America’s longest-running syndicated game show “Wheel of Fortune” made its Oregon debut last week after filming four weeks’ worth of shows at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. The filming included several Oregon-themed shows including “College Week,” which featured three University students.
The center was transformed for the occasion. The St. John’s Bridge was featured in the backdrop behind the contestants along with other Portland and Oregon landmarks. The show’s staff, including host Pat Sajak, were pleased with the Portland location, especially for its collegiate theme. @@http://www.wheeloffortune.com/showguide/bios/patsajak/@@

“’College Week’ is great,” Executive Producer Harry Friedman said. “It not only gives college students a chance to win cash, prizes and cars — all of which they can probably use — but it’s a lot of fun because it lets us build on some of the traditional rivalries (between schools).” @@http://www.wheeloffortune.com/showguide/bios/harryfriedman/@@
Although students from around the Pacific Northwest are featured as contestants on the show, the University will have a prominent role in the show. The Duck and Oregon cheerleaders will be featured throughout the shows set to air May 14-18. The Oregon Basketball Band provides the majority of in-show music.
“‘Wheel of Fortune’ requested that the UO send their ‘spirit squad’ to the taping,” University graduate student Nathan Irby said. “We played only songs from our standard repertoire. The band adapted (to television) really well.” @@http://uoregon.edu/findpeople/person/Nathan*Irby@@
The University was also featured behind the wheel with three contestants featured on “College Week.” University junior and Oregon native Ashley Cranston jumped at the chance to audition for the show. @@http://uoregon.edu/findpeople/person/Ashley*Cranston@@
“I got a letter from my sorority president saying there was an opportunity for trying out for ‘Wheel of Fortune,’ and I said, ‘Free money? Yes, please,’” Cranston said. “My acceptance letter actually got misplaced in the mail, so I didn’t find out until the middle of March.”

Contestants and the media are prohibited from revealing “spoilers” from the shows until after they air, and Cranston swears she will keep quiet until then.
“I’m going to have a watch party with my sorority. We’ll be having a great time, and they’ll be like, ‘Did you win this one?’ I’ll just be sitting there, silent.”