Wheel of Fortune (Seasons 1-20, 38)
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Wheel of Fortune is a game show that ran from 1975 to 1991 in the daytime, and since 1983 on syndication.
Why These Seasons Rock
- Great hosting from Chuck Woolery, Pat Sajak, and Bob Goen, with Susan Stafford and Vanna White deserving a special mention. Even the UK version had its fair share of great hosts in Nicky Campbell, Bradley Walsh, John Leslie, Carol Smillie, and Jenny Powell.
- Amazing "hangman meets roulette" format.
- Funny moments.
- Catchy theme song, "Changing Keys".
- Enthusiastic announcing from Charlie O'Donnell, Jack Clark, and Jim Thornton.
- Clever puzzle writing (at least until Prize Puzzles came full-time in 2003).
- Nice-looking sets.
- Spawned many international versions. (UK, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil, etc.)
- Spawned a kid-friendly spin-off called: "Wheel 2000" but that didn't last for very long.
- November 5, 2010: Contestant Caitlin Burke, made a one-letter solve in the Prize Puzzle Round.
Bad Qualities
- The show went downhill when Prize Puzzles were introduced in Season 21. It redeemed itself in Season 38. However, it went downhill again in Season 39. Some unwanted changes to the music and the set have occurred, as well as the replacement of Vanna White with Pat Sajak's daughter Maggie.
- M.G. Kelly was too mellow for an announcer.
- Rolf Benirschke, while not too bad, was clearly awkward and inexperienced.
- January 4, 2010: In the first round, 3 military guys mispronounced the puzzle. (Shane Dillon: REGIS PHILBRIN & KELLY RIPA; George LeTourneau: REGIS PHILBIN AND KELLY REEPA; Shane Dillon: REGIS PHILMIN & KELLY RIPA; Lee Paschen: REGIS PHILBIN AND KELLY RIPEA; George LeTourneau made a correct pronunciation: REGIS PHILBIN & KELLY RIPA).
- January 7, 2011: After failing the bonus round, contestant David Gilbreath asked Pat, "Show me something small, Pat." But, it was $100,000 as Pat told him to open the envelope.
- April 11, 2014: Contestant Julian Batts mispronounced "MYTHOLOGICAL HERO ACHILLES as AY-CHIL-LES (Ate U Us)" in the first round, "THE WORLD'S FASTEST CAR", but it's actually "THE WORLD'S FASTEST MAN" in the Prize Puzzle/Express Round, and "ON THE SPOT DICESPIN", but it's "ON THE SPOT DECISION" in the Final Spin Round.
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