25 Things you didn't know of WOF

[rwalker]

http://www.wheeloffortune.com/wwc/25things/

[abba]

[quote name=\'rwalker\' post=\'198408\' date=\'Sep 28 2008, 07:25 PM\']
http://www.wheeloffortune.com/wwc/25things/
[/quote]
I knew about some of those things.

[TheLastResort]

That freakin' wheel ways TWO TONS??!  What the hell is it made of, solid lead??!

[Joe Mello]

Decent list, but now I have to waste the rest of the night thinking what the original six categories were.

/Person, Place, Thing, Phrase
//Event, Title?

[Hastin]

Wheel of Fortune debuted in 1975 as an NBC daytime program with Chuck Woolery as host. The syndicated version debuted in 1983.

Wait, so you're telling me that [insert GSF meme here]!?

[JerrysFeudinAgain]

Is that wheel watcher pic from the mid-80's? Looks so retro.

[JakeT]

[quote name=\'rwalker\' post=\'198408\' date=\'Sep 28 2008, 06:25 PM\']
http://www.wheeloffortune.com/wwc/25things/
[/quote]
 
While the article (to me) is mildly interesting and slightly entertaining, what really screams out at me is just how ridiculous the article's claim that all the statements listed were things that people didn't know about WoF.  While a handful out of the 25 might contain new and surprising information to your average viewer, nearly as many of the statements are almost certain to be common knowledge to the average or even casual viewer and there are even a couple of the statements that contain either false or inaccurate information.  

I guess I'm just really not much of a fan of articles that begin with the supposition that the people who are reading the article are either less informed or less knowledgeable than the author.

Uh-oh...another cranky Sunday...sorry about that...

Jake

[Matt Ottinger]

A "used letterboard" positioned at the side of the Wheel of Fortune stage helps contestants stay focused on the puzzle solving.

Wow, that's fascinating.  They really ought to mention the "used letterboard" on the air every once in a while, especially when somebody accidentally repeats a letter or something.

[Jimmy Owen]

I sometimes wonder why the used letterboard isn't shown on TV. They could at least keep a running tally on screen for people at home who want to play along but just tuned in.  
 
I haven't really watched an entire show from start to finish for twenty years or so, but I knew at least three of the items on that list!

[jmangin]

[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'198420\' date=\'Sep 28 2008, 09:36 PM\']
I sometimes wonder why the used letterboard isn't shown on TV. They could at least keep a running tally on screen for people at home who want to play along but just tuned in.  
[/quote]
If they did that, where would they put the category/jackpot/running totals from previous rounds/prize puzzle logo/no more vowels graphic/Hot Pockets sponsorship?

[Casey]

[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'198420\' date=\'Sep 28 2008, 07:36 PM\']
I sometimes wonder why the used letterboard isn't shown on TV. They could at least keep a running tally on screen for people at home who want to play along but just tuned in.  
[/quote]
And it isn't even unprecedented - all of the WoF computer games back in the 80s did exactly that (actually, it was an "unused letter" board, but the result was the same).  

But today, they'd have to find someone to sponsor its display.

[Jeremy Nelson]

[quote name=\'isucgv\' post=\'198424\' date=\'Sep 28 2008, 09:19 PM\']And it isn't even unprecedented - all of the WoF computer games back in the 80s did exactly that (actually, it was an "unused letter" board, but the result was the same). [/quote]
I think the "unused letter" board has been in every game so far, actually- even the ones in the '90s and 2000s.

But today, they'd have to find someone to sponsor its display.

Alpha Bits? Hooked on Phonics?

[clemon79]

[quote name=\'jmangin\' post=\'198422\' date=\'Sep 28 2008, 07:11 PM\']
Hot Pockets sponsorship?[/quote]
Approves

[Robert Hutchinson]

I believe that the show's used letter board is also, technically, an "unused" letter board. Or at least it was back when Goen was hosting. If it still looks like it used to, they might not show it now because it's shamefully low-tech. (Or possibly because it would make it harder to edit out three passed turns in a row, like they like to do now.)

[chad1m]

[quote name=\'Robert Hutchinson\' post=\'198433\' date=\'Sep 29 2008, 12:41 AM\']If it still looks like it used to, they might not show it now because it's shamefully low-tech.[/quote]According to a former contestant...
[quote name=\'Steve McClellan\' post=\'79315\' date=\'Mar 24 2005, 05:19 PM\'][T]here is a plasma screen to the left of the puzzle board that I don't believe has ever appeared on camera. This screen contains the letters of the alphabet (removed as they're called), the category of the current puzzle, the Jackpot amount (when applicable), and the flashing words "PRIZE PUZZLE" (when applicable).[/quote]