Wheel of Fortune (U.S. syndicated game show)
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| Wheel of Fortune | |
|---|---|
| File:Wheel of Fortune 25th Anniversary.jpg Wheel of Fortune intertitle commemorating its 25th season. | |
| Created by | Merv Griffin |
| Starring | Pat Sajak, host (1983-present) Vanna White, hostess (1983-present) Charlie O'Donnell, announcer (1989-present) Jack Clark, announcer (1983-1988) M. G. Kelly, announcer (1988-1989) |
| Country of origin |  United States |
| No. of episodes | 4,770 as of January 11, 2008 |
| Original release | |
| Network | Syndicated |
| Release | September 19, 1983 |
Wheel of Fortune is a United States television game show created by Merv Griffin. Three contestants compete against each other to solve a word puzzle, similar to those seen in the game hangman. The name of the show comes from the large wheel that determines the dollar amounts and prizes won (or lost) by the contestants.
The show first aired in 1975 on daytime network television. The current version has been syndicated in prime time access beginning on September 19 1983, and has been the most watched syndicated program since May 1984. It is the longest-running syndicated game show in American television history, and the second-longest in either network or syndication (behind the current CBS version of The Price Is Right, which began airing in 1972). The show is produced by Sony Pictures Television and syndicated by CBS Television Distribution.
Pat Sajak and Vanna White have hosted this version of the show since its debut, and Charlie O'Donnell has been the show's announcer since early 1989. Jack Clark served as the show's announcer until his death in 1988. [1]
Game play
Before taping begins, the players draw numbers to determine their positions on stage. Play proceeds from right to left from the contestant's perspective: from the red player to yellow, then to blue, then back to red.
Categories
The game uses a wide variety of categories for its puzzles. Some are generic, such as "Place" or "Thing." Puzzles frequently refer to popular culture, such as the name of a celebrity, television show, book, song, or sports team. It is also common for puzzles to refer to everyday life, including common activities, foods, or objects usually found somewhere in one's house. Some puzzle categories involve word games which are unique to the show, and others allow a solving player to earn an additional cash prize by answering a question related to it. Prize puzzles (discussed below) offer a player a trip to a destination described by the puzzle.
Toss-Up Puzzles
The game contains three Toss-Up Puzzles. Players are given the category, and the hostess activates the board. Letters are randomly revealed until a player buzzes in and solves the puzzle. An incorrect guess disqualifies the player for the rest of the puzzle. The player solving the first Toss-Up wins $1,000 and is introduced first by the host. The player solving the second wins $2,000 and starts the first round of the game. A $3,000 Toss-Up is played to determine which player will start Round 4.
Spinning the Wheel
The wheel has 24 spaces. These represent cash values, prizes, penalty spaces, two elements for use in the game, and some features which are specific to each round of the game (see below). A player who does not land on a penalty space asks for a consonant. If it is not in the puzzle, play proceeds to the next player. If the letter appears in the puzzle, the hostess reveals all instances of it, and the player is credited with cash or a prize. All descriptions of players being credited with cash or prizes in the remainder of this article assume that the player calls a consonant which appears in the puzzle.
Cash Spaces: A player who spins a cash value is credited with that amount for each instance of that letter in the puzzle. Currently, the minimum cash value on the wheel is $300, and the top value (except as described below) is $2,500 in Round 1, $3,500 in Rounds 2 and 3, and $5,000 in Round 4 onward.
Prize Spaces and Gift Tags: A player who lands on one of these picks it up from the wheel, and wins that prize or gift by solving the puzzle without hitting Bankrupt. If not claimed, these are removed from the wheel after Round 3.
Free Spin: The Free Spin token may be used to continue the player's turn if he solves the puzzle incorrectly, selects a letter that does not appear in the puzzle, or lands on a penalty wedge. The space is also worth $300 per letter. The token is available during the first three rounds.
Wild Card: The Wild Card allows a player who spins a cash value to call an additional consonant for that same value, without spinning again and even if his first guess was not in the puzzle. A player may buy a vowel between the consonants. The Wild Card is lost upon hitting Bankrupt. It also may be used to call a fourth consonant in the Bonus Round.
Penalty Spaces: If a player lands on Lose A Turn, play moves to the next contestant. A player landing on Bankrupt loses his or her turn and any prizes and cash accumulated in the round, including the Wild Card. Previous winnings are not affected. There is one Bankrupt on the wheel throughout the game, a second in Rounds 2 and 3, and three others associated with special wedges as described below.
Bankrupt/$10,000/Bankrupt: Round 1 features a wedge with a $10,000 cash prize surrounded by Bankrupts (see illustration). A player who lands on the $10,000 is credited with that amount of money. This money is not multiplied per letter, and cannot be spent on vowels.
Jackpot: Round 2 features a progressive jackpot which begins at $5,000 and increases by the value of each cash space landed on. A player who lands on the Jackpot space and calls a consonant which appears in the puzzle may try to win the Jackpot by solving the puzzle immediately. Landing on this space also adds $500 per valid consonant to a player's score, and to the Jackpot value itself.
25 Wedge: Round 2 also features a prize wedge marked "25" in commemoration of the syndicated show's 25th anniversary season (2007-08). This prize consists of "25 of something," such as gift certificates from a sponsor, or even $2,500 cash.
Big Money Wedge: Starting with the 25th season, Round 3 features a wedge with a small flat-screen TV monitor initially displaying "Big Money". The value shown on the monitor randomly changes with each spin, among $5,000, $7,500, $25,000, Bankrupt and Lose a Turn. A contestant who lands on the wedge when it displays a cash value is credited with the amount of money on the monitor at the time. The Wild Card may be used here to call an additional consonant for the same amount. After the Big Money amount is claimed, the wedge then becomes a regular $1,000 space. Unlike the normal cash amounts, the Big Money prize is not increased by multiple consonants; however, unlike other cash prizes, it may be spent on vowels.
Mystery Wedges: Round 3 also features the "Mystery wedges," two spaces with question marks. A player landing here may either take $1,000 per letter occurrence, or decline that money and turn over the wedge to reveal either a prize or a Bankrupt. Originally, the Mystery prize was a car; it is now almost always $10,000 in cash. After one Mystery wedge is revealed, the other acts as a $1,000 cash space for the rest of the round. Since 2005, the value of the wedge is shown to the home audience before the contestant makes a decision whether to reveal it.
Buying a vowel
A player who has at least $250 in cash during the current round may choose to buy a vowel for that amount. A flat rate of $250 is deducted from the player's score, and all instances of the requested vowel in the puzzle are revealed; if the vowel is not in the puzzle, the player loses his or her turn along with the $250. The host will notify the players if all vowels contained in the puzzle have been revealed, even if all five vowels have not been called.
Solving the puzzle
The player whose turn it is may guess the solution to the puzzle. If correct, the round ends, the complete puzzle is revealed, and the solving player wins the cash and prizes accumulated. A player who guesses incorrectly loses his turn. Totals less than $1,000 are automatically increased to the "house minimum" of that amount (per player in games with two-member teams). Only the player who solves the puzzle keeps the winnings from that round. The puzzle must be read exactly as it appears, and pronounced correctly, although dialectal variations in pronunciation are generally accepted.
Bonus solution: Occasionally, the solving player is asked a question for an additional cash bonus, currently $3,000. If the puzzle is the first part of a phrase or quotation, the player is asked to give the next line. A player may be asked to identify the author of a book or product associated with a slogan. Players may also be asked to fill in a blank or identify a number associated with the puzzle.
Prize Puzzles award the winner with an additional prize, usually a trip, which is somehow related to the solution (e.g. if the solution is "Fun in the Sun", the prize might be a vacation to a tropical island).
SPIN I.D.: Home viewers in the U.S. are given a chance to win some of the same prizes as the studio players, under the title 'Wheel Watchers Club.' Viewers who sign up on the show's website are given a "Special Prize Identification Number" (S.P.I.N.) A viewer whose number is revealed has 24 hours to go to the website and claim his/her prize, either the trip associated with a Prize Puzzle or a car won by the studio player in the Bonus Round.
Speed-Up Round (Final Spin)
When time is running short in the game, a bell rings. The host spins the wheel, and all remaining consonants in the puzzle are worth $1,000 plus the value of this spin. The Wild Card or Free Spin cannot be used during this portion of the game. The players take turns giving one letter each. A vowel can be called at no cost, but also with no cash value. If the called letter appears in the puzzle, the player has three seconds to solve the puzzle.
End of the game
The player who has won the most wins the game and proceeds to the Bonus Round. Players who fail to earn any cash or prizes on the show are awarded a consolation prize, currently $1,000. If two or more players finish the game with the same score, they play an additional Toss-Up puzzle to determine the winner.
Celebrity weeks: The show sometimes features themed weeks with celebrities paired with contestants. The celebrities play for charity. Each charity receives at least $10,000, and the one represented by the celebrity who plays in the Bonus Round may receive $25,000.
Bonus round
The player who wins the game plays the Bonus Round. The Bonus Wheel consists of 24 wedges, each containing an unmarked envelope. The contestant spins it to determine the prize he will win for solving the puzzle. The contestant is given a puzzle, its category, and the letters R, S, T, L, N, and E as they appear in it. The contestant then selects three more consonants and a second vowel. A contestant who has the Wild Card picks an additional consonant. The selected letters are revealed and the player has ten seconds to solve the puzzle. The player may win a cash amount from $25,000 to $100,000, or one of two cars.
Originally, when the contestants played for prizes rather than cash, the Bonus Round contestant selected one of the larger prizes which had not been won in the main game. Originally, the contestant was not given any letters automatically, but chose five consonants and one vowel, and had 15 seconds to solve the puzzle. Beginning in 1988, the most frequently chosen letters, R, S, T, L, N, and E, were given to the contestant automatically, and the player then selected three more consonants and one more vowel. The time to solve was reduced to ten seconds.
Beginning in 1989, the bonus round no longer allowed the contestants to choose their prize. The player drew an envelope placed behind one of the letters in the word WHEEL. Each prize could only be won once in each week of shows. This format continued until the current Bonus Round format, allowing for a possible $100,000 prize, was adopted in 2001. Since its introduction, the $100,000 bonus prize has been won 15 times.[2]
Retired Gameplay Elements
Wheel of Fortune has utilized a number of production elements in the past that it has since retired from use.
Shopping
Prior to 1987, the game was not played for cash winnings. Money earned in solving a puzzle was used to shop for prizes displayed in the studio, primarily cars, furniture, trips, furs, and jewelry. A particular prize could only be bought once per episode. Each round had a themed prize showcase. The most expensive prizes were available throughout the game and in the Bonus Round. The winner of a round could place all or part of his winnings "On Account," banking (and risking) it to save toward a more expensive prize. Unlike already-purchased prizes, winnings On Account were lost if the player hit Bankrupt or did not win another round of the game. A player who could not buy the least expensive remaining prize was offered a gift certificate in the remaining amount for merchandise from a particular retailer. In 1987, the show adopted a play-for-cash format, which sped up game play by removing the time-consuming shopping segments between puzzles.
Returning champions
From 1989 through 1996, winning contestants could appear on up to three episodes. From 1996 to 1998, a "Friday Finals" format, which had been previously seen on some specialty weeks, was used regularly. The top three winners from the week's first four shows would return to play on Friday, with a Jackpot beginning at $10,000 instead of $5,000. For the first season of this format, the weekly champion also received a prize package. The single-appearance rule used in the show's early years returned in 1998.
Puzzle and wheel elements
From 1992 to 1998, a Surprise space appeared on the wheel, representing a prize which was not revealed unless won. In 1995-96, a Double Play token appeared on the wheel. A player who earned it could turn it in before a future spin to double the spin's value. From 1992 to 1995, some puzzles would contain a set of specially designated, red-colored letters, which could be unscrambled to form another word or phrase. These Red Letter Puzzles were introduced in 1992 as a basis for home viewers to win cash or prizes by guessing the word and submitting a contest entry, and kept through 1995 to provide studio players with additional winnings. In the 1998-2000 seasons, a Puzzler was featured. The winner of a round was given an additional puzzle related to the same topic (for example, DAYTONA BEACH FLORIDA would lead to a Puzzler called AUTO RACING). In 1999-2000, a Preview Puzzle was shown to home viewers near the introduction of the show; it had no bearing on gameplay.
Sets
Puzzle boards
Until 1997, the show used a manually-operated puzzle board. It had 48 spaces in four rows. The board was surrounded by a border of lights which flashed at the beginning and end of the round. When a letter was placed in the puzzle, its space would light up, and the hostess would turn the trilon to reveal it. In February 1997, the show adopted a computerized board. The hostess touches the screen to illuminate a space. This board makes Toss-Up puzzles possible, and reveals a solution instantly. This board contains 52 spaces.
Score displays
Until 2002, the show used eggcrate displays to display scores. These were replaced by LCD monitors, which also display special "Bankrupt" and "Lose a Turn" animations when those spaces are hit. Flat-panel displays were used beginning in 2007.
The Wheel
The Wheel mechanism weighs two tons[3], and is surrounded by light extensions. Until 1997, the wheel featured alternating gold lights and panels. This design was replaced by a metallic blue circle surrounded by gold panels, with several similar paneled spikes going around the wheel. The current LED and glass light extension debuted in 2003.
The Wheel's configuration
Changes
The following is a list of some of the changes over the show's history.
Cash prizes
1984: The top dollar value for Round 1 is raised from $750 to $1,000. 1986: The lowest dollar value on the wheel is increased to $150 in Rounds 1 and 2, and $200 in Round 3. 1987: Shopping is replaced by play for cash. $2,500 becomes the top dollar value for Round 2, $3,500 for Round 3, and $5,000 for Round 4. 1990: Bonus solutions are introduced, at a value of $500. 1995: The value of a bonus solution is raised to $2,000. 1996: The lowest dollar value on the wheel is increased to $250. 1999: The lowest dollar value on the wheel is increased to $300, and $1,000 is added to the value of the Final Spin. 2000: The top dollar value on the wheel is increased to $2,500 in Round 1 and $3,500 in Round 2. Toss-Up Puzzles are introduced. The consolation prize is now $500 in cash. 2004: The value of the Mystery wedges is increased to $1,000. 2005: The "house minimum" and consolation prize are increased to $1,000. 2007: The Free Spin space is also worth $300 per consonant. The Jackpot space is now worth $500 per consonant. The "Big Money" wedge is introduced.
Prizes
1987: A second prize is placed on the wheel in Round 4. 1992: The Surprise wedge is introduced, and used until 1998. 1994: The Bankrupt/$10,000/Bankrupt wedge is introduced. 2000: The $1,000 gift tag is introduced. 2002: The Mystery wedges and a second gift tag are introduced. 2003: Prize Puzzles are introduced. 2004: The SPIN I.D. is introduced for home viewers. 2007: The "25 Prize" is introduced.
Set
1987: A neon "$25,000" sign represents that prize in the Bonus Round. 1988: Diamond-shaped backdrops are introduced for road shows. The neon $25,000 sign is replaced with a grid-like version which is used until 1996. 1989: Production moves to CBS Television City. Chevron-shaped backdrops are now used. 1991: The diamond-shaped road show backdrops are now used full-time. 1992: Asterisk-shaped, firework-like backdrops are used except for road shows. 1994: The puzzle board gets a new border with golden spiked lights. 1995: Production moves to Sony Pictures Studios. 1996: A central video display is introduced. The backdrops are randomized. A single wheel template is now used for the entire game. 1997: The touch-screen puzzle board debuts. Arrow-shaped spires are added to the wheel's lighting. 1998: The backdrops are replaced with a large flat-screen display. Prize wedges are given distinct artistic designs. 2006: The wheel is redesigned for high-definition broadcasting.
Theme music
From 1983 to 1997, the show's theme music was "Changing Keys" by program creator Merv Griffin. Since 1997, the theme has been "Happy Wheels" by Steve Kaplan. Several variations on each theme have been used throughout the years.
Winnings records
| Record | Set by | Amount | Air date |
|---|---|---|---|
| All time winnings, team (returning champions format) |
Peter Argyropolous and Deborah Cohen |
$146,529 | February 1996 (two shows)[4] |
| All time winnings, solo player (returning champions format) |
Mindi Mitola | $146,254 | September 1990 (three shows)[5] |
| One-day team winnings | Christine Denos and Jack Wagner |
$142,550 | February 28, 2006[6] |
| One-day solo winnings | Becca Rhine | $128,177 | February 7, 2007[citation needed] |
| Main game winnings | Lauren Kaufman | $66,350 | October 24, 2005[7] |
Repeat episodes of this version of the show are seen on GSN.
Merchandise
Board games
Numerous board games version of the game have been released by different toy companies. The games are all similar, however, incorporating a wheel, a puzzle display board, fake money and various accessories like free spin tokens.
- Milton Bradley released the first board game in 1975. In addition to all the supplies mentioned above, the game included 20 prize cards (to simulate the "shopping" prizes of the show; the prizes ranged in value from $100 to $3,000). Two editions were released.
- Pressman Toy Corp. released several different editions from 1985 to 1991.
- Tyco/Mattel created three editions from 1992 to 1998
- Parker Brothers released their own version in 1999
- Pressman Toy Corp. has released four editions since 2002, including a 20th Anniversary edition and a Simpsons edition, and retains the rights at present.
Video, arcade, slot, and online games
Mobile game
In 2005, Info Space Games teamed up with Sony Pictures Mobile to create the mobile game Wheel of Fortune for Prizes. Players competed against others across the U.S. in multi-player tournaments for a chance to win daily and weekly prizes.
References
- ^ David Schwartz, Steve Ryan and Fred Wostbrock, The Encyclopedia of TV Game $hows, Third Ed., Checkmark Books, 1999.
- ^ wheeloffortune.com
- ^ http://www.wheeloffortune.com/showguide/history/
- ^ http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-63310222.html
- ^ http://www.classicgameshows.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=61&sid=7aeea6dc4a234cf365df5cf0ee871b1a
- ^ http://www.wheeloffortune.com/showguide/history/
- ^ http://boards.sonypictures.com/boards/showthread.php?t=24389
External links
- Official website
- U-gottaseethis.com A website from Sony with classic Wheel video clips
- Articles with improper non-free content from February 2008
- Wheel of Fortune
- TV word game shows
- American game shows
- First-run syndicated television programs
- Television series by Sony Pictures Television
- Television series by CBS Paramount Television
- Roulette and wheel games
- Mobile phone games
- Sony mobile games
- 1980s American television series
- 1990s American television series
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- 1983 television series debuts