The cameras rolled, the spotlights danced, and the famous multi-colored wheel spun as three University students competed on “Wheel of Fortune.”
Hundreds of local guests packed into the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans on April 16 to watch as students from around the region tested their luck on the acclaimed game show that has added a twist to the classic game of “hangman” for 28 seasons.
The University’s contestants were joined by 12 students from various institutions in the South for the “College Week” series. The show taped for the entire day, amounting to a week’s worth of episodes by the final cut.
No winnings are allowed to be announced until after the episodes air.
James Lowder, University contestant and kinesiology sophomore, said each student was selected after a two-part process starting with “Wheel of Fortune’s” Wheelmobile campus auditions that stopped on campus in November.
Lowder said a handful of students were called to New Orleans in January for a trial show and final selections were made in March.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said. “Ten thousand people applied for College Week, and only 15 people made it.”
Lowder said he was shocked when he was notified he made the final cut.
“I grew up watching the show with my family,” Lowder said. “I applied for the Teen Week about four times on the Internet. Luckily, they came to LSU and I decided to give it one more try, and I made it.”
Arquavious Gordon, contestant and history junior, said the opportunity to appear on “Wheel of Fortune” was a lifelong dream.
“I’ve been watching ‘Wheel’ since I could spell,” Gordon laughed. “I still can’t believe I was on it. … It probably won’t hit me until it airs.”
Otisha Reed, contestant and mass communication junior, said the experience was memorable.
“I’ve always wanted to be on it, but I never thought I could,” Reed said. “It was loads of fun.”
All three contestants said they mastered the rules of the game but never realized the pressure of participating live.
“It’s easy to play from the comfort of your couch,” Reed said. “You can play for all three people, and if you scream ‘R’ and it’s wrong, there is no consequence at home. If you scream ‘R’ on the show and it’s not right, it goes to the next person.”
Gordon said he tried to remain calm before the show began.
“You’re so scared when you’re up there, but you have to focus,” he said.
All contestants agreed the show was an experience they will never forget.
College Week will begin the week of May 9 and will be televised on Channel 3. Lowder will appear in the first episode, followed by Reed on May 10 and Gordon on May 12.
But College Week was not the only series filmed while “Wheel of Fortune” invaded the Big Easy. Theme weeks including “Celebrating New Orleans” and “Fabulous Food” also taped during the weekend.
The taping sessions marked the first time “Wheel of Fortune” has returned to New Orleans since being evacuated for Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Harry Friedman, executive producer of “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy,” said the crew was rushed out hours before the storm.
Friedman said the crew was safe and most of the set was able to be moved, but some equipment was lost.
“When we watched the effects of the storm, it was absolutely weird and surreal,” he said.
Pat Sajak, “Wheel of Fortune” host, said it was “heartbreaking” to witness, but “it is great to see how the city has bounced back.”
Friedman agreed, saying the show felt it was finally time to return.
“We wanted to wait until the city was ready for celebration again,” he said. “The wait wasn’t because of lack of desire.
We love the people, the city and the sense of community.”
And the food isn’t half bad either, Sajak joked.
Vanna White, co-host, said the New Orleans tapings have always been entertaining, and she enjoys the College Week episodes.
“The students are very special,” White said. “I love the energy they have. They are fun and happy.”
Lowder said participating in the show was a new way to represent the University and the state.
“New Orleans is such a culturally rich city,” he said. “For Louisiana and LSU to be represented, it is really cool.”
Gordon said the Louisiana-themed programming is a way to show the nation how unique the state is. “Wheel of Fortune” embraced the culture by transforming its set into an authentic Cajun country complete with French Quarter flavor and photographs from Tulane University.
“The show also puts LSU on the map for something other than sports,” he said. “It was a life-changing experience for me, and I encourage others to check it out.”
 
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Contact Sydni Dunn at [email protected]