Tune in tonight, watch him buy a vowel

The 29-year-old Mountain View High School grad taped his episode Feb. 18 in Los Angeles. He isn't allowed to talk about how well he did - you can see for yourself at 6:30 p.m. on Channel 9 - but he did answer some other questions.

How did you get on to "Wheel?"

"Over the last few years I have gone on the website (wheeloffortune.com) and applied at random. One day I checked my e-mail and there was an invitation to a closed audition out in L.A. in early February.

"I hadn't checked my e-mail in two weeks, so I threw everything together, drove out to the audition."

So they must have liked you.

"They called five days later and asked if I wanted to be on Feb. 18. All the traveling, hotel stay and other costs came out of pocket."

Where did you stay?

"Actually I had to be back at work, so I drove out, did the audition and drove back the same day. It was about seven hours getting there and 9 1/2 hours getting back because I was stuck in beyond-gridlock traffic."

What was Vanna White like?

"She was cool, very cool. She is an ageless beauty."

And Pat Sajak?

"Pat is entertaining, very entertaining. Nothing against Pat, but I was on 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire' in 2001 and Regis (Philbin) really knew how to work a room."

How did you do on "Millionaire"?

"I was going for $64,000 with all of the lifelines. I polled the audience and the vast majority of them chose one answer. I went with them and it was wrong. I walked away with $32,000."

Are you shooting for "Jeopardy!" next?

"It's funny you should say that because I am aiming for 'Jeopardy!' next. That would complete the trifecta and I think I'd be done with game shows."

How did you prepare for 'Wheel?'

"I downloaded the 'Wheel of Fortune' game on my phone and I probably played it for five hours a day."

Did taping take a long time?

"It was quick, maybe an hour. They did six episodes in that day I was there."

What did you do to win them over at your audition?

"I kept a perma-grin on my face the entire time."

Contact reporter Phil Villarreal at 573-4130 or pvillarreal@azstarnet.com