Parodies and Appearances

Considering how long Wheel of Fortune has been around, it should be no surprise that it has become the subject of many parodies and appearances on sitcoms, satirical programs, and the like...although there do not appear to be any examples prior to 1984.

Note: Not for all ages.

Family Guy
"Alright, Peter, you made it to the Bonus Round. Congratulations." "Thanks, Regis."

Probably one of the more beloved examples, "I Take Thee Quagmire" (March 12, 2006) begins at the Bonus Round with Peter Griffin. Given the category of Actor & Show (i.e., Star/Role), Peter chooses Z4QQQ[Batman symbol]; he then solves the puzzle (ALEX KARRAS IN WEBSTER) anyway, much to the host's shock.

With $1,300, Peter goes shopping (complete with circle-insert over a pan of the prizes and the 1980s "Changing Keys" theme) – buying the ceramic Dalmatian ($600), a week of maid service ($250, which leads into the plot), and a hat rack ($400); with $50 left, he asks how much the fat guy in the circle is.

"That's you." "Oh-oh, embarrassing. Okay, well in that case I'll take the rest on a gift certificate."

(A further two appearances were brief cutaways of puzzles designed to make the viewer think dirty thoughts, but realize said dirty thoughts couldn't be possible with the shown letters {GO TUCK YOURSELF IN and MY GRANDMOTHER'S HAIRY AUNT}.)

South Park
"With Apologies to Jesse Jackson" (aired March 7, 2007) begins with Stan Marsh's dad, Randy, at the Bonus Round; having already been spotted RSTLE plus his choices of BNGO, with the resulting puzzle N_GGERS (People Who Annoy You) and $30,000 on the line for a correct answer, he finds himself very reluctant to say the only thing he can think of...but does it anyway, shocking the nation and beginning the plot.

(The correct answer was NAGGERS.)

CBS-58
A promo made during the 2005-06 season for WDJT's Ten at 10:00 newscast, with Pat and Vanna as themselves; the promo has a contestant solving the puzzle FIRST ALERT WEATHER (Ten at 10:00).

Notably, the promo uses the 1997-2000 version of "Changing Keys".

L.A. Law
"Vowel Play" (aired November 29, 1990) is the only known example that does not involve Pat Sajak or an obvious parody of him; instead, it involves daytime host Bob Goen plus Vanna White, and Charlie O'Donnell.

The episode begins normally with a "previously on" recap, but immediately follows this with a daytime Wheel open and Round 1 (using the Round 4 layout); the puzzle, BALD IS BEAUTIFUL (Phrase), is solved by Douglas, which leads to a subplot involving Wheel. Immediately after the puzzle is solved, the L.A. Law opening begins.

"Vowel Play" occasionally airs on cable networks such as A&E, and is (other than the show's E! True Hollywood Story) the only Goen Wheel footage seen on TV since September 1991.