A Bizzaro Thing Happened on the Way to My Sunday...

I learned that the Wheel of Fortune Bus was parked out at one of the casinos on the outskirts of town. And they were taking applications. And it meant I could try out for one of my favorite gameshows. And it seemed, for just a moment, that I might live out one of my crazy life dreams (that and being an Oscar winning actress - which isn't too likely at this point) of being on a gameshow and winning oodles and oodles of cash awards and prizes.

I threw on my best suit and my mom and I took off leaving Emerson and T to do guy things for the day. It was about a 30 minute drive there. The Parking Gods were looking over my shoulder and we got a spot just steps from the audition arena, I mean tent, I mean handling area. Mom and I wove our way through what seemed like rows and rows of looping aisles only to stand right behind a couple of hundred people who were also waiting.

The stage was rather simple. The wheel was upright and listed prizes like t-shirt, hat, blinky pen and Wheel Pack. As it turned out, contestants didn't actually spin the wheel. That task was managed by Marty, Wheel of Fortune's Traveling Road Show host. The board was operated manually by a perky, fresh-faced and well-toned Heidi (aka Vanna) and instead of lighting up the letters as they are called, Heidi had write on, wipe off spaces that she used to spell out the words. Truth be told, it lacked the glam and glitz I was expecting.

A local news affiliate was there broadcasting weather updates and shots of all the lunatics trying out for Wheel (present blogger included). After standing in line for about 30 minutes we were told by some production staffer the drill.

1. There would be 3 'shows' that day.
2. We had a chance to 'appear' on the shows by filling out an application.
3. Each 'show' was marked by a different colored application.
4. Our group was waiting to participate in the 11:00 (or yellow application) group.
5. Once our applications were filled out, we would continue weaving through the makeshift aisles, drop our yellow applications into a yellow box and make our way to the 'studio audience'.
6. Marty and Hiedi would run the show which would consist of pulling applications out of the box, 5 at a time, and completing speed rounds.
7. Folks who were lucky enough to have their names drawn were considered auditioning from the time their name was called. So in other words, you'd better be PUMPED UP from that time on.
8. They would go through as many speed rounds as they could in one hour (approx. 30 people) and then they would have two more 'shows', at 12:30 and 2:00, respectively. Each of these subsequent shows were assigned a different color and if you wanted to try out - back in the line you went, filled out another application and herded your way through for a CHANCE.
9. Now, it is important to note: having your name called didn't mean you would be on the show. Participating in the speed round did not mean you would be on the show, winning or losing the puzzle did not mean you would be on the show. The folks with Wheel were looking at the total package.

So, they would check you out and if they liked you, they would take your information and e-mail you in a couple of weeks and have you come back for another tryout. If they still liked you, you then went to LA for a third and final tryout. A lot of trying out for something you may not get.

You've prolly figured with all my rambling that neither I nor my mother were called up to the stage. It was a shame too, because we are just as good and enthusiastic as the folks that were (moreso, in fact). And, GET THIS! A husband and wife were each picked for different speed rounds within the same hour! How random and totally unfair is that.

As the last grouping of 5 made their way to the stage, I turned to look behind me to see how bad the line would be if we wanted to consider 'trying out' for the 12:30 show. It was significant. I loooked at mom and said, "We'll, it was fun and we have a memory. I'm ready to go." She agreed and departed from our small little dream, we did.