Jeff S.

Jeff S.

Theme Week:
Boston's Got Game
Contestant:
Jeff S.
Hometown:
Boston, MA
Week of:
November 16, 2009

Posted on 11/17


As I type this blog, it is still kind of surreal to think about my Wheel of Fortune experience. Outside of being “Outfoxed Again” by the bonus puzzle, I couldn’t have scripted that day any better. It was pretty wild to be up there, looking down at the Wheel, watching Pat and Vanna walk out, and somehow walking away with so many different prizes.

For me, the highlight was winning the Prize Puzzle and also the final puzzle, “Basketball Hall of Fame.” It is still a bit of a blur, but I remember almost forgetting the answer of “Colorful Cocktails With Tiny Umbrellas” just after I told Pat that I wanted to solve it. Luckily, it came back to me in a split second, and I was off to the British Virgin Islands with my girlfriend, Jenn.  Ironically, I had forgot that it was a Prize Puzzle to begin with! Bonus!

On to the final round. After stepping off the stage for a commercial break and a make-up touch up, the Contestant Coordinators informed us that this may be the final puzzle, and that we should prepare for the speed up round. Looking at my winnings thus far, and knowing Pat’s knack for spinning a cool $5000 almost every time, I knew that there was a chance that someone could overtake me. So I had to focus and try to take it home one more time.

When the puzzle category and structure were revealed, I started thinking about it immediately. I tried to talk it out in my head phonetically, hoping that something familiar would emerge. The stress only heightened when Pat worked his magic and spun the Wheel, only to land on the lucky $5000 wedge like he had done so often. Now, it WAS a game.

The play began with the gentleman to the left of me calling the first letter, which unfortunately, was not in the puzzle. This was followed up with the woman to my right calling the only S on the board of 20 letters. It was then my chance to try to solve it now. “B,” I said. After Pat’s acknowledgement of 2 B’s and Vanna’s trademark waltz of confirmation, the answer came to me clear as day, “Basketball Hall of Fame.” I did it! Luckily, I had been there many times!

Well, unfortunately I didn’t get to add on to my winnings in the Bonus Round, but it would be an understatement to say that my experience was unforgettable. All the Contestant Coordinators, fellow contestants, and Wheel of Fortune family were really great, and meeting Pat and Vanna was something I will always remember. I suppose the $37,941 is going to be nice too!

Thank you Wheel of Fortune!

 



Posted on 11/16


When I think about Wheel of Fortune, something very distinctly, culturally American comes to mind. I have always seen it as something that almost everyone in America knows about, and has watched at least once in their lives. So for me to actually become part of that fabric was a real honor in my life.

I had heard that Wheel of Fortune was coming to Boston, and luckily, received an audition request via email in early summer. I couldn’t believe it! I had watched the show for over 20 years, even as far back as when contestants actually had to SPEND their winnings in the “gallery of gifts.” What an amazing opportunity! Now was the time for preparation. Game on. I studied the ins and outs of the show for the next several weeks. It was really important for me to understand the best strategy for using vowels and, if luck prevails, solving puzzles. In addition, I brushed up on all things Boston and Massachusetts. Historical figures, landmarks, getaway destinations, and unique traits of the cities and towns. I figured that this may give me a leg up on the competition, and hopefully, allow for me a chance to compete on the show.

I travelled to downtown Boston on the morning of the audition and arrived at the hotel where it was taking place. Weaving my way through the sea of competitors, I took my place in line, sizing up the competition in the meantime. We were then all called into the audition room together. “Stand up and say your name loud and clear!” said one of the contestant coordinators. It was show time. After playing a mock-game of Wheel, and taking a quick test, they were ready to make the first cut. I made it! What a relief! A few more rounds of mock-play went by, and a snap of a personal photo, and unfortunately the audition was over. I’d now have to wait a week or so for the final result…torture. Luckily, I received that fateful phone call on the following Wednesday morning. I was going to be an actual contestant on Wheel of Fortune! GAME ON…literally!

For the next few weeks, I studied incessantly. I taped every show, watching how the best contestants solved the puzzles correctly and how their strategy proved a success. It all came down to that final day before the taping that certain calm came over me. I figured that if I could visualize myself playing well, being focused, calm, but also excited, that everything would go well. I arrived at the taping at 7am. Several of the contestant coordinators were right there waiting for me, ready to usher me into the gauntlet of game show preparation. After a quick rules explanation, we were off to see the set to get familiar with our future surroundings. A few practice spins of the wheel and some quick voice-projection lessons later, it was back up to the green room for some make-up, lunch, and downtime before things got going.

A few hours later, we were escorted down to the set for game time. Weaving through the black curtains, and convention center halls, we arrived. It was only at that moment of seeing the audience, my family and friends, the fully-lit set, cameras, and the actual Wheel of Fortune that this amazing experience set in. It was now time to make some history…