When Wheel of Fortune Live spins into the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium on October 7, audiences can expect more than a replica of the TV classic. Host Mark L. Walberg says the live show captures the spirit of the beloved game while giving fans an experience they can only get in person.

“The set is the same — you’ve got the wheel, the letter board, the puzzles you see on TV, cash and prizes,” Walberg explained. “But the difference is it’s not televised. You could be plucked right out of the audience without an audition and play the game on stage. And even if you’re not selected, we’re still playing games in the audience. You could win just by sitting there. It’s a celebration of the television show without actually being on TV.”

Walberg believes Wheel of Fortune’s staying power stems from its simplicity. “In the game show world, I always say the simpler the game, the better. This is basically hangman we played as kids. It’s simple enough for everyone to play, hard enough to be challenging, and it’s become part of both Canada and the United States — comfort food for so many years.” His earliest memories of the show date back to his visits with his grandmother, who would often have game shows playing while she cleaned the house. “That’s how I became a game show guy,” he said.

Although audiences know him from a wide range of shows — from Antiques Roadshow to Temptation Island — Walberg views his role as consistent, regardless of the format. “People are people,” he said. “There’s a humanity aspect when the spotlight is on them. My job is to acknowledge that, without judgment, and be an advocate for whatever they want to get out of the experience. In the game show world, that’s cash and prizes, so that’s really fun.”

One of the most important lessons he’s carried through his career is the art of listening. “The show and the contestants are the stars, not the host,” he said. That was a lesson he learned early, after a producer once told him he was being “too funny” and unintentionally stealing the spotlight. “I realized if I take myself out of it and give them the chance to be the stars, it actually makes me look better in the long run. That’s what I’ve been doing ever since — even on something as wild as Temptation Island.”

On that series, Walberg meets the couples for the very first time on camera. “It’s a cold meeting — I don’t know much more than their names,” he explained. “So I go first: I’ll be vulnerable, make them feel welcome, and that gives them the comfort to forget they’re on TV for a moment and just have a conversation.” That ability to improvise and adapt, he added, is what makes certain hosts shine. “Improvisers are good at it because they’re comfortable with no script. They can show up on day one of a brand-new show and make it feel like episode 100. Hosting is the opposite of acting — it’s about being present, listening, and creating space for others.”

The same approach applies in front of a live theatre audience. “I have about five seconds to let them know, hey, I’m one of you, and it’s your show,” he said. “If I posture as a big game show host, the second I mess up the audience feels uncomfortable. But if I walk out saying, ‘Let’s have a party, we’re in this together,’ then we make friends right away. And once you make that connection, the audience is with you even when you mess up.”

Walberg credits his co-host Cody Dove, a Second City alumni, with helping set the right tone backstage. Before each show, they high-five and exchange a simple phrase: I got your back. “It’s an improv thing,” Walberg said. “It’s a way of saying, there’s nowhere you can go that I can’t bail you out, and nowhere I’ll go without supporting you. That’s the same promise I give to contestants and the audience. You can’t mess this up. I’ve got you.”

Despite his generosity as a host, Walberg admits that he can be cutthroat when the roles are reversed. “If I were a contestant, I’d win,” he laughed. “I do puzzles all the time. I’ve been on three celebrity game shows, and I won all three. As a host, I’m forgiving and loving, but as a contestant, I’m out for blood.”

Having hosted live versions of Price is Right, Family Feud, and Let’s Make a Deal, Walberg says Family Feud is the easiest game to host because “everything’s funny, all you have to do is get out of the way.” By contrast, he calls Let’s Make a Deal one of the most challenging shows to host because of its numerous twists and permutations. Along the way, he was mentored by none other than broadcasting legend Dick Clark. “I started my career in his office as a PA (production assistant), and he took a shine to me. He was graceful, classy, and intelligent. I learned everything from him.”

When it comes to live shows, Walberg says every audience brings its own unique energy. “Small towns are my favourite — there’s this kind of yummy, homey vibe that happens,” he said. “And honestly, I fall in love with Canadian audiences. There’s a civility and inclusivity here that I miss and I’m grateful for.”

For Walberg, game shows may appear to be superficial fluff, but they serve a deeper purpose. “The world is so divided, with plenty to worry about and disagree on. But for 90 minutes, we all come into the same room because we love this game show. That gives me hope. If we can connect here, we can connect somewhere else. It’s not just entertainment — it’s a reminder that we’re not so different once we take our jerseys off.”

And of course, there are prizes. Each night, contestants can win trips, electronics, or up to $10,000 in cash. But in a unique twist, one lucky audience member takes home the exact same prize without even playing. “It’s America’s Game, but here it’s Thunder Bay’s game too,” Walberg said. “I promise I’ll do my best to make it fun for you.”

For Walberg, a game show is never just about spinning a wheel or solving a puzzle. It’s about the simple joy of strangers gathering to laugh, cheer, and share an experience. In a world that often feels divided, Wheel of Fortune Live offers Thunder Bay a rare chance to pause the noise and enjoy being part of something together. On October 7, the wheel will spin, the letters will light up, and for 90 minutes, the only thing that matters is having fun.