Wheel of Fortune timeline (syndicated)/Season 19

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A timeline for Season 19 of Wheel of Fortune, which aired in first-run from September 3, 2001 through May 31, 2002.

Season Changes

• The opening still shows flashbacks, but the graphics surrounding the clip are changed, and they now appear just before a golden version of the two-row logo appears. Until about January, a clip of contestant Gretchen jumping up and down is briefly visible just before the logo appears. The Wheel graphic used is the Speed-Up template, and the logo and graphic are accompanied with searchlights on a starry light blue background. Each word in the logo appears as said during the chant, and after "Fortune!", the logo zooms into the Wheel's center to cut to the studio.
• Charlie's intro is changed to "Ladies and gentlemen, Pat Sajak and Vanna White!”
• Multiple changes are made to the Toss-Ups:
  • There are now three Toss-Ups. The first, still valued at $1,000, now determines only who is interviewed first. A Toss-Up worth $2,000 is added before Round 1 to determine who starts that round, and the one before Round 4 is upgraded to $3,000. If the first one is not solved, then the red contestant is interviewed first; if the second one is not solved, then the red contestant starts Round 1.
  • Toss-Ups are now split-screened in the same fashion as Speed-Up rounds.
  • The wipe changes to a purple disc with "Toss-Up" written on it in Helvetica Condensed, with "TOSS" written both right-side-up and upside-down on the edges.
• The category strips are changed to white letters in Kabel Bold on a purple, rectangular background which fades at the ends. The "rolling Wheel" effect is replaced with a white "burst" effect, and the letters themselves zoom out into place, one letter at a time.
• Gill Sans is reinstated as a permanent display font for the prize values and post-Bonus Round totals, but this time, it appears in its regular version instead of the bold version that had been used for both purposes in Seasons 10-12 and for the values of certain prizes in Season 18; also, the text is now accompanied by a cyan light background. The prize values have white outlines and use a variety of colors, such as red or silver, while the post-Bonus Round totals are white. This remains through Season 21.
• The Jackpot Round now has an opening wipe. The first one features a red semicircle with a gold border and the gold "JACKPOT" name in Helvetica Condensed, accompanied by a gold-bordered red rectangle with five gold dollar signs on it. The "JACKPOT" name and dollar signs zoom out onto their respective shapes as these zoom into the screen, and then the entire graphic tilts to the left to reveal the Jackpot sponsor's plug.
• The Jackpot wedge no longer has the sponsor's logo on it. Instead, the sponsor's logo is shown above the Jackpot total. Additionally, the Jackpot display has its size decreased, and the amount is switched to Impact, which remains in use through Season 22.
• Charlie's spiel for the Bonus Round prizes is moved from after the final round to immediately before the Bonus Round. As he does this, Vanna once again holds either the electronic $25,000 envelope from the late 1990s or the regular envelope.
• The numbers for the $25,000 graphic are changed to a white 3-D form of Helvetica Condensed and spin into place. While they spin into place, a blue background appears.
• Road shows now last for three weeks instead of two.
• Pat's wardrobe provider is removed from the closing credits.
• Some tapings from Culver City now comprise six episodes; these sixth tapings are put into special weeks throughout the season.
• This season's Toss-Up wipes, Jackpot graphics, and $25,000 graphic carry over into Season 20.
• According to one recollection, a contestant during this season tries to solve their bonus puzzle before giving three more consonants and a vowel, but is not allowed to do so.

September 2001

• September 3 is Desert Southwest Week. During this week, the zig-zag shaped PHOENIX ARIZONA signs from the Arizona episodes in February 1997 are used to frame the video screen, although the letters are absent.
• On September 3:
  • Pat forgets to say the category for the $1,000 Toss-Up until just before it is solved.
  • Round 3 has a rare instance of a contestant losing their turn with only vowels remaining; contestant Marva incorrectly solves the puzzle IF I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW with only the E's and A missing, after which contestant Dante solves for the house minimum.
  • Pat accidentally says that the category for the Speed-Up is Rhyme Time (the category of the $3,000 Toss-Up), but Marva corrects him.
  • There is a very rare instance of a contestant solving the Speed-Up puzzle without any money.
  • The contents of the W-H-E-E-L envelopes change to three cars and two $25,000 envelopes, with all five remaining in play all week.
• On September 5:
  • The $1,000 Toss-Up BY APPOINTMENT ONLY uses the second through fourth rows of the puzzle board, even though it could fit on the second and third; as a result, it is the only Toss-Up answer to use the bottom row.
  • The camera cuts to contestant Brian immediately as he rings in to solve the above Toss-Up, and it returns to split screen to reveal the answer after it is solved.
• On September 6, contestant Chris solves the bonus puzzle JAWS (Title) despite getting no help from her extra letters.
• On September 7, Round 2's Where Are We? puzzle uses three clues.
• September 10 is Orient Escape Week.
• On September 10, Round 1 and the Bonus Round are Living Thing, likely the first duplication of that category.
• On at least September 3 and 10, the first spin of Round 1 uses a bird's-eye view of the entire set, instead of cutting to a closeup of the Wheel.
• From September 11-14, many markets air Wheel and Jeopardy! in early-morning hours (or not at all) due to continuous coverage of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington D.C. None of the affected episodes are known to have been rerun during Summer 2002 or the 2002-03 weekend feed, although all contestants on both shows did receive their winnings. The Jeopardy! episodes were eventually rerun by September 17, 2001 on ABC affiliate WJLA in Washington D.C. and later nationwide on GSN in 2005. The September 11-13 episodes of Wheel are known to have aired on WJLA consecutively on the night of Saturday, September 15 from 11:30 PM-1:00 AM, although other programming was listed (the September 14 episode was not affected in this market). It is also believed that the episodes were shown on MediaCorp Channel 5 in Singapore, a station known to have aired at least some Season 19 episodes well after their American airdates. These episodes, along with the weekend repeat from September 15 (from Season 18's Endless Summer week) and many other TV shows originally to have aired on these days, are also preserved at archive.org.
• On September 11, the second place contestant has $15,250.
• On September 12, Round 5 (CAT TREATS) is a rare instance of a puzzle shorter than ten letters.
• On September 13, Round 5 (SYNAGOGUE) is a rare instance of a puzzle shorter than ten letters.
• On September 14, contestant Frank accidentally calls L in the Bonus Round, but Pat does not acknowledge this or ask for another consonant until after he calls his vowel. After this, an offstage voice can be heard asking for him to confirm his letter choices.
• September 17 is San Francisco Salute.
• On September 17:
  • Contestant Amy fills in the entire Round 2 puzzle MARTIN SHEEN AS PRESIDENT BARTLET by herself.
  • Round 5 (TOY CHEST) is a rare instance of a puzzle shorter than ten letters.
• On September 18, the $1,000 Toss-Up CREATING A WEB SITE is misspelled ("website" should be one word).
• On September 21, Round 2 is the only Where Are We? puzzle to use two clues (NEW ENGLAND GREEN MOUNTAIN STATE).
• September 24 is the Italian Festival Sweepstakes, sponsored by Ragú spaghetti sauce and Wish-Bone salad dressing. During this week:
  • Home viewers may submit at least three of this week's bonus puzzles via postcard, an entry form in September 23's newspaper, or a form on the show's website. Prizes include a top prize of $100,000 cash, ten trips to the then-upcoming Wheel tapings in Las Vegas, and 100 instances of $10,000 in groceries.
  • There is a cold open in which Pat and Vanna promote the theme from a graphic of a kitchen while accordion music plays. A second promo also featuring Charlie airs before Round 3.
  • The Round 3 Prize is $5,000 in groceries courtesy of Ragú.
• On September 24:
  • Contestant Rebecca only spins twice in the entire game.
  • After Round 1's Next Line Please puzzle TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR, contestant Chad gives a guess of "how I wonder where you are" instead of "how I wonder what you are". Although this is initially ruled incorrect, Pat points out before the $3,000 Toss-Up that since the line "how I wonder where you are" occurs in the song "Little Star" by the Elegants, Chad will be credited with the $3,000. This is only the second known instance of a "bonus" question response being overturned.
  • The Round 2 and 3 Prizes are still on the Wheel when Round 4 begins as a Speed-Up.
  • Chad picks C H A D in the Bonus Round.
• On an episode early this season (known to have been rerun on July 12, 2002), a contestant fails to solve the bonus puzzle HUMIDITY, repeatedly guessing "humditty". After time expires, he misreads the fully-revealed answer as "humditty" and asks Pat "Didn't I say 'humditty'?", after which Pat corrects him.

October 2001

• October 1 is South of the Border Week.
• On October 1:
  • Two contestants give the same mispronunciation when trying to solve the puzzle DAVID DUCHOVNY AND TEA LEONI.
  • In the Speed-Up round, all three contestants guess BALL PEN AND PENCIL SET, when the actual answer is BULL PEN AND PENCIL SET (Before & After).
• October 8 is Safari Adventures Week.
• On October 8:
  • Ola begins to call A after a spin in Round 4, but quickly corrects it to H. Against precedent, Pat ignores the A and tells her to call a consonant; she sticks with H, which is not in the puzzle.
  • Although a repeated H is called in Round 4, it is not acknowledged as such.
  • After Ola calls the last consonant in the Speed-Up puzzle DRY ERASE BOARD, no acknowledgement is made that only vowels remain until after Joe and Corine continue to call consonants, after which John Lauderdale can be heard saying "Only vowels, vowels only". Pat asks if they must credit Corine with the incorrect consonant, which they do. Ola then calls O but does not solve, after which Joe calls E and solves for $0. These events do not affect the outcome.
  • After contestant Joe solves, Pat does not acknowledge the house minimum and announces his final total as $500 less than what his scoreboard reads. He corrects himself before the Bonus Round.
• On October 9, according to a comment on this Wiki, the original Round 2 (A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED) is thrown out due to Pat accidentally accepting a wrong answer; this recollection is likely misdated, as the same puzzle was used less than five months earlier on May 18.
• On October 11:
  • The Round 3 Prize is a Thunderbird motorcycle.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 4.
  • Six rounds are played.
  • One of contestant Laura's spins in Round 5 is dubbed in from another episode, as it shows the red $600 even though she actually landed on the purple one.
  • Round 5 (BETTY BOOP) is a rare instance of a puzzle shorter than ten letters.
  • The $2,000 Toss-Up is Thing, and Round 6 is Things.
  • 12 wrong letters (including one vowel) are called in the Speed-Up.
• All five Bonus Rounds are won on the week of October 8.
• October 15 (Wheel Around the World) is the first week of sixth episodes.
• On October 19, the W-H-E-E-L envelope holder is used for the last time.
• October 22 is Big Money.
• On October 22:
  • The $3,000 Toss-Up and Bonus Round are On the Map.
  • The category strip disappears briefly during Round 4.
  • The Final Spin bells sound twice in Round 4.

    

  • The W-H-E-E-L envelopes are replaced with a 24-space Bonus Wheel. Its wedges originally spell out "WIN $100,000 CASH BONUS", with a blue space after "WIN", an orange space after "$100,000", a green space after "CASH", and a red space after "BONUS". The original envelope distribution consists of twelve car envelopes (four per car if three are offered; six per car if two are offered), eleven $25,000 envelopes, and one $100,000 envelope. The traditional logo (with colors on its "wedges") is on the center, which itself does not spin. A special piece of music plays whenever the Wheel is spun. The first prize landed on, a Honda Accord, is not won. The $100,000 envelope was under the A in CASH on this episode.
    • As with the W-H-E-E-L envelopes, Charlie announces one of several rotating lines whenever the cash prizes are won; he also begins drawing out the word "thousand".
    • The original pre-commercial Bonus Round spiel is "The Wheel of Fortune $100,000 Bonus Round is coming up next! Stay tuned." The first Bonus Wheel animation graphic is introduced, set on a blue background.
    • For at least the first week, Pat reveals the location of the $100,000 envelope. When he does on this show, an overhead shot is not used, so its location is not clear.
    • The $100,000 envelope has a modern Wheel of Fortune logo on the top.
  • In the final segment, Vanna spins the Bonus Wheel and picks the comma, whose envelope contains $25,000.
• October 29 is Halloween Week. During this week, a picture of a jack-o'-lantern is projected onto the center of the wheel.
• On October 29, the following changes are made:
  • The Bonus Wheel is altered to replace the traditional logo with a larger domed light, and the red wedge between "BONUS" and "WIN" becomes purple.

    

  • The music for the Bonus Round timer is modified.
  • Pat no longer reveals the location of the $100,000 envelope.
  • Due to taping order, some weeks following use the old Bonus Wheel and timer cue, and Pat still reveals the envelope's location.
• On October 31:
  • There is a very rare instance of a "bonus" category (Slogan) being used in Round 1.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 4.

November 2001

• On November 2:
  • Contestant Shane gives a wrong answer of MUSTARD-FILLED CHOCOLATE ECLAIR on the Round 2 puzzle CUSTARD-FILLED CHOCOLATE ECLAIR. This clip has been shown in many retrospectives and blooper specials.
  • Round 4 (ABRACADABRA) is a very rare instance of a one-word Rhyme Time and also a rare instance of a puzzle with only one vowel.
• For the weeks of November 5-26, the combined winnings of each episode are matched and donated to charity for the World Trade Center relief.
• The weeks of November 5-19 are taped at the James L. Knight Center in Miami on September 11 and 12. November 12 is Cruise Week, and November 19 is Family Week. During these weeks:
  • Because of 9/11, Charlie is unable to make the flight, so his announcing is pre-recorded. Contestant coordinator Gary O'Brien handles audience warm-ups.
  • Also because of 9/11, the audiences are smaller than usual for a road show.
  • The floor is blue.
  • A unique piece of Latin-sounding trumpet music plays during the intro.
  • Also at this point, Pat starts wearing an American flag lapel pin on his jacket; this lasts until the end of Season 24.
  • During the first week's taping, members of the audience draw raffle tickets for a chance to audition. One audience member is a contestant on November 7.
  • Vanna and Lesly do some of the Prize modeling and bumpers.
• On November 5:
  • Vanna wears a shirt and pants.
  • For the first known time since May 16, 1996 (not counting Friday Finals and Family Week episodes), three females play.
  • The wide shot of the first spin in Round 1 is obviously a reshoot done at the start of Round 2, as the Jackpot wedge, Prize, and $3,500 are all visible.
  • The Round 2 Prize is a Vespa scooter.
  • After contestant Marie lands on the $400 between the $550 and the pink $300, that amount is not added to the Jackpot.
  • The yellow arrow flashes throughout the Bonus Round.
• On November 8, a Toss-Up is reshot for an unknown reason.
• On November 13, there is an $8,500 Jackpot win.
• On one of the Miami episodes, comic book writer Barry Dutter is a contestant.
• On November 19, the Round 3 prize is a $13,164 trip to Hakai, British Columbia, Canada.
• November 26 is Home for the Holidays. During this week, the Round 2 prize is a $2,500 QVC shopping spree.
• On November 26:
  • There is a jump cut to a bird's-eye view of the set when Pat calls on contestant Barret during the $1,000 Toss-Up, suggesting that a reshoot was done.
  • The puzzle board lights fail to flash after Phillip solves the $2,000 Toss-Up.
  • After the Round 2 Fill In the Number puzzle is revealed, Pat asks for the "official" name of the #, and an offstage voice (possibly Karen Griffith) can be heard saying "pound sign".
  • Barret mispronounces "sharpener" as "sharpen-der" when solving the Round 2 puzzle ## CRAYOLAS INTRODUCED A BUILT-IN SHARPENER (64), but this is never noticed.
  • There is no cut to the board after Barret calls R in Round 4.

December 2001

• On December 3, a contestant solves the bonus puzzle BALI despite getting no help from his extra letters. This is the last known four-letter bonus puzzle until FAWN in May 2005, as the long-standing trend of very short bonus puzzles (first established in Season 7) is gradually reversed over the next several seasons.
• December 3 is Fast Cars Week.
• On December 4, contestant Susie solves the bonus puzzle JUNK FOOD with only the N and K revealed.
• On December 7:
  • Round 5 (GLAMOUR) is a rare instance of a puzzle shorter than ten letters.
  • Contestant Peter, who does not solve his bonus puzzle for $25,000, misses the $100,000 by only two envelopes
  • Columbia TriStar Television and Columbia TriStar Television Distribution merge to become Columbia TriStar Domestic Television. This lasts until November 8, 2002.
• December 10 is Hawaii Week. During this week, as part of the Hawaiian Vacation Sweepstakes, viewers may submit each day's bonus puzzle for a chance to win a vacation to Hawaii.
• On December 11:
  • The Round 1 puzzle ELLEN DEGENERES is a rare main-game puzzle with only one vowel.
  • A cycle of lost turns is edited out of Round 1 despite not being "null"; the first lost turn is an incorrect vowel from contestant Christopher, as his score is off by $250 for the rest of the round, which he ultimately wins. Pat references the cycle by telling him "An R, we have" despite no prior lost turns being aired.
  • The Round 2 puzzle A FATHER-TO-BE PACING BACK AND FORTH is categorized as Event instead of Person; it also has the A by itself on the top row.
  • Contestant Katie's nametag falls off during her first spin in Round 2.
  • Round 3 is the first known instance of Song Lyrics.
• December 17 is Great Outdoors.
• On December 19:
  • Vanna wears a shirt and pants.
  • Round 2 and the Bonus Round are Thing, while the $3,000 Toss-Up is Things.
  • Douglas Ross becomes the show’s first $100,000 winner.
    • If the $100,000 is won, a collection of streamers and confetti is released onto the stage.
    • The $100,000 graphic is similar to the $25,000 win graphic of that time, but its background is green instead of blue. On at least this episode, it displays at the top of the screen instead of the bottom.
• On December 20:
  • The Round 2 puzzle PAUL NEWMAN AND JOANNE WOODWARD is the first known Husband & Wife puzzle after Season 7 not to use an ampersand.
  • All three contestants hit Bankrupt consecutively in Round 2.
  • Round 3 has a now-rare instance of a Wheel Prize that is not a trip or cash: in this case, a snowmobile plus a collection of James Bond DVDs and film soundtracks.
  • For the first known time, Around the House is used twice: Round 5 and the Bonus Round.
  • Contestant Dave, who does not solve his bonus puzzle for $25,000, misses the $100,000 by only one envelope.
• December 24 is Christmas Week. During this week:
  • All of the contestants winnings are matched and donated to American Red Cross disaster relief funds to help support the 9/11 victims.
  • A picture of a snowflake is projected onto the center of the wheel.
• On December 25, contestant Spencer wins despite failing to claim $40,150 in Round 2. This is very likely the most lost to a wrong letter since 1985, and very likely the most money lost by a contestant who still wins.
• December 31 is I Love NY Week. New York then-governor George Pataki does some of the intros, and 9/11 is addressed.
• On December 31:
  • For only the third known time, Vanna wears gloves.
  • Contestant Helen, who does not solve his bonus puzzle for the Audi TT, misses the $100,000 by only one envelope.
  • In the final segment, fashion designer Jeremy Scott makes an appearance.

January 2002

• On January 2:
  • No vowels are bought in Round 3.
  • Contestant Sandra wins Round 3 with only the $10,000 prize and Gift Tag.
  • Round 5 (ITSY-BITSY) is both a rare instance of a puzzle shorter than ten letters and of one with only one vowel.
  • Six rounds are played.
  • Pat and Vanna replay a clip of the "A GROUP OF PILL-PUSHERS" incident during the closing chat, albeit with the "Good night, everybody!" comment and audience applause edited out. This is how the clip is shown in nearly all subsequent airings (including television blooper specials), unless noted otherwise.
• January 7 is NFL Players Week. This is also the only such week to not be rerun during the Summer. During this week:
  • The contestants wear football jerseys corresponding to the team of their respective NFL players.
  • The highest-scoring team wins a 5-day trip to New Orleans to attend Super Bowl XXXVI.
  • The NFL stars introduce themselves at the top of the show, each one appearing in golden-colored box in the lower left-hand corner, against a background of football players. The Wheel of Fortune logo spins counterclockwise in the lower right-hand corner.
  • Instead of playing as teams, the contestants play by themselves and are shown footage of their corresponding players wishing them good luck during the interviews. This was likely done due to post-9/11 travel restrictions.
  • The top winner of each episode receives clothing from Players Inc. and a PlayStation 2.
  • Home viewers may enter a contest on the show's website for a chance to win tickets to the Pro Bowl. Shannon Sharpe of the Baltimore Ravens promotes this after the Bonus Round.
• On January 8, three females play.
• On January 10:
  • The Round 2 Prize is $2,500 towards a purchase from TicketsNow.com, and the Round 3 Prize is a set of tickets to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii.
  • The $25,000 graphic does not appear after Mazi wins that amount in the Bonus Round.
• January 14 is New Orleans Week. During this week, the Round 3 Prize is not used.
• On January 14:
  • The shot of Gretchen from February 17, 2000 jumping up and down is removed from the opening graphics.
  • During the opening, Pat and Vanna drive onstage from behind the board in a golf cart which has a Mardi Gras mask and the traditional logo on its sides, and the cart bumps into the steps at the front of the puzzle board. After they climb out, they throw beads into the audience. In the final segment, they replay a clip of the golf cart bumping into the board. This later shows up in various retrospectives.
  • Vanna wears a sleeveless shirt and pants.
  • The $2,000 Toss-Up ON-LINE SHOPPING is improperly hyphenated.
  • The Round 2 puzzle LIGHTWEIGHTS WELTERWEIGHTS MIDDLEWEIGHTS does not connect the last two words with AND or an ampersand, as such an arrangement could not have fit on the board.
  • No vowels are bought in Rounds 1 or 4.
  • The Round 5 puzzle TUTTI-FRUTTI is a very rare instance of a puzzle with only three unique consonants.
  • Round 5 inexplicably goes to Speed-Up with only one consonant (the F) missing.
  • Against normal practice, the "only vowels remain" beeps sound in the Speed-Up.
  • For the first time, there is a $100,000 loss.
• On January 15, according to a comment left on this Wiki, the original Round 3 (EATIN' GOOD IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD) is thrown out due to a contestant not having $250 deducted after buying an incorrect U.
• On January 16, there is a $12,250 Jackpot win.
• January 21 is European Holiday. During this week, the Round 3 Prize is not used.
• On January 21:
  • The pre-commercial Bonus Round spiel is changed to "Stay tuned, [name of contestant] is going to spin for $100,000 next!" and the Bonus Wheel animation graphic is now set on a live-action version of the studio.
  • There is a $100,000 loss.
• Due to the Hershey's Sweepstakes (see below), only January 28-30 use the week's theme name, Romantic Destinations. It is known that these three episodes do not use the Round 3 Prize.
• On January 29:
  • VANNA WHITE GOLD is a Before & After puzzle.
  • After contestant Rhett calls an N, Pat notices that his microphone fell off his tie. He puts it back on his tie so he can speak clearly.
• January 31-February 6 is the Hershey's Pot of Gold Sweepstakes, with no theme name seen for those shows. The respective weeks' sets are retained as per usual. During this sweepstakes, home viewers may win a pair of Ford Thunderbirds, $10,000 shopping sprees, $25,000 cash, a Princess cruise, a $500 Sony gift card, or Hershey's Kisses. To enter, viewers must submit either a form (from the Sunday, January 27 newspaper) or a postcard, with three of the five Bonus Round solutions from these episodes. Also, the Round 3 Prize is not used during these episodes.

February 2002

• On February 1, a contestant fills in the bonus puzzle THE JOKER completely.
• During the week of February 4, the main video wall shows the Hershey's contest as the "Hershey's Hugs & Kisses" sweepstakes. Also, the contestant video wall uses the Season 17 logo which is also used on February 1.
• On February 4, contestant Kareem guesses MINERS & HOES on the $2,000 Toss-Up FINGERS & TOES, a moment which has been seen on several retrospectives and blooper shows.
• On February 5, Pat forgets to mention the category (Before & After) in Round 1 until after the first spin.
• On February 6:
  • The Slogan puzzle OH THE POSSIBILITIES (Fisher-Price) is a rare "bonus" puzzle used in Round 1.
  • The Wheel Prize is a Panasonic gift card sponsored by Hershey's. The wedge features a Hershey's Kiss on it.
• Due to the Hershey's Sweepstakes, only February 7 and 8 use the week's theme name, Island Fever.
• The weeks of February 11-25 are taped at the Las Vegas Hilton. During these weeks, the gift tag is $1,000 courtesy of Southwest Airlines.
• February 11 is Sweethearts Week.
• On February 11:
  • The logo bug now has the location name during road shows.
  • Contestants Elsie and Jason, who do not solve their bonus puzzle for $25,000, miss the $100,000 by only one envelope
• On February 14, contestants Karen and Steve give a wrong answer of STRAWBERRY LIP GIRLS on the Toss-Up STRAWBERRY LIP GLOSS. This has been seen on several blooper specials.
• February 18 is Big Money Week, another case of that week occurring twice in one season. For this week, cash amounts of $30,000, $35,000, $40,000, $45,000, and $50,000 are added to the Bonus Wheel. After the interviews, Pat mentions these amounts as a graphic of them is shown in the bottom-right corner. Before the Bonus Round, Vanna models a collage of the lower portions of the envelopes.
• On February 18:
  • Vanna wears a suit.
  • The Round 1 puzzle FANCY-SHMANCY has only one vowel.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 1.
  • All three contestants hit Bankrupt consecutively in Round 2. It is hit six times overall, tying the record for the most known hits in one round.
  • There is an $11,650 Jackpot win. In a rather rare occurrence, it comes with only vowels remaining.
  • The bonus puzzle PEAK HOURS uses only one line.
  • Contestant John, who does not solve his bonus puzzle for the Chrysler PT Cruiser, misses the $100,000 by only one envelope.
• On February 20:
  • Vanna wears a suit.
  • Round 1 is the first known instance since the early 1990s of Family spelling out AND (JOAN AND MELISSA RIVERS). Bizarrely, none of the letters A, N, and D are called.
  • Rounds 1, 3, and 4 all have a "null" cycle occur. The Round 1 one is left intact while the other two are edited out. Also, a fourth cycle is edited out of Round 4 despite not being "null", as it includes an incorrect A from contestant Debra, evidenced by a $250 discrepancy in her score before she calls a wrong letter on the next turn.
  • The Round 3 Prize is a $5,000 Neiman Marcus shopping spree.
  • Round 5 (BLACKJACK) is a very rare instance of a one-word Rhyme Time, a puzzle with none of the five most common consonants, a main game puzzle shorter than 10 letters, and a puzzle with only one vowel.
• February 25 is Best Friends Week.

March 2002

• March 4 is Desert Oasis.
• March 11 is Spring Fling.
• On March 14, a contestant solves the bonus puzzle KOBE BRYANT before Vanna can reveal the letters that he called.
• March 18 is Washington D.C. Week.
• On March 19:
  • No vowels are bought in Round 4.
  • Round 5 (A CHIA PET) is a rare puzzle shorter than ten letters.
  • Rounds 5 is Thing, while Round 7 is Things.
  • For the first known time since the introduction of Toss-Ups, seven rounds are played.
  • Contestant Kyle guesses PLASTIC STRAPS on the Round 7 puzzle PLASTIC STRAWS, a moment which has been seen on the 4000th episode.
• March 25 is San Diego Week.

April 2002

• April 1 is Southern Hospitality. During this week:
  • The Round 3 Prize is not used.
  • The lights beside the video wall are turned off.
• On April 3:
  • Contestant Jeff fails to claim $45,900 in Round 4. This would have set a new one-round record had it been won.
  • Round 4 inexplicably goes to Speed-Up with only one consonant (the H) missing from the puzzle THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT.
  • The Final Spin bells sound twice in Round 4.
• On April 4:
  • The $1,000 Toss-Up HICKORY DICKORY DOCK is the last one to date to use more than two rows of the puzzle board.
  • Contestant Danielle guesses MUSIC & PIZZA BOY on the Speed-Up puzzle MUSIC & PIZZA BOX. This clip was shown on the 4000th episode.
• The week of April 8 is the Wheelapalooza Sweepstakes, where home viewers may submit each day's bonus puzzle on the show's website. The grand prize is a VIP trip for two to Los Angeles with a chance to audition. During this week:
  • The Round 2 Prizes are trips to see Wheel tape at Navy Pier in Chicago later in the season and Seattle and Nashville next season.
  • The Round 3 prize is not used.
  • The Bonus Round letter wipe is a miniature Wheel with blank colored wedges.
• April 8 is Wheelapalooza Week.
• On April 8, the $1,000 Toss-Up FROM A TO Z uses only one line.
• On April 9, the bonus puzzle HAVE FAITH uses only one line.
• On April 11:
  • After contestant Linda lands on the orange $800, that amount is not added to the Jackpot.
  • There is a $13,300 Jackpot win.
  • Nobody solves the $3,000 Toss-Up, AN ONLY CHILD. Linda makes an incorrect guess of AN UGLY CHILD, a moment which has been seen in several retrospectives.
  • Round 4 and the Bonus Round are Proper Name.
• April 15 is Travel USA.
• On April 15:
  • Contestant Greg gives a wrong answer of AN ACE OF KIDNEYS on the $1,000 Toss-Up AN ACT OF KINDNESS, and Sarah gives a wrong answer of ARMADILLO & LAREDO TEXAS on the Round 3 puzzle AMARILLO & LAREDO TEXAS. Both of these have been seen on various retrospectives and blooper shows.
  • There is a $9,800 Jackpot win. In a rather rare occurrence, it comes when the puzzle is filled in completely, and is the only money won by the contestant in that round. As a result, Sarah becomes the second of only two known contestants whose winnings came entirely from the Jackpot.
  • The High Rollers chimes sound twice on the Clue puzzle in Round 2, possibly due to Pat not hearing them the first time around.
  • Against normal practice at the time, the "only vowels remain" beeps sound in the Speed-Up.
• April 22 is NASCAR Week. During this week:
  • The intro features various NASCAR drivers promoting the theme.
  • One of the bonus prizes is a lifetime supply of gasoline from 76 valued at $60,000, the only prize since the introduction of the Bonus Wheel that is not a car or cash until Season 38. Charlie promotes this before Round 3.
• On April 25:
  • The $2,000 Toss-Up is Things, and Round 4 is Thing.
  • Round 1 (PAULA ZAHN) is a rare puzzle shorter than ten letters.
  • The Round 4 puzzle AN ON/OFF SWITCH is the second of only three known uses of a slash, although Harry Friedman tells Pat that it is their first slash upon being asked. Before the Bonus Round, Pat says that the research department has found that the show has used that punctuation mark before.
  • Neither Bankrupt nor Lose a Turn is hit.
  • After failing to solve the bonus puzzle HOCKEY FANS, contestant Brian misreads the fully-revealed answer as "hokey fans". Pat immediately corrects him and notes that "This is the first time anyone ever mis-solved it when it was actually up there", despite a similar incident with HUMIDITY earlier in the season.
  • During Pat and Vanna's chat, sped-up footage is shown of the stagehands dressed as a pit crew while adding the $3,500 and second Bankrupt to the Wheel.
• On April 26:
  • Contestant Jeannette makes an incorrect guess of The $2,000 Toss-Up LAST-MINUTE DETAILS as LAST-MINUTE COCKTAILS, a moment which has been seen in the 4,000th episode on November 10, 2003.
  • The Gift Tag is free gas for a year from 76, valued at $1,200; this is the only known Gift Tag not to be $1,000. Said Gift Tag features a raised replica of that company's globe-shaped logo.
  • Both Rounds 2 and 3 are completely filled in before being solved.
  • The Round 3 Prize is a Polaris GEM golf cart valued at $8,995.
  • Interestingly, Jeannette wins both the aforementioned Gift Tag and the lifetime supply of gasoline.
• April 29 is the first Teen Best Friends Week. During this week, two-person teams consisting of teenagers play. This is the first time since Teen Week in Season 13 that teenagers have competed on the show.

May 2002

• On May 2, for the second of only two known times, Proper Name is used twice: the Speed-Up round and the Bonus Round.
• On May 3:
  • Contestant Christina rings in on the $1,000 Toss-Up and says CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE. Her teammate Shayna quickly adds an S to form the right answer, and it is accepted.
  • The Round 3 prize is a $15,580 trip to the Bahamas.
• The weeks of May 6-20 are taped at Navy Pier in Chicago. During the credit roll on at least some episodes, some of the staff names are shown on an animated marquee at the entrance of the Chicago Theatre.
• On May 7:

  

  • After solving the $2,000 Toss-Up PETER PIPER, Demetra quickly recites the first verse of the poem of the same name. A clip of this appears during the ceremonial 4,000th episode in November 10, 2003.
  • At the end of the show, a spiel shows Vanna at Eli's Cheesecake where a staff member brings out a small cheesecake for her with a Wheel layout on top and a two-row puzzle board look-alike around the rim with the words WELCOME VANNA. Another cheesecake is brought out for Pat (who is not present in the spiel) with gooseberries on top. Back in the studio, she gives Pat the gooseberry cheesecake and soon after, a cheesecake which is similar to the one Vanna received, only much larger at 517 pounds, is rolled out for the staff. The four-row puzzle board rim reads ELI'S CHEESECAKE WELCOMES WHEEL OF FORTUNE TO CHICAGO. The Wheel layout on this cake has 23 wedges including two $250 spaces, despite that value having been retired three years earlier.
• On May 8:
  • Pat accidentally conducts the interviews counterclockwise (blue-yellow-red).
  • The original Round 3 puzzle is discarded due to a letter lighting up that had not been called.
• May 13 is College Week.
• On May 13:
  • Three repeated letters are called in the Jackpot round.
  • Round 4 is a Before & After puzzle of VANNA WHITE SOX.
• On May 14:
  • The $1,000 Toss-Up AN ART FAIR uses only one line.
  • Round 2 and 4 are played entirely by the contestant who began them.
  • There are two duplicate sets of categories: Round 3 and the Bonus Round are Phrase, while the $3,000 Toss-Up is Things, and Round 5 is Thing.
  • Neither Bankrupt nor Lose a Turn is hit.
• On May 17, the $1,000 Toss-Up is GIVE IT A SPIN.
• May 20 is Sports Fans Week. During this week, the opening graphic features a blue background with the names of various cities and the word "Sports" scrolling in gray; several gray ovals are then seen which themselves have smaller red ovals containing the two-row logo, and the camera zooms up through these before the last one flips around and reveals "SPORTS FANS WEEK" in light blue text resembling an eggcrate score display. The end of this sequence also appears as the post-Round 2 bumper.
• On May 20:
  • There is an $11,900 Jackpot win.
  • There is a $100,000 loss.
• On May 21:
  • After the Round 3 puzzle is revealed, the blank spaces immediately disappear one line at a time and the board's frame flashes before the blanks are put back up.
  • In the closing segment, Pat points out that his mother is in the audience.
  • During the credits, footage of Vanna singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" at Wrigley Field airs in place of the closing theme.
• On May 22, a contestant solves the bonus puzzle A GOLF BAG on the buzzer. Her answer is checked during the commercial break, and in the final segment, Pat tells her that she has been ruled a winner.
• May 27 is Wheel Goes to the Movies.
• On May 30, the puzzle board's border accidentally starts flashing after the D is revealed in the Round 4 puzzle COSTUME DESIGNER; it stops after the Final Spin.
• On May 31:
  • The Round 3 Prize copy includes a trailer for Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.
  • The Round 3 puzzle BUYING MOVIE TICKETS ON-LINE is improperly hyphenated.
  • The $2,000 Toss-Up and Bonus Round are Thing, while Round 4 is Things.