`Local man takes spin on TV`

By Erin Remai
Herald Staff Writer

Ralph LaCava, Hermitage, displays the watch box he received as a gift after participating on “Wheel of Fortune.” LaCava and his twin brother, Rick, of Los Angeles, can be seen on “Wheel of Fortune” Sept. 8 as part of Working Families Week. (Jean Neice/Herald)

One of the first things Ralph and Rick LaCava noticed during their taping of “The Wheel of Fortune” was the size, or lack thereof, of the wheel.

“The wheel is not as big as what it is on TV,” said Ralph LaCava, Hermitage. “I said, ‘Rick, this can’t be the wheel! It’s so small.’ ”

LaCava and his identical twin brother, Rick, of Los Angeles, spent Saturday in Pittsburgh taping an episode of “Wheel of Fortune” to be aired during Working Families Week, the week of Labor Day. “Wheel of Fortune” contestants normally do not work in teams, but during Working Families Week, union members can team with a blood relative.

Rick LaCava works as a mechanic for Northwest Airlines at LAX airport and is a member of the International Association of Machinists Union. In the union’s monthly newsletter, he saw a full-page advertisement for Working Families Week on “Wheel of Fortune.” Union members and a blood relative could apply for an audition in Los Angeles, Houston, Pittsburgh, or Boston. Rick LaCava applied, requesting an audition for himself and his twin brother.

“I think he was committed to being on a game show,” said Ralph, who added that Rick had once auditioned for “Pictionary.”

The LaCavas, who grew up in Ellwood City, auditioned for the show on May 19 in Pittsburgh. During the 3½-hour audition, the LaCavas “played the game a dozen times and clapped a lot.” They also had to take a written test.

A month after the audition, the brothers had given up hope and assumed they would not be on the show. Whenever LaCava called his brother in Los Angeles, he would jokingly say, “This is Wheel of Fortune. You’re on the show!”

“I never thought for a million years we would get on,” LaCava said. “When they called, I was in shock. I didn’t know what to expect.”

In the time before the taping on Saturday in the Benedum Center, the contestants were kept in isolation and were not allowed to talk to anyone. Game officials explained the rules and gave the contestants a tour of the studio, which included a few practice spins on the wheel.

LaCava said he and his brother were friendly with the other contestants and everyone was supportive of each other.

The actual taping took about 40 minutes, but LaCava said it felt like 5 The biggest highlight of the show was when the LaCavas solved the first puzzle.

“To actually solve a puzzle was pretty cool,” LaCava said. “But after that we hit dry ground.” The LaCavas did not walk away with the big prize, but they did collect $2,650 and consolation prizes, along with watches engraved with their names and the date.

The brothers also did a promotional spot on WYTV, which LaCava said may run in the weeks before the show airs.

LaCava said if he had the opportunity to be on “Wheel of Fortune” again, he would do it. “It was so great. It was so much fun,” he said. “It was a long day, but it was worth it.” In the meantime, LaCava’s family anticipates the twins’ appearance on “Wheel of Fortune.” “VCRs will be running on Sept 8,” LaCava said.

Back to TOP // Herald Local news // Local news headlines // Herald Home page

Updated August 11, 1998
Questions/comments: herald@pgh.net
For info about advertising on our site or Web-page creation: advertising@sharon-herald.com