http://www.gameshow-galaxy.net/wheel2.htm

Thought I would make a separate thread about the daytime WHEEL OF FORTUNE from 1990, which is often a scenario I refer to when talking about THE PRICE IS RIGHT's future.

When the daytime show moved from CBS to NBC in 1990(with Bob Goen installed as host of the show as Pat Sajak left the daytime edition to make the unsuccessful move to Late-Night Talk Shows), the show's budget was severely cut. And you thought GUIDING LIGHT had problems?!

WHEEL's highest dollar amount was like $500 in the first round. The scores on the board were so pathetic that no contestant had any money to buy vowels, so the TIIC decided to reduce the cost of vowels to $200(and later to $100). One of the five bonus round prizes was(and I KID YOU NOT!) was $5000 Cash. LOL. Yeah, pretty sad huh?

I think a lot of WHEEL's ultimate failure had to with the show never being a ratings success in daytime TV to begin with(NBC nearly cancelled this show before the 80's began and only began to slightly respect WHEEL when it kicked FAMILY FEUD's ass in the syndie ratings its first season), and the shopping element of the show was completely removed when the show moved to CBS after the disatrous Rolf Benershke period(Rolf asking a producer WHILE CAMERA WAS ROLLING what to do when the scores are tied, among other things). Not having prizes to shop for made the show look even cheaper than what it was and gave contestants less chances to win bigger prizes.

A Jump The Shark fan cleverly called this period the "WHEEL OF WELFARE." I would have to agree.

This is what I think will happen to PRICE IS RIGHT if they don't get the numbers they want with the new host. They will drastically reduce the prize budget, or at least the number of chances you have to win cash money(i.e. PLINKO's highest dollar amount being $500, Winning $1,000 at Punch-A-Bunch, etc).

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OT Personal Note: Game shows are a fascinating study for me. Used to love them as much as I love soaps, and to a certain degree, still have respect for the genre. But I can't watch WHEEL anymore after having been on the show and met Pat Sajak. Pat Sajak=Big Douchebag. Shame because he used to be one of my idols growing up.

Bell...you were on WHEEL?? That's awesome! When?

Bell...you were on WHEEL?? That's awesome! When?

Aired January 26, 2005. I'll have to upload it sometime. When I do, I'll give you the link.

bellcurve, imagine my surprise, not to mention utter SHOCK when I saw MY SCREEN NAME in a subhead for a topic! What a delight! Thanks for filling me in on this controversy. I already forgot about asking you what the deal was behind that fiasco, lol. I just remembered when I saw your thread today, so thanks for the update! And this was a FASCINATING history lesson. Who knew things had gotten so grim for this show? And more important, who in GOD'S NAME knew Bob Goen, Mr. "Entertainment Tonight" hosted this show? And DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN, who knew that Pat Sajek tried his hand at late night? Um, Sajek, you will ALWAYS be Mr. "Wheel of Fortune." You'll NEVER break out into any other success, as far as television is concern. You and "Vanna White"-- ESPECIALLY Vanna White -- are BRANDED. FOR LIFE.

From his Wikipedia page:

Sajak won a random contest on WLS radio's Dick Biondi Show to be a guest "teen deejay". While at Columbia College Chicago, his broadcasting instructor Al Parker told him that a local radio station (WEDC) was looking for a newsman. Pat applied for the job and was hired to work from midnight to 6:00 AM. In 1968, Sajak joined the U.S. Army, and was sent to Vietnam, where he deejayed on Armed Forces Radio. Later in 1977, KNBC-TV in Los Angeles was looking for a weatherman, and spotted Sajak working for NBC affiliate WSMV-TV in Nashville. Sajak accepted KNBC's request for him to be a full-time weatherman for the station. He also had a small role as a Buffalo, New York newscaster in the 1982 spoof film Airplane II: The Sequel.

bellcurve, imagine my surprise, not to mention utter SHOCK when I saw MY SCREEN NAME in a subhead for a topic! What a delight! Thanks for filling me in on this controversy. I already forgot about asking you what the deal was behind that fiasco, lol. I just remembered when I saw your thread today, so thanks for the update! And this was a FASCINATING history lesson. Who knew things had gotten so grim for this show? And more important, who in GOD'S NAME knew Bob Goen, Mr. "Entertainment Tonight" hosted this show? And DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN, who knew that Pat Sajek tried his hand at late night? Um, Sajek, you will ALWAYS be Mr. "Wheel of Fortune." You'll NEVER break out into any other success, as far as television is concern. You and "Vanna White"-- ESPECIALLY Vanna White -- are BRANDED. FOR LIFE.

Remember JSF, this was ONLY for the network daytime version, which never saw really good ratings to begin with. It was only until the show ran in syndication was when the show became a ratings success.

Bob Goen(from the episode I saw in a tape trading ring ages ago) was a really good host...the only problem the show had was being challenged with having a sh*7eous budget. I mean, who wants to watch a show where the contestants barely attain $2000 in cash and prizes the WHOLE game. Especially when that show is something as landmark as WHEEL.

This will make you wet yourself, JSF, did you also know Pat Sajak is a Conservative Republican? He has an internet blog on his official website with his political rantings on them. He even hosted a weekend talkshow on FOX News Sunday, called PAT SAJAK WEEKEND.

Remember JSF, this was ONLY for the network daytime version, which never saw really good ratings to begin with. It was only until the show ran in syndication was when the show became a ratings success.

Bob Goen(from the episode I saw in a tape trading ring ages ago) was a really good host...the only problem the show had was being challenged with having a sh*7eous budget. I mean, who wants to watch a show where the contestants barely attain $2000 in cash and prizes the WHOLE game. Especially when that show is something as landmark as WHEEL.

This will make you wet yourself, JSF, did you also know Pat Sajak is a Conservative Republican? He has an internet blog on his official website with his political rantings on them. He even hosted a weekend talkshow on FOX News Sunday, called PAT SAJAK WEEKEND.

lol bellcurve. Frankly, I can tell who is and who isn't a conservative or liberal, so I never thought about it but deep down, I already knew. The thing that surprises me, however, is that he rants about his beliefs on his Web site. If his job weren't so secure (because let's face it, NOBODY could replace Pat Sajek), that would be considered by many in the industry to be a bad move.

lol bellcurve. Frankly, I can tell who is and who isn't a conservative or liberal, so I never thought about it but deep down, I already knew. The thing that surprises me, however, is that he rants about his beliefs on his Web site. If his job weren't so secure (because let's face it, NOBODY could replace Pat Sajek), that would be considered by many in the industry to be a bad move.

I could think of MILLIONS that could replace that bloated loser, including the ORIGINAL host of WHEEL, Chuck Woolery, who at least looked halfway excited when he was on the show in the late 70's. Sajak is bitter and unfriendly.

Ben Stein is a Conservative, open about it, and he hosted a popular, Emmy-Winning Gameshow as well.

I don't think politics are the problem when it comes to being a gameshow host. You just have to have a personality. What little personality Sajak had died with his talkshow.

It would be different if Sajak made his living solely as an actor, because then you can't distinguish the character from the actor. But on a gameshow, you are just giving away money that, in theory, everyone should want.

I could think of MILLIONS that could replace that bloated loser, including the ORIGINAL host of WHEEL, Chuck Woolery, who at least looked halfway excited when he was on the show in the late 70's. Sajak is bitter and unfriendly.

Ben Stein is a Conservative, open about it, and he hosted a popular, Emmy-Winning Gameshow as well.

I don't think politics are the problem when it comes to being a gameshow host. You just have to have a personality. What little personality Sajak had died with his talkshow.

It would be different if Sajak made his living solely as an actor, because then you can't distinguish the character from the actor. But on a gameshow, you are just giving away money that, in theory, everyone should want.

Ah, you're right. His spouting off probably doesn't affect him one way or another.

But I disagree that a person could replace him. Call me crazy, but whether or not people like him, I think he's up there in the ranks of Bob Barker. When you think of "Wheel of Fortune," you think of TWO people: sajak and Vanna white.

Ah, you're right. His spouting off probably doesn't affect him one way or another.

But I disagree that a person could replace him. Call me crazy, but whether or not people like him, I think he's up there in the ranks of Bob Barker. When you think of "Wheel of Fortune," you think of TWO people: sajak and Vanna white.

But with ANY gameshow, as long as you have a successful replacement and don't implement too many cosmetic changes, the show should be able to survive. People watch WHEEL, but people do it moreso for the cash and prizes than to see Pat and Vanna.

Great example of someone taking the reigns of a gameshow from the original host?: Ray Combs reviving FAMILY FEUD(Richard Dawson hosted the show pretty much from it's beginning in the 70's). The show held steady until Combs left the show and was replaced by Richard Dawson(not to mention a revamp of the format and the set).

Is the man who plays Paul on Y&R in the running to become host of Price is Right? I was at TPIR website last week for tickets and there was a special taping dates for shows that won't be airing on TV, and "Paul" was to be host for one of them. Is he in contention? I really hope not...they need to get Chuck Woolery.

Is the man who plays Paul on Y&R in the running to become host of Price is Right? I was at TPIR website last week for tickets and there was a special taping dates for shows that won't be airing on TV, and "Paul" was to be host for one of them. Is he in contention? I really hope not...they need to get Chuck Woolery.

Yep, another thread, he and a few others are listed as potential hosts.

As much as I would LOVE for the new PRICE host to be Chuck, they won't go with someone his look and age. Just don't see it happening.

That is so cool that you were on WHEEL OF FORTUNE...definetly share when it airs again!