Post by jmdarrall on Dec 3, 2012 23:42:16 GMT -5
As promised on my intro/bio page, I wanted to share my experience getting on the Wheel. It all started six years ago, with my first tryout for Jeopardy in Atlanta. I admit, I scoffed at the joke that went something like "the auditions for Wheel of Fortune are taking place later." I didn't think I'd be doing them six years later...and making it. Well, six years later, frustrated after two failed attempts at getting on Jeopardy, I decided to apply online for Wheel, thinking that I was good at word puzzles, loved Wheel since I was a baby watching in my high chair, and got easily excited. This April, though, I noticed on the online application that they were specifically looking for contestants who were 30 years old. Indeed, I would turn 30 in August. I completed the online application and thought nothing of it for a while until August 6.
On that day, I got the e-mail from Wheel inviting me to audition 10 days later in Knoxville, TN, about 3 hours from me. I weighed my options, rearranged my work schedule, and decided to go for it (and make a day trip out of it). From the time the auditions started, I was glad I did. In the days leading up to the audition, I did everything I could to make sure this audition was going to count! With the birthday money I just earned, I was able to get a new pair of shoes, freshly pressed pants, and a haircut, along with some spending money for Knoxville and a birthday trip I took with a friend.
August 16 came quickly, and I felt relaxed, prepared, and ready to give it everything I got. I made the drive through 3 different states, over the Blue Ridge Mountains, through winding highways and beautiful scenery (clear and sunny, too...this was looking good) to Knoxville and a Holiday Inn adjacent to the World's Fair Park, where the world came to play in 1982, the year of my birth.
At about 10:15 (I'm always super early to events like this), I arrived at the hotel, alert and ready to kill. I didn't speak to anyone else until we got escorted in by the show staff. Then, I heard that unmistakable voice...the loud and energetic Jackie Lamatis and her cohort Shannon Bobillo. Wow! How can you NOT be energetic around those two?! In any case, the two ladies explained the procedure: play several rounds of Wheel, letting them spin the Wheel, disregarding the score, and we were to give them clear, confident instructions - oh yeah, don't forget to smile! They went over some basic gameplay rules, explained some of the upcoming theme weeks, then let us fill out applications (where I specifically noted that I was 30 years and 2 days old). Then, it was off and running with the roll call and the game itself.
Most of what I remembered from the game play was that some of the older auditioners had to be reminded to speak up, that younger and middle aged auditioners had little trouble playing the game, and that everyone had to pull for everybody...and Jackie and Shannon were watching closely, offering tips and advice to help us make the most of our game. Then, about halfway through the mock games...JONATHAN DARRALL! My turn! I shot up out of my seat, gave Jackie and Shannon a "Come on, big money!" and I was on my way. After two consonants, a vowel, then one more successful spin, I solved my puzzle (partly completed by the time it got to me) like a BOSS and got my Wheel of Fortune ball cap!
After a few more rounds of the mock game...test time. This made more than a few people cringe. Not me. I'm a test prep teacher, so this was going to be easy, right? Well, I only made it look easy, but that's because I used the tips I teach my students! Here are a few of them.
- Listen to the categories at the beginning. Assess your knowledge of which ones you're good at and start with those, solving them quickly and accurately. Then, with any time left, go back and do the ones that would give you trouble.
- Don't dwell on one puzzle too long. 16 puzzles in 5 minutes translates to about 18 seconds per puzzle. If you're not going to get it right away, you probably won't get it at all. Move on and go back if time permits.
- Pay attention to the info the puzzles give you, including common endings and unusual letters.
- Don't stress about time! The easiest way to stress: look at the clock constantly. I only checked the timer once, and that was ONLY after I banged out the puzzles that I knew I'd get. The plan here was to assess how much time I had to nail the ones that I skipped. With this, I was able to reach my goal (by the way, go in with a goal and do everything you can to get it...if you go beyond that, great!).
- Be flexible with your thinking! I managed to get a troubling LIVING THING puzzle after I remembered that a living thing isn't necessarily an animal.
Anyway, we were dismissed for about 30 minutes, when most people either got a drink of water, texted, or stepped out to smoke. I spoke to a couple other auditioners, but that was about it. I purposely kept my impressions of the test vague, as I didn't want to brag (something like "I think I missed only a few"). When stepping back in, I noticed that they were playing the 4000th show special, so I sat back, watched, and laughed my head off (I have a very infectious laugh) at some of the clips, while making snarky comments like "My God, if I make the show, I WON'T be doing that" or "You can tell what decade it was by everyone's hair." I spoke to two of the lovely women sitting beside me (one of whom was Danielle Wittekind, who won over $26,000 on 2/18), and also chatted up Jill Crane, who won nearly $9,000 on 11/26. Then, Jackie and Shannon returned and got to the part I feared most: the cuts.
We started with over 70 people in a crowded ballroom. By the time Jackie and Shannon were done, there were 11 single players and one couple. As the names were being read, I silently sat there and prayed, thinking "I hope I made it...if I didn't, I had fun, got a cap, and can try again..." One, two, three, four, five, six names listed....seven, eight, nine...
"JONATHAN DARRALL!" (Oh yeah, did I mention that I was the only one referred to by my full name at the audition? There was another Jonathan D.) YES! I made the first cut and got to play the more intensive series, where we had to move much faster, gesture like we were spinning the Wheel, and give a personality interview. I made it a point to have a memorable hook in my interview - something humorous, and something remarkable, too. My hook was that because of my job "I teach students how to legally cheat on their SATs and ACTs." I also mentioned that, over the last 18 months, I consistently lost and kept off 40 pounds! That got a nice applause. I was smiling, and by that time, we were done and given 2 to 3 weeks to wait for the letter...if we were gonna get it.
That afternoon, I walked off the rest of the nervous energy in Knoxville. As I walked through the World's Fair Park and watched boats go by on the Tennessee River, I wondered...what if I make it? What if I get all the way to the show? When will it be, if ever? What will my friends and family think? So much was racing through my head. I thought I did my best and was proud of myself for getting through the first cut...not easy! Then, every day since then, I checked the mailbox hoping for the letter, then getting worried as 2 weeks, then nearly 3, went by. On September 4, though, the day after Labor Day, I got the letter putting me in the Contestant Pool! I made it! I was just one step away from Stage 11!
So, how did I make it? Simple, just be prepared.
- Know the rules of the game. If you're on these boards, it's pretty obvious that you do. However, because of my work schedule, I can't always watch the show. I was unfamiliar with the Free Play and called a consonant when we were taught that the optimal strategy was to call a vowel. However, this proved to be a non-issue, as I later found out it was smart to do so, since I knew the puzzle prior to getting the Free Play and knew the L that I had asked for was indeed a multiple.
- Have fun! Jackie and Shannon will go to extremes to make sure you smile, laugh, and really present yourself. Your hands will be red raw from all the clapping, but it will be worth it. Also, cheer people on! Call them by name, compliment them on a good pick, cheer them up after a bad one, and high five/fist bump them after a solve. The show loves people who are good sports, as well as great players. Oh, to that end, celebrate when you solve, but be gracious and humble as you get your prize.
- Do what you can to stand out, especially in the interview. Give them an interesting story that they'll pair with you when it comes time to choose who's going to Culver and who's staying home.
- Pay attention! One player, who managed to get through the first cut, called a used letter twice (and blasted himself the second time with an "oh, geez!")...and I got bit in the butt when I finally made the show and made the same mistake once during the rehearsal. Another auditioner, who did NOT make the first cut, got his turn and solved right away! Hello...what if you were on the show, and that wasn't a prize puzzle? Are you that desperate for the Pity Thousand?
- Have a plan in mind. I deliberately made it a point to think not one move ahead, but TWO. As the puzzle progressed, I modified my moves accordingly, and it worked well. I also made it a point to rehearse my reaction to hitting Lose A Turn, Bankrupt, or $5000 (they WILL do that to everyone at least once) to the point where I had a sense of humor about it. Finally, I made sure to deliberately call a good balance of consonants (singles and multiples) and vowels. It also helps if you tend to take risks.
- Don't worry about the coordinators! You're going to be having so much fun and focusing on the game that this should be easy. On the other hand, several of the other auditioners around me had commented (after the cuts were made) that "Oh yeah, I knew you were gonna make it...they loved you...they were smiling, nodding, circling their papers..."
- I have a couple of good luck rituals, too. First, I don't drink coffee with breakfast before a big day (I prefer tea). Second, I like listening to something funny on the radio to give me a positive attitude. Barring that, I listen to some upbeat music and sing along to a couple of good songs (one that I distinctly remember was, oddly enough, "Union of the Snake") - this helped me warm up my voice - the show loves clear, confident voices, so don't be afraid to be loud and clear! My final good luck ritual was shaking out my blazer before putting it on.
- Finally, since we're on the topic of clothes, remember where you are and dress accordingly! To be fair, summer in Knoxville can be hot and dry, but one person showed up in SHORTS AND FLIP-FLOPS! Ummm...did your wife let you wear that? Oh, wait, that's right...SHE WAS WITH YOU! I gave him a somewhat weird/dirty look as we took our mid-break, thinking that he wouldn't get through...he didn't. I wouldn't wear anything less than a long-sleeved button-up shirt, khakis, and dress shoes (that goes for both genders - several women wore jeans or really busy colors/patterns). I did that and added a blazer. No one wore a tie, and that's fine, but do dress more sharp than you usually do.
Just remember, as in life, you don't get a second chance to make a first impression. Just go in to your audition with a positive attitude, sharp looks, great spirit, and strong gameplay, and your ticket to LA will be punched in no time!
On that day, I got the e-mail from Wheel inviting me to audition 10 days later in Knoxville, TN, about 3 hours from me. I weighed my options, rearranged my work schedule, and decided to go for it (and make a day trip out of it). From the time the auditions started, I was glad I did. In the days leading up to the audition, I did everything I could to make sure this audition was going to count! With the birthday money I just earned, I was able to get a new pair of shoes, freshly pressed pants, and a haircut, along with some spending money for Knoxville and a birthday trip I took with a friend.
August 16 came quickly, and I felt relaxed, prepared, and ready to give it everything I got. I made the drive through 3 different states, over the Blue Ridge Mountains, through winding highways and beautiful scenery (clear and sunny, too...this was looking good) to Knoxville and a Holiday Inn adjacent to the World's Fair Park, where the world came to play in 1982, the year of my birth.
At about 10:15 (I'm always super early to events like this), I arrived at the hotel, alert and ready to kill. I didn't speak to anyone else until we got escorted in by the show staff. Then, I heard that unmistakable voice...the loud and energetic Jackie Lamatis and her cohort Shannon Bobillo. Wow! How can you NOT be energetic around those two?! In any case, the two ladies explained the procedure: play several rounds of Wheel, letting them spin the Wheel, disregarding the score, and we were to give them clear, confident instructions - oh yeah, don't forget to smile! They went over some basic gameplay rules, explained some of the upcoming theme weeks, then let us fill out applications (where I specifically noted that I was 30 years and 2 days old). Then, it was off and running with the roll call and the game itself.
Most of what I remembered from the game play was that some of the older auditioners had to be reminded to speak up, that younger and middle aged auditioners had little trouble playing the game, and that everyone had to pull for everybody...and Jackie and Shannon were watching closely, offering tips and advice to help us make the most of our game. Then, about halfway through the mock games...JONATHAN DARRALL! My turn! I shot up out of my seat, gave Jackie and Shannon a "Come on, big money!" and I was on my way. After two consonants, a vowel, then one more successful spin, I solved my puzzle (partly completed by the time it got to me) like a BOSS and got my Wheel of Fortune ball cap!
After a few more rounds of the mock game...test time. This made more than a few people cringe. Not me. I'm a test prep teacher, so this was going to be easy, right? Well, I only made it look easy, but that's because I used the tips I teach my students! Here are a few of them.
- Listen to the categories at the beginning. Assess your knowledge of which ones you're good at and start with those, solving them quickly and accurately. Then, with any time left, go back and do the ones that would give you trouble.
- Don't dwell on one puzzle too long. 16 puzzles in 5 minutes translates to about 18 seconds per puzzle. If you're not going to get it right away, you probably won't get it at all. Move on and go back if time permits.
- Pay attention to the info the puzzles give you, including common endings and unusual letters.
- Don't stress about time! The easiest way to stress: look at the clock constantly. I only checked the timer once, and that was ONLY after I banged out the puzzles that I knew I'd get. The plan here was to assess how much time I had to nail the ones that I skipped. With this, I was able to reach my goal (by the way, go in with a goal and do everything you can to get it...if you go beyond that, great!).
- Be flexible with your thinking! I managed to get a troubling LIVING THING puzzle after I remembered that a living thing isn't necessarily an animal.
Anyway, we were dismissed for about 30 minutes, when most people either got a drink of water, texted, or stepped out to smoke. I spoke to a couple other auditioners, but that was about it. I purposely kept my impressions of the test vague, as I didn't want to brag (something like "I think I missed only a few"). When stepping back in, I noticed that they were playing the 4000th show special, so I sat back, watched, and laughed my head off (I have a very infectious laugh) at some of the clips, while making snarky comments like "My God, if I make the show, I WON'T be doing that" or "You can tell what decade it was by everyone's hair." I spoke to two of the lovely women sitting beside me (one of whom was Danielle Wittekind, who won over $26,000 on 2/18), and also chatted up Jill Crane, who won nearly $9,000 on 11/26. Then, Jackie and Shannon returned and got to the part I feared most: the cuts.
We started with over 70 people in a crowded ballroom. By the time Jackie and Shannon were done, there were 11 single players and one couple. As the names were being read, I silently sat there and prayed, thinking "I hope I made it...if I didn't, I had fun, got a cap, and can try again..." One, two, three, four, five, six names listed....seven, eight, nine...
"JONATHAN DARRALL!" (Oh yeah, did I mention that I was the only one referred to by my full name at the audition? There was another Jonathan D.) YES! I made the first cut and got to play the more intensive series, where we had to move much faster, gesture like we were spinning the Wheel, and give a personality interview. I made it a point to have a memorable hook in my interview - something humorous, and something remarkable, too. My hook was that because of my job "I teach students how to legally cheat on their SATs and ACTs." I also mentioned that, over the last 18 months, I consistently lost and kept off 40 pounds! That got a nice applause. I was smiling, and by that time, we were done and given 2 to 3 weeks to wait for the letter...if we were gonna get it.
That afternoon, I walked off the rest of the nervous energy in Knoxville. As I walked through the World's Fair Park and watched boats go by on the Tennessee River, I wondered...what if I make it? What if I get all the way to the show? When will it be, if ever? What will my friends and family think? So much was racing through my head. I thought I did my best and was proud of myself for getting through the first cut...not easy! Then, every day since then, I checked the mailbox hoping for the letter, then getting worried as 2 weeks, then nearly 3, went by. On September 4, though, the day after Labor Day, I got the letter putting me in the Contestant Pool! I made it! I was just one step away from Stage 11!
So, how did I make it? Simple, just be prepared.
- Know the rules of the game. If you're on these boards, it's pretty obvious that you do. However, because of my work schedule, I can't always watch the show. I was unfamiliar with the Free Play and called a consonant when we were taught that the optimal strategy was to call a vowel. However, this proved to be a non-issue, as I later found out it was smart to do so, since I knew the puzzle prior to getting the Free Play and knew the L that I had asked for was indeed a multiple.
- Have fun! Jackie and Shannon will go to extremes to make sure you smile, laugh, and really present yourself. Your hands will be red raw from all the clapping, but it will be worth it. Also, cheer people on! Call them by name, compliment them on a good pick, cheer them up after a bad one, and high five/fist bump them after a solve. The show loves people who are good sports, as well as great players. Oh, to that end, celebrate when you solve, but be gracious and humble as you get your prize.
- Do what you can to stand out, especially in the interview. Give them an interesting story that they'll pair with you when it comes time to choose who's going to Culver and who's staying home.
- Pay attention! One player, who managed to get through the first cut, called a used letter twice (and blasted himself the second time with an "oh, geez!")...and I got bit in the butt when I finally made the show and made the same mistake once during the rehearsal. Another auditioner, who did NOT make the first cut, got his turn and solved right away! Hello...what if you were on the show, and that wasn't a prize puzzle? Are you that desperate for the Pity Thousand?
- Have a plan in mind. I deliberately made it a point to think not one move ahead, but TWO. As the puzzle progressed, I modified my moves accordingly, and it worked well. I also made it a point to rehearse my reaction to hitting Lose A Turn, Bankrupt, or $5000 (they WILL do that to everyone at least once) to the point where I had a sense of humor about it. Finally, I made sure to deliberately call a good balance of consonants (singles and multiples) and vowels. It also helps if you tend to take risks.
- Don't worry about the coordinators! You're going to be having so much fun and focusing on the game that this should be easy. On the other hand, several of the other auditioners around me had commented (after the cuts were made) that "Oh yeah, I knew you were gonna make it...they loved you...they were smiling, nodding, circling their papers..."
- I have a couple of good luck rituals, too. First, I don't drink coffee with breakfast before a big day (I prefer tea). Second, I like listening to something funny on the radio to give me a positive attitude. Barring that, I listen to some upbeat music and sing along to a couple of good songs (one that I distinctly remember was, oddly enough, "Union of the Snake") - this helped me warm up my voice - the show loves clear, confident voices, so don't be afraid to be loud and clear! My final good luck ritual was shaking out my blazer before putting it on.
- Finally, since we're on the topic of clothes, remember where you are and dress accordingly! To be fair, summer in Knoxville can be hot and dry, but one person showed up in SHORTS AND FLIP-FLOPS! Ummm...did your wife let you wear that? Oh, wait, that's right...SHE WAS WITH YOU! I gave him a somewhat weird/dirty look as we took our mid-break, thinking that he wouldn't get through...he didn't. I wouldn't wear anything less than a long-sleeved button-up shirt, khakis, and dress shoes (that goes for both genders - several women wore jeans or really busy colors/patterns). I did that and added a blazer. No one wore a tie, and that's fine, but do dress more sharp than you usually do.
Just remember, as in life, you don't get a second chance to make a first impression. Just go in to your audition with a positive attitude, sharp looks, great spirit, and strong gameplay, and your ticket to LA will be punched in no time!
You'd be surprised at how many contestants had to audition multiple times to get on the show.