THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, March 25, 1995 TAG: 9503250330
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Larry Bonko
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
The ``Wheel of Fortune'' gang of about 70 people, including Vanna White, who has walked more than 221 miles turning letters on the puzzle board, will descend on Norfolk next month to tape 10 shows aboard the carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The announcement was made earlier in the week by way of a conference call among Norfolk Mayor Paul D. Fraim; Rear Adm. Paul D. Moses, commanding officer of the Norfolk Naval Base; Lee Salzberger, president and general manager of WVEC, which carries the show nightly at 7 p.m.; and ``Wheel of Fortune'' co-host Pat Sajak.
Two shows will be taped in the carrier's hangar deck on April 28, three on April 29 and five on May 1, when only men and women in uniform will be contestants. The shows will start airing May 15 in syndication, where ``Wheel of Fortune'' is No. 1 with a 14.0 rating on 227 stations.
The public is invited to the tapings. WVEC will soon announce how to get tickets.
It's been a long time coming, this visit of America's most popular game show, which is also seen in 30 foreign countries. The city's Department of Development first extended an invitation to the show's producers in June 1993.
Delays caused by White's pregnancy and a wait for just the right Navy carrier for the tapings, but within a few weeks, the ``Wheel of Fortune'' cast and crew will arrive from California with 280,000 pounds of set, scenery and electronic equipment.
``It's the most ambitious remote taping we've done,'' said Lisa Dee, a spokeswoman for the show.
``The taping presents unique challenges,'' said the show's producer, Harry Friedman.
``Wheel of Fortune'' recently taped in New York City and will take to the high seas for ``Cruise Week'' shortly after leaving Norfolk.
When the ``Wheel of Fortune'' producers were in Hampton Roads last year to search for contestants, 74 local residents qualified. At least a dozen will be involved in the local tapings, Dee said.
To say the city fathers are thrilled by the visit of Pat and Vanna and Co. is an understatement. In the Norfolk telecasts, to be seen by an estimated 200 million viewers worldwide, ``Wheel of Fortune'' will be a Navy recruiting poster and a push for Norfolk tourism all in one.
``The city is extremely excited that all of America will get a premier look at Norfolk and the surrounding cities,'' Fraim said. ``We welcome the opportunity to share the Norfolk story with the world.''
Be advised that White will be out and about in Hampton Roads shooting on location the scenes that reveal the show's lineup of prizes. Since signing on in 1983, ``Wheel of Fortune'' has awarded $60 million in cash and prizes.
The ``Wheel of Fortune'' producers expect to hire about 100 local people to help put on the 10 tapings. ``We're looking for a unique, exciting experience,'' said Friedman. by CNB