The "Game Show Man" himself...oh yes, that's me. :D
Dec 20, 2013 5:15:31 GMT -5
doctorwho and WooWho like this
Post by gameshowman on Dec 20, 2013 5:15:31 GMT -5
Hello there! :wave:
My name is Joe Van Ginkel, aka the "Game Show Man," or "Admiral Anaheim." I'm from Anaheim, CA, and I am, as you might imagine, a life-long game show fan.
I work at the largest casino in L.A. as my day job (which ironically I go to at night), but my eventual goal is to create and produce my own game shows. I am fortunate to count at least two former nighttime Wheel champs at friends and colleagues, namely Ryan Vickers and Ethan Musulin. I myself have been a contestant on three different game shows: Match Game '98, GSN's Russian Roulette and Merv Griffin's Crosswords. And I lost on all of 'em.
My friends and I regularly present recreations of various classic game shows at various conventions, especially the Strategicon hobby gaming conventions in L.A. and more recently at the Trivia Championships of North America in Las Vegas, NV. At the Strategicon shows, one of our more popular (and hilarious) games is Wheel of Fortune After Dark, played around midnight and while no different gameplay wise from the television show, features what we like to call "saucy" puzzles that one might not ordinarily see on the show. The game is played as much for laughs as for the competition. All of our recreations feature authentic Flash animations, programmed by former TPIR winner Travis Schario.
When I'm not partaking in various game show awesomeness or playing board and/or card games with the gang, I'm into sports (baseball, basketball, boxing, MMA, ice hockey and football), science fiction, music (film and TV soundtracks, 80's and early 90's hits of all kinds), pro wrestling and craft beer (I like the darker stuff, though I do like an occasional IPA). I also like looking for new places to have a burger, a pizza or breakfast (I loves me some waffles and bacon...and sausage...and hash browns.).
I came down this way in pursuit of some information of how to build my own model of the Wheel, inspired in no small part to the videos and illustrations of one Bill Gename. As with many of you, the Wheel has been part of my life for a very long time. I have numerous home versions of Wheel (only a few games amongst a vast collection of game show home game and board games in general). I still remember when Pat Sajak took over for Big Chuck Dogg...er...I mean Chuck Woolery (it was all over the news back then; after all, Pat came from KNBC here in So-Cal), and have followed the show and its evolution for the past 35 years of my life. I do think the show has become a trifile gimmicky and last few years, but otherwise I am delighted that Wheel, for the most part, is the same game it has been since all the way back in 1975. I look forward to discussing the show (and getting some advice for my Wheel) with you.
And remember, friends, "reality bites, so WATCH MORE GAME SHOWS!"
My name is Joe Van Ginkel, aka the "Game Show Man," or "Admiral Anaheim." I'm from Anaheim, CA, and I am, as you might imagine, a life-long game show fan.
I work at the largest casino in L.A. as my day job (which ironically I go to at night), but my eventual goal is to create and produce my own game shows. I am fortunate to count at least two former nighttime Wheel champs at friends and colleagues, namely Ryan Vickers and Ethan Musulin. I myself have been a contestant on three different game shows: Match Game '98, GSN's Russian Roulette and Merv Griffin's Crosswords. And I lost on all of 'em.
My friends and I regularly present recreations of various classic game shows at various conventions, especially the Strategicon hobby gaming conventions in L.A. and more recently at the Trivia Championships of North America in Las Vegas, NV. At the Strategicon shows, one of our more popular (and hilarious) games is Wheel of Fortune After Dark, played around midnight and while no different gameplay wise from the television show, features what we like to call "saucy" puzzles that one might not ordinarily see on the show. The game is played as much for laughs as for the competition. All of our recreations feature authentic Flash animations, programmed by former TPIR winner Travis Schario.When I'm not partaking in various game show awesomeness or playing board and/or card games with the gang, I'm into sports (baseball, basketball, boxing, MMA, ice hockey and football), science fiction, music (film and TV soundtracks, 80's and early 90's hits of all kinds), pro wrestling and craft beer (I like the darker stuff, though I do like an occasional IPA). I also like looking for new places to have a burger, a pizza or breakfast (I loves me some waffles and bacon...and sausage...and hash browns.).
I came down this way in pursuit of some information of how to build my own model of the Wheel, inspired in no small part to the videos and illustrations of one Bill Gename. As with many of you, the Wheel has been part of my life for a very long time. I have numerous home versions of Wheel (only a few games amongst a vast collection of game show home game and board games in general). I still remember when Pat Sajak took over for Big Chuck Dogg...er...I mean Chuck Woolery (it was all over the news back then; after all, Pat came from KNBC here in So-Cal), and have followed the show and its evolution for the past 35 years of my life. I do think the show has become a trifile gimmicky and last few years, but otherwise I am delighted that Wheel, for the most part, is the same game it has been since all the way back in 1975. I look forward to discussing the show (and getting some advice for my Wheel) with you.
And remember, friends, "reality bites, so WATCH MORE GAME SHOWS!"
