Nelson Bradford
25th April 2008, 05:46 AM (05:46)
Are you a “Wheel” watcher?
As I’ve undoubtedly mentioned, and bored you to tears about, we were very fortunate to attend the taping of “Wheel of Fortune” at Chicago’s Navy Pier in early March. They taped three shows that afternoon which are to be shown May 5-6-7.
However, they told us we will be on camera, some time during the weeks of April 28 (that’s Monday!) through May 16. By the way, it took them only three days to tape three weeks of shows.
Now here’s some interesting things I would have not known about “The Wheel” had we not attended.
I’ll take these numerically, according to height.
1) A huge disclaimer sign is posted outside the entrance stating if you do not want to be on television do not enter. I found that amusing. Just because.
2) Vanna’s “board” has 52 letter spaces - four rows of letters - 12 across the top, then two rows of 14, then the bottom row of 12. Prior to the show a man worked his way the length of the board touching each and every space making sure they lit up.
3) It takes approximately 45 mins to an hour to tape that 30 min telecast.
4) During the commercial breaks Pat and Vanna take questions from the audience. One lady stood and told them her 92-year old father never misses the show, was there and wanted to dance with Vanna. And it happened during the next commercial break. That was indeed delightful.
5) There was an assistant off camera holding up signs #1 #2 or #3 notifying Pat which contestant to call upon after the commercial breaks.
6) Another went seeking the “friends and family” for the “bonus wheel” puzzle and got them down to the rail. That became a game within the game, finding those people, and getting them into position in time. I never understood why those people were not seated in a very special section of the auditorium. One of the groups could not decide who was going down. They almost broke into their own version of “Family Feud.” Very amusing.
7) Each “Wheel” contestant has their own personal make-up artist - kinda. Those three young ladies were off camera, of course, with paper tote bags filled with cosmetic items and during the commercial break would make sure the contestant was properly groomed and ready for the camera once the taping resumed.
8) That small “wheel” - for the bonus puzzle - is off camera during the regular portion of the show and is wheeled into place prior to taping.
9) They had a special section for the hearing impaired and two “signers” who shared in the signing responsibility.
10) We were given instructions to applaud vigorously each and every time it was appropriate. There were APPLAUSE signs flashing overhead and also two staff members showing us how. I found it natural to applaud Pat and Vanna when they came on the stage at the beginning of the show and also to applaud the contestants however applauding each and every time the wheel spun became tiresome and boring. I quit halfway through the 2nd show.
11) There were cameras everywhere. One camera man squats in front of the wheel, facing up toward the contestants, to tape their reaction, etc. Another camera is directly over the wheel in a fixed position. Other cameras are overhead mounted to long booms or frames and operated by a man on the floor of the auditorium. They “swoop” and “zoom in and out” catching the audience.
12) At times we could see on large monitors what the cameras were picking up. During one of the commercial breaks they zoomed in on couples with the “Kiss-Cam” - and once the audience caught on the couples would kiss while on camera. That was cute. Especially when it was OLD geezers.
It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences and we were delighted to receive the free tickets and be able to go. But would we do it again? Probably not.
Should you happen to be watching any time during the next three weeks, we and our two youngest grandkids (both teens) were in the upper left bleacher section (yes, you read that right - we sat in bleacher for three hours!) approximately 5-6 rows up. If you see us wave at the tv, okay?
-neb
ps - Isn't God good?!
As I’ve undoubtedly mentioned, and bored you to tears about, we were very fortunate to attend the taping of “Wheel of Fortune” at Chicago’s Navy Pier in early March. They taped three shows that afternoon which are to be shown May 5-6-7.
However, they told us we will be on camera, some time during the weeks of April 28 (that’s Monday!) through May 16. By the way, it took them only three days to tape three weeks of shows.
Now here’s some interesting things I would have not known about “The Wheel” had we not attended.
I’ll take these numerically, according to height.
1) A huge disclaimer sign is posted outside the entrance stating if you do not want to be on television do not enter. I found that amusing. Just because.
2) Vanna’s “board” has 52 letter spaces - four rows of letters - 12 across the top, then two rows of 14, then the bottom row of 12. Prior to the show a man worked his way the length of the board touching each and every space making sure they lit up.
3) It takes approximately 45 mins to an hour to tape that 30 min telecast.
4) During the commercial breaks Pat and Vanna take questions from the audience. One lady stood and told them her 92-year old father never misses the show, was there and wanted to dance with Vanna. And it happened during the next commercial break. That was indeed delightful.
5) There was an assistant off camera holding up signs #1 #2 or #3 notifying Pat which contestant to call upon after the commercial breaks.
6) Another went seeking the “friends and family” for the “bonus wheel” puzzle and got them down to the rail. That became a game within the game, finding those people, and getting them into position in time. I never understood why those people were not seated in a very special section of the auditorium. One of the groups could not decide who was going down. They almost broke into their own version of “Family Feud.” Very amusing.
7) Each “Wheel” contestant has their own personal make-up artist - kinda. Those three young ladies were off camera, of course, with paper tote bags filled with cosmetic items and during the commercial break would make sure the contestant was properly groomed and ready for the camera once the taping resumed.
8) That small “wheel” - for the bonus puzzle - is off camera during the regular portion of the show and is wheeled into place prior to taping.
9) They had a special section for the hearing impaired and two “signers” who shared in the signing responsibility.
10) We were given instructions to applaud vigorously each and every time it was appropriate. There were APPLAUSE signs flashing overhead and also two staff members showing us how. I found it natural to applaud Pat and Vanna when they came on the stage at the beginning of the show and also to applaud the contestants however applauding each and every time the wheel spun became tiresome and boring. I quit halfway through the 2nd show.
11) There were cameras everywhere. One camera man squats in front of the wheel, facing up toward the contestants, to tape their reaction, etc. Another camera is directly over the wheel in a fixed position. Other cameras are overhead mounted to long booms or frames and operated by a man on the floor of the auditorium. They “swoop” and “zoom in and out” catching the audience.
12) At times we could see on large monitors what the cameras were picking up. During one of the commercial breaks they zoomed in on couples with the “Kiss-Cam” - and once the audience caught on the couples would kiss while on camera. That was cute. Especially when it was OLD geezers.
It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences and we were delighted to receive the free tickets and be able to go. But would we do it again? Probably not.
Should you happen to be watching any time during the next three weeks, we and our two youngest grandkids (both teens) were in the upper left bleacher section (yes, you read that right - we sat in bleacher for three hours!) approximately 5-6 rows up. If you see us wave at the tv, okay?
-neb
ps - Isn't God good?!