Local contestants make their debut on Wheel of Fortune

Ooltewah resident Melissa Butler said she won't be quitting her job as a dental assistant after her recent appearance on the ABC's "Wheel of Fortune," despite correctly solving three puzzles on the game show that airs Friday night.

Melissa Butler will be a contestant on "Wheel of Fortune" on Friday, Dec. 23. Melissa is married with one daughter and works as a dental assistant. She loves to go bass fishing with her husband and she is excited to share her winnings with him. Contributed photo.

The 28-year-old said she was determined to try out when the Wheel Mobile made a stop in Chattanooga during the Riverbend Festival this summer.

"I went the first night of auditions and waited for four hours but never got called. So I went back Sunday and was one of the last ones called up," Butler said.

She and 14 others were chosen from the Chattanooga area by the show's contestant department to appear on the 2011-2012 season.

According to the show's website, more than 10,000 people try out each year and fewer than 600 contestants are selected to appear on the show.

Lauryn Smith of Englewood, Tenn., was also selected for the show and just returned from California after taping last week.

Smith, whose show airs on Jan. 27, said she left the show quite pleased but could not reveal the details of her winnings per an agreement with the program producers. Since its debut in 1983, the game show has awarded more than $190 million in cash and prizes to its contestants.

"I actually didn't even know how much I had won until it was over. I was so nervous. It was awesome," Smith said.

Smith said she prepared for the show by playing the game's app on her phone as well as playing over 1,000 puzzles at home since being selected this summer. She also watched old episodes on YouTube as practice with her family.

"I even played hang man and a bunch of other word puzzles. It really is the best way to prepare," Smith said.

Butler, who has been watching the show "her entire life," said she purchased the board game and played with her co-workers at lunch. She also took to heart all of the hints and tips included in a comprehensive contestant packet she received prior to arriving in California for her taping in early November.

But the best advice she received came from the show's host when she arrived on the set for rehearsal.

"They told us to buy lots of vowels. The more vowels you have the quicker and easier it is to solve the puzzle. So that really helped and I did the best I could," Butler said.

Smith agreed. "If I hadn't bought vowels I would not have done as well as I did. They want you to do well, they want you to make money," Smith said.

One of the highlights of the trip for Smith was making Pat Sajak laugh while making a joke about her husband. As for the hardest part of being on the show? "That wheel is super heavy. I told them I felt like I had no upper body strength," she said.

Bonding with the other contestants was also a highlight, according to Butler and Smith, who both said they were all rooting for each other by the time taping began.

Both lucky ladies said their time in rehearsal was a ton of fun where they were encouraged to call out letters loudly, solve puzzles with confidence and play smart—but nothing prepared them for nervous jitters when the cameras were on.

"Your mind races and you get caught up in the moment trying to remember all of the rules. Honestly, I don't even remember how I acted on the show, I was so nervous. So it will be exciting to watch on Friday. It will all be new to me too," Butler said.

The program featuring Butler airs Friday, Dec. 23 at 7 p.m. on WTVC, News Channel 9 during the show's "Great Escapes Week."

Lauryn Smith poses at the studio of Wheel of Fortune last week while taping for a show that will air on Jan. 27. Contributed photo.

Updated @ 5:17 p.m. to correct an editing typo.