So, You're Going to a Wheelmobile Event?

So me and my Mom went yesterday, and we had a great time. On the way there, she read out loud the first post in this thread so we would both know what to expect.

We got there right at 1:00 and the venue was a Honda dealership. There didn't appear to be any parking available still at the dealership itself, so we parked across the street at the credit union (which had a surprisingly, quite empty parking and I was afraid we would get towed).

The Wheelmobile was parked out front (and I must say it is very beautiful in person), and the game took place in a large garage at the very back of the dealership building. The first game had already started when we got there and the line for the second game was beginning to form in the back of the building. Thankfully, it wasn't very hot yesterday and the weather was nice.

We stood in line for right at an hour. There were two food stands near the line, but I had a late breakfast. By the time the second game started, the line was all the way around the building. The men in white shirts came and started handing out the yellow applications about 10 minutes after we got in line. My biggest pet peeve of the day was the fact that there isn't really anything to write on, however I always carry my own pen, so that wasn't a problem. My mom filled hers out on her checkbook and I did mine on her back.

We conversated with the people next to us in line quite a bit. I was able to tell them what all would go on there. Behind us were two women in their 30s and in front of us was a middle aged couple. I noticed the name of the woman in front of us was Karen Carpenter, and I joked with her about singing (They Long To Be) Close To You. I saw that she had wrote down singing as one of her hobbies and I explained to her the singing detail in the interviews (not knowing at the time that Marty did not read the applications himself). This prompted her to get out her phone and start listening and rehearsing said song in case it came down to it. I found that rather amusing. 

I knew that there would be people from KXAN at the event, and while we were in line, I spotted weatherman Jim Spencer, whom I've been watching on TV since I was 4.

We finally started heading in just after 2:00. It was said numerous times that there were 1000 people at the first two games. This is probably pretty close.

My mom had told me earlier that she didn't care who we had to shove out of the way, we were standing at the very front... and she wasn't kidding.  :lol:

The DJ came on stage first and explained the basics of the game. After he left the stage, the 1983 theme started playing (which was the highlight of the day for me). As the theme ended, Marty and Tracey came on stage.

Marty was much more of a character than I expected, but he was enjoyable overall. Tracy did not say much during the day, but made plenty of appropriate facial expressions during Marty's interviews. Almost every time Marty spun the wheel, he said "cheers" and took a drink from his canteen which looked a lot like a beer bottle (and it would not surprise me if it was some sort of alcohol). 

Most people who got up on stage were quite likable. There was no one I can think of that really got on my nerves, but there were some people who I knew would not make it very far because they had trouble speaking up and talking clearly.

There was plenty of singing and dancing in both games. I would have said I sing had I been interviewed just for the heck of it. I probably would have sung Burning Love or something. 

As far as I can remember, there were no technical difficulties of any sort, including the audience giving away the answer.

There were many puzzles that I got very early on (including one I no-lettered), at which point I would whisper it quietly in my Mom's ear.

Jim Spencer, the weatherman, called the names himself during the first game. There was a funny moment in which an elderly woman who was set for the next round came up on stage early and Marty pretended to call security.

The very first contestant called ended up being a very attractive girl that I had been eyeing while we were in line.    Turns out she lives in Minnesota and was just visiting her aunt.  :tdown:

My Mom had been chomping at the bit all day to go take a picture in front of the Wheelmobile, so after the first game was over, that's where we went. I didn't realize how much my feet were hurting until we walked out.



I haven't shaved in a week, so pardon my scruffy look. 

On the way back to the line for the third game, we could already tell it would have significantly less people, and Marty had already mentioned that it would be. At this point, we went and got a snack from the food stand. I got chips and a soda and my Mom got a hot dog. We sat down and filled out the blue applications. The line moved into the building pretty quickly this time. If there really were 1000 people in the first two games, the third game probably had about 400.

Jim Spencer was in one corner of the room signing autographs, and I wanted to go meet him, but the game was about to start and he had a lot of people over there in line to see him. I thought I would have a chance to meet him later, but he ended up leaving right after that. 

There was very little going over the rules in the third game, but the interviews seemed a bit longer. This time a woman from KXAN called the names. At some point during this game, someone with the first name of "Austin" was called (that's the name I typically go by, and wrote down on the applications), but I got excited for nothing. 

Marty himself called the names for the last two rounds, and for the last round, I yelled, "CALL MY NAME, MARTY!" 

I wanted to write down all of the puzzles, but didn't get a chance to. Here are all of the ones I can remember:

MONTHLY PAYMENTS (Things)
KNOCKOUT & FRUIT PUNCH (Same Name)
CINCO DE MAYO (Event) (The one I no-lettered)
CHINESE NOODLES (Things)
DEEP-SEA DIVER (Person)
A BANNER YEAR (Event)
HAILING A CAB (What Are You Doing?)
QUANTUM PHYSICS (Things)
HOCKEY & IVY LEAGUE (Same Name)
RELIEF PITCHER (Person)
PAYROLL CLERK (Occupation)
KARATE CHOP SUEY (Before and After)

We stuck around after it was over and took a few more pictures...



Overall, it was a very fun experience. I wish I could have gone back today, but I had to work.

Here's hoping for the random callback drawing!

Yes he would, just to be sure! I have an example--my friend Richard, preacherman, who got on the show, when called up, talked about his life and mentioned that he had not only directed a community chorus, but also released a single, and had either an EP or something of the sort coming out sooner than later. Marty asked him to show us some of what he had done or a sample, and did so, quite impressively, I might add. Of course, it was a very good performance in its quality, and he got solid, genuine claps for about 30-60 straight seconds, without interruption. 

Of course, there's the minor disclosure/caveat that he normally helps run/own a flower shop, but really singing is significant enough to him to the point where I'd call it professionally. Heck, I think he tried out for Idol last September or something, not sure.

In case anyone doesn't want to click on all the pictures, here were all eight puzzles in the first game:
PLAYING HANGMAN
ACCORDION PLAYER
MONTHLY PAYMENTS
PILLOW FIGHT
PEANUTS AND POPCORN
FREELANCE WRITER
WORKING OVERTIME
KNOCKOUT & FRUIT PUNCH

At the Forsythe event now. To my surprise, they use the '83 theme for warmups.

Hi, everyone. This is acwof.

For those of you that may not know already, the Wheelmobile, (one of the ways you can audition to be on Wheel of Fortune), will be headed to Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina next week, on April 14 and April 15. (You can find more information in the "Wheelmobile Tour Info" thread.)

I will be going to the Wheelmobile event in Raleigh, and possibly Durham if I do not get selected in Raleigh.

Since this will be my first ever Wheelmobile event, I have a few questions that I would like to ask.

Before I ask my questions, please note that I HAVE looked at the [prior pages of the] "So you are going to a Wheelmobile event?" thread for information regarding how Wheelmobile events work, and tips on how to be successful at Wheelmobile auditions.

1. Does it matter what you wear to the Wheelmobile event? I know you have to dress up for the final audition, but is it okay to "dress down" for a Wheelmobile event?

By dress down, I do not mean sweat pants, pajamas, etc. I mean casual wear. (T-shirts, khaki shorts, etc.)

2. Does getting to a Wheelmobile event really early still have its benefits?

Every time I read an article about a Wheelmobile event, the article stresses how you do not need to show up early, but I have heard that it is beneficial to arrive early, and be one of the first people in line. I intend to do this, anyway, but I just want to know if there are still any benefits to being one of the first in line, if any.

3. I like to participate in the Wheel of Fortune Twitter Toss-Up every week. Not to toot my own horn, but I have had my moments of being the first solver on a few of the puzzles, and have been recognized for it.

If I get called up on stage, (I already have a script ready as to what I am going to say if that happens), is my name going to ring a bell for anyone working at the Wheelmobile event? In other words, is participating in the Wheel of Fortune Twitter Toss-Up going to help me any in my audition?

Thank you in advance for those that answer my questions. I look forward to attending the Wheelmobile event(s), and will update this thread about my experience.

Also, if you intend on going to this Wheelmobile event, as well, let me know down below! I would love to meet some fellow BuyAVowel members! 

- acwof

Now that you have brought this up, I may as well share my transcript for what I would say to Marty Lublin if I get selected in Raleigh or Durham. I've watched videos of Wheelmobile auditions where people who are selected are being interviewed, so I have somewhat of an idea as to what he asks potential contestants when conducting interviews. 

Here is my transcript: 

When Marty Lublin asks me to introduce myself: "Hello, my name is (my name). I am 23 years old, and I came here all the way from (where I live), which is (this far from my state's capital/a major city in my state)." 

When Marty asks me what I do for a living: "Well, I am a recent college graduate from (the university where I graduated) in (this degree). I am currently unemployed, but while I am looking for work, I have lots of interests and hobbies that keep me busy." 

When Marty asks me what these interests/hobbies are: "One of my favorite hobbies/interests is listening to music. I am a huge fan of punk rock music, and my favorite bands include Green Day and Blink 182. I also like to write fanfiction." 

(Marty may ask me what fanfiction is, so I have to find a way to describe fanfiction in the briefest way possible.) 

If Marty asks me if I have a special talent: "Well, I have this talent where if you give me a certain day of the year, such as your birthday, and you ask me what day your birthday will fall on in a certain year, I can tell you within a short period of time." (My talent is hard to explain, and this is the best way I can describe it.) 

(Marty, of course, will want me to demonstrate, so I am ready to show off my talent, if needed.) 

This is what I am hoping to say to Marty if I get selected to come up on stage, and audition. Does anyone think that this is enough information for an interview? Is it also appropriate, and something that makes me stand out? 

Thank you in advance for your opinions!

- acwof 

Hi, everyone. This is acwof.

Not only did I just get back from Maryland to witness my sister’s baby boy (which was born this past Thursday), but I also just got back from the Wheelmobile event in Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina. I thought it would be nice to share about my experience with you all.

This is going to be a long post, so please bare with me. I tried to explain everything in the briefest way possible.

I ended up going to both Wheelmobile events, because when I went to the event in Raleigh on Saturday, I applied for all three shows (1:00pm, 2:30pm, and 4:00pm), but did not get chosen for either of the three shows.

The Wheelmobile event for Raleigh was held at the Crabtree Valley Mall. I got there at 8:30 am, and ended up being the first person in line. Other people started showing up as the day progressed. I’m not sure how many people showed up, overall, but I heard there was a lot of traffic near the Crabtree Valley Mall, that day.

At the Raleigh Wheelmobile event, there were a fair share of people who said they could sing, dance, etc., One person who said he could sing even serenaded to Mallory (the Vanna for both Wheelmobile events).

I do not remember all of the puzzles from Saturday’s Wheelmobile event, but here were some that I remembered:

POWER TOOLS (Around the House)
PUZZLE SOLVER (Person)
CAPITOL HILL (Landmark)
BLUE WHALE (Living Thing)
TALKING PARROT (Living Thing)
FENWAY PARK (Landmark)

I know it’s not much, but the entire event has since been a blur to me.

And, of course, there were a few face palm moments. (People calling B, D, etc. as their first letter, people trying to solve before calling a letter, repeated letters, etc.)

Even though I was not called up, I still had a lot of fun.

Since I did not get selected for any of the shows in Raleigh, I went to the event in Durham on Sunday (yesterday). The event was held inside The Streets of Southpoint. The event was supposed to be outside, but it was moved to indoors because of potential bad weather. (Thank goodness, too, because parts of North Carolina had some pretty bad weather, yesterday.)

Although I got there early, I was not the first person in line (maybe the sixth or seventh person in line, but still at the front).

My mother and I were hoping that I would get selected in Durham (preferably for the first or second show, same times as the Raleigh event), because we had a long drive ahead of us.

I was not picked for the first show, but I do remember some puzzles from the first show:

HAPPY FAMILY (People) (Someone from the group who had this puzzle guessed MARK HAMILL)
BEGINNER’S LUCK (Thing)
BROWN SUGAR (Food & Drink)
EGGS OVER EASY (Food & Drink)
BELLY & SNOOZE BUTTON (Same Name)
CHUCK NORRIS (Proper Name)
MEXICO CITY (On the Map)
COLORING BOOK (Thing)

There were once again, some facepalm moments, such as the example I described above.

There were not any singers, but we had a few dancers, and a few people even said they could play instruments, and performed the instruments they could play air-style.

Also, between shows at both events, there was some music. The music was mostly modern pop tunes from a few years ago to today. (The Edge of Glory by Lady GaGa and Tonight, Tonight by Hot Chelle Rae were being played at the Durham event between the first and second shows.)

I went back in line for the second show (my mom held my place in line), and guess what….


























.…I was picked for the FIRST ROUND of the second show (And my name was only the SECOND name called, to boot.)

My group consisted of three women and two men (including me). One of the women from my group showed off a tap dancing talent.

I think my interview with Marty went well. I did not stammer or ramble, and I even got the crowd involved in the interview when I mentioned how I liked listening to bands such as Green Day and Blink 182.

My group’s puzzle was POWER COUPLE (People). I guessed 2 letters (E & P, respectively), and solved the puzzle for my group. The prize my group won was a hat, keychain, and blinky pin. (For almost all of the rounds, the “Hat” wedge was landed on the most out all of the other prize wedges.)

My mom and I left immediately after my group was finished, so I did not stay for the rest of the event. (Good thing, too, because by the time we left, the bad weather was just starting to hit the area.)

Overall, I think I did very well on stage. I paid attention to the rules, I had a wonderful interview with Marty, and I did not hesitate when calling letters or solving the puzzle. I even celebrated when I solved the puzzle (high-fiving Marty and my fellow hopefuls), as Marty told us to do so.

Hopefully, I’ll hear back for a final audition sometime soon. (I was told that if we were notified for a final audition, it would be sometime later in the summer, so it will be a while, anyway.)

I had a fantastic time at both Wheelmobile events, and I was so glad to be selected to go up on stage. Even if I do not hear back, I at least can say I got to go up on stage, let alone solve a puzzle.

I hope my experience helps anybody else out who plans to go to a future Wheelmobile event.

- acwof