Retired Barrington High School teacher takes a spin at ‘Wheel of Fortune’

Retirement often leaves open a multitude of available paths to choose.

But when Palatine resident Rob Baker retired from his English teaching duties at Barrington High School in May, his next choice was as easy as ABC — not to mention the remaining letters of the alphabet.

Baker, 65, is set to appear on “Wheel of Fortune” Tuesday, the culmination of a three-month journey from online application to a Culver City, California, soundstage.

The opportunity to apply opened up when he retired. He couldn’t just drop his teaching duties to fly out to California.

After two rounds of Zoom auditions — first an interview with five other contestants, then gameplay that eliminated some participants — Baker received the call while vacationing in New Mexico.

Baker's journey moved quickly compared to some contestants. He rode an Uber to the studio with a fellow competitor from Atlanta who had waited three years after his initial audition.

Baker prepared for his appearance by watching old episodes, keeping up with current shows and playing the mobile app.

The actual filming took place in November at the show's Culver City studio. Baker and his brother Rick arrived two days early, with the taping day beginning at 6:30 a.m.

“You were there all day, getting ready and practicing and meeting all the people,” Baker said, adding they taped six on the same day. “It was a great experience.”

One of the highlights was meeting longtime letter-turner Vanna White while contestants were waiting in a room getting their makeup.

“She came in during that time, which she didn’t have to,” he said. “She was in her sweat clothes and she’s like, 'Hi, I just want to say hello and wish you all luck.’ She was really, really nice and supported us.”

During the rehearsal, he practiced spinning the wheel.

“It’s a heavier than you would think, but it wasn’t as heavy as I thought it would be,” he said. “You have to push it away as you let go of it, not just give it a little spin like you might a light wheel.”

The actual gameplay went by in such a blur that Baker says he doesn't remember all the puzzles he solved, making him nearly as curious as viewers to see how he performed.

Baker plans to watch himself on television for the first time at a watch party Tuesday evening at One Taco Dos Tequilas in Palatine. He expects to be joined by about 50 people.

“I'm kind of nervous to be watching it with all these other people there,” he admitted.