COURTESY PHOTO
James Magner’s episode of “Wheel of Fortune” airs at 7 p.m. May 30.
By MATT DEMIRS
LYNN — How much does it cost to buy a vowel on the “Wheel of Fortune”?
Lynn native James Magner can tell you after Tuesday when he appears as a contestant on the game show.
“I’ve been trying my whole life to get on ‘Wheel of Fortune,’” he said. “I’ve been watching it since the inception every night at 7 p.m.”
Magner’s drive to become a contestant on the show was never ending. Someone who thrived at doing puzzles growing up, the 1996 Classical High School graduate would play along at home, dreaming of the day he would spin the wheel with host Pat Sajak and hostess Vanna White.
After moving to Florida, he attended “Wheel Mobile” events, pop-up stations where people try their luck in a lottery to be selected for the show.
Unfortunately for Magner, at the last event he attended, his number wasn’t drawn so he and his wife went home empty handed.
And then he got the good news.
“I saw an email one day inviting me to a private audition for ‘Wheel of Fortune’ with about 50 other people,” he said. “At first, I thought it was just a joke.”
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The interviewer told participants they would receive a letter within two weeks if they were selected. Magner doubted he would be chosen and the fact it had been weeks without receiving a letter, he was sure it was just another bust.
And then the phone rang.
“I got a call from California one day saying the letter sent by ‘Wheel of Fortune’ came back return-to-sender and that I was actually selected to be a contestant on the show during Fabulous Florida Week,” he said.
While he can’t disclose specifics on his performance until the show airs, he says you don’t want to miss it.
Magner will be flying in from Florida so he can watch his “Wheel of Fortune” debut with family in Lynn.
His father, another James Magner, said they are really excited.
“We’re going to have a little get-together at my house,” he said. “(My son) will be bringing his newly married wife and newborn son.”
Magner’s episode of “Wheel of Fortune” will air at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Matt Demirs can be reached at [email protected].
