Pete McNally, bottom right, poses with the other contestants of a special set of Father’s Day “Wheel of Fortune” programs. Photo courtesy Wheel of Fortune
Growing up in Richmond Hill and Woodhaven, Pete McNally loved parking himself in front of the television with his brother, Kevin, and his parents to watch one of the country’s most popular shows: “Wheel of Fortune.”
And while the now 45-year-old and his brother certainly loved the game itself – as teenagers, they even persuaded their parents to extend their curfew by half an hour if they could solve three puzzles during the show – the ritual was about more than just television: It was about having fun together as a family, about all the seemingly small, daily moments that create a lifetime of memories.
So, when McNally, who has lived in Howard Beach for the past 25 years, got the chance to audition for “Wheel of Fortune,” which was his mother’s favorite show, he jumped at the opportunity.
Pete McNally, a longtime Howard Beach resident, on the set of “Wheel of Fortune” in Los Angeles at the end of March. His appearance will be shown this Friday, June 13.
Photo courtesy Wheel of Fortune
The chances to land a spot on the longest-running syndicated game show in U.S. history is incredibly slim. About six million people apply to be on the show each year, they invite about 10,000 people to audition annually, and fewer than 600 actually get to be on the program.
Despite the odds, McNally landed a spot on the show – and a special Father’s Day version at that – which taped at the end of March in Los Angeles.
“It was such a great experience – Pat Sajak and Vanna White are the nicest, most down to earth people,” McNally said in reference to the show’s longtime host and hostess.
Now, McNally and his family are excitedly preparing to watch his appearance, which will air this Friday, June 13.
To celebrate his moment of fame, McNally will watch Friday’s show much like he has always done – surrounded by family, including his wife, Claudia, and their three sons, Peter, 14; Michael, 10; and Matthew, 8. Other family members will also be there to cheer on McNally, including his brother, Kevin, and his nephew, Sean, who is celebrating his 12th birthday Friday.
“And I’m sure my mom’s watching from up there,” said McNally, who is an editor at CUSIP Global Services on Wall Street. “I took the spirit of her with me out to L.A. That made it extra special.”
The filming of the show itself was “the fastest 45 minutes of my life,” McNally said of the program that centers around a 2,400 pound wheel, which contestants must spin in an attempt to win everything from boats and houses to cash.
“Vanna White walked in and immediately made us feel welcome,” He continued. “Even during commercial breaks, Pat Sajak was chitchatting with the contestants.”
As for whether or not McNally wins on Friday? You’ll just have to watch to find out – though he did say that just landing on the show is a pretty incredible chance.
“This has been one extremely lucky year for me,” McNally said. “We were affected by Sandy, and my brother even worse so, but since then things have been looking up.”
To check out how McNally fares on “Wheel of Fortune,” watch ABC at 7:30 p.m. this Friday.
By Anna Gustafson
