1. Wheel Of Fortune 1981
2. Wheel Of Fortune 1991 Daytime
3. Wheel Of Fortune

Step 1 : Introduction to the question 'Who was the original host of 'Wheel of Fortune'?'

This is an edited clip from the December 25th and 28th, 1981 episodes of the NBC Daytime run of the long running game show 'Wheel Of Fortune'. Wheel of Fortune has been on the air in some form since 1975. The current nightime version, which began in 1983, has accounted for over 30 seasons in its own right. Merv Griffin first conceived Wheel in 1973 while his other major creation, Jeopardy!, was in its tenth year on NBC.He decided to create a game show based on Hangman, and added a wheel to it as a.

...1. Alex Trebek 2. Regis Philbin 3. Bob Barker 4. Chuck Woolery

Step 2 : Answer to the question 'Who was the original host of 'Wheel of Fortune'?'

Chuck Woolery - The wheel at the center of 'Wheel of Fortune' has been spinning on our screens since 1975, but while the show has long featured Vanna White and Pat Sajak, neither of them appeared on the show at the outset. The original host was Chuck Woolery, a game show mainstay who went on to host 'Love Connection' and 'Scrabble' after leaving Wheel in 1981 over contract disputes. His co-hostess, model Susan Stafford, also bowed out, clearing the way for Sajak and White to take their places and become syndicated game show legends.:

Please let us know as comment, if the answer is not correct!

Step 3 : Disclaimer & Terms of Use regarding the question 'Who was the original host of 'Wheel of Fortune'?'

Wheel of Fortune

Production details

Run dates: 1981-2004
Production company: Grundy Organisation
Network: 7
Hosts: Ernie Sigley (1981-1984), John Burgess (1984-1996), Tony Barber (1996), Rob Elliott (1997-2003), Steve Oemcke (2004)
Hostesses: Adriana Xenides (1981-1999) Sophie Falkiner (1999-)
Announcers: John Dean (1981-1984), John Deeks (1985-1995, 1997-2004), David Day (1996), Ron E Sparks (1996)

Run dates: 2006 (for ~6 months)
Production company: Grundy Organisation
Network: 7
Host: Larry Emdur
Hostess: Laura Csortan
Announcer: John Deeks

Ernie Sigley

Spun-off into a Saturday night program, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune,' screening from 1990-1991.

Tony Barber was appointed host in July 1996, as part of a major re-vamp for the show, in an attempt to boost ratings and attract a younger audience. However, the plan backfired, ratings slumped, boycotting and hate-mail campaigns ensued. Tony 'resigned' at the end of that year (at least that's what the press releases said), and Rob Elliott became the new host at the start of the 1997 season. Adriana Xenides was absent for seven months (November 1996-June 1997, Tony's final month, and Rob's first shows) due to illness. Guest hostesses took the show through to the end of 1996. Until she returned in 1997, Kerrie Friend was guest hostess (amid speculation that she would gain the job permanently). Adriana undertook another indefintite sick leave period in 1999, with Sophie Falkiner filling in. Adriana officially resigned during this absence, and Sophie gained the job full-time.

As part of a revamp, including a move from the 5.30pm to 5pm timeslot and the inclusion of a new 'touch screen' letterboard, Rob Elliott was sacked in late 2003 and Steve Oemcke was appointed host (see articles below). Steve's stint as host lasted until the show was 'rested' in late 2004. The show began to air again in 2006 with new hosts, but this version only lasted for ~6 months

John Burgess

Premise

Three contestants take turns to spin a large roulette-style wheel containing spaces with varying amounts of money values. They then attempt to solve a word puzzle by guessing a letter that may be in it. Correct guesses result in the amount 'spun up' being added to the contestants' score. Incorrect ones terminate that contestant's control of the game, and play passes to the next one.

The wheel also contains 'Bankrupt', 'Lose a Turn', 'Free Spin', and special prize spaces. Contestants who solve the puzzles are able to 'spend' their score in the prize shop.

Tony Barber and Adriana Xenides

Tony Barber hands the show over to Rob Elliott, January 1997

Writing

Wheel Of Fortune revamped, host axed
eBroadcast, 27 December 2003

New Wheel Of Fortune host announced
eBroadcast, 5 January 2004

Oemcke's in driving seat
Sydney Confidential, Daily Telegraph, 5 January 2004

Good luck runs out for Wheel of Fortune
Sun Herald, 18 June 2006

Audio

Please note that files marked with * require RealPlayer, and are streaming media clips that are not suitable for downloading
Files marked with # require Windows Media Player

1981-1994 theme music*

Theme music to the 1990-1991 Saturday night celebrity shows*

1995-2006 theme music#

Short-lived opening theme to the revamped 1996 show*

Short-lived closing theme to the revamped 1996 show*

Further Information

Wheel Of Fortune 1981

An unofficial website

Wheel Of Fortune 1991 Daytime

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Wheel Of Fortune