I couldn't resist opening up another host debate. Who is the better WOF host? Chuck Woolery or Pat Sajak? (Or were you partial to Rolf or Bob? :-)
First the two biggies
Chuck Woolery- Chuck has a unique style. He wasn't Mr. Game Show (still isn't) and for the most part, handled everything with great ease. One unique thing about Chuck is his ability to make mistakes, laugh it off, and move on with the game without losing any footing. In the early years of Wheel, Chuck was also very much a cheerleader for the Wheel. He would mellow out as the series progressed, but he still had his own way of talking when the wheel was spinning ("Going into good money territory... $500, can you hold it?) Another thing that was very apparent was the great chemistry he had with Susan Stafford, and Susan spoke very kindly of Chuck on E THS. He left Wheel with class, but as mentioned before, the current Wheel pretty much ignores Chuck's version when acknowledging the show's success.
Pat Sajak- When Merv wanted to replace Chuck, he obviously wanted another non traditional host, and Pat certainly fits the bill. Pat was, and never will be "Mr. Excitement". One possible comparison to Pat Sajak might be Allen Ludden. A $10,000 space on the wheel gets the same reaction as a $200 space. However, Pat had a unique sense of humor that Merv felt fit in nicely with Wheel. However, as we all know Wheel has made many changes over the years, and isn't really the same show it was in 1983. We can't really blame Pat Sajak for that. However, with the increased commercial time, as well as endless prize plugs, Pat just doesn't have the time to do the crazy things he used to do. Also, you can't help but wonder if after 23 years... is he getting tired of Wheel?
And now the "honorable" mentions
Rolf- Rolf was basically a cross between Chuck Woolery and Pat Sajak. He had the mellow, "No Mr. Excitement" quality of Pat Sajak, and if you watch the show objectively enough, he does sometimes come up with very witty things to say. Also, his interview portions with the players at the start isn't really that bad.
As Joe Raygor would agree to, Rolf did imorove as the series progressed, but when the show moved to CBS, they opted for someone else...
Bob Goen- Bob basically did what he could... he wasn't bad, but for me, he really didn't do too much to make Wheel interesting or exciting. He never struck me as funny. Of course, Bob cannot be blamed for the laughably low budget ($50 spaces on the wheel, and only $100 to buy a vowel!)
