23 Interesting Wheel Of Fortune Facts That No One Told You!
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Merv Griffin's 'Wheel Of Fortune' is an American television game show that first aired in 1975.
The program featured a game in which new contestants answer word puzzles akin to Hangman to win cash and prizes decided by a gigantic bonus wheel. On September 19, 1983, the current version of the game program, which airs nightly in syndication, began.
Pat Sajak and Vanna White feature as the host and co-host, respectively.
The original daytime version of Wheel aired on NBC from January 6, 1975, to June 30, 1989, then on CBS from July 17, 1989, to January 11, 1991, then on NBC again from January 14, 1991, to September 20, 1991, co-existing with the nighttime version from 1983 to 1991.
Chuck Woolery and Susan Stafford presented the original network edition of this puzzle game show. Woolery departed in 1981, and Pat Sajak took his place.
In January 1989, Pat Sajak quit the network version to host his late-night talk program while hosting the night Wheel. In the afternoon, Rolf Benirschke succeeded Pat Sajak, who was replaced by Bob Goen when the network program shifted to CBS. For the second season on NBC, Goen remained the host.
In 1982, Stafford departed the program, and Vanna White took his position, staying on the network show for the remainder of its existence. Since the show's start in 1983, Sajak and Vanna White have presented the nightly edition.
There are also two spin-off game shows of this program. The first was Wheel 2000, a version with kid competitors that aired on CBS and Game Show Network at the same time between 1997 and 1998.
On January 7, 2021, the second season of Celebrity 'Wheel Of Fortune' premiered on ABC. With 7,000 episodes filmed and broadcast as of May 10, 2019, 'Wheel Of Fortune' is the longest-running syndicated game show in the United States.
History Of The 'Wheel Of Fortune'
The first episode of this puzzle show aired on NBC on January 6, 1975, at 10:30 a.m. (9:30 a.m. Central). Griffin sold the show to Lin Bolen, the director of daytime programming at the time, as a way of compensating him for terminating the original 'Jeopardy!' show, which had one year left on its contract.
'Jeopardy!' broadcast its last episode on the Friday before Wheel's launch.
The original Wheel ran on NBC from June 30, 1989, in different time periods between 10:30 a.m. and noon. During the run of that version, episodes were normally 30 minutes long, except for six weeks in December 1975 and January 1976, when they were 60 minutes long.
On July 17, 1989, the network Wheel relocated to CBS, where it stayed until January 14, 1991.
After that, it returned on NBC for a short while, replacing Let's Make a Deal, until being canceled completely on September 20 of the same year. After returning to NBC in 1995, the program relocated to Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California, where it has been ever since.
Winners Of The Wheel Of Fortune
This show had several winners.
Some of the top winners of this show are Dave Andrade, Leanna McLaughlin, Sheri Bank, Matt DeSanto, and Sarah Manchester.
Facts About The Hosts Of The 'Wheel Of Fortune'
When she's not on camera, Vanna White doesn't simply sit around the puzzle board. When she's not turning letters, White enjoys signing photographs, responding to fan mail, and crocheting, among other things.
'Wheel Of Fortune,' believe it or not, was much different when it first aired on television. The game show, which was not even titled 'Wheel Of Fortune' at the time, was known as Shopper's Bazaar because competitors earned phony money that they could use to buy goods.
Vanna White has exuded such composure and confidence throughout her 'Wheel Of Fortune' appearances that it's difficult to imagine her making a mistake. However, it turns out that she once flipped the wrong letter, forcing the show's producers to discard a puzzle and start over with a new one.
Vanna is included in the Guinness Book of World Records as 'Television's Most Frequent Clapper.'
When Merv Griffin, the creator of 'Wheel Of Fortune,' intended to employ Pat Sajak as the show's host, NBC CEO Fred Silverman dismissed the idea, believing Pat was 'too local.'
'Wheel Of Fortune's' current announcer is Jim Thornton. Since 2011, he has served as the show's announcer.
The present version consists of 52 touch screen tv monitors that have been flipped over. In the top and bottom rows, there are 12 each, and in the middle rows, there are 14 each.
How The 'Wheel Of Fortune' Is Played
The game is based on the famous classic game of Hangman. Each round includes a category and a word problem on a letter board and a blank space for each guessed letter and punctuation as required.
Although crossword problems were introduced to the famous Wheel in 2016, the majority of the new puzzle are figures of speech. Instead of a standard category, a hint linking the words in the problem is offered in such rounds.
Contestants win by repeating all of the words in the crossword in any sequence, although they are not allowed to repeat or add any words (such as 'and').
The eponymous 'Wheel Of Fortune' is a roulette-style wheel with 24 slots, the majority of which are labeled with money sums ranging from $500 to $900. There is also a special bonus round in this hosting Wheel.
FAQs
Is 'Wheel Of Fortune' rigged?
No, the Wheel is not rigged in any way.
How much does the Wheel weigh on 'Wheel Of Fortune?'
In the show, only one Wheel exists, and it weighs 2,400 lb (1088 kg).
How many 'Wheel Of Fortune' shows are taped in one day?
Because they've been shooting for so long, the team has the show's production down to a science, and they can shoot up to six episodes in a single day.
Does 'Wheel Of Fortune' dress their contestants?
On 'Wheel Of Fortune,' the show with only one Wheel, there is, of course, a clothing code! It's often referred to as business casual, and the show dresses its contestants.
What is the most that someone has won in 'Wheel Of Fortune?'
Autumn Erhard, who is recognized for winning the greatest reward in 'Wheel Of Fortune' history, won a whopping $1,030,340 during her filming round.
How many bankruptcies are on the 'Wheel Of Fortune' wheel?
The Wheel contains two bankruptcies on it, not counting the million-dollar bankruptcy in the center.
Who won the Winnebago on 'Wheel Of Fortune?'
It was won by Eddie and Joyce Hightower of Tumbling Shoals, Arkansas.
Is Pat Sajak the only host of Wheel?
No, Pat Sajak is not the only host.
Can you take cash instead of prizes on 'Wheel Of Fortune?'
On the highest-rated show, Wheel Of Fortune, cash cannot be exchanged for rewards.
Is there a height requirement for 'Wheel Of Fortune?'
No, there is no height requirement.
How much money does Vanna White make a year on 'Wheel Of Fortune?'
Vanna White makes almost $10 million each year from her involvement in the program.
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