October 30, 1991
Today marked my return to the game show world, nearly a full month after my Pyramid embarrassment. This time, I was in Vanna territory, trying my wits for Wheel of Fortune.
Patty Goldman and I went over together to take on the world. There were about 80 people who came in to try out, a motley mix of all ages and sizes and types, some dressed to the hilt, some looking very casual. I was going for the Harvard final club casual preppie look with my slacks and button-down shirt. Patty was about the same level of look.
The written test was the first step in the audition. It was 4 sets of 4 puzzles in 4 different categories. I got about 12 or 13. However, after they collected the tests, people around me had gotten the ones I couldn't figured out, and Patty also had trouble. This was it, I figured. I just was not meant to be on a game show.
Luckily, the performances of those around were not quite what we had feared. Anyone who got 8 or more right "passed" and got to stay to play a few rounds of the game. This included both Patty and me.
So, the 30 or so remaining people made their way to the middle of the room and, one by one, people stood up to play, i.e. spin by proxy and guess at the puzzles they were writing on the board. I actually was the very first person to go. I guessed 'S', there was 1. I guessed 'T', there were 2. I bought an 'E', there weren't any, and I sat down. That was it. I was done for the day. They made it through everyone once, then went back and let people guess who only got 1 spin.
The final element was everyone stood up and introduced themselves as if on the show. Thinking family and demographics, I said, "Hi, I'm John, and I just moved to the Los Angeles area. I'm originally from upstate New York, Binghamton, and I'd like to say 'hi' to my parents who are watching. 'Hi Mom & Dad.'"
And that was it. Our hosts, Gary and Susan, discussed, and both Patty and I got called back. On to tomorrow.
Go on to tomorrow