What’s about 39 feet long, 13 feet high, bright yellow, and will more than likely bring thousands of people to Branson on Saturday May 9 and Sunday May 10? The answer is the “Wheel of Fortune’s “Wheelmobile.” It will be in Branson at the Welk Resort Theatre between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on May 9 and 10 conducting “the preliminary screening process before the final Wheel of Fortune contestant auditions.”
During each day there will be three “Wheel of Fortune Shows” with participants chosen randomly based on color coded applications each person attending the show will fill out. As the cards are picked, the contestants’ will come up to the stage in groups of five where they will “play the game” by going through a short interview and playing a version of the “Wheel of Fortune Speed-Up Round.” All the contestants will win “Wheel of Fortune” prizes hats, t-shirts, etc.
Of course the prize most will be seeking will be an opportunity to appear on the actual “Wheel of Fortune” television show. The information on the event on the KY3 TV website about the event indicates that no actual contestants will be chosen while the Wheelmobile is in Branson. The Branson event will be used as one of the methods of choosing those who will take part in the final round of auditions.
The Branson area final auditions will take place “within a few months” of the Wheelmobiles final audition date. In addition, the show saves some of the final audition spots for people who did not make it up on stage at the actual Wheelmobile event. The information on the web site says that after all the Wheelmobile events have been conducted they “Will draw a number of names at random from all the applications received in the Branson area for these slots.” Anyone that is invited to the final auditions will receive a letter or email within a few weeks of the last Wheelmobile Event.
At the final auditions, the shows Contestant Coordinators will select the individuals who will actually appear on the show. The Wheel of Fortunes web site indicates that last year out of the million or more people requesting auditions only 600 made it onto the show. Further, the site points out that the people being auditioned and actually selected to be on the show are responsible for any expenses “incurred for accommodations, travel to and from the audition site, and to and from the taping in Los Angeles (or another city.)”
On April 8, a spokesperson for the Welk Resort Theatre said there is no charge to attend the shows and that no preregistration is necessary. Guests will be served on a first come first serve basis.
