My Strange and Amazing Day at Stage 11!

Since I was in studio for this week's shows, I figured that I'd tell you about some personal memories and insight from that day of taping.  My tape day on Wheel of Fortune was strange, surreal, and exciting all at once.  I'll spare you from all the boring details leading up to it, other than the fact that all my friends, family, colleagues, and contacts got excited at the news, and that I got a special gift from my colleagues for good luck and for being the top-selling developer on my team...

This is Oscar the Ocelot.  He's our team's mascot, and he is given to the top-selling developer on our team for one month.  Tradition dictates that we take him everywhere we go and share his adventures on conference calls.  I actually got him the same day I got my FedEx package of show documents (including a contract, advice to contestants, category list, and strategy article written by Pat Sajak).  As you can see in the picture, I made a Wheel nametag for him to wear on his journey to L.A.  Anyway, fast forward to November 13.  I had visited my friends in the days leading up to taping for final good-luck handshakes and hugs and went out to Clemson to do a presentation, where my contact introduced me in the most excited manner possible.  After the presentation, I drove 2 hours to Atlanta to stay the night with a friend...and got very little sleep.  I was up at 4:30 the next morning to shower, dress, eat breakfast, and be at the airport by 6 for my 8AM flight.  The flight was uneventful, and relatively empty, as most people had the row to themselves (thank you, Southwest for open seating, and for having a nonstop to LAX from Atlanta!). 

When I arrived in LA, I went to the hotel, waited for my room to be ready, got lunch, and got into my room, which had a pool view and Sleep Number bed.  That night, I took a bus to dinner at the Apple Pan near Westside Pavillion.  When researching the bus routes, I found out that my bus would go past the studios, which was great, because I'd be able to let my two guests know where to park the next day.  I arrived back in my room around 9PM Pacific, got my show clothes ready, reviewed my strategy sheets one last time, then hit the hay.

I was worried that I'd get no sleep from all the excitement, but that actually proved to be a non-issue, as I remember falling asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow, and I woke up naturally at 4:45AM Pacific the next morning.  Perfect!  I set my alarm for 5AM, as I wanted to take a nice, long shower, get dressed and groomed for the show, and be downstairs in the hotel's restaurant when it opened at 6 for breakfast.  Thanks to Sony, I had a voucher for a free breakfast and had a filling veggie omelette, hashbrowns, croissant, and juice.  I was tempted to sit closer to the other contestants, but chose to sit away from the others to scope them out.  After breakfast, I went back to my room, fired off my final text to friends and family, grabbed my spare set of clothes and Oscar, and headed back to the lobby to meet my victims...er, fellow players ready to embark on the craziest day of our lives. 

Around 7:10AM, we heard Angel, the bus driver who picked me up from the airport the previous morning, announce "Shuttle to Wheel of Fortune!"  We were on our way!  Angel took Oscar from me and used him to greet everyone on the bus and ask us "Who's ready to win big money on Wheel of Fortune?!" to massive cheers!  When we got onto the studio grounds, we stepped out just under the famous "Welcome to Wheel of Fortune" sign on the side of the studio, where we were joined about a minute later by Contestant Producer Gary O'Brien and Junior Contestant Coordinator Alexandra Reeves.  They escorted us through the Hall of Fame, then took us backstage (we were able to glance at the puzzle board and set scenery in all its glory).  When we arrived in the Green Room, I remember being surprised to see the Wheel memorabilia on the back wall.  But, that feeling was tempered by the fact that on the seats was a crapton of paperwork.  I immediately got to work completing the contestant press release (Where we had to note, among other things, our plans for our winnings, anything unusual about our journey, and our favorite Wheel moment).  Next, we were joined by Senior Contestant Coordinator Shannon Bobillo and Contestant Manager Jackie Lamatis, both of whom auditioned me in Knoxville.  From there, I have a long laundry list of memories.  Here are some highlights.

- The compliance official, who was celebrating her birthday that day, mistakenly called "the only millionaire" Monica Lewinsky.  Being the Wheel geeks we were, we quickly called her on it, saying "that was Michelle Lowenstein!"  I refrained from the obvious "celebrating a little early, aren't we?" joke.
- After the compliance official guided us through the contract and we signed our life away, we did a set tour.  As we finished up, we got our first practice spins.  My first spin? LOSE A TURN, but Gary was kind enough to advance the Wheel to the blue $700, since he wanted to hear us project our voices and call letters.
- Getting "first lunch" at 10:15AM local time (to be fair, most of us came from the East Coast, and were still adjusting to the time difference).
- Going over the rules, categories, and solving techniques in exhaustive detail.  We even got to see all the cardboard (and yes, we beeped at the 1/2 Car, ooh'd at the MDW, and booed the Mystery Bankrupt)!
- Winning the "mock" Prize Puzzle during our dress rehearsal game, despite calling a used letter and facing Jackie and Shannon stepping up and reminding me to "WATCH THAT USED LETTER BOARD!"  Not only was I happy to get my turn back, but this was actually the moment when it first started to feel real.  I was expecting a recording
of Jim to play as the prize description was being done, but Jim plainly said "Jonathan, you're on your way..."
- Speaking of Jackie, she had to really give it to some contestants who weren't speaking up or paying attention, particularly when she asked "WHAT DID YOU LAND ON?!"  Of course, she made sure your answer was nice and loud, or you got a reminder to be "LOUDER!"  One of the other players, who would turn out to be one of my opponents, was not paying attention and was watching my arrow during her practice spins (I had to remind her "Look at YOUR arrow, not MINE").
- The two alternates, who were the only Californians in our group, were both rather sullen and generally kept to themselves.  I think they knew we came this far and were not gonna punk out.
- Totally killing my "Hometown Howdy," the local promos which are done by every contestant to be sent to their local affiliate for airing on the player's air date.  This was aided by the fact that I rehearsed mine first after asking a really specific question.
- Generally, the overall kindness, patience, and genuine heart of the contestant coordinators.  They were our fight team, and they went to extremes to make sure this day was a truly special one.

The last moment, though, was a real heart-stopper.  Since I sat in the front row center, I was the fourth person to take a make-up chair.  If I had gone any earlier or later, then this wouldn't have worked out the way it did.  I sat in the makeup chair closest to the Green Room door.  I took my glasses off so the makeup artist could work around my eyes.  When she finished, I felt a little tap on my shoulder.  I glanced over, barely able to see, and saw a short woman with tanned skin, blondish-brown hair, pink and white striped sweater, and blue jeans.  As I wondered "is that who I think it is?", she walked into the next room where she was greeted with loud screams and an "IT'S VANNA!"  I gasped in shock as I didn't even notice it was her (remember, my glasses were off, so I couldn't see)!  When I finished with the makeup artist, I told everyone else what had happened and how I literally didn't see Vanna, but was consoled by people telling me never to wash my blazer again!  I did think it was cool that Vanna came backstage to say hello to us and wish us all luck.  I do have some stories about the contestants, but I will save them for the individual episodes.  Thanks for reading!