<P> Alan Thicke composed the show's original theme, which was titled "Big Wheels". In 1983, it was replaced by Griffin's own composition, "Changing Keys", to allow him to derive royalties from that composition's use on both the network and syndicated versions . Steve Kaplan became music director starting with the premiere of the 15th syndicated season in 1997, and continued to serve as such until he was killed when the Cessna 421C Golden Eagle he was piloting crashed into a home in Claremont, California, in December 2003; his initial theme was a remix of "Changing Keys", but by the 18th syndicated season (2000--01), he had replaced it with a composition of his own, which was titled "Happy Wheels". Since 2006, music direction has been handled by Frankie Blue and John Hoke; themes they have written for the show include a remix of "Happy Wheels" and an original rock - based composition . </P> <P> In addition to "Changing Keys", Griffin also composed various incidental music cues for the syndicated version which were used for announcements of prizes in the show's early years . Among them were "Frisco Disco" (earlier the closing theme for a revival of Jeopardy! which aired in 1978 and 1979), "A Time for Tony" (whose basic melody evolved into "Think!", the longtime theme song for Jeopardy!), "Buzzword" (later used as the theme for Merv Griffin's Crosswords), "Nightwalk", "Struttin' on Sunset", and an untitled vacation cue . </P> <P> Anyone at least 18 years old has the potential to become a contestant through Wheel of Fortune's audition process . Exceptions include employees and immediate family members of CBS Corporation, Sony Pictures Entertainment, or any of their respective affiliates or subsidiaries; any firm involved in supplying prizes for the show; and television stations that broadcast Wheel and / or Jeopardy!, their sister radio stations, and those advertising agencies that are affiliated with them . Also ineligible to apply as contestants are individuals who have appeared on a different game show within the previous year, three other game shows within the past ten years, or on any version of Wheel of Fortune itself . </P> <P> Throughout the year, the show uses a custom - designed Winnebago recreational vehicle called the "Wheelmobile" to travel across the United States, holding open auditions at various public venues . Participants are provided with entry forms which are then drawn randomly . Individuals whose names are drawn appear on stage, five at a time, and are interviewed by traveling host Marty Lublin . The group of five then plays a mock version of the speed - up round, and five more names are selected after a puzzle is solved . Everyone who is called onstage receives a themed prize, usually determined by the spin of a miniature wheel . Auditions typically last two days, with three one - hour segments per day . After each Wheelmobile event, the "most promising candidates" are invited back to the city in which the first audition was held, to participate in a second audition . Alternatively, a participant may submit an audition form with a self - shot video through the show's website to enter an audition . Contestants not appearing on stage at Wheelmobile events have their applications retained and get drawn at random to fill second - level audition vacancies . At the second audition, potential contestants play more mock games featuring a miniature wheel and puzzle board, followed by a 16 - puzzle test with some letters revealed . The contestants have five minutes to solve as many puzzles as they can by writing in the correct letters . The people who pass continue the audition, playing more mock games which are followed by interviews . </P>

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