User:Daniel Benfield/Daytime Video Archive

Suggested by TPH, and created first due to there only being a small handful of episodes (less than half of a nighttime season). The timeline is here, "existing episodes" list here, and nighttime videos here. (If any of these links don't work, remove or substitute as necessary.)

LEGAL STUFF SO I DON'T GET SUED: I'm only linking to these videos, none of which were uploaded by me. Footage ©1973-2012 Califon Productions/Merv Griffin Entertainment and associated entities.

1973

 * September 1973 (Pilot #1/Shopper's Bazzar: Marilyn/Dawn/Maureen, complete first segment)

1975

 * January 6, 1975 (Premiere: ? {female}/? {female}/? {male}; audio of last 45 seconds)

1976

 * June 7, 1976 (Gerry/Linda/Lee, with the three-line puzzle board's original {clockwise} chase light sequence; taped from GSN on August 18, 2007 {alternate copy})

1978

 * March 15, 1978 (Carol/Beth/Maryann; clips used in a 2004-ish interview with Chuck Woolery)
 * March? 1978 (Barbara/Herb/Pat, with the original chase light sequence; montage and full Round 3)
 * April 7, 1978 (Scott/Peggy/Laura, with the original chase light sequence)

1979
Flat-Bottomed 7's


 * March 2, 1979 (Angela/Leo/Juanita, with the reversed {counterclockwise} chase light sequence; first 12 minutes {alternate copy of Round 1})

Summer Bartholomew Fills In


 * May 31, 1979 (Hilarie/David/? {female}, with what may be the reversed chase light sequence; Hilarie's interview and game montage)
 * June 1, 1979 (Henry{?}/Hilarie/Janet{?}, with what may be the reversed chase light sequence; game montage)

Susan Stafford Returns; Massive Wheel Overhaul


 * December 4, 1979 (Susan/Lea/Ginger, with "luxurious" still in the intro; cuts off shortly into fee plugs)
 * December 13, 1979 (Linda{?}/?/?, closing segment)
 * December 31, 1979 (Lou/Allan/Jackie, with the original chase light sequence and "extravagant" replacing "luxurious" in the intro)

1980

 * March 18, 1980 (Charline/Becky/Les, with the original chase light sequence and "extravagant" in the intro)
 * March 25, 1980 (Mazel/Bob/Kevin, with the original chase light sequence and "luxurious" back in the intro {alternate copy})
 * May 7, 1980 (Paul/Diane/Cathy, with the original chase light sequence and "luxurious" in the intro)
 * June? 1980 (? {female}/?/?; brief clip shown on a promo aired June 20, 1980)
 * June 20, 1980 (Ken/Linda/Charlotte; brief Round 2 shopping clip)

Jack Clark Announces


 * October 8, 1980 (Sonny/Ruth/Janet, complete last segment)
 * October? 1980 (? {female}/? {female}/? {male}; three brief clips, approximately one second each, shown during a promo detailing the new schedule to begin October 27)
 * November 6, 1980 (Game Show Hosts Week, Finale: Tom Kennedy {Art}/Monty/Minnie), with "luxurious" in the intro and what may be the original chase light sequence)
 * December 18, 1980 (Laura/Joyce/Barbara, with the original chase light sequence and "extravagant" back in the intro; cuts off shortly after Chuck congratulates the third-place winner)
 * December 24, 1980 (Vicki/Bud/Linda, with the original chase light sequence and "extravagant" in the intro {alternate copy})

1981

 * September 1981 (Portland Week, Day ?: Linda/Frank/? {female}, with the original chase light sequence; partial Round 3)

$2,000 Becomes Peach; Set Overhauled


 * December 25, 1981 (Chuck's finale/Christmas In New York, Finale: Claudia/Betty/Sonny; existing video, and full audio in four parts)

Pat Sajak Hosts


 * December 28, 1981 (Pat's debut/Teen Week, Day 1: Jim/Keith/Stacie, with the four-line puzzle board's original chase light sequence {counterclockwise on the left, clockwise on the right})

1982

 * March 12, 1982 (Beverly/Dorian/Bill, with the original chase light sequence)

Vanna White Becomes Hostess


 * December 13, 1982 (Vanna's debut/Philadelphia Week, Day 1: Robin/Louis/Linda, with the original chase light sequence; taped from GSN on August 18, 2007 {alternate copy})

1983

 * January 20, 1983 (? {female}/? {female?}/? {male}; first 1:11, including slate)
 * October 31, 1983 (Tina/Janet/Tim, with light-up white trees on-set {yes, really} and original chase light sequence {alternate copies: #1, #2, #3})
 * November 9, 1983 (Couples Week, Day 3: Bill & Kathy/Don & Susan/Frank & Debbie, with light-up white trees on-set, "flipping" green money graphic, and original chase light sequence {alternate copies: #1, #2, #3})

1984
The Wheel-related episode of Gimme A Break! ("The Big Apple") airs February 16. From what I can tell, it uses the light-up white trees, but like the 227 show in '86 it could've aired "out of order".


 * January 1984 (Lynn/Doug/Cathy, with light-up white trees on-set and reversed chase light sequence {clockwise on the left, counterclockwise on the right}...but no last segment {alternate copies: by the original uploader, complete #1, complete #2})

Walls Replace Trees; Static Griffin Logo


 * February-October 1984 (montage of Pat playing with prizes; most of the clips have the original "Changing Keys" and no Winter decorations on the walls, although at least two appear to use the 1984 "Changing Keys"; one clip mentions a "beat the heat" package, suggesting May or so)
 * February 29, 1984 (Battle of the Sexes, Day 3: Ron/Ray/Rick, with the reversed chase light sequence and full credit roll)
 * April 12-May 24, 1984 (Thursday, Staa/Nickie/Bill; has the reversed chase light sequence {alternate copies: #1, #2})

1985
Second Starburst Backdrops; Animated Logo; Second Helvetica Chyrons


 * February 1, 1985 (Warren/Sol/Linda, with the reversed chase light sequence {alternate copies labeled as "February 11": #1, #2})

Third Helvetica Chyrons


 * 1985-86 (Teen Week: J.P. {Jean-Paul Manoux}/?/?; brief Bonus Round clip, begins at tail end of prize description)

1986
The "Wheel of Fortune" episode of The A-Team airs January 14.


 * June 20, 1986 (Susan fills in/Teen Week, Finale: Peter/Aurora/Wendy, with the reversed chase light sequence and full credit roll {alternate copies: #1, #2})
 * July 1986 (Tom/?/?, with the original chase light sequence; most of Bonus Round)

Wheel Color Overhaul; Jackpot Debuts; Third Starburst Backdrops; Post-Walls Backdrops


 * October-December 1986 (Monday; Dean/Kathy/Karen {Jackpot: $4,000}, with the reversed chase light sequence {alternate copies: #1, #2})
 * November 13, 1986 (daytime tie: Mike/Jill/Dawn {Jackpot: $3,000}, with the original chase light sequence)

"A Unit of The Coca-Cola Company"


 * December 22, 1986 (Teen Week, Day 1: Chrissy/Tom/Danny, with the original chase light sequence)
 * December 23, 1986 (Teen Week, Day 2: Jim/Tracey/Carol, with an unknown chase light sequence {there's a giant bow blocking what little is visible}; last few minutes due to being mostly pre-empted on the East Coast)
 * December 24, 1986 (Teen Week, Day 3: Kathy/Leslie/Victor, with the original chase light sequence)
 * December 25, 1986 (Teen Week, Day 4: Valerie/Ian/Paula, with the original chase light sequence)

1987

 * January 1987 (Mitzi/Tony/Cheryl {Jackpot: $?,000}, with the original chase light sequence; most of Round 2 and part of Round 3)
 * February 13, 1987 (Battle of the Sexes, Finale: Mike/Renee, with the reversed chase light sequence)
 * March 17, 1987 (Phyllis/Alan/Clay, with the reversed chase light sequence {Jackpot: $2,000}; alternate copies: #1, #2)
 * March 30, 1987 (Randy/Robin/Jim {Jackpot: $7,000})
 * April 1, 1987 (Steven/Gail/Missy {Jackpot: $9,000})
 * April 27, 1987 (Pete/Carolyn/Elaine {Jackpot: $7,000})
 * June 15, 1987 (Rod/MaryKay/Angie {Jackpot: $5,000})

"A Unit of Coca-Cola TELEVISION"


 * November 30, 1987 (Dave/Diana/Susan {Jackpot: $1,000})
 * December 21, 1987 (Teen Week, Day 1: Joey/Steve/Samantha)
 * December 25, 1987 (Teen Week, Finale)

1988
M. G. Kelly Announces


 * Fall 1988 (Kelly's audition to replace Pat; appears to be a partial montage)
 * October 26, 1988 (Trick or Treat Week, Day 3: Jeannette/Lenna/Elizabeth)

1989

 * January 6, 1989 (Patti/Carey/Betsy)
 * January 9, 1989 (Pat's finale; taped from GSN on August 18, 2007)

Rolf Benirschke Hosts


 * January 1989 (promo announcing Rolf's debut, "starting Tuesday")
 * January 10, 1989 (Rolf's debut: Karen/Cheryl/Consuelo {alternate copy of closing segment})
 * January 11, 1989
 * January 12, 1989

Charlie O'Donnell Returns


 * February 22, 1989 (Lois/Cami/Rochelle)
 * June 30, 1989 (Rolf/NBC/shopping finale: Julie/Jay/Marc)

Bob Goen Hosts; Everything Overhauled


 * July 1989 (promo announcing the show's return with "bigger prizes" and "more cash")
 * July 17, 1989 (Goen/CBS/"cash" debut: Fay/Rick/Lou, begins at Caribbean Cruise part of Charlie's opening spiel {alternate copy with full opening, begins shortly into chant})
 * July 18, 1989
 * July 19, 1989
 * July 20, 1989
 * July 21, 1989
 * July-August 1989 (?/?/?, Pat Sajak Show segment from July 17-18 where Pat walks downstairs during a Wheel taping)

New Opening Debuts


 * August 22, 1989 (? {female}/?/?, complete final segment; this may be Marleen/Mary Ellen/Lee {currently listed as August 29}, but this is uncertain)
 * August 31, 1989 (Rose/Jim/Martha Ann)

Minimum Value $100


 * September 18, 1989 (Dave/Sandra/Ric, montage)

1990
The "Vowel Play" episode of L.A. Law airs November 29.
 * January 4, 1990 (Mike/Marcia/Don)
 * 1990 (promo with Goen as the victim of wordplay)

Vowels Cost $100


 * February 26-August 27, 1990 (Monday, Rochelle/Tammy/Hury; Production Secretary Karen Griffith's fifth-to-last show, with a long Round 1 and full credit roll plus a crane shot of the $5,000 sign {the Griffin logo at the end is clearly edited in}; not the NICK NOLTE STARRING IN Q&A episode)
 * [Clarification on date: this is before the changes on September 3 {the Season 8 premiere}, so 8/27 is the Monday before. Closing voiceover has Harry Smith and Paula Zahn promoting the wives {lives?} of Ringo Starr and George Harrison "tomorrow" on CBS This Morning; Zahn joined that show on 2/26.]

Seven-Digit Contestant Displays


 * December 25, 1990 (Christmas Day 1990: Todd/Tom/Philip)

1991

 * January 11, 1991 (CBS finale: Brenna/Jim/Sonja)

Return To NBC


 * January 14, 1991 (NBC return {alternate copies: #1a and #1b, #2a and #2b})
 * January-February 1991 (Edward/Diana/Patrick, short montage)
 * February 1991 (Teen Week, Finale: Staci/Shawn/Sharon; probably aired before the 25th)

Cashpot Begins


 * March 11, 1991 (Cashpot, Day 11: Jennifer/Trei/Whitney)
 * March 19, 1991 (Cashpot, Day 17: John/Glenn/Elaine)
 * March 21, 1991 (Cashpot, Day 19: Rosie/Dave/Mary)
 * March 1991 (Phone Wheel of Fortune promo)

Cashpot Ends


 * May 23, 1991 (Sherrie/Joyce/Suanne {alternate copy by the original uploader})
 * May 24, 1991 ({alternate copy by the original uploader})
 * May 27, 1991 ({alternate copy by the original uploader})

"Summer Vacation Bonanza Sweepstakes" Begins


 * June 28?, 1991 (Summer Vacation Bonanza, Day 20?: Gitta/Cheyenne/Ed, definitely Friday {alternate copies: complete #1, complete #2, incomplete/begins during first part of Wheel animation})

Wheel 2000
Because I'm sure not making a separate page just for this. The first tapings have a slightly different Wheel layout and no "turn indicator" light bulbs, among other things. Later tapings (including November 1, 1997) have red-on-yellow A-B envelopes; previously, they were yellow-on-red.


 * 1997 CBS promo
 * Fall 1997 (first taping: Gregory/Kayce/Jeremy, with...a mid-round break?!)
 * September 13, 1997 (Premiere: Marissa/Gerrard/Vinnie, with the original A-B envelopes)
 * September 20, 1997 (Jessica/Lea/Dwayne; SEMI-COLON puzzle clip)
 * Fall 1997 (Tara/Zoe/Ryan, with the original A-B envelopes)
 * Fall 1997 (Jay/Sara/Ian, Bonus Round with the original A-B envelopes)

Known Episodes

For personal reference, in an attempt to make sense of things.
 * 1997: Gregory/Kayce/Jeremy; first taping, with mid-round break
 * 1997: Erin/Caleb/Nikki; possibly second taping, with mid-round break
 * 9/13/97: Marissa/Gerrard/Vinnie, with original A-B envelopes (reran 2/14/98)
 * 9/20/97: Jessica/Lea/Dwayne, with original A-B envelopes
 * 10/4/97: {?}/{?}/{male}, GOOSE BUMPS Speed-Up
 * 1997: Tara/Zoe/Ryan, with original A-B envelopes
 * 1997: Jay/Sara/Ian, with original A-B envelopes
 * 11/1/97: Dawnell/Ebony/Patrick; later taping, with reversed A-B envelopes
 * 1997: Lauren/Skye/Murphibennett (MurpheBennett?); physical game not played, ends in shutout
 * 1997: Jerry/Matt/Lauren
 * 1997: Erin/Caleb/Nikki
 * 1997: Alyssa/Nicole/Simon
 * 1997: Courtney/Tenoa/Cammie
 * 1997: Shananah/Geoff/Jessica
 * 1997: Gino/Alana/Jason
 * 1997?: Alberto/Sarah/Camille
 * 1997?: Natilia (Natalia?)/Julia/Carl, reran 11/1/98 on GSN
 * 1997?: Nick/Tissan/Christine
 * 1997: Ernie/Cody/Regine; last episode aired by CBS (9/26/98)