User:Daniel Benfield/Nighttime Video Archive

Suggested by TPH. For various reasons, owing primarily to my sanity, this will only list Seasons 1-6 for the moment. (If any of these links don't work, please specify which ones on my talk page.)

Season 1 (1983-84)
Distinguishable primarily by the first iteration of "Changing Keys" and the squared-off contestant backdrops. Episodes pre-November 28 have the original Merv Griffin Productions logo, while the very earliest episodes have $750 as the top value in Round 1.

Summer repeats for this and subsequent seasons can usually be determined by a sudden cut to another screen to show some sponsor names.


 * September 19, 1983 (Premiere, Jeff/Leslie/Linda)
 * Fall 1983? (Lou/Cindy/Karen)

Season 2 (1984-85)
Distinguishable primarily by the second "Changing Keys" and the second starburst backdrops; also, "Merv Griffin Productions" becomes "Merv Griffin Enterprises", and the King World logo adopts its familiar "star" logo. Episodes before January 1985 have the monospaced font (for the category strips and wardrobe plugs), no animated Wheel logo, and no Helvetica.


 * January 1985 (Mike/Renita/Laura; has the original logo and monospaced font, although somebody on the timeline dated it to Christmas Day 1984)
 * January 1985 (Steve/Christina/Debra; has the original Helvetica category strips, and a prototype{?} animated Wheel logo)


 * February-May 1985 (Lori/Peggy/David)
 * 1985 (Deborah/Cheryl/Robin)
 * 1985 (Mary/Dick/Chris)
 * 1985 (Gina/Cindy/Mike)
 * 1985 (Kim/Brad/Carla)
 * 1985? (Hal/Chris/Rita; audio/video are out of sync, sometimes pretty badly)

Season 3 (1985-86)
While not having any real distinguishing characteristics of its own merit (minus Charlie O'Donnell filling in for two weeks), GSN never reran this season. As such, any 1985 shows without a GSN logo are likely Season 3.


 * December 5, 1985 (Nikki/Tony/Terry; the THRILL OF VICTORY episode)

Season 4 (1986-87)
Distinguishable primarily by the new Wheel colors (notably the addition of pink) and third starburst backdrops. By late December, the Merv Griffin Enterprises logo changes to add "A unit of The Coca-Cola Company".

GSN never reran this season, either, so any 1987 shopping episodes without a GSN logo are likely Season 4.


 * September? 1986 (Julie/David/Nita; has Season 4 Wheel colors and Seasons 2-3 backdrops)
 * Early 1987 (Martine/Jim/Gerri {begins just before player interviews})
 * May 1987 (Mark/Barbara/Susan, Round 4 through end of show {cuts off just before Merv Griffin logo})

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. Also, "A unit of The Coca-Cola Company" is changed to "A unit of Coca-Cola TELEVISION" by the end of December. Jack Clark leaves around May 6, with Charlie returning for at least the next week.

In addition to the previous, Summer repeats are distinguishable by the fee plugs read by Pat Sajak and/or Vanna White.


 * December 1987 or January 1988 (Marj/Paula/Denia; has "Big Bonanza" opening, Free Spin in Round 2, and possibly the "squished" Prize wedge lettering...but no last segment)

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, while shows with Charlie are February 20 or later.