Josh “Leaf” Mickle fulfilled a one-in-a-lifetime dream of being a contestant on the game show, bringing home $10,550
People around the country heard of Mullica Hill when resident Josh “Leaf” Mickle introduced himself and his hometown on the Game Show Network television show “Wheel of Fortune.” A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the 21-year-old internet broadcaster, Mickle dedicated his episode to his late father who once shared his love of the game and inspired Mickle to audition last year.
“I’ve been a fan of the show ever since I was in diapers,” Mickle said. “My dad and I used to watch it every single day.”
Ultimately, Mickle said, the journey to “Wheel of Fortune” began when his father lost his battle with liver cancer last year. Later that day, Mickle received the email announcing he had been chosen to audition for the show, an opportunity his father had wanted “desperately” but never had the chance to pursue.
“When I got that email later that day I said, ‘OK, this is his dying message to me,’” Mickle said.
In late June 2016, Mickle traveled to Brooklyn, N.Y., to audition among approximately 50 others from around the country for a spot as a contestant on the show. After rounds of puzzles on a mock-game board to show producers his “energy,” as well as a five-minute written exam comprised of 16 puzzles, four categories each, Mickle proved he was worthy of the small screen.
Two weeks later, on July 11, 2016, Mickle received a letter revealing his taping date just outside of Los Angeles.
“After I was accepted, it was all a matter of waiting,” Mickle said. “It felt like torture for me.”
Mickle won $10,550 during his episode, which aired on Nov. 1. Although Mickle missed the first $1,000 toss-up, where the board reveals letters one by one until a player correctly guesses the solution, he did solve the first round of crosswords, as well as the “Stranger Things,” $3,000 toss-up late in the game.
“To actually play the game itself, it’s a lot more nerve-wracking than it is at home,” Mickle said. “You’re actually playing for real money.”
Mickle “hit his stride” when he solved the final puzzle “Cartwheels & Somersaults,” however it hadn’t been enough to move on to the bonus round.
“I may not be the brightest person in all of Mullica Hill, but not a lot of people can say they’ve been on a game show, and from a great town such as this,” Mickle said. “Less than 600 people get their chance to be on the show every single year, and to be one of those 600 and defy all odds, and despite what everyone else says of me, it’s incredible.”
Mickle said a strategy to the word-puzzle game is to always start by guessing letters R, S, T, L, N and E, since these are “the most common letters that appear in a lot of words.” Once these letters have been used, start to piece together words that may fit, even if that means buying extra vowels and spending some extra dollars, Mickle said.
“It’s all about logic at that point,” Mickle said. “I’d rather focus on the smarter portion than leave it all to chance because what more can you do?”
At this time, Mickle said, he’s just seeing where life takes him next, however he doesn’t feel his gameshow days are over just yet. On an upcoming trip to California for a convention, he said, he may “come on down” to CBS television show “The Price is Right,” and hopes to make it onto other game shows such as FOX’s “Beat Shazam” with host Jamie Foxx and ABC’s “$100,000 Pyramid.”
In the meantime, Mickle will continue his online presence on the “unofficial ‘Wheel of Fortune’ community” at www.buyavowel.boards.net, where past contestants and aspiring candidates share tips, strategies and host mock-games.
“If there is anyone who wants to try to do what I did, I say go for it,” Mickle said. “It’s really millions of dollars that could potentially be won, with a lot of tips available from helpful people.”
