Contestant Blogs
This Week's Contestant
Paul L.
| Theme: | Fabulous Food New Orleans |
|---|---|
| Hometown: | New Orleans, LA |
| Week of: | 05-16-2011 |
POSTED 5-16
When the Wheelmobile came to Harrah's Casino in early November, I almost didn't go to the Saturday auditions. It was a beautiful fall day, and I figured my chances of actually appearing on the show were minuscule. I had been a Wheel fan for years, but had no clue that the Wheelmobile was going to be in town. Fortunately, two friends had alerted me to the fact earlier in the week. Because we had already made plans to attend, I decided that the chance to appear on Wheel was something that might never happen again, and to the casino we went!
I was stunned by the sheer number of people at the audition. We filled out our information slips, dropped them into the big hopper, and settled in for a long afternoon of waiting. After numerous false starts (Paula, Paulette, Pauline...), I was lucky enough to have my name called during the first round of auditions! While I didn't solve my puzzle ("Wynona Judd"), I felt that I had good energy and stage presence, and I hoped that it would be enough to carry me to a callback audition.
When I received my callback email in December, my thoughts quickly shifted from the audition being a fun talking point to something I needed to take seriously. Wheel of Fortune was already nightly watching material, but it became appointment viewing, and I purchased the iPhone Wheel of Fortune App. Whenever I had downtime, I played countless games, trying to remain sharp for my callback. I knew that they were taping three weeks of shows in New Orleans, and so I figured that my odds were now much more in my favor.
The callback audition was sobering. In contrast to the first round, where the crowd was loud with nervous energy, these people were focused and serious. Everyone was friendly, but it was clear that they had spent just as much time daydreaming about WoF as I. After solving a few puzzles, completing a written test, and playing another round or two of WoF, we were told that if selected, we would receive notice within two or three weeks. There was nothing left to do but wait and wait...
After four weeks had come and gone with nary a word from the producers, I had given up any reasonable hope that I had made it on the show. Imagine my surprise when my fiance found a letter from Wheel of Fortune in the mail! I redoubled my study efforts, and though I still didn't know when I'd be appearing on the show, it was only another month until I found out I'd be taping here in New Orleans for "Fabulous Food Week!" Tune in on Wednesday to see how it went!