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, nighttime videos here, and international videos here. (If any video 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
In the beginning...a turd with Chuck Woolery as host, Mike Lawrence as announcer, and Bill Carruthers as both producer and director.

I kinda liked it, though. Sure, it's definitely not the greatest pilot ever made, but it's also nowhere close to being offensive or time-wasting. That said, Merv really should've put out the decaf before the taping...


 * September 1973 (Pilot #1/Shopper's Bazzar: Marilyn/Dawn/Maureen {alternate copy of opening segment})

1974
A near-complete overhaul, almost entirely for the better: Edd Byrnes becomes host, with Charlie O'Donnell as announcer and Susan Stafford as hostess...except the host's drunk, people can't hear or do math properly, Susan forgets to turn stuff, nobody remembers that hey there's allegedly returning champs so we should make up fake prior totals for them, and there's arguments between Merv and Marty Pasetta.

Leap of faith, indeed...


 * August 28, 1974 (Pilot #2/first Byrnes taping: Marge/Gary/Roseanne, video briefly cuts out during opening logo)
 * August 28, 1974 (Pilot #3/second Byrnes taping: Tanya/Frank/Lois, ends during Round 2)

1975
Smart heads prevailed: Chuck's back as host, with center stage occupied by some doors that are replaced sometime (about July?) in favor of the original curtain. The main contestant displays also change sometime this year, from white to the color of each arrow.

Most of the weird stuff is sorted out within the year: Buy A Vowel goes from redundant to required before Wheel just kicks it (and its duplicate) out by November 3, new categories are added, the "wait 30 seconds in Speed-Up before picking vowels" rule is ousted, the minimum Wheel value is upped to $100, and the gift certificates come into play.

The hour-long shows are done from November 3-7, then return on a regular basis on December 1.


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

Lots of changes


 * November 3, 1975 (?/?/?, 20 seconds of opening)

1976
The hour-long era ends on January 16, with another bevy of changes: the top values go from $500/$750/$1,000 to $500/$1,000/$1,500, the contestant displays become white again, the opening now starts resembling that which people remember from this era, and the light ring above the Wheel (and the ever-changing color of the chroma-key center) is removed.


 * 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 copies, same source: #1, no last segment; #2a and #2b, complete})

1977
You know how "one is the loneliest number"? This is the only year in the show's history that is represented in my video archives by...nothing, because there's no audiovisual footage known to exist save a dozen photos of Brides Week (January 24-28), by which point the regular curtain is introduced.

Susan injures herself around early September while rehearsing for Circus of the Stars, with Summer Bartholomew (who also modeled for Brides Week) filling in. Probably around September 30 is one of the strangest incidents of the show's run, when Arte Johnson fills in to promote his new NBC game Knockout.

1978
The score displays extend to six digits, and the Wheel changes up again, by January 18 (with the blue $400 in Round 1 becoming red sometime between March 15 and April 6). Quotation debuts by January 18, with the Star Bonus introduced in...late March? Not sure when it finally left, though.

Another memorable episode airs Christmas Day, on which Jo Anne Pflug and Chuck's daughter Melissa visit; Charlie also makes his first known on-camera appearance, wearing a Santa Claus costume.


 * Early 1978? (Barbara/Herb/Pat, with the original chase light sequence; montage and full Round 3)
 * [Confusing airdate timeframe is freaking confusing: oh, boy, where to start...
 * The Wheel layouts appear to be the same as they are on January 18 and March 15, complete with the blue $400 next to a blue $300 in Round 1. The blue $400 became red by April 6, so it's no later than March 30 since Karen retired on April 5 with a three-day total of $16,334 {as Chuck notes on the 6th}.
 * The end of the intro is unlike anything used in the 1976 or '78 episodes {except the All-Star Dream Machine show, but that's a special case} and didn't become the norm until 1981: the Wheel logo is used at the end, with Charlie saying "And now, here's your host: Chuck Woolery!" The latter is used on March 15, but not the former, and on January 18 it was "Now, let's meet your host".
 * The biggest sign is that Barbara purchases a 1978 Camaro after Round 3, as the Camaro model years ran from September-August. This puts it no earlier than September 1977, but that might be pushing it because of Susan's absence during that period and she's pretty clearly in this episode.
 * Don't get me wrong in the slightest – I'm happy that Mike Adams has shared what he has with the world – the thing is that there's not enough in the uploads to get a more accurate timeframe than "September? 1977-March 30, 1978". An NBC voiceover during the credits of either of Barbara's episodes would likely solve this instantly or at least narrow it down. If Bankrupt was hit and didn't use the slide whistle, it'd be narrowed to about four-and-a-half months. If Barbara's second episode has the Star Bonus {which seems unlikely, but I've been proven wrong before}, it's locked to late March.]
 * March 15, 1978 (#785: Carol/Beth/Maryann; clips used in a 2004ish interview with Chuck)
 * April 6, 1978 (Scott/Glenda/Gail, with something weird at the top of the puzzle board at 11:30 and a very game show-ish prize cue in Round 4; taped from KNBC, begins during Charlie's opening spiel {"-these extravagant prizes!"}, video collapses hard at Chuck's entrance; includes a brief Price Is Right clip at the beginning {alternate copy, same source but no Price clip)
 * April 7, 1978 (Scott/Peggy/Laura, with the original chase light sequence; taped from KNBC with commercials, ends during eligibility disclaimer {alternate copy, no commercials})

1979
By March 2, the 7's on the Wheel change to having a flat bottom; previously, they were round. Occupation debuts by March 27.

Susan is absent from May 24-June 8 due to a car accident which dislocates her shoulder; Summer fills in through June 1, with the next week handled by Cynthia Washington. May 31 is the first known appearance of Nickname, which seems to disappear back into the sands of time until September 1988.

Sometime between June 1 and December 4, the top amounts become $750/$1,000/$2,000 with $125, $275, $650, and $850 retired for...some reason. Also debuting in December are two new commercial cues, also composed by Alan Thicke.

7's on Wheel become flat-bottomed


 * March 2, 1979 (Angela/Leo/Juanita, with the reversed {counterclockwise} chase light sequence; taped from WNBC with commercials, ends during first commercial break of Round 2 {alternate copy of Round 1, same source})
 * March 27, 1979 (Gwen/Brian/Anita, with a Bankrupt-filled round {and Chuck starts that round's intro spiel over at one point, eerily predicting the modern practice of cutting out "null" cycles} and the first known appearance of Occupation)

Summer 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 returns, massive Wheel overhaul, new commercial cues added


 * December 4, 1979 (Susan/Lea/Ginger, with "luxurious" still in the intro; taped from WNBC with commercials, ends shortly into fee plugs {alternate copy, same source but no commercials)
 * 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; taped from WNBC, with commercials {alternate copies, same source: #1a, #1b, and #1c, with commercials; #2, no commercials})

1980
The Wheel is altered at times during the year, as well as the placement and frequency of the three commercial cues (which continues for the next three years, when Merv finally gets sick of paying royalties to Thicke). The supposed "finale" airs August 1; in the wake of Charlie's departure, Don Morrow does August 4-8 with Jack Clark becoming announcer on the 11th.


 * March 20, 1980 (Charline/Becky/Les, with the original chase light sequence and "extravagant" in the intro; taped from WNBC, with commercials {alternate copy, same source but no commercials})
 * March 25, 1980 (Mazel/Bob/Kevin, with the original chase light sequence, "luxurious" back in the intro, a five-round game, and a full credit roll; taped from WNBC with commercials, audio/video cuts out for six seconds during last shopping round {alternate copies, same source: {#1a and #1b, with commercials; #2, no commercials})
 * May 7, 1980 (Paul/Diane/Cathy, with the original chase light sequence and "luxurious" in the intro; taped from WNBC, with commercials {alternate copy, same source but no commercials})
 * June? 1980 (? {female}/?/?; brief clip shown on a promo aired June 20)
 * June 20, 1980 (Ken/Linda/Charlotte; taped from WNBC, begins at "-just waiting to be won...", audio/video is okay but has definitely seen better days, Round 4 intro missing, ends during sponsor list {alternate copies, same source: full episode, Round 2 shopping portion})

Jack Clark becomes announcer


 * August 22, 1980 (Carole/Mike/Nancy; taped from WNBC with commercials, begins at start of Round 3)
 * October 8, 1980 (Sonny/Ruth/Janet, with the first known instance of a one-word Phrase and the only known Woolery-era instance of a Speed-Up being played for a gift certificate; has a couple of commercials)
 * 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; has commercials, ends almost immediately after the full credit roll begins {alternate copy, no commercials)
 * December 18, 1980 (Laura/Joyce/Barbara, with the original chase light sequence and "extravagant" back in the intro; taped from WNBC with commercials, ends shortly after Chuck congratulates the third-place winner {alternate copy, same source but no commercials})
 * December 24, 1980 (Vicki/Bud/Linda, with the original chase light sequence and "extravagant" in the intro; taped from WNBC, with commercials {alternate copies, same source: full episode #1, same quality but no commercials; opening and Round 2, lower video quality; full episode #2, has commercials but audio lags behind video by about 1.5 seconds or so to the point where it's noticeable and freaking annoying})

1981
The regular five-and-a-vowel Bonus Round debuts the week of December 14, but returns on the 28th. The set is overhauled on December 21 (including a new 48-trilon/four-row puzzle board, sunburst contestant backdrops, a turntable for the prizes, and a new golden Wheel base), a style that remains for the next eight years.

Chuck leaves on the 25th, replaced by Pat Sajak on the 28th.


 * January 2-December 4, 1981 (Armed Forces Week, Finale: Mark {Marines}/Don {Army}/Jay {Air Force}; end of Round 3 cut out, no commercials, cuts off right after Jack's closing disclaimer)
 * [Per the end-of-show comments, "Celebrity Night on the Town" was next week. Available '81 info subsequently rules out {for Armed Forces} the weeks of April 6-20, May 4 and 11, June 1-July 13, September 14 and 21, and December 7-21.]
 * April 17, 1981 (Teen Week, Finale: Ian/Dan/Craig, 48-second clip from after Round 4 {reran 7/17/81; not sure whether this particular copy is one or the other})
 * April 21, 1981 (Virginia/Jan/Lori; taped from WNBC with commercials, audio is kinda static-y {alternate copies, same source: full episode, no commercials; closing segment})
 * September 21-25, 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)

Sajak becomes host


 * 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}; has commercials {alternate copy, same source but no commercials})

1982
By September 2, the money graphic becomes animated, the puzzle board adds another four trilons to the corners (inaccessible due to the border), and Bonus Round players begin playing from center stage. Susan leaves on October 22 with Summer, Vicki McCarty, and Vanna White filling in until Vanna becomes permanent on December 13 (by which point the opening logo begins to be displayed in different colors).


 * September? 1982 (WBZ promo for Wheel, Card Sharks repeats, and the dying days of Match Game; I really only put this here because the Wheel clips are from 9/2)
 * September 2, 1982 (Nancy/Beverly/Karen; taped from WTCN)
 * September 3, 1982 (Beverly/Dorian/Bill, with the original chase light sequence; begins at "-filled with glamorous prizes" {alternate copy, begins at "-glamorous prizes"})

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 copy})
 * December 29, 1982 (#2023/Teen Week, Day 3: Chris/Evangelina/Jonathan; video tends to screw up, but still very watchable)

1983
Probably the biggest musical change of all: on August 8, Thicke's music package is replaced by a set composed by Merv, most notably "Changing Keys". A mid-show bumper is added by October 31, while the Merv Griffin Productions logo becomes a full-color drawing of a griffin against a black background on November 28.


 * January 20, 1983 (#2044: ? {female}/? {female?}/? {male}; first 1:11, including slate)

Merv's music debuts


 * October 31, 1983 (Tina/Janet/Tim, with light-up white trees on-set {yes, really} and original chase light sequence; taped from WNBC, with commercials {alternate copies, same source: #1, #2, #3})
 * November? 1983 (brief promo with Pat mentioning some kind of contest; might be the Home Puzzle Contest, known to be held the first full week of November)
 * 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; taped from WNBC {alternate copies, same source: #1, #2, #3})

1984
In February, the Griffin logo is altered to make the griffin static and the text smaller, while the trees are replaced by a set of walls. "Merv Griffin Productions" becomes "Merv Griffin Enterprises" on September 10, "Changing Keys" is redone around the 17th (with the opening slightly altered), and the sunburst backdrops become sharp-edged around October 1. Sometime between then and November 23, the $150 next to $1,000 in Round 2 becomes $100.

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 the reversed chase light sequence {clockwise on the left, counterclockwise on the right}; taped from KXAS with a few commercials, but no last segment {alternate copies, same source: #1a, #1b, #1c, and #1d by the original uploader; #2; #3, no commercials})

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 '84 "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 a full credit roll {alternate copy})


 * April 12-May 24, 1984 (Thursday: Staa/Nickie/Bill, with the reversed chase light sequence; taped from WNBC with a couple of commercials {okay, who thought it'd be a good idea to name their product "AYDS"?} plus Jack Cafferty doing a Live at Five promo before the show, but audio/video goes a bit off beginning late in Round 1 {alternate copies, same source: #1, #2})

Second "Changing Keys"


 * September 17-24?, 1984 (Celia/Joseph/Gloria, with the reversed chase light sequence; begins about 10 seconds before money graphic, some tracking problems, but has commercials {definitely a Monday before the second sunburst backdrops were introduced})

Second sunburst backdrops, $150 next to $1,000 in R2 becomes $100, Winter decorations added


 * November 29-December 13, 1984 (Battle of the Sexes, Day 4: Jeanne/Stephanie/Terri, begins during opening glissando {just before "Look at this studio..."; alternate copy}; according to this post, all NBC shows at this point {except Super Password, for some reason} used the airdate for copyright purposes)
 * December 19, 1984 (Dolly/Robert/Connie, with probably the oddest point to do a commercial break I've ever seen on this show {and I hope it's the only time they tried it because it's freaking awkward}; taped from WNBC with commercials, including a Live At Five promo)

1985
The graphics are redone around January 21: the logo during the open (shown over the Wheel) has its transparent spaces colored in white, the logo after the money graphic becomes animated, and the category displays become Helvetica chyrons (which get shadows later that month). By February 8, the chyrons become bolder with no shadows and a white outline around the bottom of each character, which expands to have white around each character by March 29.

Sometime in February, the show celebrates its 10th Anniversary with a week-long home-viewer contest because hey, why celebrate it on time when we can do it for sweeps?

Animated logo, second Helvetica chyrons


 * February 8, 1985 (Warren/Sol/Linda, with the reversed chase light sequence {alternate copy dated February 11})
 * February 1985 (promo for the show's 10th-Anniversary week...a month after the actual anniversary; also includes an "NBC Sports World" promo for their interview with Mary Lou Retton almost a year after her historic Olympic gold-medal win)
 * 1985 (promo with Jim Perry of Sale of the Century)

Third Helvetica Chyrons


 * April 24, 1985 (Mary/Mirtha/Chuck)
 * 1985-86 (Teen Week, Day ?: J.P. {Jean-Paul Manoux}/?/?; brief Bonus Round clip, begins at tail end of prize description)

1986
Susan returns from June 16-20 (you know, back when Wheel did legit callbacks). The Wheel gets a color overhaul in late August or early September (definitely by September 8), while the Jackpot wedge debuts September 15.

The walls are removed sometime between October 13 and November 13; likely at the same time, the sunburst backdrops change to a more flower-ish design. Sometime between November 13 and December 22, the Enterprises logo adds "A Unit of The Coca-Cola Company".

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


 * February 14, 1986 (Couples Week, Finale; open, mid-show break, and final segment with full credit roll, taped from WESH with commercials)
 * Late April-Early June 1986 (Monday: Naomi/Dennis/Faye, known to be right after a College Week, with an extremely rare dual-category disclaimer by Pat; taped from KCST, begins during opening glissando and ends during sponsor list)
 * [According to the uploader, "I think the show was taped April 21 (through 23) 1986, but it didn't actually air until several weeks later." The timeframe is based on that.]
 * June 20, 1986 (Susan fills in/Teen Week, Finale: Peter/Aurora/Wendy, with the reversed chase light sequence and a 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 sunburst backdrops, post-walls backdrops


 * October 1986 (KDSK behind-the-scenes reports, showing various clips from around this point; interestingly, part of the first report uses the 1983 "Changing Keys")
 * 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 {alternate copy})

Enterprises logo adds "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
The Enterprises logo changes slightly (to a yellow background and "A unit of Coca-Cola TELEVISION") between mid-June and about mid-October. The fee plugs are dropped on December 28, with a parting gift announced before the beginning of Round 3 or 4.


 * 1987 (KAMC behind-the-scenes report; while it's one of a series, the other parts aren't available)
 * 1987 (WGRZ promo for the show {with a bunch of 1984-85ish clips}, airing weekdays at...Noon?!)


 * 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; begins a bit before "Fortune!" of opening chant)


 * March 17, 1987 (Phyllis/Alan/Clay {Jackpot: $2,000}, with the reversed chase light sequence and Pat wearing a green frog hat {alternate copy})
 * March 30, 1987 (Randy/Robin/Jim {Jackpot: $7,000}, with the reversed chase light sequence, a Jack Clark mini-interview, a contestant plug, and probably the worst game of the circulating daytime footage; taped from WNBC with commercials, though, so at least that's something {alternate copy, no commercials but begins with a Donahue promo})


 * April 1, 1987 (Steven/Gail/Missy {Jackpot: $9,000}, with a contestant plug and full credit roll; taped from KYW, begins with the last half-second of a Hollywood Squares promo but video speeds up shortly into the opening chant...and then the video is about 3-4 seconds ahead of the audio {see below for more problems, except the video quality's better and more stable...and at least here the desync is only for Round 1})
 * April 27, 1987 (Pete/Carolyn/Elaine {Jackpot: $7,000}, with a ticket plug and full credit roll; video speeds up shortly into the opening chant, putting it about five seconds ahead of the audio and freaking annoying {doesn't help that the video drops to a gray screen at times}...and while things properly sync back up after Round 1 {clearly forced since it cuts off Jack}, the problem resurfaces in Round 2 – the same tactic is used to resync, but the problem happens again about two spins into Round 3 and stays right through the end of the show; oh, and it ends while the NBC Studios credit is scrolling offscreen)


 * June 15, 1987 (Rod/MaryKay/Angie {Jackpot: $5,000}, with Pat not doing the "Try not to hit Bankrupt..." spiel because "I don't feel like it." {alternate copy})

"A Unit of Coca-Cola TELEVISION"


 * November 30, 1987 (Dave/Diana/Susan {Jackpot: $1,000}, with Pat doing the Topkcaj joke he'd repeat nine years later; taped from KCEN, begins with the end of a "Tonight at 6 PM" news promo)


 * December 21, 1987 (Teen Week, Day 1: Joey/Steve/Samantha, with the last known use of the chroma-key closing shot; has commercials, begins during "Of!" in opening chant)
 * December 25, 1987 (Teen Week, Finale; taped from WNBC, begins with a partial Live at Five promo {alternate copy, slightly lower quality and no promo})

1988
On February 8, the Enterprises logo replaces "A unit of Coca-Cola TELEVISION" with "A Unit of Columbia Pictures Entertainment, Inc." Jack Clark leaves around May 6, with Charlie and Johnny Gilbert filling in afterward until M. G. Kelly becomes the permanent announcer around August 8.

For reasons unknown, the Jackpot wedge is removed on September 16. On October 3, the Bonus Round is altered to give the player RSTLNE plus three-and-a-vowel, then 10 seconds to solve.

M.G. becomes announcer


 * August 1988 (likely-partial montage of Tim Brando's audition to replace Pat, done on the nighttime set: David/Jennifer/Ellen)
 * August (or so) 1988 (partial montage of Kelly's audition to replace Pat, done on the daytime set)


 * October 26, 1988 (Trick or Treat Week, Day 3: Jeannette/Lenna/Elizabeth {alternate copy})
 * December 7, 1988 (Shawn/Elin/Maddy, with some pricetags oddly using a different font than the usual)
 * Mid-December 1988 (Sports Look {I think that's what it is} interview with new host Rolf Benirschke, who has been taping for less than a week and done eight episodes, with some strong indications that Windfall actually did exist; the Sports Look set has a Christmas tree)

1989
Oh, goodness...Rolf becomes host on January 10, with Charlie returning on February 20. Sometime between February 22 and June 30 (the last NBC show), something falls through between Wheel and host wardrobe provider Augustus.

The show returns July 17, now on CBS with Bob Goen hosting and a bevy of changes: a new home base at CBS Television City's Studio 33/Bob Barker Studio (where The Price Is Right has been taping since 1972), a slightly different opening (with a new logo that becomes the regular one by August 22 in a new open), new contestant nametags (which begin using black text on July 19), playing for cash with cheaper Wheel layouts (the Rounds 1-2 layout of which increase over the next three months), and a new "Changing Keys" (my personal favorite). The sponsor lists also get changed to two, per CBS' tradition: "The following suppliers of products or services have paid for their use & promotion." and "The following suppliers of products or services have furnished them free or at less than retail." Also, per CBS tradition, the show uses the applause machine used on its other game shows.

On October 16, the Free Spin wedge becomes $400 and the winner's Bonus Round letter choices become black.


 * January 6, 1989 (#3563: Patti/Carey/Betsy)
 * January 9, 1989 (#3564/Pat's Finale; taped from GSN on August 18, 2007; includes the first few seconds of the Merv Griffin tribute marathon's next episode, namely 9/24/92 {alternate copies, same source: #1; #2a, #2b, and #2c})

Rolf becomes host


 * January 1989 (promo announcing Rolf's debut, "starting Tuesday")


 * January 10, 1989 (#3565/Rolf's Premiere: Karen/Cheryl/Consuelo; VCR info onscreen throughout {alternate copy of closing segment})
 * January 11, 1989 (#3566 {alternate copy, no commercials})
 * January 12, 1989 (#3567 {alternate copy, Round 2 missing for some reason})

Charlie O'Donnell returns


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

Goen becomes host, 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})
 * July 18, 1989 (#C002 {alternate copies: #1; #2; #3a, #3b, and #3c})
 * July 19, 1989 (#C003 {alternate copies: #1; #2a, #2b, and #2c})
 * July 20, 1989 (#C004 {alternate copies: #1; #2a, #2b, and #2c})
 * July 21, 1989 (#C005 {alternate copy})
 * July 24-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; taped from WCBS with commercials, including a young Brian Williams promoting the day's Noon newscast {alternate copies: full episode #1, same source; full episode #2, same source but no commercials; closing segment})
 * August 24, 1989 (Rose/Jim/Martha Ann)

Minimum value now $100


 * September 18, 1989 (Dave/Sandra/Ric, montage; no Bonus Round or final segment, though)

1990
By January 4, the nighttime car turntables are brought to daytime. Sometime between then and July 5, the vowel costs are dropped from $200 to $100.

Armed Forces Week is July 2-6, with contestants chosen from the audience.

Sometime between July 23 and September 3, several changes are made: the contestant chevron backdrops become darker; the score displays become connected, with seven digits and an adjusting dollar sign; and the Wheel's lights become much brighter, with the bottom layer now going in the same direction as the other layers.

Sometime between September 11 and December 25, the rules for picking up Prize wedges and the Free Spin are altered to need a correct letter call before they can be claimed, a considerably fairer rule.

The "Vowel Play" episode of L.A. Law, using the seven-digit displays and brighter Wheel lights, airs November 29.


 * January 4, 1990 (Mike/Marcia/Don, with a full credit roll {also the last time Nancy's credited first; alternate copies: #1; #2a, #2b, and #2c})

Vowel cost dropped to $100, "Executive Producer: Merv Griffin" added to full credit roll


 * July 5, 1990 (Armed Forces Week, Day 4: players chosen from the audience, begins with Karen/Terry/Barry; average video, dips into D-level territory at times with some tiny bits cut out here and there, but it seems all copies are like this {and besides, no gameplay is lost; alternate copies: #1, #2; same source but has the 1992 logo at the start})
 * July 23, 1990 (Rochelle/Tammy/Hury, Production Secretary Karen Griffith's fifth-to-last daytime show {except not really} with a long Round 1 and full credit roll plus a crane shot of the $5,000 sign; taped from WCIX, Enterprises logo is clearly edited in {alternate copies: #1, #2})
 * [Date clarification: this is before the changes on September 3 {the Season 8 premiere}. Closing voiceover has Harry Smith and Paula Zahn saying "Tomorrow we'll talk with supermodel Cheryl Tiegs. Also, the wives of Beatles Ringo Starr and George Harrison join us on CBS This Morning." Zahn joined that show on February 26, and I've gotten confirmation that Tiegs appeared on July 24.]

Seven-digit contestant displays


 * December 25, 1990 (Todd/Tom/Philip, with the Enterprises logo revealed through a trilon effect {alternate copy})

1991
...You can just feel the end approaching. Or at least I can...

Wheel moves back to NBC's schedule on January 14 with a few minor changes (such as the opening spiel becoming a unique style, also adding a shot of the day's players, and moving the first Prize to Round 1). The sponsor lists are re-merged with a preface of "The following companies have paid a fee and/or furnished merchandise to the production company for promoting their products." Episodes with fee plugs move them to the second break, using a unique logo only seen a few times on the nighttime show (for the same purpose), with only show merchandise (based on nighttime) plugged during the last segment.

Several play-by-phone sweepstakes are held: Cashpot from February 25-March 25, Summer Vacation Bonanza from June 3-July 1. A third, Phone Wheel of Fortune, is held from an unknown point through March 31.

Sometime between March 21 and May 23, Bob stops doing the opening spin (which had been discontinued a year earlier on nighttime). Sometime between April 16 and May 14, the Bonus Round chevron backdrops get lights that flash during the open, bonus prize descriptions, and credits.

On May 27, the black chyrons used for the winner's Bonus Round letters become light green, although this appears to have been a very brief change if not an outright fluke. Sometime between about mid-June and August 9, the Bonus Round chevrons are replaced by...very low clouds?

The show ends on August 30, with repeats airing through September 20.


 * January 11, 1991 (CBS Finale: Brenna/Jim/Sonja; Enterprises logo revealed by zooming the photo back to reveal a gray background, then flipping over {alternate copies: #1, same quality; #2, somewhat lesser quality})

Return to NBC


 * January 14, 1991 (#DT001/NBC Return, with an almost-entire zoom-out of the Wheel for the sponsor list {very 1974-ish :} and a full credit roll; taped from WOWT, with most commercials {alternate copies: #1, same quality; #2, somewhat blurry video; #3a and #3b, same source as #2})
 * January 16-Early February, 1991 (#DT0??: Edward/Diana/Patrick, still with the Winter lights behind Bob; short montage)

Cashpot begins


 * March 11, 1991 (#DT041?/Cashpot, Day 11: Jennifer/Trei/Whitney {alternate copies: #1, #2a and #2b})
 * March 18, 1991 (promo for the next day's Cashpot puzzle)
 * March 19, 1991 (#DT047?/Cashpot, Day 17: John/Glenn/Elaine)
 * March 21, 1991 (#DT049?/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 (#DT094?: Sherrie/Joyce/Suanne {alternate copies: #1a and #1b by the original uploader, with "NBC is The Place To Be!" ID; #2)
 * May 24, 1991 (#DT095? {alternate copies: #1a and #1b by the original uploader, with "NBC is The Place To Be!" ID; #2)

Bonus Round letter choices become light green


 * May 27, 1991 (#DT096? {alternate copies: #1a and #1b by the original uploader, with "This is the NBC Television Network!" ID using the "Place To Be!" package; #2)

"Summer Vacation Bonanza Sweepstakes" begins


 * June 28?, 1991 (#DT120?/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...although the Bonus Round letters appear to be black {alternate copies: #1, begins during first part of Wheel animation; #2, complete but starts with a Hit Man snippet; #3; same source})

"Summer Vacation Bonanza Sweepstakes" ends, Bonus Round chevrons removed


 * August 9, 1991 (#DT150? {#4,200}/16th-to-last show/Teen Week, Finale: Staci/Shawn/Sharon, with a huge win and a full credit roll...although the Bonus Round letters are black; has some commercials, but ends during Enterprises logo {alternate copies, same source with "NBC is The Place To Be!" ID: #1, #2})

Wheel 2000
Listed here because it aired in daytime and wouldn't really fit anywhere else. There's a bevy of changes, all listed in the above page.

Episodes are grouped by changes, as CBS clearly aired the series out of taping order, a practice also done to The Weird Al Show that same season (and it suffered greatly by comparison). 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.

(The network timeline originally included Wheel 2000 due to its airing schedule, and watching with that mindset may feel like it's the last desperate gasp of daytime Wheel...which it kinda was, since they haven't tried another daytime version after this failed and never bothered to do children-only weeks even though the target audience wants them to do it {going so far as to ask in March 2013}.)

GSN Repeat Dates: February 1998-October 2001 (aired first-run from September 1997-February 1998; reran on Discovery Kids Canada for a time).


 * November 1, 1997 (footage of the traveling version at Navy Pier)

Earliest tapings (clock on-set, no "turn indicator" bulbs, old Wheel template, no logo on monitors)


 * Fall 1997-Early 1998 (first taping: Gregory/Kayce/Jeremy, with...a mid-round break?!)

Regular Wheel layout and Stunt Wedge rules


 * October 18, 1997 (third taping: Gino/Alana/Jason, with a broken "house minimum" rule and failure in the Speed-Up; taped from WTVR {which pre-empted the show a day}, begins shortly before contestant interviews, first part of Bonus Round cut out {begins as puzzle scrolls up}, cuts off during Sternberg logo animation)

Logo on monitors, "turn indicator" light bulbs


 * September 13, 1997 (Premiere: Marissa/Gerrard/Vinnie)
 * October 4, 1997 (Katie/Seph/Brent, with the GOOSE BUMPS Speed-Up mentioned on ATGS long, long ago; taped from WTVR, which pre-empted the show a day)
 * October 11, 1997 (Lauren/Skye/Murphibennett, with no stunt played and a "Wha?" reaction to the bonus puzzle; taped from WTVR {which pre-empted the show a day}, ends right before Sternberg logo)
 * Fall 1997-Early 1998 (Tara/Zoe/Ryan, still with the original A-B envelopes)
 * Fall 1997-Early 1998 (Jonathan/Richard/Tamira?; most of Round 1, begins at very end of "Cube Roll" {since this clip doesn't include the Bonus Round or credits, I can't say for sure whether it falls into this period or the below})

Reversed (red-on-yellow) A-B envelopes


 * Fall 1997-Early 1998 (Jay/Sara/Ian, full Bonus Round)

Known Episodes

For personal reference, in an attempt to make sense of things.
 * FIRST TAPING (1997): Gregory/Kayce/Jeremy; has a mid-round break
 * SECOND TAPING (1997): Erin/Caleb/Nikki; has a mid-round break
 * THIRD TAPING (aired 10/18/97): Gino/Alana/Jason; has normal Wheel layout and Stunt Wedge rules
 * 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: Katie/Seph/Brent, with original A-B envelopes; also has the GOOSE BUMPS Speed-Up
 * 10/11/97: Lauren/Skye/Murphibennett, with original A-B envelopes; physical game not played, ends in shutout
 * 1997: Tara/Zoe/Ryan, with original A-B envelopes
 * 1997: Jonathan/Richard/Tamira; last name uncertain
 * 11/1/97: Dawnell/Ebony/Patrick; later taping, with reversed A-B envelopes
 * 1997: Jay/Sara/Ian; later taping, with reversed A-B envelopes
 * 1997: ? {male}/? {male}/? {female}; later taping, with reversed A-B envelopes (clips shown in a promo at the beginning of the October 11 upload)
 * 1997: Jerry/Matt/Lauren; no idea when this or any of the below fall into the taping cycle
 * 1997: Erin/Caleb/Nikki
 * 1997: Alyssa/Nicole/Simon
 * 1997: Courtney/Tenoa/Cammie
 * 1997: Shananah/Geoff/Jessica
 * 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)