Jimmy Connors as daytime WOF host

[johnnya2k3]

According to the E! True Hollywood Story on Wheel, tennis star Jimmy Connors was originally considered to take Sajak's spot as the daytime host. But the higher-ups at NBC thought of a different way to use Connors, and Merv Griffin of course had to go with San Diego Charger Rolf Benirschke, which was probably a fatal mistake. Didn't Merv learn that lesson from how Joe Namath almost got the CBS Family Feud gig until Mark Goodson looked at Ray Combs???

But if NBC didn't stick their noses into Connors' business, I think he would've been great on daytime Wheel should he'd gotten the job. What do you think?

Jonathan Allen

[Dbacksfan12]

[quote name=\'johnnya2k3\' date=\'Feb 26 2005, 05:21 PM\']But if NBC didn't stick their noses into Connors' business, I think he would've been great on daytime Wheel should he'd gotten the job. What do you think?
[/quote]
I think Pat O'Brien should have gotten the nod.

[johnnya2k3]

[quote name=\'Modor\' date=\'Feb 26 2005, 02:24 PM\'][quote name=\'johnnya2k3\' date=\'Feb 26 2005, 05:21 PM\']But if NBC didn't stick their noses into Connors' business, I think he would've been great on daytime Wheel should he'd gotten the job. What do you think?
[/quote]
I think Pat O'Brien should have gotten the nod.

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[/quote]
What did I say about no PO'B talk? LOOK AT THE SIG!!!!!

Anyway...Rolf on WOF was stiff, boring, and put many to sleep. Jimmy Connors would've given the daytime show a breath of fresh air, and made it enjoyable to watch like Sajak was and still is doing on the nighttime version.

And I also read that another tennis great, John McEnroe, was also considered for "Wheel." Man, he would've BOMBED, just like he did with "The Chair" and his unwatchable CNBC talk show!

Jonathan Allen

[Jimmy Owen]

If that had happened, Wheel would still be running today and Jimmy's wife Patti would have eventually won the hearts of America (she had already won the hearts of most teen males in the late '70s) when she replaced Vanna after Ms. White stepped down to focus on the nighttime version.

Shopping would still be a big part of the show.  One of the often offered gag prizes would be one of those automatic tennis ball servers.

[aaron sica]

[quote name=\'johnnya2k3\' date=\'Feb 26 2005, 05:38 PM\']
What did I say about no PO'B talk? LOOK AT THE SIG!!!!!

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[/quote]

And that's exactly why we do it. Because we know it bugs you.

[clemon79]

[quote name=\'johnnya2k3\' date=\'Feb 26 2005, 05:38 PM\']What did I say about no PO'B talk? LOOK AT THE SIG!!!!!
[/quote]
Or else WHAT?
[quote name=\'aaron sica\' date=\'Feb 26 2005, 03:50 PM\']And that's exactly why we do it. Because we know it bugs you.
[/quote]
And 'cuz Pat O'Brien is a television genius.

[Matt Ottinger]

[quote name=\'johnnya2k3\' date=\'Feb 26 2005, 06:21 PM\'] Didn't Merv learn that lesson from how Joe Namath almost got the CBS Family Feud gig until Mark Goodson looked at Ray Combs???[/quote]
Well, um, no, because Merv never actually SAW Joe Namath host Family Feud, now did he?

I'm also amazed about how absolutely certain you are that John McEnroe would have bombed and Jimmy Connors would have been great.  Astonishing how you can judge the hosting skills of tennis players based on your obvious personal like or dislike for them.

I think Pat O'Brien should have been offered the job.  Then he could have his good friend John McEnroe visit from time to time, and they could talk about how Jimmy Connors almost got the job, and wouldn't that have been awful?

[aaron sica]

[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' date=\'Feb 26 2005, 06:51 PM\']
I think Pat O'Brien should have been offered the job.  Then he could have his good friend John McEnroe visit from time to time, and they could talk about how Jimmy Connors almost got the job, and wouldn't that have been awful?

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[/quote]

Johnny Mac visit WoF from time to time??? YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!!!!!!

[Jimmy Owen]

In the spirit of compromise, let's all agree to have Jimmy Connors host and Pat O'Brien turn the letters.  See, doesn't that feel good! When everybody plays nice, everybody wins!

[Jamey Greek]

Yeah!  Jimmy, would have done a good job!  I mean, he was REAL good friends with Merv, and he watched Wheel, every day.  And, he knew the game.  Real good, unlike Rolf, who only watched WOF in snippets.

[clemon79]

[quote name=\'Jamey Greek\' date=\'Feb 26 2005, 07:41 PM\']Yeah!  Jimmy, would have done a good job!  I mean, he was REAL good friends with Merv, and he watched Wheel, every day.  And, he knew the game.  Real good, unlike Rolf, who only watched WOF in snippets.

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You know it's coming, don't you?

Oh yeah. Here it is. Stand back, class is IN SESSION:

Wow.

[bricon]

[quote name=\'johnnya2k3\' date=\'Feb 26 2005, 05:21 PM\']But if NBC didn't stick their noses into Connors' business, I think he would've been great on daytime Wheel should he'd gotten the job. What do you think?

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[/quote]
I think if you had seen Jimmy Connors' audition tape you would change your mind about that pretty fast.

Pat O'Brien would run rings around him.

[tyshaun1]

[quote name=\'bricon\' date=\'Feb 26 2005, 10:52 PM\']Pat O'Brien would run rings around him.

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Pat O'Brien would run rings around everyone. EVERYONE!

Tyshaun

[Don Howard]

[quote name=\'tyshaun1\' date=\'Feb 26 2005, 11:02 PM\']Pat O'Brien would run rings around everyone. EVERYONE!

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I need cold water splashed on me. I almost called Pat's name out by mistake while with the fiancee last night.

[MikeK]

[quote name=\'Don Howard\' date=\'Feb 26 2005, 11:17 PM\'][quote name=\'tyshaun1\' date=\'Feb 26 2005, 11:02 PM\']Pat O'Brien would run rings around everyone. EVERYONE![/quote]
I need cold water splashed on me. I almost called Pat's name out by mistake while with the fiancee last night.[/quote]
I could make an Insider joke right now but I'm better than that.

And I'd love to see Pat O'Brien run for President in '08.