Winning money and prizes was, of course, the goal for New Canaan native Theresa Petrucci when she appeared as a contestant on “Wheel of Fortune” last Monday, Jan. 5. And she accomplished that beautifully, as her haul totaled $23,340.
But she also did something seldom seen on the show. She flustered host Pat Sajak with her brainpower, causing him to lose focus momentarily before catching himself and recovering like a pro.
The show was taped Nov. 14, 2014, in Los Angeles, so Petrucci had to wait weeks before she could reveal how she’d done, due to strict show rules and regulations.
Her mom, Charlene, made the trip to California with her. As Theresa detailed in last week’s Advertiser, she’d watched the show for years and years with her grandfather, Kenneth Pinder, who she called “Poppy.” He died in 2013, but Theresa always remembered what he’d told her: If she ever got on the show, gamble. Go for it!
New Canaan native Theresa Petrucci watches herself on “Wheel of Fortune” on Monday, Jan. 5.
Before the game began inside Sony Studios, Theresa admitted to being a bit jittery.
“I don’t like speaking in front of crowds,” she said. “I was a little nervous. And I didn’t have my glasses so I was squinting to read the board.”
With Theresa next to Sajak, Brianna in the middle and Yasin at the end, the game began with a $1,000 toss-up puzzle, where letters are revealed and any contestant can buzz in and guess. With the category ‘a thing,’ just a few letters were revealed before Theresa buzzed in and correctly. guessed GREEN TRAFFIC LIGHT.
“Winning that first toss-up built my confidence, and I relaxed,” said Theresa. “After that I was really ready to go.”
The show stopped and Sajak, consulting index cards, introduced each contestant. Theresa was first.
Pat: “Theresa Petrucci. You’re from New York, but not originally?”
Theresa: “I’m from New Canaan, Connecticut.”
Pat: “You’ve been in New York five years. What do you do in New York?”
Theresa: “I work for a hedge fund and private equity recruiting firm.”
Pat: “And animal rescue is your passion?”
Theresa (giggling): “Animal rescue is my passion. I have four four-legged fur babies at home!”
Pat: “Everybody just starts to get giggly when they talk about their fur babies at home! Thanks for being here.”
After talking to Brianna and Yasin, the game continued with a $2,000 toss-up, with “proper name” the category. Again Theresa was first in, correctly guessing DUSTIN HOFFMAN. She now had $3,000 cash winnings.
She got to spin the wheel first for a new puzzle, with ‘television’ the category, but it stopped on Bankrupt so she lost her turn. Brianna was next, and after spinning a few times and choosing letters, correctly guessed SATURDAY NIGHT LVE, winning cash and a trip worth $7,000.
As with every show on television, commercials came often. Theresa explained that there was a flurry of action even then.
“At each break, make-up people rush over to re-powder you, then you’re given water, and then repositioned on your spot,” she said. “Not just the contestants. Vanna and Pat too.”
The game continued with a “before and after” puzzle. Brianna started, and her luck continued as she accumulated two halves of a car, meaning if she solved the puzzle she would win one. She chose a wrong letter, Yasin hit Bankrupt and it was Theresa’s turn. She spun a few times and guessed a few letters right, but then hit Lose Turn. Brianna seized the moment, guessed HE WHO HESITATES IS LOST IN SPACE and won the car, giving her a huge lead, with cash and prizes worth $25,991.
Undeterred, Theresa then startled even Sajak with her performance in the prize puzzle. She spun the wheel and it settled on Expressway, meaning Theresa could stop spinning and just guess letters, collecting $1,000 for each correct one. If she missed on one, however, she would lose whatever she’d accumulated.
Sajak asked if she’d like to enter the Expressway, and Theresa, remembering Poppy’s advice, yelled, “I’m on it!” Very methodically she guessed ‘e’, ‘r’ and ‘s’, then bought an ‘i’, guessed ‘n’, bought an ‘o’ and a ’u’.
“When the answer dawned on me my mother said my whole face lit up,” said Theresa. She called for the final letters and simply read the puzzle, NESTLED ON A PRIVATE PENINSULA.
Ecstatic and hugging Sajak, Theresa waited to hear what she’d won. Sajak said, “Look at you! $13,000 cash that round. Nice job. We’ll take a break and be right back.”
Signaled by the producer that there was more to award, Sajak smoothly said, ”Oh really? There’s more? There’s more?”
Knowing she’d won a trip, and unable to contain herself, Theresa squealed, “Where am I going?” as the audience laughed.
Sajak quipped, “We’ll it’s just going to be you … and someone else … to St. Maarten!”
The week-long luxury vacation, worth $6,340, brought Theresa’s winnings up to $23,340.
“Because I’d won so much money on the prize puzzle, Pat forgot that I won a trip too,” said Theresa.
Alas, that would be it for Petrucci, as Brianna held her off to play the final puzzle solo, which she didn’t solve. Sajak, amused and impressed by Theresa’s comeback, put his arm around her and said, “Unfortunately this poor young girl has to settle for a trip to the Caribbean, and only $23,340 in cash and prizes.” Theresa, ever smiling, thanked him.
As much fun as the show was, Theresa said the response from family and friends has been overwhelming.
“After the story came out in the Advertiser last week that I was going to be on “Wheel of Fortune,” people I haven’t spoken to in more than 10 years sent me text messages, and contacted me on Facebook,” she said. “It’s been absolutely amazing. Then when the show was on Monday, I had friends all over the country watching.”
Theresa watched the show in New York at Ainsworth Park bar. “It was so cool to see myself on the show,” she said.
Proud parent Charlene also reveled in the attention. “We had a watching party and I felt like I was the mayor,” she said. “Everyone was calling and congratulating me. We were all hooting and hollering.
“After everyone left I was exhausted. I sat down and watched it by myself. Then I watched it six more times.”