Taping Report #2: Culver City Edition
Mar 26, 2015 23:46:16 GMT -5
Prizes, whammy007, and 4 more like this
Post by trisspinner on Mar 26, 2015 23:46:16 GMT -5
(Note: Yes, this is some time after the taping, life is busy and things get in the way. Sorry if it’s a little all over the place, I just want to get this out of my chest. Otherwise, enjoy.)
On February 26, 2015, I had the wonderful opportunity to go up to Culver City and get to see some tapings.
After I parked at parking gate, there was someone who would check our tickets/emails and then we waited. After going to the bathroom before we left, we headed towards stage 11.
There wasn't much in the way of chatter during the walk, only that someone had recognized some they had seen at the TPIR taping they had seen the day before. Also, the studio had a couple of photos of the set and a big one of Pat and Vanna outside the stage.
After going through a metal detector, we headed into the WoF Hall of Fame. This place was pretty cool, they had some memorabilia at the beginning and then there were pictures of the different things Wheel had done. Also there was TVs out from with one doing play along puzzles and the other doing classic clips. Soon enough, we were inside the set.
The first thing I noticed when I walk towards my seat is that the stage is really small. They do a really good job shooting the show because there isn't a lot of space on the set, although I was surprised to see the Used Letter Board be as big as it was. For the first two shows, I was seated in front of the wheel and the contestants would be seated on the first row of that section. They told us that we couldn't talk to them before their shows otherwise they risked being disqualified. Also, they did the Wheel chant before the show started.
Jim comes out before the show starts and goes into some jokes before the show starts and while the warm-up guy was telling us about what to do and what not to do, there was someone there for enthusiasm and prepping the contestant before the show. I believe her name was Shania (sp?), and they would practice their spins and get ready for when the wheel would stop. It was kind of amusing to see them practice calls without a puzzle on the board. She also reminded the three contestants to know their endings (-ING, -TION), to be ready when Pat calls them, and to buy their vowels.
So the first show starts and we watch and applaud while also trying to figure out the puzzle. The show goes smoothly (none of the three shows I went to had to retake anything) although there were a couple of times, between breaks, where they had some of the palm trees getting in the way of the video screen, didn’t affect any part of the show.
We did get a retro bonus round on Thursday, though I’m pretty sure we’ve seen it before.
Now would probably be a good time to mention that I was here for Wish you Were Here week, it kinda felt like a mix of California coast with some beach stuff on the right side of the video wall. The video wall didn’t do much, between shows it would be an orange screen with some scenic pictures in the middle, while during the show it switch between the Wish you Were Here shot and the puzzle. Car was a Nissan Juke in the Bonus Round and I believe a Chevy Sonic in the maingame. Also, Jim was wearing a License Plate Tie with a bunch of different license plates on it.
After the first show, Jim came back out and chatted with the winner of that show and they talk about how they felt during the episode and the contestant talked about they had been watching it all their life (they mentioned 40 years) and how this was a dream come true and that stuff.
Between shows 1 and 2, Pat and Vanna filmed some promos for some upcoming events. They did a couple for the Children’s Miracle Network, one for Wish you Were Here week, the Wheelmobile Trip to Illinois, and even some things about March Madness and when/if they were going to air episodes during that time.
There was a class of students at the taping and they were from Wilson Middle School in Glendale. They were there to see the process that goes behind making a TV show, and Jim mentions there was 100+ people working on the show and that he was happy to see that they were a part of these kids lives. One of the students also was the best clapper (I’m not sure I’d agree, but she was pretty good) and I believe she won a dollar bill. Now onto the next show,
It’s interesting to see everything in action, from the puzzle board being lit up to the wheel changes during the breaks. Most interesting part about the wheel changes was seeing them have a block of 3 wedges get replaced by Express + 2 wedges, odd to see a power grid underneath the wedges. They also had the director have cue cards to show Pat what category the next puzzle was going to be.
Before the Bonus round, they would test out the timer by bringing up a puzzle and light up some of the letters (though they would never show the letters) with RSTLNE and UXYZ. Then they would let the timer run out and bring out the wheel. It was really odd to see them use carpets to move the Bonus Round wheel into place, probably to keep the floor from being scratched. Someone on the staff would spin the wheel to test it out and then the contestant would practice their spin so they could how the wheel spun. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to see where they would stop the wheel.
There were quite a few birthdays going on the day I went to the set. The ones I remember were a 91 year old, an 86 year old, and a 90 year old, Shirley, who took a picture in front of the board with something along the lines of HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY SHIRLEY. There was also someone who was younger than there were pegs on the wheel. (he said there were 73, but wouldn’t it be 71?) One of the birthdays, I believe it was the 86th one was from a lady who was from Brazil and spoke Portuguese. Jim asked if they knew if the Wheel show down there (La Roda a Roda?) was still going on and they didn’t remember.
Between the second and third show, they moved 5 of us from the side of the stage into the midsection where the cameras are. So, if you see somebody with a bluish collared shirt in the 2nd to last row, you might see me. Also we did some trivia during the show, and I managed to get a Wheel NYC T-shirt, it doesn’t fit me, but it’s still nice to have something from the taping.
One thing I noticed on the stage is that there was some sort of computer near the audience wall and there were 4 things on it. The bottom left was the wheel, bottom left was the podium things, top left was the puzzle board, and I didn’t see anything on the top right screen.
Soon, the shows were done and everyone filed out. I never really realized just how much energy it takes to clap and cheer throughout the whole day. And I was just there for 3 shows, I can’t imagine how much more it takes to go a full day. But I really enjoyed it and I hope to go back soon. This won’t be the last time you’ll hear from me.
So, if you want to know when my shows will air, they will air May 28th, May 29th, and June 3rd. They’re all really solid shows and you should tune in. I also can answer anything I may have not mentioned in my report (I don’t know about any road trips they might be doing next season).
(If you still aren’t convinced, the warmup guy said we were the best audience they’ve had all year, I’m not sure if he was being sincere or flattering, but I’d like to think that we were the best.)
On February 26, 2015, I had the wonderful opportunity to go up to Culver City and get to see some tapings.
After I parked at parking gate, there was someone who would check our tickets/emails and then we waited. After going to the bathroom before we left, we headed towards stage 11.
There wasn't much in the way of chatter during the walk, only that someone had recognized some they had seen at the TPIR taping they had seen the day before. Also, the studio had a couple of photos of the set and a big one of Pat and Vanna outside the stage.
After going through a metal detector, we headed into the WoF Hall of Fame. This place was pretty cool, they had some memorabilia at the beginning and then there were pictures of the different things Wheel had done. Also there was TVs out from with one doing play along puzzles and the other doing classic clips. Soon enough, we were inside the set.
The first thing I noticed when I walk towards my seat is that the stage is really small. They do a really good job shooting the show because there isn't a lot of space on the set, although I was surprised to see the Used Letter Board be as big as it was. For the first two shows, I was seated in front of the wheel and the contestants would be seated on the first row of that section. They told us that we couldn't talk to them before their shows otherwise they risked being disqualified. Also, they did the Wheel chant before the show started.
Jim comes out before the show starts and goes into some jokes before the show starts and while the warm-up guy was telling us about what to do and what not to do, there was someone there for enthusiasm and prepping the contestant before the show. I believe her name was Shania (sp?), and they would practice their spins and get ready for when the wheel would stop. It was kind of amusing to see them practice calls without a puzzle on the board. She also reminded the three contestants to know their endings (-ING, -TION), to be ready when Pat calls them, and to buy their vowels.
So the first show starts and we watch and applaud while also trying to figure out the puzzle. The show goes smoothly (none of the three shows I went to had to retake anything) although there were a couple of times, between breaks, where they had some of the palm trees getting in the way of the video screen, didn’t affect any part of the show.
We did get a retro bonus round on Thursday, though I’m pretty sure we’ve seen it before.
Now would probably be a good time to mention that I was here for Wish you Were Here week, it kinda felt like a mix of California coast with some beach stuff on the right side of the video wall. The video wall didn’t do much, between shows it would be an orange screen with some scenic pictures in the middle, while during the show it switch between the Wish you Were Here shot and the puzzle. Car was a Nissan Juke in the Bonus Round and I believe a Chevy Sonic in the maingame. Also, Jim was wearing a License Plate Tie with a bunch of different license plates on it.
After the first show, Jim came back out and chatted with the winner of that show and they talk about how they felt during the episode and the contestant talked about they had been watching it all their life (they mentioned 40 years) and how this was a dream come true and that stuff.
Between shows 1 and 2, Pat and Vanna filmed some promos for some upcoming events. They did a couple for the Children’s Miracle Network, one for Wish you Were Here week, the Wheelmobile Trip to Illinois, and even some things about March Madness and when/if they were going to air episodes during that time.
There was a class of students at the taping and they were from Wilson Middle School in Glendale. They were there to see the process that goes behind making a TV show, and Jim mentions there was 100+ people working on the show and that he was happy to see that they were a part of these kids lives. One of the students also was the best clapper (I’m not sure I’d agree, but she was pretty good) and I believe she won a dollar bill. Now onto the next show,
It’s interesting to see everything in action, from the puzzle board being lit up to the wheel changes during the breaks. Most interesting part about the wheel changes was seeing them have a block of 3 wedges get replaced by Express + 2 wedges, odd to see a power grid underneath the wedges. They also had the director have cue cards to show Pat what category the next puzzle was going to be.
Before the Bonus round, they would test out the timer by bringing up a puzzle and light up some of the letters (though they would never show the letters) with RSTLNE and UXYZ. Then they would let the timer run out and bring out the wheel. It was really odd to see them use carpets to move the Bonus Round wheel into place, probably to keep the floor from being scratched. Someone on the staff would spin the wheel to test it out and then the contestant would practice their spin so they could how the wheel spun. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to see where they would stop the wheel.
There were quite a few birthdays going on the day I went to the set. The ones I remember were a 91 year old, an 86 year old, and a 90 year old, Shirley, who took a picture in front of the board with something along the lines of HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY SHIRLEY. There was also someone who was younger than there were pegs on the wheel. (he said there were 73, but wouldn’t it be 71?) One of the birthdays, I believe it was the 86th one was from a lady who was from Brazil and spoke Portuguese. Jim asked if they knew if the Wheel show down there (La Roda a Roda?) was still going on and they didn’t remember.
Between the second and third show, they moved 5 of us from the side of the stage into the midsection where the cameras are. So, if you see somebody with a bluish collared shirt in the 2nd to last row, you might see me. Also we did some trivia during the show, and I managed to get a Wheel NYC T-shirt, it doesn’t fit me, but it’s still nice to have something from the taping.
One thing I noticed on the stage is that there was some sort of computer near the audience wall and there were 4 things on it. The bottom left was the wheel, bottom left was the podium things, top left was the puzzle board, and I didn’t see anything on the top right screen.
Soon, the shows were done and everyone filed out. I never really realized just how much energy it takes to clap and cheer throughout the whole day. And I was just there for 3 shows, I can’t imagine how much more it takes to go a full day. But I really enjoyed it and I hope to go back soon. This won’t be the last time you’ll hear from me.
So, if you want to know when my shows will air, they will air May 28th, May 29th, and June 3rd. They’re all really solid shows and you should tune in. I also can answer anything I may have not mentioned in my report (I don’t know about any road trips they might be doing next season).
(If you still aren’t convinced, the warmup guy said we were the best audience they’ve had all year, I’m not sure if he was being sincere or flattering, but I’d like to think that we were the best.)