Fan mail address
Wheel of Fortune
10202 W. Washington Blvd.
Robert Young Bldg.
Suite 2000
Culver City, CA 90232-3195
USA
Address information
(TV Studios)
10202 W. Washington Blvd.
Robert Young Bldg.
Suite 2000
Culver City, CA 90232-3195
USA
Wheel of Fortune is an iconic American television game show that has been a staple of American entertainment since its debut in 1975. Known for its colorful set, spinning wheel, and catchphrases, the show has become one of the longest-running and most beloved game shows in television history. It has been adapted in multiple countries and has made a significant impact on popular culture. Hosted primarily by Pat Sajak and Vanna White, Wheel of Fortune has kept audiences engaged for nearly five decades with its combination of word puzzles, chance, and strategy.
Wheel of Fortune was created by television producer Merv Griffin, who had previously created Jeopardy! and envisioned a game show that combined elements of word games with the thrill of spinning a large, colorful wheel. The original version of Wheel of Fortune premiered on January 6, 1975, on NBC, hosted by Chuck Woolery, with Susan Stafford as the original letter-turner (Vanna White would later replace Stafford in 1982).
The early version of the show was relatively simple compared to what it would later become. Contestants would spin a wheel with dollar amounts, which determined how much money they earned for correctly guessing letters in a word puzzle. However, it was not an instant hit in the ratings. It was only after the addition of a larger, more elaborate prize wheel, and the show being revamped in 1981 for syndication, that Wheel of Fortune began its journey to becoming a television phenomenon.
In 1981, Wheel of Fortune moved from a daytime NBC slot to a syndication format, which meant it was no longer tied to network schedules. This change allowed the show to air on local stations across the country at different times. The show underwent a major overhaul in its format, including the introduction of the now-iconic, much larger prize wheel. This reinvention made the game more exciting and accessible to a wider audience.
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