User:Daniel Benfield/Nighttime Video Archive

Suggested by TPH but for various reasons, primarily 1) the preservation of my sanity and 2) the lack of returning champions during this period, I'm only doing Seasons 1-6 at this point. The timeline is here, and daytime videos here. (If any of these links don't work, remove or substitute as necessary.)

Season 1 (1983-84)
Distinguishable primarily by the first iteration of "Changing Keys" and the squared-off contestant backdrops. At least the premiere, and possibly the second and third shows as well, have $750 as the top value in Round 1. The original Merv Griffin Productions logo is replaced on November 28 by an animated one, whose griffin becomes static (along with a larger picture and smaller font) in February.

The trees behind Pat disappear in February, replaced by "walls" that remain until late 1986 (although the trees still show up and the walls' decorations/foliage still help in dating). It also appears that the Wheel flippers become longer and thinner sometime between September 22 and November 25, but that may just be me going by some less-than-optimal video quality.

Summer repeats for this and the next few seasons can usually be determined by a sudden cut to another screen just after the fee plugs to show the replacement fee sponsors.

1983


 * September 19, 1983 (#S-001/Premiere: Jeff/Leslie/Linda, with the puzzle board's original chase light sequence {counterclockwise on the left, clockwise on the right}; from GSN's first day, prefaced by a history dossier by Peter Tomarken but cuts off shortly after the fee plugs {alternate copy with no Tomarken intro, ends just before the other})
 * September 21, 1983 (#S-003: Kathy/Janet/Barry, with the original chase light sequence; Round 2 only)
 * September 22, 1983 (#S-004: Lou/Cindy/Karen, with $1,000 in Round 1, original chase light sequence, and a three-minute voiceover by Jack Clark...but several cuts {begins after Jack's first opening line, no Round 1 prize plugs, several other brief portions cut out, and no last segment})
 * October-November 1983 (Bob/Pearl/Carmen, with brown-leaf trees on-set, original chase light sequence, original Griffin logo, and a different shot of the King World logo; repeat from Summer 1984, free registration required to watch)
 * October-November 1983 (Ed/Dawn/Ellen, with brown-leaf trees on-set, original chase light sequence, and original Griffin logo {taped 9/83, suggesting the latter end of this period})
 * December? 1983 or January? 1984 (Rick/Joan/Cecelia, with light-up white trees on-set, original chase light sequence, and really small Prize wedge letters...but no last segment)

1984


 * January 1984 (Lloyd/Linda/Debbie, aka "And now, here's your litterer: Pat Sajak!" with light-up white trees on-set, the original chase light sequence, Vanna White spinning the Wheel at the end, and the animated Griffin logo; repeat from August, begins just after opening chant)
 * January-February 1984 (Thelma/Sam/Lisa, with light-up white trees on-set, the curtain screwing up, reversed chase light sequence {clockwise on the left, counterclockwise on the right}, and animated Griffin logo; repeat from June, audio lags about 2-3 seconds behind video after Round 2 puzzle is shown {gets considerably better after Segment 2})
 * January-February 1984 (Tom/Cindi/Velma, with light-up white trees on-set, reversed chase light sequence, and animated Griffin logo; repeat from Summer with commercials)
 * April 1984 (Virginia/Bob/Norma, with the reversed chase light sequence but no last segment; has commercials, one promoting the 1984 Olympic Games {taped 2/14/84; alternate copy by the original uploader})
 * May? 1984 (Mark/Carol/Debi, with the reversed chase light sequence {taped 4/84})

Season 2 (1984-85)
Distinguishable primarily by the second "Changing Keys", the second starburst backdrops, "Merv Griffin Productions" becoming "Merv Griffin Enterprises" (with a completely-static logo), and the King World logo adopting its familiar "star" motif.

By November 23, the $150 next to $1,000 in Round 2 decreases to $100; between then and December 19, it increases to $600 and the red $300 next to Bankrupt in Rounds 2+ becomes a yellow $500. Also in that timeframe, the green $1,000 gets a wider font (most noticeably the $ and first 0); sometime after this change, and by December 19, Round 1 adds $700, $800, and $900.

Winter decorations return again in early or mid-December (definitely by the 19th, which is also clearly decorated for Christmas), and leave by February 1.

Episodes before January 1985 have the monospaced font (for the category strips and wardrobe plugs), no animated Wheel logo, and no Helvetica. The Helvetica strips are altered by February 1, and again sometime afterward; the wide-font $1,000 leaves sometime between the debut of the third Helvetica strips and the season finale.

Beginning here, episodes that have the exact same "distinctions" (i.e., regular animated logo/wide-font $1,000/third Helvetica category strips) and fall into the same timeframe (i.e., "February-June 1985") are ordered arbitrarily unless I know or have reason to suspect otherwise, in which case they're noted.

1984


 * September 1984 (Kersteen/Cinders {Cynthia}/Jack, with the regular $1,000/$5,000, reversed chase light sequence, and full credit roll; uses the Enterprises logo, but otherwise has all the markings of Season 1 {I remember reading somewhere that S2 began taping before the changes were made})


 * Fall 1984 (Dave/Joan/Kathy, with the regular $1,000/$5,000, reversed chase light sequence, and shorter Prize wedge letters)
 * Fall 1984 (Janice/Faye/Marvin, with the regular $1,000/$5,000, reversed chase light sequence, and $300 still next to Bankrupt {alternate copy of Round 3/"FRANKFURTERS AND SAUERKRAUT"})
 * Fall 1984 (Sharon/DeeDee/Brent, with the regular $1,000 and wide-font $5,000)
 * Fall 1984 (Father Rob/Betty/Maria, with the regular $1,000 and reversed chase light sequence)
 * Fall 1984 (Bill/Brilla/Teddy, with the regular $1,000/$5,000 and reversed chase light sequence)


 * November 23, 1984 (E.R. {Elizabeth Renae}/Casey/Stacey, with the regular $1,000/$5,000, no $700/$800/$900 in Round 1, reversed chase light sequence, $100 next to $1,000 in Round 2, and $300 next to Bankrupt in Rounds 2+ {opening through Vanna's intro and full closing segment, from original broadcast})
 * November-December 1984 (Jeanette/Tim/Colleen, with the wide-font $1,000, no $700/$800/$900 in Round 1, no Winter decorations, $100 next to $1,000 in Round 2, $300 next to Bankrupt in Rounds 2+, reversed chase light sequence, and smaller Prize wedge letters)
 * December 19, 1984 (Kathe/Esther/Dennis, with the wide-font $1,000, regular $5,000, $700/$800/$900 in Round 1, Winter decorations {including wreaths and bows}, $600 next to $1,000 in Round 2, $500 next to Bankrupt in Rounds 2+, and reversed chase light sequence)

1985


 * January 1985 (Mike/Renita/Laura, with the original logo, monospaced category strips, wide-font $1,000, regular $5,000, Winter decorations, and reversed chase light sequence; was listed as December 25, 1984 on the timeline)
 * January 1985 (Rita/Lynn/Jonas, with the original logo, monospaced category strips, $800 on $750 in Round 1, wide-font $1,000, regular $5,000, Winter decorations, and reversed chase light sequence; beginning of Bonus Round segment cut out {begins during Jack's description}, cuts off during Griffin announcement)
 * January 1985 (Doc/?/?, tail end of Bonus Round with original Helvetica category strips {minus the shadow effect})
 * January 1985 (Steve/Christina/Debra, with prototype{?} animated logo, wide-font $1,000, regular $5,000, Winter decorations, original Helvetica category strips {minus the shadow effect}/Bonus Round totals/credits, original chase light sequence, and shorter Prize wedge letters)
 * January 1985 (Mary/Dick/Chris, with the regular animated logo, wide-font $1,000, original Helvetica category strips, and reversed chase light sequence)


 * February (or so) 1985 (Hal/Chris/Rita, with the regular animated logo, wide-font $1,000, second Helvetica category strips {also on the February 1 daytime show}, reversed chase light sequence, no Winter decorations, and shorter Prize wedge letters; audio/video seriously out of sync for the first four minutes {slightly off for the rest}, and no last segment)
 * February-June 1985 (Jerry/JoAn/Elaine, with the regular animated logo, wide-font $1,000, third Helvetica category strips {white all around each letter}, and an unknown chase light sequence; taped from GSN in 1999, rough video {especially at beginning})
 * February-June 1985 (Deborah/Cheryl/Robin, with the regular animated logo, wide-font $1,000, third Helvetica category strips, and reversed chase light sequence; begins just before Jack's opening spiel)
 * February-June 1985 (Gina/Cindy/Mike, with the regular animated logo, wide-font $1,000, third Helvetica category strips, and reversed chase light sequence)
 * February-June 1985 (Kim/Brad/Carla, with the regular animated logo, wide-font $1,000, third Helvetica category strips, and reversed chase light sequence; GSN airing with no logos)
 * February-June 1985 (Lori/Peggy/David, with the regular animated logo, regular $1,000/$5,000, third Helvetica category strips, reversed chase light sequence, and shorter Prize wedge letters)

Season 3 (1985-86)
Distinguishable primarily by the Griffin logo using pacific-blue font instead of the previous silver, and for Charlie O'Donnell filling in for two weeks. GSN never reran this season, so any 1985 shows without a GSN logo or Columbia-Tristar Television announcement are likely Season 3.

1985


 * December 5, 1985 (Nikki/Tony/Terry; the THRILL OF VICTORY episode, with the reversed chase light sequence and no Winter decorations)

1986


 * March 14, 1986 (Dick/Diane/Betty, with the reversed chase light sequence; has commercials {alternate copy})
 * May 5, 1986 (Ken/John/Andra, with the reversed chase light sequence and AT MY CAT'S END mis-solve {alternate copy by the original uploader})

Season 4 (1986-87)
Distinguishable primarily by the new Wheel colors (notably the pink $1,000 in Round 1) and third starburst backdrops (introduced sometime between mid-October and November 13). Between November 13 and December 22, the Griffin logo changes to add "A unit of The Coca-Cola Company"; around Spring, the text "ALL RIGHTS RESERVED" is added below the copyright stamp. Sometime between mid-October and November 13, the walls introduced in February 1984 are removed.

GSN never reran this season, so any 1987 shopping episodes without said logo or Columbia-Tristar announcement are likely Season 4. The "Wheel of Misfortune" episode of 227, using the third starburst backdrops, airs October 4.

1986


 * Week of October 13, 1986 (Julie/David/Nita, with the Seasons 2-3 starbursts and original chase light sequence; has commercials, one mentioning the 18th {alternate copy without commercials})

1987


 * January 5-7, 1987 (Ann/Valerie/Helen, with the original chase light sequence; begins immediately before money graphic, ends a few seconds into the fee plugs, but includes commercials {alternate copy by the original uploader})
 * February 12, 1987 (LeGrande/?/?, with the reversed chase light sequence; partial Bonus Round only {taped 1/18/87}, LeGrande later became an Oprah staffer/producer from 1990-97; by the way, if you're curious, the airdate is given here and the tapedate here)
 * Week of April 1, 1987 (?/Nancy/Eleanor, Round 2 only)
 * May 1987 (Mark/Barbara/Susan; Round 4 through end of show, cuts off just before Griffin logo)
 * June 1987 (Martine/Jim/Gerri, begins just before player interviews; has commercials, two mentioning Father's Day as upcoming and a third plugging a car giveaway on the 18th; Griffin logo still has "A unit of The Coca-Cola Company")

Season 5 (1987-88)
Distinguishable primarily by the Big Month/Bonanza of Cash (October 5 through at least February 12); Free Spin is available in Rounds 1-2 until January, at which point it's replaced by an off-model $200. "A unit of The Coca-Cola Company" changes to "A unit of Coca-Cola TELEVISION" by November 10, then "A unit of Columbia Pictures Entertainment, Inc." on February 8.

Jack leaves around May 6, with Charlie returning for at least the following week. In addition to the previous, Summer repeats are distinguishable by the fee plugs being read by Pat and/or Vanna.

1987


 * October 5, 1987 (#S-796/Big Month of Cash, Day 1: John/Nancy/Peter, with the reversed chase light sequence; taped from GSN in August 2007)
 * November 10, 1987 (?/?/?, with the reversed chase light sequence; complete final segment, with Pat talking to a pair of mannequins on-set and a full credit roll {albeit less "full" than usual due to an NBC technicians' strike})
 * December 17, 1987 (Eileen/Peggy/Paul; has commercials)
 * December 1987 or January 1988 (Marj/Paula/Denia, with the "Big Bonanza" opening, Free Spin in Round 2, and possibly the "squished" Prize wedge lettering...but no last segment; also, a "WHA?!" moment in Round 4 when Pat says "Vanna will show you her hyphen.")

1988


 * February-May 1988 (Gerri/Maria/Kevin, with the off-model $200 present through the opening spin and Vanna getting her dress soaked; repeat from June 28, with Pat and Vanna reading the replacement fee plugs)
 * May-June 1988 (?/?/?, with a full credit roll; begins just after fee plugs {a comment says it's May due to the season ending May 27, which I doubt because that's the 37th week})

Season 6 (1988-89)
Distinguishable primarily by M. G. Kelly announcing (through February 17) and the more familiar $25,000 sign. Episodes with the five-and-a-vowel Bonus Round are in September (three-and-a-vowel debuted October 3), while shows with Charlie are February 20 or later. November 14-25 are done at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with Don Pardo announcing.

1988


 * October-December 1988 (Emerald{?}/Chris/Janice, partial Round 3 and Bonus Round {WHICH OLD WITCH and CANADIAN BORDER}; video is accidentally slowed down slightly)
 * November 14, 1988 (Meg/Dave/Matt)
 * November 17, 1988 (Amy/Bill/Mary Lou, begins at newspaper graphic)
 * November 18, 1988 (Alan/Karl/Nikki)
 * November 25, 1988 (Martha/Linda/Willie)

1989


 * January-February 1989 (Eileen/Irene/Ray)
 * January-February 1989 (Joy/?/?, Bonus Round through end of show {same week as above, and both before February 13/"Wipeout Week II"})
 * February 27, 1989 (Michelle/Bettye/Andy, debut of Before & After; montage of Rounds 1-3 and the Bonus Round, prefaced by Andy's brother Jeff winning a car in October-December 1986 {with the third starburst backdrops and late-1984 Griffin logo})
 * February-June 1989 (Arlene/Tina/Bill)

Post-Season 6
The sole exception to the above at this point, and then only episodes that contain a bunch of clips.

Season 16 (1998-99)
1998


 * November 20, 1998 (#S-2,980 {claimed to be 3,000} clip show)

Season 17 (1999-2000)
1999


 * December 27, 1999 (Retro Week I, Day 1; Jill/Brad/Ed)
 * December 28, 1999 (Retro Week I, Day 2; Natalie/Gary/Rachel {intro clip is of the Bob/Pearl/Carmen episode linked waaaaaaayyyyyyy above})

Season 18 (2000-01)
2001


 * April 13, 2001 (Retro Week II, Day 5; Dorothy/Cat/Greg)

Season 21 (2003-04)
2003


 * November 10, 2003 (#S-4,000 clip show, original broadcast {lower-quality "archival" copy})