It was an experience that Christina and Brian Buckner will never forget. This Spencerport couple recently participated in the TV show “Wheel of Fortune.” Neither Brian nor Christina, who are Spencerport High School teachers, could give details regarding the outcome of the show; but both agreed this truly was an unbelievable adventure.
“The whole experience was surreal; it’s hard to believe that it really happened,” said Christina.
It all began early last summer when the show came to Syracuse in search of contestants.
“My dad called to tell me that the “Wheel of Fortune” was holding open auditions and we decided to go. Almost two thousand people showed up and luckily, we were chosen to go on to the next round,” Christina explained.
Later on in August, they received an email inviting them to return to Syracuse for another round of try-outs.
“This was a three-hour audition,” Christina said. “We weren’t even sure if we made it. The show representatives told us that we would be notified if they wanted us to move on to the next step in the audition process,” Brian explained.
Then a big surprise came in October.
“On October 1, I received a voice mail asking us to come to Los Angeles (LA) on October 17. I was screaming, ‘We made it,’ ” Christina said. “I immediately called Brian.”
“I was really excited but I had to whisper because I was out in the woods hunting,” Brian added with a laugh.
The following two weeks were spent practicing letter combinations, phrases and puzzles. Both Brian and Christina even downloaded a “Wheel of Fortune” app on their phones and IPads to help them practice and prepare for the show.
With their bags packed, the Buckners headed off to LA with hopes of coming home as winners.
When they arrived on the set, they were overwhelmed by the hospitality they were shown.
“All of the production crew and directors treated us so kindly,” Christina said.
“At first we didn’t recognize Vanna White (a show co-host) when she walked into the studio wearing jeans,” Brian said.
“Pat Sajak (the show’s main host) was really funny, cracking jokes and trying to make people feel comfortable,” Christina added.
Their on-set experience was a full-day of taping from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. which included hair and make-up, even a visit to the “Jeopardy” show studio. Five shows were taped, a week of shows. Both Christina and Brian were surprised by some show details.
“The studio was small and the puzzle board is much closer to the contestants. The wheel weighs 2,000 pounds,” Christina said. “We spent three hours going over paperwork, reviewing wheel choices and becoming familiar with how the show runs.”
“I had to spin the wheel because it’s so heavy,” Brian said.
The couple truly competed as a tag-team. Brian spun the wheel, Christina guessed the letters and together they solved the puzzle.
“I found it much more challenging to be on the show than watching at home. At home, all I worried about is figuring out the puzzle. On the show, I worried about what letters to pick, what letters were already picked, how much money the other teams had, how much money we had, spinning the wheel and trying to solve the puzzle. It was a little overwhelming,” Christina explained.
The Buckners would encourage anyone who enjoys game shows to try-out for whatever show they enjoy. Christina described this adventure as something she has always wanted to do.
“I always told my family that I wanted to be on “Wheel of Fortune.” I’ve been a fan forever, I love solving puzzles,” she said. “One of my favorite memories is of my grandmother watching this show and solving the puzzles,” Brian added.
Both would advise other game enthusiasts to audition for their favorite show and most importantly, to practice and enjoy the audition experience.
“Be enthusiastic and loud during auditions, you will get the attention of the directors,” Christina said.
The Buckners consider themselves lucky to have made it through all the auditions and to have been selected to appear on the show.
“The producers explained to us that each year over 10,000 people audition and only about 600 people make it on the show,” Christina said.
Christina and Brian were mum about what or how much they won but the prizes awarded during their taping were Disney cruises, cash and gift cards. Sadly, their experience is “one and done.” They cannot audition again for at least another five years.
Tune in to WROC-TV 8 on Thursday, December 12 at 7 p.m. to watch this Spencerport couple take a spin on the “Wheel of Fortune.”
12/8/13
