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Wheel of Fortune

Series Description

WHEEL OF FORTUNE, which has ranked as television’s #1 syndicated series every year since its premiere, marks its historic 27th season with all new shows beginning on Monday, September 14, 2009. With over 11 million viewers daily, syndication’s longest-running, most successful series continues to attract a larger audience than most primetime TV shows. During this anniversary season, viewers will be treated to rarely seen flashbacks of unforgettable moments with hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White.

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Since its debut in 1983, Wheel of Fortune has awarded more than $180 million in cash and prizes to its contestants.

In the 2008-2009 season, Wheel of Fortune awarded a record $10.1 million in cash and prizes to contestants.

On September 11, 2006, Wheel of Fortune and its sister show Jeopardy! were the first syndicated shows to broadcast in High Definition.

On October 14, 2008, newlywed Michelle Loewenstein became the biggest winner on Wheel of Fortune, winning $1 million. Until then, “The Bold and the Beautiful” star Jack Wagner and his partner Christine Denos of San Jose, Calif., were the big winners with $142,550 in cash and prizes during “Soap Stars Week” in 2006. Wagner donated his share to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Wheel of Fortune’s original name was “Shoppers Bazaar” and included a wheel that was much bigger and had loud lights and carnival sound effects.

More than 10,000 people try out each year and fewer than 600 lucky Wheel Watchers are selected to appear on the show.

Since 1988, Wheel of Fortune has taped in 56 locations, in 25 different cities, in front of live audiences of more than 350,000 fans.

In 1992, the “Guinness Book of World Records” listed Vanna White as the world’s most frequent clapper. Vanna puts her hands together for contestants some 28,080 times a season — an average of 720 times per show.

The puzzle board contains 52 touchscreen monitors, 12 across in the top and bottom rows and 14 across in the two middle rows.

The wheel and surrounding “home base” weigh 4,000 pounds.

Over 90 million Americans have never known a world without Wheel of Fortune.
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