The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: Dbacksfan12 on June 09, 2006, 05:37:55 AM
-
Let's say that you are given a 7-day position as executive producer of Wheel of Fortune, running a theme week. However, you are told you get to make one change to the show that will be permanent for a year, and perhaps longer.
What do you change?
There, Brandon...hopefully I made it clear. :)
-
[quote name=\'Modor\' post=\'120800\' date=\'Jun 9 2006, 05:37 AM\']
Let's say that you are given a 7-day position as executive producer of Wheel of Fortune, running a theme week. However, you are told you get to make one change to the show that will be permanent for a year.
What do you change?
[/quote]
Can the toss-ups. To me, it slows down the pace of the show. The show seemed somewhat looser before they added the toss-ups, and it was still pretty enjoyable.
Of course, someone's gonna suggest more than one idea...as soon as they do, I'll give you the rest of my ideas. ;-)
-
I'll go with the Toss Ups as well. I mean c'mon, the first one essentially determines who gets to talk to Uncle Pat. Whooptee-tinkle!
-
I like the toss-ups. I can live with thousands of dollars on the wheel. If I were in charge, "Wheel of Fortune" would get a big tranquilizer dart. The show does not need to be on "Manic" the whole time. Part of why Wheel time was family time (back in the day) was because you could watch, and still talk to everyone. You can't do that now, because there's huge applause for spinning $300, or finding a letter. And if that letter is in the puzzle, the contestant goes into fits of rapturous delight.
If the show were just quieter, everything else would be tolerable.
-
Two words: CERAMIC DALMATIAN.
-
I had to comment on this...
RETURNING CHAMPIONS
That's all! If they did that, I could live with the toss-ups for next 10 years or so...
-
Up the ante on the $100,000 bonus space every time it goes unwon.
Mo' Money Syndrome? Sure it is. But I'm the producer and I wish it.
-
Everybody hates the toss-ups...but as per the thread, ExecutiveProducerdude doth declare that there shall remain one, the last one, to be played as normal.
May not be a popular one, but hey?
-
Everybody hates the toss-ups...but as per the thread, ExecutiveProducerdude doth declare that there shall remain one, the last one, to be played as normal.
I definitely disagree with this...I happen to like the toss-ups. Yeah; that first one is pretty much pointless except to give some money away, but they're a nice way to reward good puzzle-solvers and not those who get lucky with the wheel. Also, it's a great play-along part; how fast can you get it? Would you have beaten the players on the show?
My change would have to do with wheel amounts in the later rounds: there is such a big difference between the big money space and the normal spaces in the later rounds, and I think there should be at least some amounts like in the "good ol' days." Perhaps a $1500 space, maybe a $1000 space, or how about even a $2000 space for the final round? Then Pat wouldn't have to hit $5000 every time to make the final round exciting...:).
Anthony
-
[quote name=\'beatlefreak84\' post=\'120899\' date=\'Jun 9 2006, 03:02 PM\']
Everybody hates the toss-ups...but as per the thread, ExecutiveProducerdude doth declare that there shall remain one, the last one, to be played as normal.
I definitely disagree with this...I happen to like the toss-ups. Yeah; that first one is pretty much pointless except to give some money away, but they're a nice way to reward good puzzle-solvers and not those who get lucky with the wheel. Also, it's a great play-along part; how fast can you get it? Would you have beaten the players on the show?
My change would have to do with wheel amounts in the later rounds: there is such a big difference between the big money space and the normal spaces in the later rounds, and I think there should be at least some amounts like in the "good ol' days." Perhaps a $1500 space, maybe a $1000 space, or how about even a $2000 space for the final round? Then Pat wouldn't have to hit $5000 every time to make the final round exciting...:).
Anthony
[/quote]
My thoughts are along similar lines, although the Mystery Round already implements a de facto $1000 wedge in Round 3. But yeah, Round 4 should have another 4-figure amount on the wheel, like it used to.
-
I like two of the three toss-ups. I wouldn't mind dropping the first one, but since I only get to make one change...
I'd get rid of any on-screen graphics that were not the puzzle category or the jackpot amount. Say good-bye to "NO MORE VOWELS," "TOSS-UP," and "FINAL SPIN." They don't even use "FINAL SPIN" in a way that lets them cover up an edit if the wheel lands on Bankrupt or Lose a Turn.
--
Scott Robinson
-
Do we need the "relationship seat" on WOF, too? Only let significant others on camera if the puzzle is solved.
-
[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'120908\' date=\'Jun 9 2006, 05:13 PM\']
Do we need the "relationship seat" on WOF, too? Only let significant others on camera if the puzzle is solved.
[/quote]
I actually like the way they introduce the rooting section. Seems like a nice throwback...reminds me of the Beat the Dragon game from TTD.
These aren't my suggestions for changes, but I could do without showing the family jump up and down in response to a successful puzzle solve...could also do without the slow-mo instant replay of the win during the credits. Show the audience, show the puzzleboard, show Pat and Vanna talking to the contestant, but the instant replay is just corny, it looks like they got some new video editing equipment that they couldn't wait to show off.
-
[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'120882\' date=\'Jun 9 2006, 01:34 PM\']
Up the ante on the $100,000 bonus space every time it goes unwon.
Mo' Money Syndrome? Sure it is. But I'm the producer and I wish it.
[/quote]
I would add more variety to the Prize Puzzles (ie, home entertainment systems, tickets to big sporting events, new kitchens, etc.) It needn't be a trip every single day.
Brian
The X-Men are comic GOOD superheroes?
-
Vowels are now $500. Pat can say something about inflation finally kicking in.
Is it likely to make people angry? Yes.
Do I care? Nope, I'm only getting paid to be exec producer for one week. To heck with the show. =P
-
How about doing what used to be done often in the final speed up round during the shopping era: play that round(or one round per show) for the amount won on a gift certificate or gift card(from Sony or otherwise). Perhaps do this instead of the gift tags.
-
Can the toss-ups as well.
Good thing nobody said "bring back the mystery wedge". I always loved the "Free Spin" wedge though.
-
Actually, there's a "What would you change for the new season?" thread going on right now on the show's message board.
I'd overhaul the Bonus Round. Have a fairly large puzzle, reveal the category but no letters to start. On the wheel are spaces ranging from $1000 to $5000, maybe some high-end gift tags and a car or two, maybe a one-peg-wide $10,000 like the one in Round 1, but no Bankrupts or Lose a Turns. The contestant gets five spins. They play a big-bucks solo round of the front game with no risk. Land on a space, call a consonant, if it's in the puzzle, the money/prize goes into your bank. After you've spun five times, you may buy vowels at $1000 apiece (assuming that you've accumulated enough money). Solve the puzzle within five/ten seconds after the last letter is revealed, and win what's in your bank.
From my perspective as a former contestant, I like the Toss-Ups, and not just because I won two of them. :) I agree that there should be more variety on the Wheel, including more four-digit spaces.
Returning champs and/or progressive jackpots wouldn't work, because the weeks of shows don't air in the order in which they're taped, and occasionally one episode will even air out of taping order.
John
-
I always thought they could modify the bonus round by having a wheel with consonants and a small one for the vowel to determine the letters for the final puzzle. That way the writers wouldn't have to go out of their way to create puzzles that don't have the freebie letters as they seem to do now.
-
[quote name=\'saussage\' post=\'120940\' date=\'Jun 9 2006, 09:20 PM\']
Can the toss-ups as well.
Good thing nobody said "bring back the mystery wedge".
[/quote]
How can you bring back something that's still in use? And furthermore, even if someone had said it, what were you gonna to do them -- smash 'em upside the head?
-
Revamp the categories. They've gotten too many in number, and too specific (Does it really matter whether it's a living thing or an inanimate one?)
Cut them down to the basics, plus (where applicable) a version that refers to one specific instance of that category, like:
Person/Proper Name
Place/On the Map
Thing/Trademark
Phrase/Quotation
Event/Historic Event
Title
I could take or leave the bonus categories ("Who is it?" and "Where are we?") personally, so I'd leave them for continuity's sake.
-
[quote name=\'brianhenke\' post=\'120920\' date=\'Jun 9 2006, 05:06 PM\']
I would add more variety to the Prize Puzzles (ie, home entertainment systems, tickets to big sporting events, new kitchens, etc.) It needn't be a trip every single day.
[/quote]
See, Henke... that was a decent post.
Anyway, the suggestion of returning champions was already made, so how about this one: Drop Charlie O's voice over segment between the final puzzle and the farewell. Have Vanna walk over in front of the wheel with Pat and the contestant and say goodbye. It just seems odd for continuity's sake the way they do it now, and I don't like them kicking the contestant off stage to bring them back again.
Brandon Brooks
-
I would bring back the category "Really Long Title". I feel it was underused.
-
Perhaps saussage is thinking of the Surprise wedge?
John: I think that format might be a little broken. The crafty contestants (of which Wheel has few, sadly) are going to get RSTLN and (probably) however many vowels they want/need--and with large puzzles, they'll still stand a good chance of losing. Everyone else, excepting a few flukes, is going to call the H after the T because they know how to spell "the", repeat letters, and try to solve when they don't know it and can still buy vowels. One of the good things about the current bonus round is that, if the contestant is without a clue, it's all over much faster.
Jimmy: Are you going to assign the letters on the wheels randomly, or will they be tailored to the puzzles? I'm getting visions of kids on Wheel 2000 spending half the show on a stunt only to earn all the Xs, Qs, and Js in the puzzle.
Now that I'm done whining, well, my suggestion was sort of offered already. But rather than giving the show a tranquilizer, I would want a better crop of contestants. That's a valid single change, right? "Hey, guys. Don't bring in contestants who can't figure out that the three arrows on the wheel *might* mean that everyone has their own to watch. Thanks." That would probably take care of the hyperactivity problem, as the smarter contestants would just ignore the exhortations of the Wheel staff (and Pat would get fewer migraines).
(But seriously. If your bonus round puzzle is an EVENT, and you get _ _ _ _ N _ / _ / _ _ _ E, and you call an I and a G, I will laugh at you so much.)
-
If I'd run WoF, one of the things I liked back in the mid 90's was the daily tournament format where the top 3 winners during the first 4 shows of the week come back on Fridays. Ah yes! The Friday Finals! Boy do I miss those. Not only will it work on regular weeks but on location weeks too.
-
I would make some trips available in the bonus round.
-
[quote name=\'Craig Karlberg\' post=\'120956\' date=\'Jun 10 2006, 03:42 AM\']
If I'd run WoF, one of the things I liked back in the mid 90's was the daily tournament format where the top 3 winners during the first 4 shows of the week come back on Fridays. Ah yes! The Friday Finals! Boy do I miss those. Not only will it work on regular weeks but on location weeks too.
[/quote]
I'm agreeing with Karlberg. Has Hell frozen over yet? ;-)
Seriously, that was a nifty idea that should've stuck around longer. I thought the bonus prize they gave to the tournament winner was a nice touch too.
-
[quote name=\'Robert Hutchinson\' post=\'120955\' date=\'Jun 10 2006, 01:39 AM\']
But rather than giving the show a tranquilizer, I would want a better crop of contestants. That's a valid single change, right? "Hey, guys. Don't bring in contestants who can't figure out that the three arrows on the wheel *might* mean that everyone has their own to watch. Thanks." That would probably take care of the hyperactivity problem, as the smarter contestants would just ignore the exhortations of the Wheel staff (and Pat would get fewer migraines).
(But seriously. If your bonus round puzzle is an EVENT, and you get _ _ _ _ N _ / _ / _ _ _ E, and you call an I and a G, I will laugh at you so much.)
[/quote]
BAKING A CAKE?
The contestant staff made it clear to us that "juice" or enthusiastic personality is more important to them in a potential player than actual puzzle-solving skills. Although there are both oral and written puzzle tests at the auditions, a good score doesn't automatically get you on the show and a bad one doesn't disqualify you.
Case in point: On the show that taped immediately after mine, a woman had three incorrect solves over the course of her game, including guessing CHEESE GRATER for an "Around the House" Toss-Up puzzle whose first word had eight letters and second word had seven. She blew a Prize Puzzle when, with one blank remaining, she said "NEW FAT" instead of "FEW" (as in LEARNING A _EW SPANISH PHRASES for a trip to Panama). I forget the third one.
And she won the game.
Then she lost the bonus round (and a car) because, on a "Happy Holidays"-themed show which was to air Christmas week, she couldn't get THING:
_ _ L E
L _ G
She kept thinking the second word was LEG when the blank obviously wasn't an E.
John
-
[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'120968\' date=\'Jun 10 2006, 01:37 PM\']
I'm agreeing with Karlberg. Has Hell frozen over yet? ;-)
Seriously, that was a nifty idea that should've stuck around longer. I thought the bonus prize they gave to the tournament winner was a nice touch too.
[/quote]
I'm agreeing with Karlberg *and* Henke...Both very good ideas.
I also like JohnHolder's idea of increasing the cost of vowels.....When every space on the wheel is more than the cost of 1 vowel, that's too easy.
-
[quote name=\'JohnHolder\' post=\'120969\' date=\'Jun 10 2006, 01:39 PM\']BAKING A CAKE?[/quote]
That was what I had in mind, yes. It's not the main game, folks! You get no money for placing letters you already know.
I noticed at least a couple of times this season that Pat has actually started explaining why some of the contestants were doomed to fail. The E was already called, there aren't five letters in SESQUIPEDALIAN, etc. I wish Pat would just give up and turn completely snarky with the players.
I don't think contestants even consider vowels to have a cost any more, since buying them is such a drop in the bucket. Yeah, some of it could be the IQ levels in general, but look at how often contestants will try to buy vowels lately when they've only got a gift tag.
-
I said:
[quote name=\'JohnHolder\' post=\'120969\' date=\'Jun 10 2006, 01:39 PM\']
Case in point: On the show that taped immediately after mine, a woman had three incorrect solves over the course of her game <snip> I forget the third one.[/quote]
I remembered that someone had mentioned this episode on the WoF page of jumptheshark.com, so I looked it up.
Her third Moment of Idiocy wasn't an incorrect solve, exactly. She tried to buy the vowel S.
John
-
Of the ideas I've heard so far, I really like bringing in contestants who can play the game and dropping the toss-ups. (I'd settle for having one at the beginning and one after every third puzzle.)
I'd make a change in the bonus round: After the LSTRNE are revealed, only let them choose three letters, with at most one vowel, BUT: They reveal each letter, if it's there, before you choose the next one. (And if this doesn't count as a separate change, I'd add that if you call a letter twice, or call LSTNRE, tough luck, that's the call you made.)
-
You can bet "Listerine" will never appear as a bonus puzzle.
-
[quote name=\'Jay Temple\' post=\'121019\' date=\'Jun 10 2006, 09:38 PM\']
I'd make a change in the bonus round: After the LSTRNE are revealed, only let them choose three letters, with at most one vowel, BUT: They reveal each letter, if it's there, before you choose the next one.
[/quote]
I'm not sure why you're making one of the easiest bonus games in the history of the genre even easier.
-
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'121023\' date=\'Jun 10 2006, 11:18 PM\']
[quote name=\'Jay Temple\' post=\'121019\' date=\'Jun 10 2006, 09:38 PM\']
I'd make a change in the bonus round: After the LSTRNE are revealed, only let them choose three letters, with at most one vowel, BUT: They reveal each letter, if it's there, before you choose the next one.
[/quote]
I'm not sure why you're making one of the easiest bonus games in the history of the genre even easier.
[/quote]
Because it's easy to randomly make changes to game shows when you're a casual fan and have no restrictions like time per act, prize budget, or millions of fans that will switch over to "Entertainment Tonight" if their favorite game show is changed.
Here's something to consider: something along the lines of the Australian version. The daily winner spins for their prize, and must pay out of their winnings for any consonants past three, and they only get one vowel. Each consonant chosen costs $5,000 out of their total winnings. You must call for all of your consonants at the same time, so you can't call for a Q, a Z, a 4 and another Q; see that they came up blank and then call for an R. All at once.
Solve it and win the contents of the envelope. Fail to solve, and you go home with the leavings.
-
[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'121020\' date=\'Jun 11 2006, 01:00 AM\']
You can bet "Listerine" will never appear as a bonus puzzle.
[/quote]
No, but it could be a prize puzzle for contestants with bad breath.....;)
-
[quote name=\'TLEberle\' post=\'121032\' date=\'Jun 11 2006, 09:50 AM\']Here's something to consider: something along the lines of the Australian version. The daily winner spins for their prize, and must pay out of their winnings for any consonants past three, and they only get one vowel. Each consonant chosen costs $5,000 out of their total winnings. You must call for all of your consonants at the same time, so you can't call for a Q, a Z, a 4 and another Q; see that they came up blank and then call for an R. All at once.[/quote]
You forgot the Batman symbol. :-)
About this idea, no no no no no. Please keep anything from the Australian show as far away from the States as possible. As much as I dislike what our Wheel has become in the past decade, the Aussie show is significantly worse. Travis' idea would work in my mind if you had returning champs, where a multiple-day winner might risk $10K or $15K to get the info needed to win $25K+. The inequity of a daily, non-returning champ potentially winning less than either or both opponents doesn't sit well with me.
-
[quote name=\'hmtriplecrown\' post=\'121045\' date=\'Jun 11 2006, 11:16 AM\'] [quote name=\'TLEberle\' post=\'121032\' date=\'Jun 11 2006, 09:50 AM\']You must call for all of your consonants at the same time, so you can't call for a Q, a Z, a 4 and another Q; see that they came up blank and then call for an R. All at once.[/quote]
You forgot the Batman symbol. :-)[/quote]
And the third Q.
-
[quote name=\'hmtriplecrown\' post=\'121045\' date=\'Jun 11 2006, 09:16 AM\']
About this idea, no no no no no. Please keep anything from the Australian show as far away from the States as possible.
[/quote]
I'm no fan of the Australian show's prize budget, but there are quite a few lessons in terms of production that we could stand to learn from their show.
I think Travis's idea could kinda work, with a little tweaking. Here's what I'm thinking: Contestant gets three consonants and a single vowel. They get lit up. Then you pull an All-Star Blitz and tell they player they can buy up to two extra consonants for the low low price of $5000 per.
It would never make air because the downer of someone blowing ten grand AND losing the bonus game would not be an acceptable ending to the show, but it would make the round a damn sight more interesting.
-
Since it came up, I have this question about the Australian version. Last week, some guy got on the show, spun up $7,000 and change, and muffed the bonus puzzle. He comes back the next day, wins another $4,000 or so, and can now choose seven consonants and one vowel. He easily solves his puzzle, and I don't remember what happens to him after that.
My question: is that just score money? A five day champion would have at least $10,000 in cash alone, but Larry doesn't say "You've won $13,959 in cash and prizes," leading me to believe that you only take home prizes from winning a round or the Prize Puzzle Flip Up between rounds one and two. If anything, it would be nice to take home a few hundred bucks if someone else managed to solve all three puzzles.
-
If I had one chance to freshen up WoF...
<*ding* "The Captain has just turned on the 'Fasten Seat Belt' Light>
It's time to send Pat & Vanna out to pasture! Lets find a host and hostess dynamic duo who are more like Chuck & Susan. I want a host who can do color commentary as the wheel spins like Chuck did. I want a hostess who can be a little more animated and do more than clap and/or activate a monitor and does not have to be showy with their outfits du jour.
Perhaps new blood will beget a new attitude and atmosphere for the show. I'd love someone who will make comments about the ever-changing set and contestant brain farts -- ala a George Gray or David Letterman.
-
[quote name=\'TimK2003\' post=\'121234\' date=\'Jun 12 2006, 09:03 PM\']
It's time to send Pat & Vanna out to pasture! Lets find a host and hostess dynamic duo who are more like Chuck & Susan.
[/quote]
Not to sound like a fanb0i, but it just sounds like it has disaster written all over it. I say that because people have been able to identify with Pat and Vanna for so long, and I have a feeling a lot of people (esp. the elderly) would go apeshit over something like that.
It's almost like how people are gonna jump out of windows when Bob hangs it up.
-
Putting aside my personal desire not to recreate a game with "Free Spin territory" discussion from the host, and flagless semaphore motions from the hostess, I'm far from sure that replacing Pat and Vanna would be the key to such an adjustment. I especially feel that Pat's natural wit is often restrained by the editing and the current caliber of contestants.
-
[quote name=\'TimK2003\' post=\'121234\' date=\'Jun 12 2006, 08:03 PM\']
It's time to send Pat & Vanna out to pasture! Lets find a host and hostess dynamic duo who are more like Chuck & Susan.
[/quote]
No, no, no, no, no. That would absolutely kill the show, especially if they got rid of Vanna because they could. I do think Pat is more dispensible, but the show would suffer some sort of repurcussions.
This of course doesn't speak to their abilities, which of course are pretty good. I do have to admit that I liked Chuck and Susan better.
Brandon Brooks
-
[quote name=\'TimK2003\' post=\'121234\' date=\'Jun 12 2006, 08:03 PM\']
It's time to send Pat & Vanna out to pasture! Lets find a host and hostess dynamic duo who are more like Chuck & Susan.
[/quote]
Or, if we can't find a new Chuck and Susan, the board can operate itself and I hear Rolf Benirschke is available...
-
[quote name=\'Brandon Brooks\' post=\'121251\' date=\'Jun 12 2006, 08:02 PM\']
No, no, no, no, no. That would absolutely kill the show, especially if they got rid of Vanna because they could. I do think Pat is more dispensible, but the show would suffer some sort of repurcussions.[/quote] You're absolutely right. The show would become infinitely more watchable. Pat hasn't been funny in years. That may be because his good lines are cut, but I dunno.
I don't have the allegiance to Vanna...sure, she does the bonus round prize copy, and that's all fine and good, but I don't put her on the Game Show Model that others put her on.