimes confusing rules of the show. I tried very hard to focus on what they were saying, particularly because everything they were doing and saying was in an effort for us to win as much as we possibly could. Everyone on the show was extremely positive and helpful—wanting to make it the best day of our lives. In retrospect, it was my apt attention to the rules of play that led me to the success I had. 

Being “on set” is cool

I can’t even think about this experience without using the word “cool”. When we moved from the Jeopardy set to the actual Wheel of Fortune set, I literally lost my breath. They had us approach the wheel, take a few practice spins, practice calling out letters in a clear voice, and how to handle those fantastic prizes you pull off of the wheel. Even if I had come away empty handed (never happens—minimum prize is $1,000), I would still say it was one of the best days of my life. 

Crazy things that happened

I was in the makeup chair when Vanna White came into the room to say hello. I spun around so fast I’m lucky I didn’t get lipstick in my ear! She was so sweet, kind and genuine—exactly how she is on the show! During a snack break in the morning—you are always escorted by staff, by the way—Pat Sajak pulled up to us in his car! He leaned out the window and said “So, are these my partners for the day”, and I almost lost my banana! Another gracious and kind person, just like you would expect.  

Taping My Show

“Fastest 22 minutes of your life”

This is the first thing Pat Sajak told us. He. Was. Right. They film six shows in a day, and I drew the sixth show randomly. So, I didn’t start filming until about 5 pm, after getting there at 7 am. I was so excited I was able to keep my energy up for the entire day. The show shoots, literally, at the same speed that you watch it from home. It was so quick, but so slow at the same time, if that makes any sense at all. 

Absolutely surreal

My only suggestion is to be present for every second of the adventure. If you let your focus slide, you will lose control of the wheel, or forget a letter that has already been called. During my taping, as weird as it sounds, I didn’t see anything off of the set. I didn’t hear my family cheering or yelling, and I don’t remember seeing Pat Sajak’s eyes or Vanna walking to and fro. I was in the zone, and it was spectacular. 

So…did I win?

I wish I could tell you I cared about winning. 

Well, I didn’t. 

I was in it for the unbelievable experience and excitement of the day. You know how I told you I kept my focus entirely on the board, and nothing else on set? I wasn’t even aware of how much money me or my competitors had won. Getting caught up in the adventure and excitement of being on my favorite show took over, and I just played the game the very best way I knew how.  

How Is This Education?

So, we talked about my Wheel of Fortune audition and experience…Do you think it’s weird that I am recounting this experience in an education blog?

It fits in perfectly.

I was vulnerable—which is exactly what our students feel every time we call on them or ask them a question. They have that same feeling of the spotlight in their eyes and the camera on them with millions of people watching. It really is quite similar.

Further, just applying for this show was a big step for me. My family and friends have been telling me to apply for DECADES. Ability didn’t keep me from applying all those years; it was my own irrational fears. I needed to have a paradigm shift in how I see myself before I could try to go on national television. Appearing on this show helped me conquer my insecurities and fear of failing. Isn’t that what we are working with all of our students to help them overcome?

All of my students were so excited to see me on Wheel of Fortune. They got to see me be vulnerable, put myself out there, and get out of my own way. They are with me whether I win or whether I lose.

Isn’t that, truly, our greatest message to our students? We are here for them as passionately in their successes as their failures.

Life is, after all, just a spin of the wheel. 

THANK YOU FOR READING THIS FAR!!!

Wow, thank you for reading about my Wheel Of Fortune Audition!!!

Hey, since you’re here! You may as well check out PART ONE, here, and learn about dressing for success, here! Check out our other topics here! Either way, I appreciate you!

Please leave a COMMENT about any tips you may have!! Or comment what your favorite lesson of mine was! How’s your student organization operating?

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