‘Wheel’ takes BR contestants for spin

• By CHANTE DIONNE WARREN
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: Oct 12, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:00 a.m.

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“Wheel of Fortune” players hit the stage in full form Saturday, showcasing their talents and game-playing abilities in a series of tryouts.

The field of potential contestants for the TV show turning out Saturday in Baton Rouge included a country music karaoke singer, a belly-dancing postal worker and a trail-riding horse lover.

Before contestants ever spun the wheel or solved puzzles Saturday, the show’s “Wheelmobile” host Marty Lublin invited them to show their talents on stage at the Belle of Baton Rouge Atrium.

“This is your opportunity to show your personality, sing, dance, tell a story,” he told a crowd of 800 people gathered for the tryouts.

When 52-year-old Debra Czudek, of Rosepine, broke into a belly-dancing routine, people cheered.

Not to be outdone, Prairieville resident Andy Scherer sang Garth Brook’s “Friends in Low Places,” winning even louder applause.

The “Wheel of Fortune” Wheelmobile, the show’s traveling promotional vehicle, visited the Belle Atrium where about 2,000 people showed up during a four-hour period to apply to become potential contestants for the broadcast version of the show, said David Strathearn, promotions manager for “Wheel of Fortune.”

The Wheelmobile is scheduled to be at the same location today from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

“We wanted to bring a piece of the show to them in their own backyard and put on a fun, interactive show and give them a shot to be on the ‘Wheel of Fortune,’ ” Strathearn said.

Strathearn said about 25 people from Louisiana likely would be selected to appear on future “Wheel of Fortune” shows.

Czudek, who said her family has watched and played the game for years, solved the answer to the mystery quotation puzzle when she answered, “All the world’s a stage.” Wheel fans applauded.

“I love this game,” she said, after leaving the stage.

Other game fans, including Nasthasia Poray, 37, of Baton Rouge, a custodian, said she often plays an interactive “Wheel of Fortune” game at her home.