Wheel of Fortune

Wheel of Fortune
Genre	Game show
Creator	Merv Griffin
Presenter	Pat Sajak, Vanna White
Country	United States
Language	English
Network	NBC, CBS, syndication
First aired	January 6, 1975

Wheel of Fortune. It is an American television game show created by Merv Griffin and featuring a large roulette-style wheel that contestants spin to determine cash and prize values. The core gameplay involves solving word puzzles, typically hangman-style phrases, on a board overseen by host Pat Sajak and co-host Vanna White. Since its 1975 debut, it has become a staple of syndicated television and holds the record as the longest-running syndicated game show in American television.

History

The program was conceived by Merv Griffin as a televised combination of hangman and a roulette wheel, with the original title *Shopper's Bazaar*. After a brief test run under that name, it was renamed and premiered on NBC's daytime schedule. The show initially featured Chuck Woolery as host and Susan Stafford as the hostess, with the puzzle board's letters being manually turned. Following Stafford's departure, Vanna White assumed the role in 1982, with Pat Sajak replacing Woolery in 1981 for the daytime version and becoming host of the syndicated edition launched in 1983. The program's move into syndication under the production of Merv Griffin Enterprises and later King World and CBS Media Ventures propelled it to unprecedented popularity.

Gameplay

Contestants spin a large vertical wheel divided into wedges marked with various dollar amounts, prizes, and penalties like "Bankrupt" and "Lose a Turn." Landing on a cash value allows a player to guess a consonant, with each correct instance earning the landed amount multiplied by the number of times the letter appears. Players can also buy vowels for a fixed fee from their accumulated earnings. The puzzle board displays a phrase, title, or name from categories such as "Before & After" or "Phrase." Solving the puzzle allows the contestant to keep the accumulated money from that round. The game features three main rounds, plus a final Bonus Round where the winner can compete for additional prizes like Volvo automobiles or Royal Caribbean cruises.

Broadcast history

The show premiered on NBC as a daytime program on January 6, 1975. A nighttime syndicated version was launched on September 19, 1983, which quickly became the highest-rated syndicated program in North America. It has aired on all three major broadcast networks at various times, including a prime-time run on CBS in 1990. The daily syndicated version, produced in Los Angeles at Sony Pictures Studios, consistently dominates the Nielsen ratings for syndicated shows. Annual specials, such as the "Tournament of Champions" and celebrity episodes for charity, are also produced.

International versions

The format has been licensed globally, leading to numerous adaptations. Notable versions include the long-running British edition presented by Nick Knowles and the Australian version hosted by John Burgess. Other significant adaptations have aired in countries such as Germany (*Glücksrad*), France (*La Roue de la Fortune*), and the Philippines. The show's international success is managed by Sony Pictures Television, which holds the distribution rights, making it one of the most globally franchised game show formats alongside Jeopardy!.

Cultural impact

It is deeply ingrained in American popular culture, referenced in shows like Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons. The hosting duo of Pat Sajak and Vanna White are iconic figures, with White receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The program's catchphrases, such as Sajak's "I'd like to buy a vowel," are widely recognized. It has been parodied in media including the film Billy Madison and the game show satire Upright Citizens Brigade. The show's success is often cited in studies of television longevity and syndication economics.

Merchandise and home versions

Extensive merchandising has included numerous home game editions from manufacturers like Hasbro and Pressman Toy Corporation. Electronic handheld games, NES and Sega Genesis video games, and mobile app versions have been widely sold. A popular travel version was also marketed. The puzzle board and wheel have been recreated in various toy formats, and the show's content has been featured in trivia games and puzzle books. These products have contributed significantly to the brand's visibility beyond its television broadcast.

Category:American game shows Category:Television series by Sony Pictures Television