Author Topic: Wheel Of Fortune (Read 12539 times)

Don Howard · « **on:** November 25, 2005, 01:41:05 AM »

Since its premiere in the infancy of the year 1975, Wheel Of Fortune has undergone a bevy of changes. Some good, some great, some not so hot, others annoying.
Changes in personnel in front of and behind the camera and in segments of game play.
Leaving out different hues of colors on certain wheel wedges a Crayola box would be necessary to define accurately, what all has changed about WOF since Charlie O. first invited us to "look at this studio"?
I'll name one and those who want to contribute to this thread's longevity can take over. We are the nearing the 30-year anniversary of the change I'll list: The expansion to an hour on the 1st of December of 1975. Seven weeks later, it was back to thirty minutes.

Strikerz04 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 25, 2005, 01:54:49 AM »

Vowels are still worth $250, despite the temporary fix to lower values some 15 years ago...

Adam Nedeff · « **Reply #2 on:** November 25, 2005, 02:06:48 AM »

Middle of the wheel is still chroma-key ready.

Dbacksfan12 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 25, 2005, 02:07:29 AM »

Introduction of tossups, circa 1996.

I now await Horan to correct me, and someone to type a list of 9 things.

BrandonFG · « **Reply #4 on:** November 25, 2005, 02:23:47 AM »

Addition of a permanent bonus round in late-1981 (I say permanent b/c the hour-long version, as well as promotional "Star Bonus" ep. had their own bonus round as well).

Craig Karlberg · « **Reply #5 on:** November 25, 2005, 04:26:39 AM »

There were 2 categories that appeared during the late 80's & early 90's & soon disappeared. One was MegaWord where a single row was filled with a long word the players had to solve. That lasted a couple years. I didn't mind that category. The other was Foriegn Words/Foriegn Phrases. That one didn't last too long. I couldn't figure out most puzzles in that category & rightfully dropped it.

MCArroyo1 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 25, 2005, 11:09:00 AM »

The lovely Vanna White permanently took over Susan Stafford's role as letter-contacter in 1982.

SRIV94 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 25, 2005, 11:39:46 AM »

The intro of the "all-cash with bonus prizes" format. Never again would anyone have to buy a ceramic dalmation.

Doug

Ian Wallis · « **Reply #8 on:** November 25, 2005, 12:11:58 PM »

The theme music has changed several times, but probably out of necessity. Can you imagaine today's show with the 1975 or 1983 themes? I think only "The Price is Right" has kept a theme longer than about a decade without changing it. Even "Jeopardy's" theme has been redone over the years.

cmjb13 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 25, 2005, 12:26:57 PM »

[quote name=\'Ian Wallis\' date=\'Nov 25 2005, 12:11 PM\']The theme music has changed several times, but probably out of necessity. Can you imagaine today's show with the 1975 or 1983 themes? I think only "The Price is Right" has kept a theme longer than about a decade without changing it. Even "Jeopardy's" theme has been redone over the years.

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Several years ago, the idea was thrown around to replace the main theme with the $1M Spectacular theme.

Thankfully, it never happened.

PYLdude · « **Reply #10 on:** November 25, 2005, 01:56:15 PM »

Back to topic...

The change of said bonus round, first to W-H-E-E-L blind draw, then the bonus wheel.

wheelloon · « **Reply #11 on:** November 25, 2005, 04:27:24 PM »

We can't forget the many additions of what I call special wedges on the Wheel. These include the $10,000 space, the Surprise wedge, the original Jackpot wedge circa 1986, the ill-fated Double Play, the modern Jackpot and Mystery wedges, and the mega overdoses of $1000 gift tags...

Robert Hutchinson · « **Reply #12 on:** November 25, 2005, 04:57:06 PM »

The Free Spin wedge was replaced by a Free Spin on the wheel. I recall being ticked off when they did that.

vtown7 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 26, 2005, 09:00:44 AM »

The constant "champion rule" - no champion in the 80's (please correct me if I'm wrong), 3-day champs around 89 or 90, Friday Finals in 96/97, then no champs at all...

Ryan

JasonA1 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 26, 2005, 09:02:15 AM »

Quote

The constant "champion rule" - no champion in the 80's (please correct me if I'm wrong), 3-day champs around 89 or 90, Friday Finals in 96/97, then no champs at all...

Absolutely correct for nighttime. Daytime, according to some ATGS posts, had a 5-day limit in the early, early days before switching to a 3-day limit for the rest of the run.

-Jason