Self Image
Wheel of Fortune is arguably the most iconic game show in the history of episodic TV. Debuting in 1975, the show’s history has been filled with exciting, life-changing, and even heartbreaking moments. In addition, the show has experienced its share of humorous moments.
Throughout the show’s history, contestants have given hilariously wrong answers to seemingly obvious puzzles. These answers have ranged from mispronunciations to completely inappropriate thoughts, but across the board, you’ll be asking yourself how the contestant could have whiffed so badly on something so obvious…
Adult Thoughts
In this day and age, especially considering how advanced the cameras have become and the popularity of taking selfies, “self-portrait” is a commonly used word by anyone.
But do you know what’s another commonly used word? Potatoes. This contestant is hilariously convinced that the answer is “self-potato.”
Alternate Universe
Imagine this: You’re one letter away from guessing one of the words that heavily hints at what the other is, but your mind decides to go astray anyway.
For this particular contestant, instead of “fingers and toes,” the answer “miners and hoes” seemed like a more likely answer. Maybe from experience? We can’t be too sure.
One Glass
Wheel of Fortune often puts participants under pressure when solving puzzles, which sometimes makes it difficult to articulate the correct answer.
An example of this can be seen in a particular episode where a contestant guessed “Superman and Spider Woman” – quite confidently might we add – even though the answer should’ve been “Superman and Wonder Woman.” Well, maybe in an alternate universe, right?
It Feels Personal
Johnny Cash is a well-known name in the music industry, and his song I Walk The Line, released in 1973, is one of his most popular creations that numerous people have sung to.
This woman probably had her mind and priorities elsewhere when she answered, “I have the wine.” Let’s just that she did after the game.
A Little Bare
In this episode of Wheel of Fortune, we don’t know whether to laugh or feel bad for whoever this contestant was thinking of when she answered “an ugly child.”
The answer is actually “an only child.” To be honest, we don’t know what’s worse – her answer or the fact that she’s a school teacher. Considering her profession, it leaves us wondering if her answer is influenced by personal opinion.
Spell It
Similar to Johnny Cash’s song I Walk The Line, nothing else just feels right other than Tennessee William’s A Streetcar Named Desire.
Yet for this contestant, the answer that felt right to him during the game was “A Streetcar Naked Desire.” Whatever he was thinking when he said that, we don’t want any part of it.
Wrong Lyrics
With only two words missing, we didn’t really think that anyone could make a mistake at this point. You don’t even need to fill in the other blanks the rest to figure out the mystery word.
While this contestant already knew the answer, did she know the spelling? Apparently not, because instead of the letter X, she asked for K. So “ekclusive nightclub”?
The Perfect Vacation
Surf City by Jan & Dean shook the music industry and was the No. 1 hit record in July 1963. Being so popular, you’ve probably heard of it one way or another, and its iconic lyrics “Surf City, here we come.”
But at the same time, you don’t even have to know the song to easily guess this puzzle if you look at the last state of the puzzle. But for some reason, this man decided to answer, “Surf clay, where we go.”
Imagine Winning
Apparently, we don’t have enough fun in our system just like this woman. Because if we look at this puzzle, we most certainly will answer “Booking My Shore Excursion.”
Her answer? “Boozing My Shore Excursion,” which is actually way more fun than the correct answer! Hopefully, she got the perfect vacation after the game.
In Pink Tutus
If you disregard one word, this man’s answer “It’s make believe” fits – just like his chance of winning. But this is one of the most common mistakes Wheel of Fortune contestants make.
Why in the world do they forget to read the board? It’s not hard to guess the answer if you do, but “it’s hard to believe” they would forget to do the one thing they need to!
Different Train
So close and yet so far – this man nearly won it. This is actually another example of contestants not reading the board before opening their mouths to answer.
When all the words are laid out, all you have to do is read them. But for some reason, this contestant read “Flamingo Dance Lessons” instead, thus losing to another contestant.
Magical Answer
You don’t have to be an expert in public transportation to know that the answer isn’t “elevator train platform,” as this one contestant said, especially not when one letter clearly makes it an impossible answer.
And besides, who spells elevator “elevater”? But if you don’t know the answer to this one, it’s actually “elevated train platform.” Well, at least the last two words were right!
Mistaken Identity
One look at this puzzle and it’s easy to guess the mystery word, which is actually not so mysterious anymore with only two letters to guess.
We don’t know what this man was thinking during this moment, but this felt like a “test” to him that he ended up answering “magic fand,” even though it was supposed to be “magic wand.”
A Dark World
Usually, when one already makes a mistake, you don’t repeat it. But for these two contestants, not only were their answers the same, they did it back-to-back.
Honestly, that isn’t even the weirdest part of it. It’s who Marvin is because the answer certainly isn’t “Marvin the Magician” but “Merlin the Magician.”
Refreshing Ride
It’s not always rainbow and sunshine for some people, and in today’s world we usually just think of the next negative thing instead of the good stuff.
For this man, “a group of pill pushers” is the most likely answer instead of “a group of well-wishers.” His answer is nowhere near as innocent as the right answer.
Another Dwarf
In what fantasy world this woman has been in, we can’t be too sure. But we got a small idea when she gave an outrageous answer to this puzzle: “popsicle bike.”
With so many letters already, we’re not sure why “honeysuckle bush” didn’t even cross her mind, not even the first-word “honeysuckle.” But nope, it had to be “popsicle bike”!
High Mistake
In Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, we have Dopey, Grumpy, Doc, Bashful, Happy, Sneezy, and Sleepy – names that we’re probably all familiar with.
We might not have all their names memorized by heart, but we at least know that isn’t a dwarf named “Sneeky” in the classic film. This contestant seems convinced that there is.
Underwater Love
One look at the puzzle and we’re pretty sure that the last part of this puzzle is “mountain goats.” Because if it’s not, what else could it be? Nothing else just fits right.
But for this contestant, she had a completely different thing in mind. She answered “mountain boats” instead.
Sleeping In Class
With only eight letters to figure out, this puzzle should have been an easy guess. However, one contestant must have an impressive collection of fish, because he couldn’t seem to get it out of his mind when he answered “fish love.”
Unfortunately, he got several letters wrong. While fish love may also be a thing, the correct answer is actually “wish list.”
The Inspiration
As you guessed it, the answer is: “It’s my turn to play hooky.” Easy enough, right? Well, not for this one contestant. Maybe he ditched one too many English classes during his school days. I mean, who picks C to spell the word “hooky”?
But besides puzzles, there are other interesting facts about the Wheel of Fortune game. Read on to find out what they are!
The Set
In 1975, American TV show host Merv Griffin created the Wheel of Fortune. What’s behind the concept of the popular puzzle game? Well, it’s actually childhood family road trips. Maybe that’s also the reason why the set gets transported around every time it films in different locations.
Griffin said that he often played backseat games of Hangman with his younger sister during those road trips, which was a big part of the inspiration. Also, since he felt that the show needed more hook beyond Hangman, he added a giant roulette wheel with a design twist.
The Wheel Design
Throughout the years, Wheel of Fortune has undoubtedly evolved, but not much has changed about the set – except for when the classic puzzle board was changed to an electronic one. Today, the set remains mostly the same, framed on a steel tube surrounded by Plexiglas panels and contains more than 200 lighting instruments.
The iconic wheel is approximately 2,400 pounds, 16.5 ft in diameter including its light extensions, and is held by a stainless steel shaft with roller bearings. And if you didn’t know, there’s actually just one Wheel of Fortune set, which gets transported from location to location on 14 semi-trucks.
Day To Night
The first version of the series, originally called Shopper’s Bazaar, was an interesting concept that focused primarily on shopping and featured a vertical wheel. But as the show evolved into a series, the producers decided to make some changes to the set and format.
Then, the set was redesigned to resemble the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas to appear more visually appealing to the viewers. The wheel was also redesigned to resemble the iconic wheel at Caesar’s Palace.
The Hosts
Wheel of Fortune first hit the screens as a daytime series on NBC way back on January 6, 1975. It kept going strong until September 20, 1991, with stints at both CBS and NBC during that time.
The daytime show was so well-liked that it led to a nightly syndicated edition, which premiered on September 19, 1983, and is still going strong to this day. It’s usually paired with Jeopardy another well-known game show that’s also controlled by the same distribution studio.
Momentary Host
TV personalities Pat Sajak and Vanna White are famous for being the hosts of the popular TV show Wheel of Fortune. It’s obvious that they weren’t always there, considering the show started in 1975.
When the show started, Chuck Woolery hosted it from 1975 to 1981. Then, Sajak took over, and White joined as the hostess in 1983. They’ve been the main faces of the show since then, with a few small exceptions.
A Tragedy
Pat Sajak and Vanna White have been long-standing hosts on Wheel of Fortune, maintaining their roles on the syndicated version. But there was a time when Sajak briefly stepped away from the primetime edition in the 1980s for his own talk show.
During this time, Rolf Benirschke and later Bob Goen took over during Sajak’s absence, infusing the primetime show with their own hosting styles. Eventually, Sajak returned.
Fun Behind The Game
In June 1986, Vanna White took a week off when her fiancé, John Gibson, sadly passed away earlier that year in a plane crash. During her absence, the show brought back Susan Stafford to fill in for White.
Stafford originally served as the hostess when Wheel of Fortune first aired. The temporary substitution allowed the show to provide support to White during her difficult time.
Failed Expansion
According to Sajak, he and White found a way to relax during tapings by enjoying some drinks together. In an interview with the LA Times, Sajak shared that they would visit a nearby place called Los Arcos, known for its delicious margaritas.
The two would have a couple or even a few drinks, sometimes even more, before returning to the studio to film the final episodes. Sajak humorously admitted that after indulging in their refreshing beverages, they sometimes faced challenges recognizing the alphabet during the show.
Spinning the Wheel
In an attempt to recreate the success of The Price Is Right, Wheel of Fortune underwent a change for about a month in late 1975 and early 1976. The show expanded to an hour-long format, featuring three two-round games instead of its usual half-hour duration.
However, the experiment didn’t yield the desired results and can be described as unsuccessful. As a result, Wheel of Fortune reverted to its original half-hour format, where it has remained ever since.
The Wheelmobile
Over a million people audition for Wheel of Fortune annually, but only around 600 are selected. Eligibility criteria include not having appeared on any other shows within the past year or three shows within the last decade, and not being an employee or relative of certain companies.
During the final audition, about 70 participants take a written test and play a shorter version of the game. Some will be asked to stay and play more based on their scores and overall impression. Those who make it through will receive notification by mail. The audition process takes around 2-3 hours.
Vannamania
Recently, the Wheelmobile has become a significant part of the audition process for Wheel of Fortune. This custom Winnebago, based on the TV show, tours the country for auditions and promotes the series with games and memorabilia.
The Wheelmobile is a way for fans to audition for Wheel of Fortune, allowing them to experience the audition process. It’s a clever way for the show to connect with its fanbase and introduce potential contestants to the game’s atmosphere.
Another Loss
During her impressive nearly 40-year tenure on the show, Vanna White has garnered a dedicated following of fans captivated by her fashion choices in each episode. These fervent fashion enthusiasts closely observe everything from her dresses and jewelry to her shoes and nail polish. Their passion for White’s style has earned them a charming moniker known as Vannamania.
Week after week, fans eagerly anticipate her wardrobe choices, admiring her ensembles, which makes her an icon in her own right beyond her role as the hostess of Wheel of Fortune.
A Fortune
While Vanna White may have lost her fiancé in 1986 as previously mentioned, her life took a positive turn when she found love again with George Santo Pietro who she married in 1990.
In 1992, they brought exciting news during one episode of Wheel of Fortune through a puzzle that revealed the simple phrase “Vanna’s Pregnant.” However, just a few days after the episode aired, White suffered a miscarriage.
World Record
Pat Sajak’s impressive earnings from his role on Wheel of Fortune are reported to be around $15 million per year. To provide some context, this is a similar figure to the annual income of Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon.
What makes this even more remarkable is that the production schedule for Wheel of Fortune typically spans just a few days each month. Despite the part-time nature of his job, Sajak enjoys a great work-life balance and significant financial rewards. His contribution to the show has certainly paid off in many ways.
Vanna’s Past
Did you know that Vanna White holds a world record? During a May 2013 episode, she received recognition from the Guinness World Records for being the most frequent clapper. The organization revealed that by January 31, 2013, she had clapped an estimated 3,480,864 times over the course of 30 seasons on the show.
With her presence in nearly all but 10 of Wheel of Fortune’s 5,754 episodes during its syndicated run starting from September 19, 1983, White averaged around 606 claps per show.
April Surprise
Before joining Wheel of Fortune, Vanna White had posed for some more revealing photographs. As her fame grew, these photos caught the attention of Playboy, who featured her on the cover of an issue in 1987.
Reflecting on this incident in a 2017 interview with Fox News, White candidly expressed her regret, admitting that it was a mistake and apologizing for her actions. She also shared her fear of potentially losing her job over the controversy, acknowledging that she had made a poor decision.
Controversy
On a memorable April Fool’s Day in 1997, Pat Sajak and Jeopardy host Alex Trebek decided to switch roles and host each other’s shows. The switch garnered significant attention from viewers, as Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy occupy the same hour-long time slot in many television markets.
Fans of both series were pleasantly surprised to see their hosts in unfamiliar roles, adding an extra element of excitement to their viewing experience. This marked the only time between 1983 and late 2019 that Sajak did not host the syndicated version of Wheel of Fortune.
Health Scare
In 2017, Wheel of Fortune aired a Southern Charm Week episode, a longstanding tradition of themed weeks on the show. But during the episode, a background image of a traditional southern plantation house stirred controversy as it appeared to depict African slaves.
This caused widespread dissatisfaction among viewers and the episode was swiftly removed from circulation in response to the backlash. Following the incident, the show’s producers issued a statement expressing regret for the use of the inappropriate background image.
New Host
In 2019, Pat Sajak missed several weeks of Wheel of Fortune due to emergency surgery for an intestinal blockage. Sajak shared how he heard his family’s voices in the background, sounding distant despite being right beside him. He described contemplating the possibility of death during that time.
Fortunately, his perception was influenced by the effects of medication, and he recovered well, returning to the studio soon after. During Sajak’s absence, Vanna White took on the role of hosting for the first time in her 35-plus year tenure on the show. Sajak expressed admiration for her dedication, describing her as a true team player.
Even before it actually happened, there was already speculation about potential changes in the hosting lineup of Wheel of Fortune, with Pat Sajak’s sudden health issues and Sajak and Vanna White’s advancing ages.
In 2017, Sajak hinted at the possibility of eventually stepping away from his hosting duties. Six years later, Ryan Seacrest reportedly going to become the game’s new host. Sajak supports Ryan taking over for him and even joked about Seacrest taking over before it was announced.