Game shows are the best. We spend countless hours watching other people win lump sums of cash, promising ourselves if we could just make it on the show, we'd strike big.
But one game show star, and ASU political science freshman, says it's a lot easier to play at home than it is in front of 3,000 members of a studio audience.
Zeshan Dhanani is that student. Hundreds of hopeful ASU students packed Palo Verde Beach near the end of last semester in an attempt to be "Wheel of Fortune's" newest contestant. But when all was said and done, only Dhanani made the cut, landing a spot, and a chance to win thousands of dollars, on America's favorite game show.
Dhanani met with SPM before the Monday night airing of his show to dish about his behind-the-scenes secrets, talk about how it's so much easier to solve puzzles on your sofa and why he'll never forget the words, "prickly pear cactus."
SPM: Don't I know you?
Dhanani: Yeah, you might have seen me on "Wheel of Fortune," Monday, Feb. 16.
SPM: Probably! I love that show. That Vanna White, she's something else huh? So spill the beans, how'd you do?
Dhanani: I didn't do as great as I had wanted. I won $3,200.
SPM: Not bad, not bad. What slipped you up?
Dhanani: Prickly pear cactus. That's one thing I'll never forget. I had gotten the cactus part. I had it all except for the P, K and Y. I was looking at it: __ear Cactus. I said "Y" for year, but it was the "Y" for prickly. I was lost and had nothing to do but spin.
SPM: Wow, it even sounds hard when you describe it. I can't imagine all the pressure.
Dhanani: So I spun and said "D." No D there. As soon as it went to the next lady, she's all, "P! Prickly Pear Cactus." You could tell I was upset. You could see it in my face.
SPM: What a bummer, at least you walked away with a nice chunk of cash. So let's rewind. Why do you think you beat out all of the other game show contestant wannabes?
Dhanani: I was just thinking that if they called my name to tryout at ASU, I would impress them.
SPM: With what, your good looks?
Dhanani: No, I have this confidence. That's mainly what they look for-a sign that you'd be fun and good at solving puzzles. I think I had that combination.
SPM: Well, whatever it is, it must have worked. So tell me some "Wheel of Fortune" secrets-something no one but you and other contestants would know.
Dhanani: The wheel is a lot smaller than it seems. We were like, "Is that the real wheel?" And they train you how to spin it. Follow through, that's what they tell us. The first time I spun it, it barely went around. There's really a technique to it.
SPM: That sure is surprising. The wheel always looks enormous. What other secrets can you divulge?
Dhanani: Well, they tape five shows in one day, and you're only up there for like 15 minutes.
SPM: 15 minutes! Are you serious? What a rip-off! All that anticipation for nothing.
Dhanani: I know, I waited four weeks for that moment. I woke up so early just to make sure I didn't miss the taping. It was such a weird day.
SPM: So what was it like meeting Pat and Vanna?
Dhanani: We didn't get to meet either of them until the show started. I guess they try to make you even more nervous than you already are. I waived to Vanna when she was backstage, and she waived back.
SPM: What a doll. So what are you gonna do with the cold, hard cash?
Dhanani: I don't get the money until June 16. They have to take out taxes and check your Social Security status, mostly for the big prizes though.
SPM: So smack dab in the middle of summer, you can't beat that, eh?
Dhanani: Yeah, I figure I'll do some stuff to my car, save some. There were 25-30 friends of mine in the studio audience, and they're like, "You should take us out to dinner." I'll probably do that too.
SPM: Well, congrats on your newfound celebrity status, and have fun with the cash. You should buy a prickly pear cactus!
Reach the reporter at erika.wurst@asu.edu
