User:Daniel Benfield/Daytime Video Archive

Suggested by TPH, and created first due to there being about...what, 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, for the purposes of research and as a public record. Footage ©1973-91/1997-98 Califon Productions/Merv Griffin Entertainment and associated entities.

AND ANOTHER THING: All opinions on this page are my own (see my name above the door?), and as per the rules of the MOS I'm doing it within my userspace. Mind you, the fact you're seeing this means you're here for a reason, so please don't let my thoughts sour you in any way.

1973

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

1974

 * August 28, 1974 (Pilot #3/second Edd Byrnes pilot: Tanya/Frank/Lois, first 9:26 {cuts off during Round 2})

1975

 * January 6, 1975 (#001/Premiere: June/? {female}/? {male}; audio of last 49 seconds)

1976

 * June 7, 1976 (#368: Gerry/Linda/Lee, with the three-line puzzle board's original {clockwise} chase light sequence; taped from GSN on August 18, 2007 {alternate copy})

1977

 * (Nothing yet. It's very lonely.)

1978

 * March 15, 1978 (#785: 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; has commercials, but 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 {alternate copy... thing})

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, "luxurious" back in the intro, and full credit roll {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


 * August 22, 1980 (Carole/Mike/Nancy, last 11:39 with commercials)
 * 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; audio lags behind video by about 1.5 seconds or so, enough to be noticeable and freaking annoying {alternate copy of opening and Round 2, lower video quality but actually synchronized})

1981

 * January 2-December 4, 1981 (Armed Forces Week, Finale: Mark {Marines}/Don {Army}/Jay {Air Force}; end of Round 3 cut out)
 * [The episode has no commercials and cuts off right after Jack's closing disclaimer. "Celebrity Night on the Town" followed it, per the end-of-show comments. Available 1981 info subsequently rules out {for Armed Forces} the weeks of April 13 and 20, May 4 and 11, June 1-22, September 14 and 21, and December 7-21.]
 * 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 {second or so missing}; full audio, missing first second or so)

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 (#2016/Vanna's Premiere {Philadelphia Week, Day 1}: Robin/Louis/Linda, with the original chase light sequence; taped from GSN on August 18, 2007 {alternate copies: #1a and #1b, #2a and #2b})

1983

 * January 20, 1983 (#2044: ? {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 copy})
 * 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 copy})

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 version})

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 copy})

1985
Second Starburst Backdrops; Animated Logo; Second Helvetica Chyrons


 * February 8, 1985 (Warren/Sol/Linda, with the reversed chase light sequence {alternate copy dated as "February 11"})
 * February 1985 (promo for the show's 10th-Anniversary week...a month after the actual anniversary)

Third Helvetica Chyrons


 * 1985-86 (Teen Week, Day ?: 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 copy})
 * 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 copy})
 * November 13, 1986 (daytime tie: Mike/Jill/Dawn {Jackpot: $3,000}, with the original chase light sequence {alternate copy... thing})

"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 copy)
 * 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 (#3563: Patti/Carey/Betsy)
 * January 9, 1989 (#3564/Pat's Finale; taped from GSN on August 18, 2007 {alternate copy... thing})

Rolf Benirschke Hosts


 * January 1989 (promo announcing Rolf's debut, "starting Tuesday")
 * January 10, 1989 (#3565/Rolf's Premiere: Karen/Cheryl/Consuelo, VCR info onscreen throughout {alternate copies: complete, with no VCR counter but somewhat washed-out color and pointless fan-made video intros; closing segment only})
 * January 11, 1989 (#3566)
 * January 12, 1989 (#3567)

Charlie O'Donnell Returns


 * February 22, 1989 (Lois/Cami/Rochelle)
 * June 30, 1989 (Rolf/NBC Finale: Julie/Jay/Marc, with a full credit roll)

Bob Goen Hosts; Everything Overhauled


 * July 1989 (promo announcing the show's return with "bigger prizes" and "more cash"; in other news, I'm thin)
 * July 17, 1989 (#C001/CBS Premiere: Fay/Rick/Lou {alternate copy... thing, begins shortly into chant})
 * July 18, 1989 (#C002 {alternate copy... thing})
 * July 19, 1989 (#C003 {alternate copy... thing})
 * July 20, 1989 (#C004 {alternate copy... thing})
 * July 21, 1989 (#C005 {alternate copy... thing, for which there's not much to say})
 * July-August 1989 (?/Violet/?, Pat Sajak Show segment from July 17-18 where Pat walks downstairs to a Wheel taping)

New Opening Debuts; $5,000 Sign Rotation Included In Credits


 * August 22, 1989 (Marleen/Mary Ellen/Lee, complete final segment)
 * August 24, 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 {alternate copy...thing})
 * 1990 (promo with Goen as the victim of wordplay)

Vowels Cost $100, Merv Griffin's Executive Producer Credit Debuts, Cars Now Appear On Turntables


 * 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 (Todd/Tom/Philip)

1991

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

Return To NBC


 * January 14, 1991 (#DT001/NBC Return)
 * 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; Opening Spin Dropped; Chevron Lights Added Behind Goen


 * 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, the alleged "finale"; it's definitely Friday, and this is the only date I've seen banded around that makes sense {alternate copy, 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" bulbs, among other things. Later tapings, including November 1, 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 reversed A-B envelopes)
 * Fall 1997 (? {female}/Seph/? {male}, clip of "Feed the Raptor")
 * Fall 1997 (Jonathan/Richard/Tamira{?}; most of Round 1, begins at very end of "Cube Roll")

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: ? {female}/Seph/? {male}
 * 1997: Jonathan/Richard/Tamira{?}
 * 1997: Jay/Sara/Ian; later taping, with reversed 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)