As someone who has grown up with Wheel of Fortune as a staple of primetime television, I can’t help but be in awe of this iconic game show and its fascinating behind-the-scenes details. With more than 20 million viewers tuning in every week, it’s no wonder that Wheel of Fortune has become an integral part of American pop culture.
Ryan Seacrest is taking his first spin on Wheel of Fortune.
As an obsessed fan who can’t get enough of Pat Sajak and his iconic hosting on “Wheel of Fortune,” I was thrilled when he shared a sneak peek into his experience at the show’s set a month after retiring. The TV personality gave us a behind-the-scenes look into this magical place where he’ll be co-hosting with Vanna White for the upcoming 42nd season. It felt like I was right there with him, virtually of course, as he walked us through the halls and showed us the familiar game boards that hold so many memories. I can hardly wait to see them both in action again!
In the Instagram video posted on July 16, he made a light-hearted comment: “The wheel is actually smaller than you might imagine. So am I.”
Besides exploring the production site, Ryan had the opportunity to view numerous mementos kept at the “Wheel of Fortune” office, among which was a life-size cardboard figure of his forerunner.
“Who’s taller? He is,” the 49-year-old joked, pointing to Pat’s picture. “Shocker.”
The last installment of Pat’s show was broadcasted on June 7. During his farewell speech, the veteran host expressed his deep gratitude for being welcomed into people’s homes consistently over the years and decades.
He went on to express that the daily half-hour privilege carried an obligation for him to maintain a secure environment for family enjoyment. However, over time, it transformed into something more significant. It became a venue for children to learn their alphabets, a platform for individuals from different countries to improve their English, and a gathering spot for families, friends, neighbors, and various generations.
The 77-year-old added, “What an honor to have played even a small part in all that.”
Just like him, I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic about the precious moments we’ve spent together. We’ve shared our fair share of laughter and tears, and have celebrated many milestones along the way. It’s been an indelible and unforgettable experience for me too. And through it all, I’ve cherished every moment we’ve spent together.
Regarding her feelings about her new co-host, Vanna shared with TopMob News in October that “Ryan is a kind person. He’s proficient in his role and enjoys adding fun to the mix.”
She remarked, “He assured me, ‘I have no intention of taking Pat’s place. I simply aim to step in and perform well.’ “
For more fun facts about Wheel of Fortune, keep reading…
1. Merv Griffin introduced “Wheel of Fortune” on NBC as a daytime game show in 1975, modeled after the classic word game “Hangman”.
4. As for Vanna, she grew up in South Carolina. According to her bio, she studied at a fashion design school in Atlanta before pursuing a career in modeling—with her then moving to L.A. to try acting. It was there she was spotted by Merv and auditioned for Wheel of Fortune.
“I was probably more nervous than any other person that auditioned,” Vanna told CBS 58 in 2019, “and 200 girls auditioned—and I was the last one.”
5. In fact, Wheel of Fortune previously revealed that the very first letter Vanna turned on the puzzle board was T.
6. Meanwhile, Jim Thornton joined Wheel of Fortune as the announcer in 2011. Previously, he did voice work for several movies, TV shows and commercials—including Monsters, Inc., Rugrats and Celebrity Deathmatch.
Prior to Pat’s retirement in June 2024, they had featured in over 8,000 episodes of “Wheel of Fortune” spanning across 41 seasons of syndication. In 2019, Pat earned a Guinness World Records title for the longest tenure as a game show host on the same program. Likewise, Vanna holds impressive records. In 2013, she received the “most frequent clapper” title from Guinness World Records, with an estimated 3,480,864 claps throughout 30 seasons. Factoring in her occasional absences, this equates to approximately 606 claps per episode according to the organization.
10. Approximately 20 million people tune in to watch “Wheel of Fortune” every week, as stated in a 2023 press release.
11. Now let’s discuss the prizes. The show revealed in its 2024 statistics that it had given away around 600 cars to contestants throughout its first 41 seasons.
12. Additionally, it’s important to note that the show had also awarded nearly 5,000 vacations by that time.
13. And if you’re curious about the monetary value, “Wheel of Fortune” shared in its report that it had distributed over $324 million in cash and prizes.
14. Vanna has walked an impressive distance of approximately 52 miles on the game show’s puzzle board, as calculated by the show’s data – equivalent to finishing two marathons.
15. Over the years, Vanna has donned more than 7,000 different dresses on the show, unfortunately she doesn’t get to keep any of them.
16. Remarkably, for almost four decades, Vanna managed not to wear the same outfit twice in her extensive wardrobe.
“I can’t believe it – for the very first time ever, I wore the same blue dress twice after wearing over 7,000 different dresses!” she shared with her social media followers in a video from September 2020. “How unfortunate that this had to happen in 2020.”
As a devoted fan, I can’t imagine “Wheel of Fortune” without its iconic wheel. It’s quite a massive piece, weighing in at an impressive 2,400 pounds according to ABC News. And let me tell you, this isn’t just any ordinary wheel; it’s uniquely crafted. The show transports it to every location by dismantling it and then reassembling it, accompanied by over a million pounds of equipment. Moreover, the Bonus Wheel is home to more than 24 envelopes brimming with exciting prizes.
20. If you’re confused about how the show operates, let Vanna clarify for you. In an interview with WLKY in 2015, she shared that they film for only four days but produce six shows daily.
21. Regarding the puzzle board, “Wheel of Fortune” introduced a new one in 2022, which is a giant screen.
Vanna explained in a YouTube video at the time that they now use a laser. I no longer need to touch it; all I have to do is place my hand near it.
22. The cost of buying a vowel on the show has remained constant at $250 since its inception, despite price changes over the years.
23. Have you ever pondered how Pat seems to know the exact number of letters in a puzzle right after a contestant guesses? He’s curious about this as well. In a 2021 YouTube video, he disclosed that the behind-the-scenes team listens to ensure the correct letter is called and then communicates the corresponding number to Pat via a TV screen visible to him from his hosting position on the set.
24. Contestants have a reference board with used letters to prevent repeats. Pat explained in a video, “Every time a letter is called, it gets removed from the board and the light turns off. They’re aware not to use it again, unless they intentionally do so…”
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2024-07-17 01:17