madtownman
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Post by madtownman on Jan 16, 2014 20:26:38 GMT -5
I recently got my letter telling me I'll be a contestant for the January 31st taping for "Wheel Across America" week! I'm trying to prepare as best I can for potential puzzles. Has this been a theme before? If so, when and what kind of themed puzzles can I expect?
Also, for anyone who has recently attended a final audition, I didn't receive my letter in the mail until 16 days later, so don't lose hope if you don't have anything by Day 14.
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MarioGS
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Post by MarioGS on Jan 16, 2014 21:03:11 GMT -5
Yes, Wheel Across America has been a theme before. Seasons 26, 27, and 29 all had it. The themed puzzles are usually themed towards travel/road trips and also America ala most America's Game episodes, so any patriotic expressions/titles and landmarks can fit with this theme as well. If/when you do get themed puzzles, you likely won't get more than two, which would definitely be the $1,000 Toss-Up and then either R1 or part of R2 if it's a Before & After. Here are some examples that appeared in those seasons...
- ROADSIDE FRUIT STAND
- THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT
- ARE WE THERE YET?
- PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME IN CANTON OHIO
- INTERSTATE HIGHWAY
- THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
- CAPITOL HILL OF BEANS
- WE HAVE THE GREEN LIGHT
- THE HEARTLAND OF AMERICA
- CHICAGO'S WRIGLEY FIELD
- LET FREEDOM RING
- PONY EXPRESS
- MAIN STREET
- I'M A YANKEE DOODLE DANDY
- HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS
- ON THE ROAD
- FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA
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WooWho
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Post by WooWho on Jan 16, 2014 22:18:01 GMT -5
Congrats, madtownman! How soon after you got the letter were you notified of your tape date? I'm in *that* boat at the moment--letter in hand, but the phone has been silent for almost 9 months now. I personally wouldn't be too concerned about themed puzzles so much--I'm of the opinion that once the letters fall into place, it becomes pretty self-evident. Focus on calling the right letters at the right times, take advantage of Mystery/Express/Prize Puzzle as appropriate, and knock 'em all dead. (Psst...fellers, someone needs a gold star.) |
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tenpoundhammer
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Post by tenpoundhammer on Jan 16, 2014 22:27:15 GMT -5
I've had so many people tell me they got the call even without the letter. No letter for me, so I'm assuming a call will come any day now. Mom and I found a Magic 8 Ball at Goodwill. We both asked it if I would be on by March and it came up "Yes".  |
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Prizes
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Post by Prizes on Jan 16, 2014 22:41:52 GMT -5
Interesting on that, Bobby, I was told this year that it'd only be by letter, to tell you you're on, but by phone to make sure you are available-by home, then cell, etc. They really do care about you!
And congrats! I'd study a lot of sports players, major US cities, well known buildings, stadiums, pieces of Americana, etc. Hope I get a theme like this.
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MarioGS
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Post by MarioGS on Jan 16, 2014 22:49:48 GMT -5
Also, madtownman, I can safely tell you that a good portion of the categories on the category list you have received are absolutely not going to show up, but you probably know that by now.  |
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madtownman
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Post by madtownman on Jan 16, 2014 23:39:22 GMT -5
Wow. Thanks for all the replies. Especially Mario for all the examples of puzzles.
I'm not expecting more than 1 or 2 puzzles to be geared towards the theme, was just trying to get a feel for what they'd be. I was also trying to figure out how it'd be different from the "America's Game" weeks where On The Map puzzles seem to be relatively common. It seems as if they are more historical in nature. Good to know!
For reference here was my timeline:
Attend Wheelmobile event: June 15
Get email for final audition: November 20
Final audition: December 5
Receive letter telling me I am in the contestant pool: December 21
Receive email with tape date: January 9
Receive phone call follow up to confirm I can make it: January 10 (I had to check to see if I could get off of work first which is why I didn't confirm instantly)
Tape Date: January 31
Air Date: March 31 - April 4 or April 24
So it all happened VERY fast for me after I got the email inviting me to the final audition.
Just got a packet over-nighted to me that includes the category list Mario was referencing. And, Mario, yes some of the categories on that list made me do a double take! PhraseS? Where Are We Going? I'm not too concerned about either of those showing up (along with a few others).
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MarioGS
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Post by MarioGS on Jan 17, 2014 0:05:00 GMT -5
Yep. Here are the categories that are 99% surely not going to show up due to being way too rare.. Best Seller(s) Classic TV Family Headline Husband & Wife Star & Role Title/Author or Author/Title What's That Song? And as these categories, well... WarioSajak has a better chance of becoming a contestant than these categories have of appearing. In short, Fuhget about 'em! College Life (since WAA is not a College Week) Next Line Please Phrases Rock On! Slogan What Are We Making? Where Are We? Where Are We Going? Who Is It?/Who Are They? Who Said It? |
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mechamind
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Post by mechamind on Jan 19, 2014 2:20:58 GMT -5
Sounds like a sixth show week on April 21-25. Luckily, you'll probably get the same themes regardless if you are on the sixth show.
Immediately after Round 2 is solved, I say think about the last travel site commercial you watched.
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genius2751
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Post by genius2751 on Jan 29, 2014 0:26:38 GMT -5
Yep. Here are the categories that are 99% surely not going to show up due to being way too rare.. Best Seller(s) Classic TV Family Headline Husband & Wife Star & Role Title/Author or Author/Title What's That Song? And as these categories, well... WarioSajak has a better chance of becoming a contestant than these categories have of appearing. In short, Fuhget about 'em! College Life (since WAA is not a College Week) Next Line Please Phrases Rock On! Slogan What Are We Making? Where Are We? Where Are We Going? Who Is It?/Who Are They? Who Said It? But Author/Title came on 10/21/2013. And congrats madtownman! |
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madtownman
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Post by madtownman on Feb 8, 2014 18:03:50 GMT -5
My show had all typical categories and will be airing on Thursday, April 3. There were two puzzles in my game that were related to the Wheel Across America theme. Thanks again for the replies.
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