Wheel of Fortune Season 42

[larsonfan1]

I'm not sure how many people here watched any episodes from this week but I figured I'd share my brief thoughts anyways. (Be warned that there might be some spoilers?)

First, I'll start with Ryan's hosting. I personally think he's doing a good job, especially considering the large shoes that he had to fill after being named the new host. From my understanding, this was not his first actual week and the episodes from that first week will be aired sometime later this season. I also think there's still a little bit of awkwardness/stiffness with his hosting, which I think is to be expected and I'm sure those will be gone by next season (maybe even earlier than that).

The other thing I'll mention is the new set. I like it! The golden border around the puzzleboard somewhat reminds me of the one that was used when the show first premiered in 1975. It also, however, reminded me of the board used during the short-lived "Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune" series from Australia. Much like with the above point, I believe they had filmed a couple of weeks worth of episodes on the old set and those episodes will be aired later this season. I will say though that during this week, the new set did look somewhat bare-bones, but again, from my understanding they'll be dressing the set up with each theme they do and the set will also evolve overtime. 

[billmcdee]

I did watch the full episode on Monday.  I thought he was fine, lots of enthusiasm, excellent rapport with Vanna, the studio contestants and the viewing audience at home.

The set makes me feel like I'm inside a watch with a bunch of gears twirling about.  I do however like that the set is brighter.  The last several Sajak years the set was so dark.

The puzzle board looks rather nice as well.  Sadly I don't think any bonus puzzles were won this week.

In spite of the fresh coat of paint on the set and not having Sajak there after 41 years (I was a junior in high school when syndicated Wheel came on way back in Sept 1983), Wheel no longer is "must see TV" for me.  I checked out the first episode to see how he did and what the set looked like.  Too many commercials especially DURING the show itself, the same stale wheel layout that the show has used for years, no bonus puzzle wins and they eliminated cars as bonus prizes altogether too.

[Bryan]

I agree, the wheel needs to change and so does the format. I really wish they bring back the contestant background with the red, yellow and blue. The set indeed needed a makeover and Ryan has brought more enthusiasm from what I can tell. I'd say mix it up by bringing back the shopping format and still give away cash in some way or another.

[billmcdee]

Personally I could take or leave the shopping part, but I could most definitely do without five toss-up puzzles per episode.

I wish they could or would resort to only ONE toss-up and only if that was to break a tie.

I love the Mystery Round and love the Express wedge for $1,000 in Round 3, but the Prize Puzzle aspect of Round 3 makes winning that round more often than not a guaranteed win for the winner of said round.

I wouldn't mind if they had round 1 as the Jackpot round again too, so this way each of the first three rounds has some unique aspect about it.

Since pretty much 19 times out of twenty the "Final Spin" only yields between $500 to $900, thus making each consonant worth $1500 to $1900, I'd say forego the final spin and just make every consonant worth a flat $2,000 to speed up the game a bit.

I'd also love to see returning champions stay on indefinitely, perhaps retire the million dollar wedge and perhaps make that a CAR wedge, you have to land on it, give a correct consonant, solve the puzzle during that round and not hit bankrupt throughout the match.  If you win the match, you would play for the car plus whatever cash envelope the player happens to land on.

Another thought I just had...in lieu of a bonus wheel, use a Bonus Progressive Jackpot during the main game instead.  Start it out say at $25,000 and each time a player lands on a money amount on the wheel, that amount will be added to the Bonus Round Jackpot for that night.  The only drawback with doing that is it would eliminate any suspense with the final envelope reveal from the bonus wheel, in the event the player hit the $75,000 or $100,000 envelope.  I'm guessing most of the bonus envelopes are $40,000 now...some $45K, a $50K, a $55K a $60K a $65K and a $70K as well.