Wheel of Fortune (often known simply as Wheel) is an American television game show created by Merv Griffin that debuted in 1975. The show features a competition in which contestants solve word puzzles, similar to those used in Hangman, to win cash and prizes determined by spinning a giant carnival wheel.
The current version of the series, which airs in nightly syndication, premiered on September 19, 1983. It stars Pat Sajak and Vanna White as host and co-host.
The original version of Wheel was a daytime series on NBC from January 6, 1975, to June 30, 1989, then on CBS from July 17, 1989, to January 11, 1991, and again on NBC from January 14, 1991, until it was canceled on September 20, 1991, thereby co-existing with the nighttime version from 1983 to 1991.
The network version was originally hosted by Chuck Woolery and Susan Stafford. Woolery left in 1981 and was replaced by Sajak. Sajak left the network version in January 1989 to host his own late-night talk show, while remaining as host of the nighttime Wheel. Sajak was replaced in the daytime by Rolf Benirschke, who was in turn replaced by Bob Goen when the network show moved to CBS; Goen remained as host for the second NBC run. Stafford left in 1982 and was replaced by White, who remained on the network show for the rest of its run.
Jim Thornton has been the show's off-camera announcer since 2010. Charlie O'Donnell served as the show's announcer from its debut until 1980, and again from 1989 until his death in 2010. Jack Clark announced from 1980 to his death in 1988, with M. G. Kelly succeeding him until O'Donnell's return.
Why it Rocks
- November 5, 2010: Contestant Caitlin Burke, made a one-letter solve in the Prize Puzzle Round.
- Million-Dollar Winners:
- Michelle Loewenstein (October 14, 2008),
- Autumn Erhard (May 30, 2013),
- and Sarah Manchester (September 17, 2014).
- February 17, 2015: Contestant Rufus Cumberlander, made a one-letter solve in the Final Spin Round.
- May 30, 2013: In the Bonus Round, contestant Autumn Erhard makes an amazing solve with only two T's and one G "TOUGH WORKOUT." And as a result, she was the second millionaire to win the show after Michelle Loewenstein on October 14, 2008.
- $100,000 winners:
- Douglas Ross (December 19, 2001),
- Bonni Malone & Karen Davey (December 4, 2002),
- Byron Polk (April 24, 2003),
- Taylor Irving & Vlada Miller (February 3, 2005),
- Jessica Derenbecker (November 14, 2005),
- Denise Banks & Ariel Wellman (November 21, 2005),
- Babette Dominguez & Bob Griese (January 24, 2006),
- Robert & Natasha Purdum (February 28, 2006),
- Elyse Thomas (May 15, 2006),
- Kari Merchant (December 5, 2006),
- Peter Buccellato & Julie Roberts (February 13, 2007),
- Shanda Clarke (May 30, 2007),
- Nancy Kenzler (December 21, 2007),
- Jamie Christianson (March 24, 2008),
- Andrew Sewall (October 24, 2008),
- Jackie Caputo & Lorna Lorenzo (November 17, 2008),
- Plezetta West (March 23, 2009),
- Drew Magathan (April 14, 2009),
- Barry Williams (March 18, 2010),
- Mary Anne & Michael Dixon (March 23, 2010),
- Uwimana Waller (October 7, 2010),
- Hillary Light (December 16, 2010),
- Paul Larsen (May 17, 2011),
- Sharon Adams (April 26, 2012),
- Emily Eichelberger (April 30, 2012),
- Kimberly Boggess (October 17, 2012),
- Cat Deobler (November 21, 2012),
- Cindy Kling (December 28, 2012),
- Jeff Ellingson (April 2, 2013),
- Tasha Trujillo (June 11, 2013),
- Molly Kyle (June 4, 2014),
- Rick Galten (February 23, 2015),
- Mike Brannen (April 28, 2016),
- LaToya Williams (May 25, 2016),
- Maggie Good & Louise Hernandez (December 2, 2016),
- Aaron & Karly Mandell (March 21, 2018),
- and Eric Sideras (November 16, 2018).
Bad Qualities
- 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, "ON THE SPOT DICESPIN" in the Final Spin Round.
- September 18, 2015: Contestant Darnel Edmond hops on the Express Lane, and he calls the letter C, which made him fail the Express Round and as a result, it went viral.
- Million-Dollar Losers:
- Whitney Shields (April 2, 2015),
- Grandpa Frank Harary & Laurel Haim (November 15, 2017),
- Eva Klentos (December 21, 2017),
- Kaia Lacy (January 11, 2019),
- and Kristen Andrews (January 16, 2019).
- $100,000 Losers:
- George Palaziol (January 14, 2002),
- Jason Lloyd (October 7, 2002),
- Mike Elling (January 14, 2003),