The first episode of "Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune" aired tonight - I have to say that I was a little underwhelmed by the experience.
The set is certainly a fancier affair to previous versions (it actually reminds me a little of the German version - Glucksrad) - the Wheel itself is smaller than the original, backlit and can change colour based on the game and round. It is also very lightly sprung - the wheel seems to spin FOREVER. We have indeed gone to cash prizes - all players get to keep the cash they have accumulated from winning their rounds (plus the losing players at the end get a consolation prize as well).
Each episode actually DOES offer a million dollar prize - though your chance of picking it up is minimal - you must spin up the $1,000,000 wedge (which is sandwiched within the solitary "Bankrupt" wedge) in Round 1 only, win that round, then win the entire game, and finally spin the $1,000,000 wedge on the Prize Wheel and solve the puzzle (WHEW!)
Most of the other features of the previous version have remained - Free Spins, Surprise Wedge, Mystery Wedge, Red Letter (doubling the spun amount), Toss Up Puzzles, and Prize Puzzle (which is worth $500 in cash), and the Prize Wheel in the Final Round (offering some decent prizes and a $200,000 cash payout). Players still only receive a single multiple of the spun dollar value - no matter how many of the chosen letter is on the board.
Tim Campbell is far too giggly for my liking - he will need to settle down a little.
The new "Wheel" is OK - but I have a feeling that "Deal" will still give the newcomer a beating in the ratings.
I will try to get a clip up at some stage to show you the new look first hand (when I get time).