Livermore Mom Stars On Pat Sajak's Last 'Wheel Of Fortune' Episode

LIVERMORE, CA — Livermore resident Tammi Barker Neilsen bought a few vowels and the experience of a lifetime back in April, when she appeared on Pat Sajak’s final episode of “Wheel of Fortune.”

“It was truly the experience of a lifetime,” Neilsen, a mother of three and Granada High School graduate, told Patch. “You could feel in the air something special was happening…it was definitely a milestone. The other contestants and I were all such huge fans, and it was really fun to be around people that were equally as excited.”

“Huge fan” might be a bit of an understatement - Nielsen, 50, has watched nearly every episode of the show since it began airing in 1975. “I’ve watched my entire life, literally for five generations in my family,” she said. “I used to watch when I was really little with my great-grandmother, and then I watched with my grandparents and parents, and then myself as an adult, and now I’m watching with my kids.” She still watches each night with her family, noting it’s the one show that brings them all together.

It never occurred to Neilson to audition until she saw a commercial recruiting contestants. “My daughter has really been involved in theater, and she’s just a go-getter, so I stole a little of her bravery - I said ‘I’m gonna do this - I have nothing to lose,’” she said.

She sent in an audition tape where she told the story of her family’s multigenerational affinity for the show, and noted that she was from Livermore, the “real wine country of California. Napa makes auto parts.”

Her hometown pride and exemplary fan credentials charmed the judges, and she learned that she had moved on to the next round while she was visiting Disneyland with her family in November. In April, she flew to Sony Studios in Culver City for a “whirlwind of a day” that lasted from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. She started off competing in mock rounds against other contestants. About halfway through the day, she learned that she had been selected, and a little bit later, she was standing on the set she’d idolized her whole life, spinning the iconic wheel. She was the last show of the day, and the last show of Pat Sajak’s 41 years as host.

While Neilsen isn’t allowed to discuss what happened on her segment until after it airs, she said it was a delight, though harder than she predicted. “It was really an eye-opening experience for me in that on my couch, I’m a whiz at this game. I’m an ace! I’m really, really good at it,” she said. “But when you’re in person, with the adrenaline, and the lights, you know the puzzle board that you see on your TV is literally the size of a giant wall, so it’s a different perspective. It’s a whirlwind of a day, and just so much fun.”

And while she only saw Sajak during her time as a contestant, equally famous co-host Vanna White stopped by the Jeopardy studio as contestants were briefing with producers. “She introduced herself and said good morning and wished us good luck. She’s even more beautiful in person…she was just so warm and kind to everybody,” Neilsen said.

White has turned the letters on the board since 1982, just a year after Sajak came on. He announced he would retire after 41 years over a year ago, and will be replaced by TV host powerhouse Ryan Seacrest.

Neilsen is inviting friends and family to her home for a barbecue and watch party for her episode, which will air Friday at 7:30 p.m. on channel 7.