dale83
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Post by dale83 on Nov 22, 2015 19:53:48 GMT -5
Hello, all!! I was looking for some information this weekend and found this forum!
I'm going to be on the show on Thanksgiving Day! A lifelong dream comes true. Those close to me know I promised to be on the show when I was a little boy, watching it with Grandma after dinner every night. I remember the first puzzle I solved: SNAP CRACKLE POP RICE KRISPIES. I remember standing behind the sofa and pretending to reach down and spin the wheel.
A couple decades and several Wheelmobile auditions later, I would finally be called up on stage, get the second audition, the letter three weeks later, and a tape date about 8 weeks ago. It's all been absolutely amazing. Pat and Vanna are so real, and the contestant coordinators are amazing. Everyone wants you to thoroughly enjoy your moment, and I can say I absolutely loved mine!
I do have one question, if anyone can help me with this: how do I record my episode? I am DVR-ing it, but I have no idea what to do with that to save it to my computer. I won't be in town when it airs--I'm going home to be with my family (where, sadly, the show is totally pre-empted). However, if someone can help me save this moment, I would be so grateful!
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MarioGS
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Post by MarioGS on Nov 22, 2015 20:11:28 GMT -5
Welcome, Dale!  I'll definitely be cheering you on on Thanksgiving. You can use a capture device to record the episode to your computer. I have one and I do use it to record Wheel occasionally. I'll try to do your episode and send it to you, but there are other people out there I know who almost always record episodes digitally so if I can't do it, they'll be able to hook you up as well. Will you be at the red, yellow, or blue podium? |
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genius2751
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Post by genius2751 on Nov 22, 2015 20:24:26 GMT -5
Welcome to the boards Dale! And best of luck!  |
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wheelie99
BANHAMMER'D
WHEEL! OF! FORTUNE!
Posts: 35
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Post by wheelie99 on Nov 22, 2015 21:08:50 GMT -5
I started watching the show in 2005, and I love wheel now. However, if you can, maybe you could've asked an airdate.
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MarioGS
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Post by MarioGS on Nov 22, 2015 21:12:44 GMT -5
^ ...What?  |
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wheelie99
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Posts: 35
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Post by wheelie99 on Nov 22, 2015 21:16:57 GMT -5
Just allow me to promote piracy and suggest that you break the law, despite the fact that the Rules of this here site clearly state that I'm not allowed to do this. Clearly I need to read them better if I don't want to get banned.
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smashwhammy
too excited to think at time
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Member is Online
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Post by smashwhammy on Nov 22, 2015 21:21:04 GMT -5
isn't that illegal?
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whammy007
Producer 
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Let's Go Blues!
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Post by whammy007 on Nov 22, 2015 21:24:59 GMT -5
Yes, yes it is. We will concede that it does happen, but we here at BAV do not support nor advocate it in any way. Besides, Dale has other perfectly legal ways to get a copy of his episode. Let's help him pursue those. |
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dale83
Made It and Played It
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Winnings: $10,350
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Post by dale83 on Nov 22, 2015 22:14:16 GMT -5
Thank you all for the input...I will be on the blue podium! Perhaps I should have noted this in the original post, but we are actually instructed to record it ourselves. They do not provide recordings, nor do the affiliates broadcasting it. I already checked those options. We are not allowed to broadcast it on the internet (i.e. YouTube, etc.), as that would be illegal.
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mechamind
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A recapper on fire!
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Post by mechamind on Nov 22, 2015 22:46:47 GMT -5
They do not provide recordings, nor do the affiliates broadcasting it. Eh, I figured. I think it should be easy for the contestant to watch their own game (legally, of course). |
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Post by speederice on Nov 23, 2015 9:28:50 GMT -5
Congrats Dale!! I'm afraid I don't have much more to offer in response to your question but just wanted to say that I will be cheering you on as well and welcome to the boards! |
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iroc24
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Post by iroc24 on Nov 23, 2015 9:40:33 GMT -5
Just allow me to promote piracy and suggest that you break the law, despite the fact that the Rules of this here site clearly state that I'm not allowed to do this. Clearly I need to read them better if I don't want to get banned.I had to read this twice before realizing it was edited by a moderator. I was so confused. As mentioned, there are plenty of legal ways to get a copy of the show. I'm sure at least one person on this board will be able to get a copy. I don't have the right hardware to record to my computer but I know they sell it. |
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wheelie99
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WHEEL! OF! FORTUNE!
Posts: 35
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Post by wheelie99 on Nov 23, 2015 11:48:21 GMT -5
I just use [ILLEGAL PIRACY WEBSITE] a lot. Just saying. Sorry about that. Just wait for your episode to pop up on YouTube.
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mechamind
VIP
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A recapper on fire!
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Post by mechamind on Nov 23, 2015 13:17:31 GMT -5
Just allow me to promote piracy and suggest that you break the law, despite the fact that the Rules of this here site clearly state that I'm not allowed to do this. Clearly I need to read them better if I don't want to get banned.I had to read this twice before realizing it was edited by a moderator. I was so confused. In the just over 2 years I've known about this forum (including before I registered), I've never seen a staff member rewrite a comment like this. But I am aware of Chelsea's moment over at Golden-Road. |
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therealcu2010
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Acknowledge Me!
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Post by therealcu2010 on Nov 23, 2015 14:05:03 GMT -5
In the just over 2 years I've known about this forum (including before I registered), I've never seen a staff member rewrite a comment like this. I still have some tricks up my ol' sleeve...  |
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dale83
Made It and Played It
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Airdate: 11/26/15
Winnings: $10,350
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Post by dale83 on Nov 25, 2015 16:55:05 GMT -5
Getting ready to watch tomorrow, I shared my personal blog on Facebook, as I wasn't selected for the official blog. So here's my full-length spinning story, spoiler-free!!
My journey to become a contestant on Wheel of Fortune has been nothing short of an incredible life-long dream come true. My earliest childhood memories are those of eating dinner at 5pm every night, and being in the living room with my grandmother by 6pm, when Wheel of Fortune came on. She was the original Wheel Watcher in our family, and I fell in love with the show watching it with her nightly. I loved it so much, as my mother recounts, I used to write in only capital letters, citing Vanna White's exclusive use of capital letters. I've had a predisposition to writing in uppercase all my life—I guess that's where it came from. I do know that I can remember my first solve. I beat my family to it. It was a speed-up round. “SNAP CRACKLE POP RICE KRISPIES.” I remember it, and the “Wow!” reaction from my grandmother. Since then, anyone who has known me well has known my determination to be a contestant on the show, play the live game, and meet Pat and Vanna.
In 1994, my family relocated from Dansville, New York, to Plano, Texas in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, to be closer to my mother's sister. I would graduate high school there, and spend some time in college at the University of North Texas. In late May of 2006, I would drive down to Fort Worth, Texas, to attend my first Wheelmobile event. This event was absolutely wild! The lines were insane. Having never been to such a thing before, I didn't even know if I'd get to watch a game, let alone get on stage. I didn't make it to the stage, or win a random draw to the second round auditions, but my resolve was strong. The next day, I went to Dallas for the second day of auditions. Still, no luck.
Over the years, I would have a couple more Wheelmobile events to attend. Texas wouldn't be where I would get lucky. In 2011, I moved to Las Vegas, looking to further my career in the casino industry, and I also caught a huge Wheelmobile event the next year at a major resort on the Las Vegas Strip. No luck, yet.
Early in March, my friend Jenn from work said she saw an ad for a Wheelmobile event in Las Vegas—at Green Valley Ranch—and I was ecstatic! I was also surprised—I hadn't received the email that the Wheelmobile would be in Vegas! That didn't matter, though, as I took March 14 off from work and headed down with Jenn. She got called up pretty early in the first day—I was so excited for her! No luck for me that day, but I had a lot of fun! The next day we returned, and at the top of the last show, I would be called! In fact, when the local newscaster was about to call names for the first go, I heard, “Dale...” but he cut off to make a remark. I don't remember what it was, but I was so excited and nervous all at once. I might not be the only Dale in the room. It's happened before. When he went back to calling the names, and I realized my chance finally arrived, I went airborne! I screamed! I yelled! I gave Jenn a big hug! Jenn said they just stopped for a second, and everyone was smiling!! They wanted to see our “million-dollar-winner” reaction, but I felt like I'd done better than win a million!! I finally had my chance to audition!! I didn't solve the puzzle, but I had SO much fun up there!! Marty and Tracy were great!! Afterward, Jenn and I waited through the end of the show, and we even took pictures with Tracy before leaving. Now the wait for a callback would begin.
We were told it would be six to eight weeks before we heard anything, so I tried to put it out of my mind, and get back to my regular routine.
Four days later, on March 19, I got an email from the contestant department—I was invited to a final audition!! I was so excited: once again, yelling, calling friends and family, and showing up to work that night with a giant grin on my face! March 31st I would have the final step to getting on the show right in front of me. Jenn got a letter, too. So there was much practice ahead. Fortunately, I practiced all my life, watching the show, and owning virtually every video game version of the show that's ever been available. I continued to practice and added crosswords and word searches to my regiment.
By the second audition, I was fortunate to have calmed myself quite a bit. I was ready to show my best to this team of contestant coordinators. I was hopefully they'd see the quality puzzle solver and the life-long lover of the show! We played mock games—I solved a puzzle, “Same Letter,” “GOBLINS, GREMLINS, AND GARGOYLES.” I felt good about that, especially because I was practicing speaking like a Wheel contestant: deliberately and clearly, like I watched so many actual contestants solve before. The test was not too bad. I didn't solve every puzzle, but I took a shot at the ones I didn't know, filling in logical letters or scribbling ideas. I may not have solved every puzzle, but I demonstrated that I had a plan of attack for what letters I'd be calling if I had the opportunity. At no point did any of them say solving the puzzles (in the live game or the test) was paramount—they were looking for logical letter selection. If you find yourself in this audition and test, make sure you remember that. Don't let a puzzle that's escaping you get you down—keep going and show you at least know what letters could help you solve the puzzle!! Also, you should be absolutely excited—and don't be afraid to show it! I certainly did when I made the final cut in that audition, leading to a little more live simulated games. At the end, we were told we would find out in three weeks if we made the cut by a letter in the mail. The wait began.
A couple weeks later I was on a flight out to Dallas-Fort Worth, to visit with family and friends before the summer season of work—it's our busiest season in poker, and I like to get away and unwind before that time rolls around. I had a friend monitoring the mailbox every day. On Monday, April 19, very close to the three-week mark, I was getting ready to go out with some friends to a local bar, where they were shooting darts that night, and just saying, “wouldn't it be nice if I got the letter today? Most of us will be out together, so celebrating would be convenient!” As I was getting dressed, the message came. THE LETTER CAME!! I got a picture of the envelope and the letter, and I LOST IT!! The dream was really coming true!!! I ran outside and screamed and jumped and cried some tears of joy—I was without words. Thank goodness they came back, it's difficult to play Wheel well without words! That night was so much fun!! The long wait to become a contestant was drawing to a close—I would soon see Pat & Vanna in person, spin the wheel, and hopefully solve some puzzles!!
Months passed—I was so excited, and it seemed like forever, until I checked my email on Wednesday, September 9th. Gary, one of the contestant coordinators, emailed me that I had a tape date!! It was finally happening!! I had lots of questions for him—they send you a lot of information, and he really did a great job of clarifying everything for me!! Before I knew it, flights and hotel were booked, outfit planning was done, and I was being sent with much love from family, friends, and my colleagues and management at work on a flight to Los Angeles, where I would meet my sister and a couple very dear friends to be with me for the big day!!
We went out the night before for dinner and enjoyed the fabulous night life in West Hollywood, unwinding so I could sleep. I think I got five hours in, and I woke up at about 3 am—3 hours early—and I couldn't get myself back to sleep. There was too much excitement! So I walked around in the hotel lobby and outside, thinking over all that I've mentioned here. I focused a lot on my childhood. In my adulthood, I've become a pretty good game-player in many different types of games, but I knew to really have fun on the show, I just needed to remember the countless nights with my grandmother, watching the show and having fun. Soon, I was getting ready for the big day, dressed up, and walking downstairs to get in the van to the studio!
Before the taping starts, there's a pretty long morning. Lots of preparation work, and the contestant coordinators are hard at work, making sure you understand everything clearly, and ensuring all the food and drink you needed was available all day long. The make-up staff was absolutely wonderful...I did not look anywhere near as tired as my face looked when I walked in, and between rounds on stage they made sure I kept looking fabulous! The coordinators clearly wanted everyone to have a great time and win all that they could—they were great about this energy at our auditions, as well. They really do want everyone to be successful! At one point, we walked out to the stage to practice spinning and calling letters, and that's when Vanna showed up to say good morning and wish us all the best of luck. That was the moment. The moment of, “WOW...THIS IS REAL!!” You don't expect it at all—even if you do know from other contestants' blogs that she always stops by to see everyone. You totally forget that as you're immersed into the day's activities.
After rehearsal, we had a chance to get some lunch and unwind for just a little while before the taping started, and then it was time to wait. My group drew the last show of the day—airing November 26, Thanksgiving. We watched the others tape—the first three shows, then a break, where we had a little more time to unwind and have a light meal—and then two more. We went and got touched up for makeup, went on stage, and in moments the theme music was playing, the audience was applauding, and here came Pat & Vanna, only feet away from us, and thus began the most exciting twenty minutes I've ever had!! We'll find out soon just how that went!!
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trisspinner
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Still waiting...
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Post by trisspinner on Nov 25, 2015 17:37:49 GMT -5
It's always cool to see how contestants prepare for their audition and their big day, and it's great to have someone to root for. Thank you for sharing your story and I will definitely be rooting for you tomorrow. Always seems like there's so much into making it on the show and even getting ready for the big day, and I can't imagine just how long you've waited for this moment and I know it'll be worth it. I hope the wheel was kind to you; you definitely seem like you've got that excitement and spirit and I can't wait to see how your show turned out.
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tuffy
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Post by tuffy on Nov 26, 2015 12:10:36 GMT -5
Thanks so much for the details!!! Soaking them up as I dream of spinning that wheel!! Hope you kill it today |
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I'll definitely be cheering you on on Thanksgiving.
