Wheel of Fortune

Wheel of Fortune

American television game show
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Wheel of Fortune
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Wheel of Fortune (often known simply as Wheel) is an American television game show created by Merv Griffin. The show has aired continuously since January 1975. Contestants solve word puzzles, similar to those 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.

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Also known as
Wheel
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Genre
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Created by
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Based on add_black based on
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Developed by add_black developed by
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Written by add_black written by
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Screenplay by add_black screenplay by
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Story by add_black story by
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Directed by
  • Jeff Goldstein
  • Dick Carson
  • Mark Corwin
  • Bob Cisneros
  • Robert Ennis
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Creative director add_black creative director
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Presented by
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Starring add_black starring
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Judges add_black judges
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Voices of add_black voices of
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Narrated by
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Music by add_black music by
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Theme music composer
  • Alan Thicke
  • Merv Griffin
  • Steve Kaplan
  • Frankie Blue
  • John Hoke
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Opening theme add_black opening theme
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Ending theme add_black ending theme
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Composer add_black composer
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Country of origin
United States
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Original language
English
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No. of seasons add_black no. of seasons
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No. of episodes
over 7,000 (as of May 31, 2019)
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PRODUCTION

Executive producer
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Producer
  • John Rhinehart
  • Nancy Jones
  • Harry Friedman
  • Karen Griffith
  • Steve Schwartz
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News editor add_black news editor
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Production location
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Cinematography add_black cinematography
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Animator add_black animator
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Editor add_black editor
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Camera setup add_black camera setup
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Running time
approx. 22 minutes
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Production company
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Distributor
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Budget add_black budget
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RELEASE

Original network
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Picture format
480i (SDTV) (1975–2006)
1080i (HDTV; downscaled to 720p locally in some markets) (2006–present)
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Audio format
Stereo
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First shown in add_black first shown in
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Original release
January 6, 1975 (1975-01-06)
present
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CHRONOLOGY

Preceded by add_black preceded by
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Followed by add_black followed by
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Related shows
Wheel 2000
Celebrity Wheel of Fortune
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(Closing announcement early to summer 1995)
Announcer: Created by Merv Griffin.
(copyright screen appears/drumroll plays)
Announcer: "Wheel of Fortune" is produced by Columbia/Tristar Television. Distributed by KingWorld.
  • Contestants who are physically unable to spin the Wheel on their own (typically little people or wheelchair-bound contestants) are allowed to have a friend or family member spin the Wheel for them. Obviously, unless it's a Best Friends or Family Week with two-person teams, the spinner can't do more to play along than spin the Wheel. This is averted with the Bonus Wheel, which has proven small enough that even little people can reach it with ease (there is no record of a wheelchair-bound contestant making it to the Bonus Round).
  • The show was originally hosted by Chuck Woolery and Susan Stafford.
  • The show has continued to run long after Merv Griffin's death in 2007 from prostate cancer.
  • The current "wrong letter" buzzer was recycled from Bumper Stumpers.
  • The Wheel was designed by Ed Flesh and was built from cardboard, paint, and light bulbs. The current Wheel weighs 2,400 pounds, is made of stainless steel, and is framed with Plexiglas.

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