Fargo man, ’03 alum to appear on ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Monday
By: Sherri Richards, INFORUM
Matt Hanson will spin the big wheel at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21
Another Fargo man has spun the wheel, and will appear on national television Monday.
Matt Hanson, a human resources professional at Sanford Health, applied online to be a contestant on the syndicated game show “Wheel of Fortune,” which is distributed through CBS. The episode, part of the show’s Sand & Sea theme week, airs at 6:30 p.m. Monday on KXJB, Channel 4.
Hanson watched “Wheel” growing up, and now enjoys watching with his wife and two children, Molly and Connor, he says.
“We always kid, we’re so good at it, we should apply,” Hanson says. So one night he did, and never gave it a second thought.
The family skipped the contestant-seeking Wheelmobile event in Fargo last June, because it’d be too busy, he says. But Hanson ended up getting called to the September final auditions in Fargo.
“I thought it was a hoax,” he says.
He found out in November he’d been picked, and taped the show Dec. 10.
Hanson couldn’t say how much he won, but did say he bought his two kids each a Nintendo DS video game system with his winnings.
He says he’s excited to see himself on TV on Monday. “It was like a blink of an eye and I was going back to the hotel,” Hanson said Thursday. “It was such a blur, I don’t really remember talking to Pat (Sajak) and some of the things I said and how I acted. It will be exciting to see how it all comes together.”
Hanson is the latest in a string of local “Wheel” contestants. Becky Wells of West Fargo appeared on the show in November. Bryan Shinn of Fargo won $9,100 in prize money but placed third during the Oct. 22 episode.
Another Fargo area resident is scheduled to appear March 2, says Leslie Jacobe with Wheel of Fortune Publicity and Promotions.
Q&A with Matt Hanson
How did you get selected?
A part of our nightly ritual is to turn on Wheel of Fortune after the 6pm news. My wife and I really felt like we were so good at it. I kidded one night that I was going to go on-line and apply. She had gone to bed early, so I thought why not. A lot of time had passed and I kind of forgot about it. Then last June, the local TV station announced they were bringing the “Wheelmobile” to town. We had talked about going out to the UP Center to try out, but just never made it down there. I remember them saying they would be making a return trip to the area in a couple month to do final auditions, but again, I didn’t think anything of it. I thought it was a done deal, that I missed out. In early September, I got an e-mail saying I was selected to be in a final audition group. Shocked and surprised, I went to the Radisson here in Fargo and packed into the ballroom with 80 or so more people. The contestant people went around the entire room, calling names, giving everyone a change to “simulate” playing the game. Once that was completed, we had 5 minutes to take a test that had 20 various puzzles with missing letters. They left the room for about 20 minutes. When they returned, they called the names of the people who where to remain in the room. I was the first name called of the 20 people they kept. With the smaller group, we continued to play the game more in groups of 4. After each group went, they announced that everyone had the chance to be selected as a contestant. If we were selected, we would get a letter in the mail 2-3 weeks later. It was 1 week later, a Saturday, and I got the letter.
When did you get selected?
I got my call on November 16th saying they wanted me to come out for my taping on December 10th.
Is the show airing Feb. 21?
Yes, I taped my show on December 10th. They tape six shows in one day. I was told that show 1-5 would air the week of February 21st. The sixth show wouldn’t air until April some time. A lottery system is completed the day of taping to determine which show you will appear on. I was selected for show 1, Monday.
What are your expectations?
Since I had taped before it was aired, my expectations were to watch it and remember what all happened. During the taping, it felt like a complete blur. I am excited to watch it and see how it all came together.
Where is the show taped?
My wife and I flew to Los Angeles, CA. It is taped on the Sony Studios lot in Culver City, CA.
When did you graduate from MSUM? Major?
I graduated in May 2003. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communications.
What is your current position at Sanford?
I am an Employment Specialist at Sanford. I recruit for professional, clerical, and support staff.