User:Daniel Benfield/Nighttime Video Archive/Season 7

Go back to Seasons 1-6, or forward to Seasons 8-11?

September 4, 1989 - June 15, 1990

Whereas Season 5 brought the play-for-cash format and Season 6 dealt with the aftermath of Jack Clark's death, Season 7 brought a bevy of changes. Despite having a year left on its contract with NBC's Burbank studios, Wheel is forced out and moves taping to Studio 33 at CBS Television City (Bob Barker Studio and the longtime home of The Price Is Right since 1972) in Hollywood, where it remains for the next six years.

Nearly everything is altered in some way, mostly cosmetic: an updated sound effects package (still used, except for CBS' game show applause machine, which carries over to here and also lasts until 1995), the third set of contestant nametags, the third version of "Changing Keys" (my personal favorite), a new opening and logo (see right), the chevron backdrops, a filled-in contestant railing, and the more familiar Free Spin discs.

The center rug sees some minor changes, including the decreasing of $750 to $150 and the upgrading of the yellow $300 to $800; both it and Lose A Turn switch places, as the template switches from this to this. This carries over into the 1992 set (with a golden border attached) and lasts until the end of Season 11.

The sponsor list is now prefaced with "The following companies have furnished prizes or paid a fee for their promotion on the program."

Two gameplay changes are made: returning champs (three days, like daytime) and the W-H-E-E-L envelopes in the Bonus Round. Also, the Round 2 Prize moves to the blue $150 between $250 and $400. Ampersands debut on September 5, but are exclusive to Same Name until about March 9.

On October 16, the Free Spin wedge is replaced by the off-model $300, with one Free Spin disc present for Rounds 1-2 on a random wedge; on the 23rd, the off-model $300 becomes an on-model yellow $500.

On January 10, Merv begins to be credited first on full credit rolls (daytime credits Nancy one last time on the 4th). On January 29, the Enterprises logo begins using a "flip down, flip up" transition not unlike the letter cards on the Used Letter Board.

The last fur coat is offered on March 20, at which point they're removed entirely from the show's prize pool at PETA's insistence.

The overhead Wheel shot for the opening spin is dropped on April 9 and Pat stops doing said spin on May 2, but he does it a few more times out of habit and he seems annoyed at himself in those cases. On May 14, the blue $150 two spaces to the left of Lose A Turn in Rounds 1-2 increases to $500.

New Categories: Person/Fictional Character on October 6 (renamed Star & Role on October 16), Person/Title on October 11, Husband & Wife on November 27, Family on December 25.

Road Shows: Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida (February 19-March 2).

Repeat Weeks: January 1-5, April 16-20.

GSN Repeat Dates: November 2000-November 2001 (at least one complete cycle, including weekends).

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 ©1989-90 Califon Productions/Merv Griffin Entertainment and associated entities.

September 1989

 * September 4, 1989(#S-1171/Season Premiere: Giselle/Julie/Jackie, Round 3 template carries over to Round 4+; average quality, cuts off at King World logo {"distributed by K-"}, but has commercials.)
 * September 5, 1989 (No links available) (#S-1172: Rob/Jackie/Susie; kinda-blurry video, cuts off at King World logo {"King Wor-"})
 * September 6, 1989 (No links available) (#S-1173: Susie/Elizabeth/John, may cut off at King World logo {sounds like "King Worl-"})
 * September 7, 1989 (No links available) (#S-1174: Brain/John/Linda, with a full credit roll; cuts off right at King World logo {"distributed by-"})
 * September 8, 1989 (No links available) (#S-1175: Cynthia/John/Valerie {})
 * September 11, 1989 (No links available) (#S-1176: Christy/Bob/Renee)
 * September 12, 1989 (No links available) (#S-1177: Bob/Druanne/Kate; taped from GSN with commercials, begins with a very brief Card Sharks clip from 1979 {})
 * September 18, 1989 (#S-1181: David/Brent/Bill {taped 8/12/89; copy of some footage, taped from WPVI by Brent})
 * September 19, 1989(#S-1182: Jill/Rona/Brent, with a full credit roll {taped 8/12/89}; begins right before money graphic, ends right as "Created by Merv Griffin" gets to the center of the screen {alternate copy of some footage including the first 15 seconds, taped from WPVI on January 1, 1990 by Brent})
 * September 20, 1989 (#S-1183: Janet/Jill/Allison, with Pat getting annoyed that a banana is actually fake {it makes sense in context})
 * September 21, 1989 (No links available) (#S-1184: Jim/Kim/Jill, with a fun final segment where Pat and Vanna guess how many bulbs are in the $25,000 sign {1,206}...after which the sign goes out {})
 * September 27, 1989 (No links available) (#S-1188: Judy/Tony/Susie; begins during Round 1 {R's, T, S's, and E already revealed, so fourth spin at the earliest}, some quality problems {})
 * September 29, 1989 (No links available) (#S-1190: John/Kimberly/Sheri, begins about a second into the opening animation {})

October 1989

 * October 2, 1989(#S-1191: John/Donna/Laurie, first day the dollar sign disappears for scores of $10,000+; taped from CKND in Canada, begins with a promo for The Great Spelling Bee and includes a "CLOSED CAPTIONED FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED" graphic, but fades out during Pat's wardrobe plug})
 * October 3, 1989 (#S-1192: John/Allison/Cathy, begins just before "Of!" in the opening chant; taped from GSN in November-December 2000)
 * October 4, 1989 (#S-1193: Mark/Judy/Allison, with the GEORGE C SCOTT AS PATTON puzzle that caused Person/Fictional Character to be renamed; begins just before "Fortune!" in the opening chant)
 * October 6, 1989 (#S-1195: Stu/Donna/Alan, with the only nighttime use of Person/Fictional Character; begins right at "Of!" in the opening chant)
 * October 9, 1989 (#S-1196: Nancy/Alan/Joyce; begins right at "Wheel!" in the opening chant, end of Round 2 cut out {right after puzzle is solved}, post-game totals cut out, cuts off at "King Worl-")
 * October 10, 1989 (#S-1197: Veronica/Ed/Alan, with a full credit roll; taped from GSN in November-December 2000 {alternate-ish copy... thing})
 * October 11, 1989 (#S-1198: Rodney/Cindy/Tom, with an audience member who either says "you SUCK!" or the F-word after Pat's Final Spin; begins immediately into "Wheel!" part of the opening chant)
 * October 13, 1989 (#S-1200: Bob/Martha/Julie, with a silly final segment where Pat and Vanna talk about the on-set fountain {part of an "ISLAND VACATION" display})

Free Spin wedge retired, Person/Fictional Character becomes Star & Role


 * October 16, 1989 (#S-1201: Martha/Karen/Donna, with a repeat of the first 8 bars of "Changing Keys" as Pat and the champion take the Bonus Round prize walk {alternate copies: #1; #2a, #2b, and #2c})
 * October 17, 1989 (#S-1202: Donna/Bruce/Mark, with the DESE DEM AND DOSE GUYS puzzle and the longest three rounds...probably ever, I'm guessing; begins shortly into logo animation, cuts off just after double-buzz in Bonus Round {alternate copy})
 * October 19, 1989 (#S-1204: Susan/Diane/Ellen, features the tail end of what appears to be the previous episode, but unknown)
 * October 20, 1989 (#S-1205: Alan/Steve/Diane, with Pat stopping the Wheel during the opening {alternate copy})

"Off-model" $300 becomes "on-model" $500


 * October 23, 1989 (#S-1206: Michelle/Shelly/Diane {alternate copies: #1; #2a, #2b, and #2c})
 * October 25, 1989 (#S-1208: Mark/Monica/Hilary {alternate copy})
 * October 26, 1989 (#S-1209: Mark/Joe/Anne {alternate copy})
 * October 27, 1989 (#S-1210: Susan/Adam/Nicole; contestant interviews cut out, very jumpy video {alternate copy})
 * October 30, 1989 (#S-1211: Tom/Nicole/LaTanya {alternate copy})
 * October 31, 1989 (#S-1212: Beverly/Larry/Nicole, with Disney characters appearing at the end)

November 1989

 * November 1989 (KCTV "Wheelies" promo featuring some strange aliens)
 * November 13, 1989 (#S-1221: Dawn/Kelley/Dennis; "contest" version)
 * November 14, 1989 (#S-1222: Carolyn/Kelley/Sandy; "contest" version {alternate copy, with an alternate final segment where Vanna plays a puzzle for charity; the charity segment itself})
 * November 15, 1989 (#S-1223: Ann/Kelley/Eddie; "contest" version {alternate copy})
 * November 16, 1989 (#S-1224: Pat/John/Larry; "contest" version {alternate copy})
 * November 17, 1989 (#S-1225: Gary/Emily/Larry; "contest" version {alternate copy})

December 1989

 * December 4, 1989 (#S-1236: Peter/Amanda/Debby, with a full credit roll {alternate copy})
 * December 6, 1989 (#S-1238: Ron/Jana/Dorothy {alternate copy})
 * December 8, 1989 (#S-1240: Steve/Tom/Gary Lee {alternate copy})
 * December 18, 1989 (#S-1246: Sandy/Steve/Margaret)
 * December 22, 1989 (#S-1250: Joseph/Dimitri/Meg, with Pat throwing snow at Vanna during the final segment; fee plugs cut out)
 * December 29, 1989 (#S-1255/Family Week, Finale: Dave & Carol/Bill & Lynn/Rich & Mike)

January 1990

 * January 8, 1990 (#S-1256: Glenda/Barbara/Meg)
 * January 9, 1990 (#S-1257: Meg/Kathy/Guido {alternate copy})

"Executive Producer: Merv Griffin" added to beginning of the full credit roll


 * January 10, 1990 (#S-1258: Mary Beth/Louise/Ed, with a full credit roll)
 * January 11, 1990 (#S-1259: Louise/Don/Loretta)
 * January 12, 1990 (#S-1260: Louise/Sherri/Pat)
 * January 23, 1990 (#S-1267: Glade/Andy/Kathy)

"Flip down, flip up" Enterprises graphic


 * January 30, 1990 (#S-1272: Sue/Alan/Deborah {alternate copy})
 * January 31, 1990 (#S-1273: Alan/Larry/Shirley {alternate copy})

February 1990

 * February 1, 1990 (#S-1274: Alan/Chris/Paul)
 * February 2, 1990 (#S-1275: Paul/Mouse/Ted)
 * February 5, 1990 (#S-1276: Paul/Jeff/Susanna)
 * February 6, 1990 (#S-1277: Ellen/Lisa/Jeff {alternate copy taped from WPVI with commercials, uploaded by Ellen's cousin in tribute to her})
 * February 7, 1990 (#S-1278: Marnita/John/Ellen {alternate copies: #1, taped from WPVI with commercials and uploaded by Ellen's cousin in tribute to her; #2, possibly same source but no commercials})
 * February 19, 1990 (#S-1286/Walt Disney World, Day 1: Patty Hearst {No, not that one}/Catherine/J.D. {alternate copies: #1, #2, #3a and #3b})
 * February 22, 1990 (#S-1289/Walt Disney World, Day 4: Nancy/Lee/Randy, with a full credit roll)

March 1990

 * March 2, 1990 (#S-1295/Walt Disney World, Finale: Bob/Cornelia/Ken {alternate copy})
 * March 6, 1990 (#S-1297: Tom/Cornelia/Dick {alternate copy})

Ampersands begin to be used outside Same Name


 * March 9, 1990 (#S-1300: Gerianne/Juli/David)
 * March 12, 1990 (#S-1301: Tad/Marla/Gerianne, with Vanna showing off an afghan she made for Merv)
 * March 13, 1990 (#S-1302: Elizabeth/Debra/Gerianne {alternate copy})
 * March 14, 1990 (#S-1303: Venela/Debra/Bill, with a full credit roll {alternate copy})
 * March 15, 1990 (#S-1304: Bill/Catherine/Suzanne {alternate copy})
 * March 16, 1990 (#S-1305: Kathy/Tom/Catherine {alternate copies: #1; #2, includes a Columbia Tri-Star Television logo likely from the last few seconds of a Hot Potato episode that aired in this period on GSN})
 * March 27, 1990 (#S-1312: Stephen/Cristina/Emily {alternate copy})
 * March 30, 1990 (#S-1315: Joe/Maureen/Elaine, with a full credit roll; "shaky-cam" upload)

April 1990

 * April 1990 (KOMO plug for auditions, though clearly done after a daytime taping {hard to miss the $1,250 wedge}, using the 1987 "I'm A Wheel Watcher" promo theme)

May 1990
May 21-25 is College Week.


 * May 2, 1990 (#S-1333: Vince/Ernie/Mark)
 * May 7, 1990 (#S-1336: Debi/Claire/Kamee, with a cameo by Charlie)
 * May 10, 1990 (#S-1339: Debra/Jackie/Melanie, with a full credit roll)

Blue $150 near Lose A Turn in R1-2 becomes $500


 * May 18, 1990 (#S-1345: Karen/Angelo/Linda, with PAT AND LESLY SAJAK as a puzzle)
 * May 29, 1990 (#S-1352: Karen/Harvey/Marie, with Pat tossing a $19,500 earring in the air just to make Nancy Jones nervous)
 * May 30, 1990 (#S-1353: Bonnie/Harvey/Scott, with Pat noting the on-set doves keep making noise and "I'm sick of it." {alternate copies: #1, #2})

June 1990

 * June 1, 1990 (#S-1355: Rolland/Larry/Judy, with a full credit roll; taped from GSN circa Fall 2001 with commercials {including promos for Let's Make A Deal and Press Your Luck, plus a not-related-to-GSN ad with Wink Martindale}, begins with the ending of the 3/30/84 Press Your Luck, ends during full credit roll {replaced by the intro of the 4/2/84 Press featuring Karen Martin; alternate copy})
 * June 8, 1990 (#S-1360: Steve/Jana/Denise, with a full credit roll)
 * June 14, 1990 (#S-1364: Kathleen/Yvette/Lynn, with a very lengthy Final Spin {alternate copy, and the Final Spin itself})
 * June 15, 1990 (#S-1365/Season Finale: Lynn/Mark/Kathleen {alternate copy})