LSU Journalism Senior’s Childhood Dream of Appearing on ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Comes True
November 21, 2022
BATON ROUGE—Christopher Langley, a senior studying broadcast journalism at LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication, will represent LSU on the television game show “Wheel of Fortune” during College Week on Nov. 21 at 6:30 p.m. Central Time.
Langley, a native of Gretna, Louisiana, spent two years as a Tiger TV sports reporter and producer. He will graduate in December and hopes to leverage his producing and writing skills as a sports or news producer after graduation. Langley shares insight on his experience as a contestant below.
Q: How did this opportunity to represent LSU on “Wheel of Fortune” come about?
Growing up, my dad and I always watched Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune after my family ate dinner. He and I would have a friendly competition to see who would do the best each episode. He always beat me at Jeopardy!, but Wheel of Fortune was my specialty. And by the time I was in high school, he told me I should apply because he felt I would be a great contestant.
Fast forward to May of 2021. On a whim, I decided to apply for the show. The application process is all online on the Wheel of Fortune website. I filled it out and included a video submission, which the application strongly recommends. Then, in December, I received an email that said I was chosen for a virtual audition. I did the audition, and at the end, I was told I would receive an email about two weeks later if I was chosen to be a contestant. Well, two weeks later, I got the email!
Q: What was the experience like? What was your favorite part, and what was most surprising?
The experience was a memory I will never forget. It was a childhood dream finally accomplished. My favorite part was just being there and taking it all in. I never thought in a million years I would be on the set of my favorite game show, let alone playing America’s Game at just the age of 21. Spinning the wheel was also super fun. The most surprising thing was how heavy it was. Turns out it weighs over a ton!
Q: Anything more you’d like to add about the experience?
Pat and Vanna [co-hosts of the show] are so friendly and awesome. It felt so weird to see them in person after seeing them on TV over a thousand times.
Tune in at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 21 to watch the episode. It will air on WBRZ-Channel 2 in Baton Rouge and Fox 8 in New Orleans. Check your local listings for additional information.
For more information, contact acharbonnet1@lsu.edu.
###
LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication ranks among the strongest collegiate communication programs in the country, with its robust emphasis on media and public affairs. It offers undergraduate degrees in public relations, journalism, political communication, digital advertising and pre-law, along with four graduate degree programs: Master of Mass Communication, Ph.D. in Media and Public Affairs, Certificate of Strategic Communication and a dual MMC/Law degree.