I was a Wheel of Fortune contestant, and my show airs tomorrow on 3/25/13, AMA!

People that annoy you

N_GGERS

Your answer, please.

I think I know it, but not sure if I should say it.

How are pat and Vanna off-set? Were they friendly?

Yes, incredibly nice, in between puzzles they chat with the audience and contestants making sure we keep our cool. During our rehearsals about an hour before taping, Vanna came out in like a sweatsuit and said "hey everyone, I'm Vanna, nice to meet you!" Like she really needed to introduce herself.

Although she is getting on in years, would you bang Vanna if given the chance?

No comment...

Ehhh....

How long did the whole game process take (from start camera action to cameras off)?

Any restroom breaks, or are you stuck prairie-dogging last night's Thai?

It's actually close to real time, about 2 minutes in between puzzles for water and makeup touch ups, but that's about it, whole thing was over in about 35 minutes

What does the application process consist of?

Well I submitted a video for them, the got the email to attend an audition in Brooklyn, cuz they were taping in NYC. Made the first round of cuts after simulated games and a written test that was like Hangman. Then at the end of the 3 hour process, they said they would contact us by mail by the end of December if we made it. My audition was 12/4, got my letter on 12/26. It said they filled up the NY tapings, but wanted to have me come to LA. They'd let me know two weeks before a taping date so. Could make arrangements to go, email came January 9th, taping for the 24th, booked my flight on the 10th

They pay for your whole trip?

Nope, we paid for ourselves.

Jeopardy does the same thing. Goddamn cheapskates.

Eh, you win it back.

How much do you get paid if you don't win (aka, just for doing the show)?

If you end up with nothing at the end, they give you $1000

So you pretty much break even if you have to book a flight and hotel? Weird.

Depends on where you fly from, like I came from NJ, so yeah, pretty much even.

Do they pay for any of your travel or accomodations?

Nope, all out of our own pocket

Could you tell me more about submitting the video. Who and where do you send it to and what did it consist of? Do you send it online?

What do you recommend I put in the video?

What address do I send it to?

Yup, it was an online thing, just me blabbing to the camera on why I'd be a good contestsnt

Was the wheel for the final puzzle easier or harder to spin than the big wheel?

I know you're trying to get me to answer if I made it to the bonus round or not, hint hint, but the bigger wheel is very heavy, probably heavier than the small one, if I knew anything about that sort of thing.

Oh shucks. I didn't even realize that you might or away the end with that question. You are much wiser than I. How about this question: does the million dollar wedge sprinkle green glitter everywhere?

Nope, it's very well put together, but the wild card on the wheel is different than the one the person has for the ret of the game, they swap it out in between commercials

hmmm.... and is the first 1/2 car piece the same as the second?

There are two of the 1/2 car pieces, directly across from each other on the wheel

I meant do they both weight the same... if you were to pick them up one in each hand

The big wheel is heavier

how competitive does it get between the contestants? any trash talking or is it fairly civil?

Really none whatsoever, we're cheering each other on, it's like a casino, we're all playing with house money, but in the end, you want to win, so you get an evil but good feeling when they hit bankrupt or lose a turn.

Did you do anything super embarrassing either on camera or off?

I do my Peter Griffin impression whenim first introduced, so that was fun. And when we're going to commercials, sometimes I think I made awkward faces, have to see for myself.

Make sure you continue this AMA tomorrow bro. Did you grab some vanna ass while there?

I'll continue it for sure, I'm actually in Puerto Rico now and my show is tomorrow while I'm flying back, so everyone gets to see it before me. This Puerto Rico trip is something my girlfriend won in a raffle, go figure.

I was hoping you had won until reading about the raffle won by the girlfriend. I'm sure you did win something as 2nd and 3rd get something. How does taxes work on prizes and cash? Are you required to pay immediately?

This trip I'm on now has nothing to do with Wheel, hint hint. Don't get any cash or prizes until after the show airs. Could take up to 120 days. Taxes will be form next year, probably for CA, NJ, and federal.

Well look forward to watching. You should have wore a reddit tshirt on there. You would be the Karma King come tomorrow.

I know, but I had to look sharp for TV, you understand.

Was it actually fun?

A motherfucking blast.

Does Pat smell like scotch?

No

What does Pat smell like?

Winning.

I just want you to know I'll be watching tomorrow.

And when it comes on I'm going to be doing this

Haha, thanks.

MATT MATT MATT!

congratulations man!

Thanks!

Do you miss the old puzzle board, before the touch screen one?

Watching old episodes, that old format made it take so much longer, I appreciate the newer technology.

Were you tempted to say "no whammies" when spinning the big wheel?

Haha, not really, I was more focused on what letter to call next and clapping away from my microphone.

Hi, thanks for doing this AMA! I've always been curious about this so my question (first question ever in IAMA) is...

How do they choose each contestant's position (left, center, right)?

When the contestant coordinators bring in our applications and head shots from our auditions, they split us into our groups of 3, and designate one person to be the ball picker. That person literally reaches into a bucket of numbered golf balls to determine the show number that we're on, I got on the first of 6, then we come up in our goop, and draw out of this bottle either 1,2, or 3, that determines your playing order. I got 2, so I was in the middle.

Matt, I'm watching the show right now. I found it funny as hell that Pat Sajak thought you were Bill Clinton instead of Peter Griffin.

I think he was goofing on me, at least I hope so.

Oh wow! $45,525 in total prizes! Congratulations man... You owned it tonight. Enjoy your spoils. Great job! :)

Thanks!!!

Hi, thanks for the AMA, I've always wanted to know what it was like to play the wheel.

1. How long did it take to film your episode?
2. How many puzzles did you play throughout the day, were there any "throwaways"?
3. Do the puzzles go as fast as the show makes it seem?

About 35 minutes. Did about 5 if I remember correctly, didn't have any throwaways, and yes, it's all in real time granted there are no difficulties, those letters fill in fast

IS it true that they encourage you to buy vowels so the puzzles go quicker?

Yeah, it's true

Did you win? How long have you been watching the show?

Been watching since I could read, so almost 20 years. As for the winning, you'll have to see for yourself...

Why do so many people buy vowels? It drives me up the wall when I am watching at home and it is a puzzle like "What are you doing?" and the answer is "S_ _ B _ D _ _ _ N G _ N T H _ C _ R _ B B _ _ N" and they start buying vowels. IT IS CLEARLY SCUBA DIVING IN THE CARIBBEAN JESUS CHRIST!

Btw It couldn't be "Scuba diving in the Caribbean, because the C isn't marked in "Scuba", but in the word "Caribbean" it is...

You need to try out for the show.

They encourage us to buy vowels, sometimes it seems stupid, but mother times it really does help.

Do they offer you cash value for the trips, prizes, or cars after the show if you don't want them?

Edit: also, you appear to have a fairly bad troll infestation. My condolences.

Nope, there aren't any cash options for the prizes. In regards to the trolls, they can fuck right off.

Was it embarrassing to have to yell out "FANNY PACK OF COYOTES" even if it was for money?

Nope.

are your lines scripted?

We practice our introductions but everything else is on the spot.

Did they pay for your flight and hotel?

Nope, had to pay our way there. My parents and sister came along, but airfare wasn't really that bad for only having two weeks notice to book tickets. Then my dad used Marriott points for the hotel. I told him I'd pay him back for airfare, he said no, he was so proud of me.

How did you get on the show? What is it you did different that you think got you selected from the many who applied and didn't?

You have to be able to think quickly, and be clear and concise with your letter calling. Some personality helps too.

Thanks. I plan on trying sometime in the future. Any other tips are appreciated. I was on the game show "Scrabble" with Chuck Woolery like 25 or so years ago.

I have the personality since I am very outgoing.

I'll be watching tomorrow night.

Congrats.

Good luck in the future, thanks!

Congratulations on your win! I'm curious how you get the car back to NJ, do you have to drive it or do they deliver? I've always wondered about this.

I guess they will transfer the title to NJ, but I'm gonna sell it anyway.

Were you disappointed it wasn't the cash prize? I personally don't like the cars they give away on that show.

I don't need the car, I'm going to sell it, cash is king!

Who was the smokin hot chick that came out to congratulate you?

Ugh, my sister..

how accurate do you think pat is on that final spin, I have a feeling he can place it wherever he wants

It depends who is spinning at the time and where the wheel is, he only landed on 600 for the final spin, and most of the puzzle was filled in anyway.

What color position did you get (red/yellow/blue) and were you hoping for any position in particular?

What was your favorite dumb answer in Wheel history?

Shameless plug alert. You should sign up for buyavowel.boards.net so you can share more comments on your experience. We also have a member who's wife (Robyn) is on this Thursday's episode. We'll all be rooting for you!

I'm in the yellow position, didn't care where I was, and you'll see that it works out for me pretty well. My favorite dumb answer is from last year, the dude who couldn't get Magic Wand. I'll check the site out, thanks!

Anything you didn't like about the experience?

Just the weather. I was never in Los Angeles before, and I'm a huge movie buff and film graduate, but it was rain like whole time we were there. We did go to Marty McFly's house though, which I've posted previously on reddit, and drove next to Larry King while on Rodeo drive.

Can you post pics of the McFly house again!

You can just go to my post history, no?

fine, I'll take the karma:

http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/17ni3h/marty_wasnt_home_i_shouldnt_be_this_happy/

Thanks for doing the hard work

Do you miss the old format where you get to buy prizes with the money you win? That was awesome as a kid... a total shopping spree grabbing all manner of stuff.

Watching old clips of the show, that format sucked. First they play, then the announcer listed everything off that could be bought, the. They pick prizes, then he lists again what they won, it wasted so much time.

I got a letter a few weeks ago to be a contestant on Wheel of Fortune (after two rounds of local auditions). I think I'll be going on this fall since the casting person said they will start filming again in August. Any tips for a future contest?

That's awesome, congrats. Just keep watching to practice, and go in there like you're going to dominate.

Can you get them to release the famous "Wayne Gretzky" FAIL? That would be freaking awesome! Please do all you can. Fans of WOF know EXACTLY what I speak of. See you tomorrow!

I've honestly never seen that, can you elaborate?

Evidently, there was a black contestant that pronounced Wayne Gretzky as "Wayne Greet-sky". Sajak couldn't take the answer.

Found after reading a few blog responses.

Yeah, that's happened when one puzzle was Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa

Did you get a digital copy of the final edit for posterity? Is your epi on youtube yet? If not, can you fix that?

I work in a TV studio, we DVRed it, and I'll get an HD copy

I've always been curious about this...

How heavy is the wheel? Was it hard to spin, or was it relatively easy?

Probably like 500 pounds, it is kind of tough, you have to hold the top half of the spokes so your hand doesn't smack the flipper.

Did Pat appear to be drunk after the lunch break?

My show was before lunch

Pat seems disinterested in the show when I'm watching it nowadays, did you get that impression?

How did you prepare for the show?

Would you rather win a vacation or money?

How would you describe your experience on the wheel? Would you do it again?

What is your dream car?

If you could punch any person alive today in their face, would you? Who would it be and why?

If you could reach out and communicate to millions of people via this AMA, what would be the message?

Wow, glad you thought this out. 1. He seemed into it, dude has had the same easy gig for 30 years, he might get bored, but didn't show it. 2. Been watching since I could read, parents used it to teach me spelling and phrases. Just watching at home is the best practice. 3. Depends on vacation location or money amount. Cash is king though. 4. My experience was fantastic, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. 5. A DeLorean decked out like the Time Machine, I'm a BTTF junkie. 6. I'd punch Jim Parsons, can't stand him or that fucking show. 7. If a goof like me can end up on the show, so can you, like Galaxy Quest taught us all, "never give up, never surrender!"

Seriously, fuck BBT.

Fuck em

thanks for doing this ama, it was entertaining to read! i'm going to use some of the things u told us to sound like a wizard tonight.. before the show comes on, i'll be like hrm.. "i get a feeling there will be a matt on the yellow place and he does a pretty good peter griffin impression".. muwhahaha

And you will not be let down, haha, thanks buddy

I didn't get to watch the show. How much did you win?!

About $45,500 in cash and priEs

You did win! Congrats fellow New Jerseyan.

Thanks!

How old are you?

I'll be 25 in June.

The puzzle is: People who annoy you?

Naggers, not making that mistake again

How does it make you feel that Wheel of Fortune is considered "Jeopardy for stupid people"?

I get sad with my $45,000 prize.

Better to be lucky than smart, AMIRITE?!

Bingo...

Is Vana White really that good looking?

She's made up like crazy but still looks good.

YOU KICKED ASS!!!!

Nice going and congrats!

Thanks!

Do they ever mishear which letter a contestant is saying? (And, if so, what happens?) Given how often people mishear letters over the phone ("P as in Peter?" "No, T as in Tom") it seems like this would happen on Wheel of Fortune when they're just naming one letter with little context.

There weren't any issues like that for my show, but they have mentioned that it has happened in the past, usually they throw out the puzzle and start new if that happens.

Why does Pat's Final Spin never land on Bankrupt?

Cuz he knows what he's doing

Did Vanna smell good?

Indeed she did.

What made you decide you wanted to apply to be on the show?

I knew I could win, and that was half the battle. I just went for it.

Did they pay for your trip and everything?

Nope, we had to pay our way there.

If you could go on another game show, what would it be?

Maybe price is right, not sure though

Advice below. What ever happens. Don't use the N-word!

Best advice ever

What do you do for a living?

I work in the corporate HQ TV studio for Verizon in Basking Ridge, NJ. Working in a studio definitely gave me an advantage I believe.

Have you been on any other game shows? If not, what game shows would you want to be on?

Nope, this was the first time one game show for me. I saw Figure It Out taped live in 1997 and was asked by a producer if I wanted to be the kid to win during the Secret Slime Action, I was too shy and said no and kissed that bike goodbye.