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"Get off the couch and behind the 'Wheel'."

MichaelBurgerWheelLive

Wheel of Fortune Live refers to two different versions of Wheel of Fortune traveling shows. These are scaled-down versions of the show which are played live at various venues, offering people the chance to play the game for cash and prizes.

Original version[]

The first version was a tour created by Alan Katz and PS Productions, Chicago which was sponsored by GSN and typically went to fairs and arenas. PS Productions went into a three-year agreement with Sony, King World, affiliates carrying the TV show, and various retailers which stipulated a six-month tour of the top 60 markets beginning in May 1996 (although other articles about the tour in 1996 reported a start date of June or July).

The show appears to have stopped touring by the end of December 1999, having a permanent home at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas (specifically the Center Stage Lounge, renamed the Wheel of Fortune Theatre) and airing on local station KVBC. By this point, the show was produced by Bruce J. Starin and renamed Wheel of Fortune - Live on Stage!

It is not known for certain when the stage show finally ended, although this page suggests it closed on June 4, 2000.

Hosts[]

Bob Eubanks was host when the tour began, with Michael Burger replacing him later on.

Hostesses were typically local celebrities; during a stop at Foxwoods from September 24-26, 1996, Maria Orsina (runner-up in Miss Connecticut 1996) filled these duties on the 24th while Stacy Perrone (winner of the aforementioned contest) played the role on the 25th and 26th.

Later in Eubanks' run, Deb Carson (one of the TV show's contestant coordinators) became hostess.

Gameplay[]

All audience members were eligible to play, with contestants chosen randomly by number, although contestant coordinators specifically looked for those showing enthusiasm. Each show played 5-6 games of Wheel (the Wheel itself being a bit smaller, with just 48 easy-to-reach pegs), interspersed with minigames based on The Newlywed Game and Card Sharks (both hosted by Eubanks on TV at one time or another). The Wheel winners faced off in a final game for the grand prize.

By the time the show settled at the MGM Grand on January 17, 2000, the minigames were removed and the games were played for points rather than cash. The two winners with the highest scores played in a final game with another person picked from the audience, and the winner of this game played a unique Bonus Round (see below).

Prizes[]

Players who won a game were awarded such prizes as TVs, VCRs, stereos, or a trip for two anywhere on Amtrak. The grand prize was a trip for two to Los Angeles, containing a private tour of Sony Studios and an appearance on GSN.

Consolation prizes included various home, travel, and electronic versions of Wheel plus smaller electronics and other merchandise. Audience members received a game card before the show, which could be redeemed for small prizes given away during it.

When the show settled at the MGM Grand in 2000, the winner of the final game played for a Progressive Big Money Jackpot that started at $25,000 and increased by $500 per show until won: the player spun the Wheel three times, and each spin had to match one of three hidden numbers spun prior to the show; matching one awarded $1,000, with all three awarding the Jackpot to the onstage player and a randomly-selected audience member. The Jackpot is known to have reached at least $68,500 by mid-April.

Scheduling[]

During the 2000 run, the shows (running 75 minutes each) were done twice on Sunday-Wednesday (at 3:00 and 7:30 PM), twice on Friday (7:30 and 10:00 PM), and three times on Saturday (4:00, 7:30, and 10:00 PM). Later on, this was expanded to have three shows on Saturday-Monday (at 2:00, 4:00, and 7:30 PM) and two on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday (3:00 and 7:30 PM).

2022-present version[]

Season 1 (Fall 2022)[]

Wheel of Fortune Live was reinstated in September 2022. Mark L. Walberg (of Russian Roulette fame) and Clay Aiken alternate as hosts, with Kalpana Pot as hostess and Dave Styles as announcer. This tour premiered in Owensboro, Kentucky, on September 8, 2022.

This version is staged at local venues, complete with its own Wheel, puzzle board, and a contestant backdrop similar to the one used in Season 40 of the actual show. Eligible contestants who have filled out forms are selected randomly to come onstage three at a time. They play a game consisting of one Toss-Up and at least three rounds of gameplay. Although the Wheel mostly uses points (thus meaning it lacks dollar signs) with 1,500 as the top point value, there are still Prize wedges and Gift Tags that offer trips or similar prizes if won. There is also a $10,000 space on the Wheel. Although it resembles the one used from 1994 to 2008, the center is colored a sparkly green like the Million Dollar Wedge and also functions like such. Round 1 starts with the winner of the Toss-Up while Rounds 2 and going forward start with the player after the one who solved the previous round's puzzle. After the Speed-Up Round, the contestant with the most points wins $250 and randomly draws the name of an audience member who wins a cash prize; the second- and third-place contestants receive $100. Generally, three games are played in this format, with a new set of contestants for each game.

After an intermission, the three highest-scoring contestants play a championship match. This also consists of one Toss-Up and three rounds of gameplay, with higher point values (2,500, 3,500, 5,000, and even a second 1,500) and Mystery Wedges added although the $10,000 space is removed if not picked up before this match. At times, there is only one Mystery Wedge as opposed to two with the prize being 5,000 points. The winner of this match receives an additional $250 and the right to proceed to the Bonus Round, which is played identically to the regular version (complete with a Bonus Wheel). Prizes available here include trips to Paris and Hawaii, a Vespa, and cash amounts up to $5,000. If the $10,000 wedge is brought to the Bonus Round, the $5,000 envelope is removed from the wheel and $10,000 will be a possible prize. Between games, audience members may be selected at random to play smaller puzzles or a matching game involving colored Wheel wedges for a chance to win cash or merchandise as well.

These games use many of the same sound effects and music cues as the real show, although the puzzle board resembles the style retired after Season 39 & when a puzzle is solved, the (2017-2021) music is used.

In terms of values, the Wheel's layout is the same as the show's current one only with a bronze 1,500 space in the top value spot. In addition, extras including larger point values have no default position but could be placed on any of the other point spaces. Also, the 2,500, 3,500, and the 5,000 spaces are colored the same way as their TV show counterparts.

Season 2 (Fall 2023)[]

The live show began another tour starting October 2023, premiering in Springfield, Illinois. Mark L. Walberg and Bob Goen now alternate as hosts.

Gameplay-wise, the tournament structure is changed. Three randomly selected audience members play as contestants in the first game, and another three in the second. Each regular round plays as it was from last season. The Express & the Surprise wedges are added on the wheel. The runners-up at the end of each round now receive a small prize while the two winners move on to the finals alongside with another audience member, with the winner of this match playing the Bonus Round. All three players playing in the finals will each receive $200. In the Bonus Round, the available prizes are now an electronics package, a trip to Paris, and cash amounts from $500 to $5,000 ($10,000 should that wedge be brought over to the Bonus Round, which will replace the $5,000).

This tour is produced by Right Angle Entertainment, which also produces The Price Is Right Live. Despite the existence of the previous shows, this tour is billed as the show's first live tour.

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