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Wheel2002

Go back to Season 19, or forward to Season 21?

A timeline for Season 20 of Wheel of Fortune, which aired in first-run from September 2, 2002 through May 30, 2003.

Season Changes[]

MysteryWedge

The original Mystery Wedge.

  • The Wheel is slightly altered again:
    • The second Bankrupt in Round 3 moves to the purple $600 next to $3,500.
    • The Gift Tag moves to $700.
    • The $10,000 Wedge is moved again, to Round 1 on the orange $800.
    • The Round 3 Prize is again retired.
    • The pegs are changed to shorter, bronze-colored ones. Perhaps as a result, the Wheel is now slightly looser than in Seasons 17-19.
  • During the interviews, the camera reverts to showing the contestant area from center stage, as had been done prior to Season 18.
  • The Mystery Wedges debut in Round 3:
    • Initially they are worth $500 per letter; this amount may be kept, or forfeited for a chance to see if the reverse contains a prize or a Bankrupt.
    • If one is landed on, a synthesized chord and "tinkle" sound effect plays.
    • If one is flipped over, the other functions as a $500 space for the rest of the round.
    • They are initially located over the green $500 and the orange-yellow $500.
    • The initial wedge design is black, with a gold question mark in a blue circle at the top of the wedge, and "$500" written in golden yellow underneath.
    • For most of the first two seasons, most weeks alternate between two different Mystery Round Prizes, with one appearing on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and the other appearing on Tuesday and Thursday.
  • The long-standing practice of generally using a short puzzle in Round 1 largely disappears around this point. In addition, puzzles using only one line and/or fewer than ten letters become increasingly rare, and typically appear in the Speed-Up if at all.
  • Several changes are made to the music package:
    • The closing version of "Happy Wheels" is slightly re-orchestrated with more saxophones instead of electric guitars.
    • Both puzzle-solve cues are changed, with the main cue extending the final note from the Toss-Up solve cue.
    • The Toss-Up cue is rearranged with a faster tempo and ticking percussion added. Additionally, if a Toss-Up is not solved, the music now cuts off at the "time's up" buzzer; previously, it would fade out a few seconds later.
    • There is now a music cue for the Final Spin.
    • The Bonus Wheel music is rearranged.
    • A second music cue is added to the Bonus Round, between the end of the Bonus Wheel music cue and the start of the timer.
  • From this point onward, nearly all Wheel Prizes are trips, cash awards, or credit towards purchases from a sponsored company.
  • The eggcrate score displays are replaced with computer-generated panel displays. These displays are colored the same as the respective arrows below them, with an "embossed" texture of the Bankrupt-$600-$400-$300-Lose A Turn section of the Wheel as a background. Scores are displayed in a white Impact font. Whenever a score is altered, it swivels as it morphs to the new score. If a contestant hits Bankrupt, the word is shown on the display (with a black background) for a few seconds. At the start of each show, the scoreboards each show one word in the show's title (though not in the logo's font); upon the first letter being revealed in the $1,000 Toss-Up, they disappear via an "explosion" graphic.
  • Possibly in relation to the score display change, the scoreboard frames now remain off regardless of turn, although the contestant arrows below still blink.
  • Karen Griffith and Steve Schwartz became senior producers.
  • The extra cash amounts added to the Bonus Wheel for the Big Money Week of February 18-22, 2002 become permanent. When they are described by Charlie leading out of the final round, there is an animation of the Bonus Wheel slowly spinning, as each amount's envelope flies out and opens revealing the new values. After the $50,000 envelope opens, the camera cuts to center stage for the announcement of the $100,000 cash prize. This lasts until at least the end of Season 23. The bonus round win graphics for cash prizes ranging from $30,000 to $50,000 are like the $25,000 win graphic first used last season. Also, in early episodes of this season, the bonus round cash spiel is "How's this for cash, you could win anywhere from $25,000 to $50,000, or of course, the big $100,000!" The spiel is later changed to "There's lots of reasons to win cash, from $25,000 to $50,000, or you could spin and win $100,000!"
  • Contestants who finish with $0 are now given $500 cash instead of parting gifts, to alleviate the cost of travel.
  • The opening is now blue rings in a reddish background, forming a maroon version of the two-row logo. Once it is complete, the "Wheel! Of! Fortune!" chant is heard. The logo then zooms up to the Wheel-shaped "O" in "of" to cut to the studio. Sometimes the logo has the accompanying text "20th Anniversary" below it, similar to the bug (see below).
  • For this season only, the shot during the intro starts at a "20th Anniversary" monitor hanging over the middle of the audience.
  • The category strips are a blue rectangle with a green border, with the font changing to Alternate Gothic.
  • For the first time since Season 14, "bonus" categories begin appearing in Round 3.
  • For this season only, the category strip in the Bonus Round flies onscreen with a "whoosh" sound effect, and RSTLNE spins onscreen one letter at a time.
  • For this season only, there is a "20th Anniversary" bug on-screen. The same logo also spins onscreen to form the contestant window in the Bonus Round.
  • For this season only, the video wall behind the contestants has gold borders.
  • From now through Season 30, the last week of the season is always composed of sixth episodes.
  • If a contestant has friends and/or family members in the audience, they are now shown standing at the front of the audience before the Bonus Round. Previously, they were shown from stage left, and only if the Bonus Round was won.
  • At some point this season, cars displayed in-studio go from using replicas of the 1982-1987 California license plate design to the modern design introduced in 1993.
  • Partway into the season, the show stops using Before & After or Same Name after Round 3. This was likely done for timing reasons which persisted since Season 18.
  • Marty Lublin replaces Nick DeMarco as the Wheelmobile traveling host.

September 2002[]

  • For the first few weeks of the Mystery Round's existence:
    • During the Round 2 outro, Charlie announces, "The all-new Mystery Round is full of surprises, and it's coming up next!"
    • Charlie's original spiel at the start of the round is "The Mystery Round: it's all or nothing. What's on the other side of the Mystery Wedge? It could be a Bankrupt..." followed by a phrase that varies from day to day, then the name and value of the prize. An animation of the Wheel stopping, followed by both wedges dropping onto the Wheel, appears as Charlie says the first sentence; as he says "Bankrupt", the right one flips over to reveal a Bankrupt and the slide whistle sounds. A spinning silver question mark then wipes to a graphic of the prize as its value appears.
    • When Pat describes the Mystery Wedges, a unique low-angle shot of the Wheel is used, panning from one wedge to the other.
    • If a contestant flips over a Mystery Wedge, Pat flips over the other one at the end of the round (sometimes spinning the Wheel backwards to do so). However, he does not do this on September 2.
  • For the first two weeks, at least one shot of the board in Round 1 is done differently than normal: instead of cutting from the contestant area to a full shot of the board, the camera pans over to it. This sometimes results in part of the board being cut off when a letter is revealed.
  • September 2 is Hot Cars Week.
  • On September 2:
    • The Gift Tag is accidentally placed on the red $800. It stays that way for Round 2, only slightly moved to the left to make room for the Prize wedge.
    • There are two sets of duplicate categories: the $2,000 Toss-Up and Round 2 are Phrase, while the $3,000 Toss-Up and the Bonus Round are Thing.
    • The very first Mystery Wedge is flipped. The other side is Bankrupt.
    • In Round 3, after contestant Kelly hits Bankrupt and uses her Free Spin, the overhead shot of the following spin is obviously dubbed in: not only does the shot show the red arrow instead of the yellow, but the $10,000 Wedge and a different Gift Tag (on the red $900) are visible.
    • The Round 4 puzzle PUT THE PEDAL TO THE METAL is incorrectly categorized as Rhyme Time.
  • On September 3:
    • During the Bonus Round, Pat steps into the shot of the puzzle board to confirm what letters Louis called.
    • The $3,000 Toss-Up and the Bonus Round are Living Thing.
  • On September 4, Vanna wears a sleeveless top and pants.
  • On September 5:
    • Barring April 1, 1997, a "bonus" question (in this case, Next Line Please) is used in Round 3 for the first time since September 6, 1996.
    • The Round 4 puzzle METRIC AND STEREO SYSTEM is only the second known instance since 1989 of Same Name spelling out AND.
    • The bonus puzzle A JOY RIDE is misspelled ("joyride" should be one word).
  • On September 6:
    • The Round 2 puzzle JULIA ROBERTS MARRIES IN NEW MEXICO uses the second through fourth rows of the board for no particular reason.
    • Before & After appears in Round 4 for the last time.
  • September 9 is Viva Las Vegas. During this week, the Gift Tag is on the red $900.
  • On September 9:
    • There is a $17,450 Jackpot win, a record for the highest win there.
    • The Mystery Prize is won for the first time. Contestant Mark calls the last consonant in the puzzle on the Mystery Wedge, and the "only vowels remain" beeps sound before he is asked whether he wants to flip the wedge. After he flips it over, the Bankrupt slide whistle and Mystery chord both sound for no particular reason.
    • There is a $100,000 loss.
  • On September 10:
    • Charlie's post-Round 2 announcement of the Mystery Round is edited out.
    • Round 3 is YOU HAVE TEN SECONDS GOOD LUCK, a phrase often said by Pat before the Bonus Round timer starts.
    • Contestant Margie mispronounces the first word of the Speed-Up Same Name puzzle JALAPENO & DR PEPPER but is ruled correct. This ruling ends up affecting the outcome.
    • The $2,000 Toss-Up, Round 3, and the Bonus Round are Phrase.
    • Pat and Vanna only say goodbye at the end. This and the lack of post-Round 2 announcement are likely due to the episode running overtime.
  • On September 11, contestant Keith solves the Speed-Up puzzle TOBEY MAGUIRE AS SPIDER-MAN with only the B and S's showing.
  • On September 12:
    • The Gift Tag is accidentally placed on the red $900, and ends up coming loose. This results in it being adjusted twice: it is placed over the dollar sign instead of the 9 in Round 2, and is placed back over the 9 in Round 3 (albeit shifted to the left to accommodate the adjacent Mystery wedge).
    • After contestant Dana fails to identify the place described by Round 2's Where Are We? puzzle GLAZED DECAF PLEASE BAKER'S DOZEN, Pat asks contestant Jim to provide the right answer of doughnut shop, since he is a police officer.
    • Contestant Al (who does not solve the bonus puzzle) misses the $100,000 by one envelope.
  • On September 13, contestant David spins the Wheel just after the Final Spin bells sound. He is allowed to complete his turn, and Pat does the Final Spin immediately afterward.
  • All ten Bonus Rounds are lost on the weeks of September 2 and 9. Overall, Season 20 starts with 13 consecutive Bonus Round losses.
  • September 16 is Southern Hospitality.
  • On September 16:
    • No vowels are bought in Round 2.
    • Donny Osmond makes a cameo after the Round 2 puzzle TV GAME SHOW HOST to promote the debut of Pyramid.
    • The above Round 2 puzzle is also a rare instance of the category also containing part of the answer (Show Biz).
    • Charlie's post-Round 2 introduction of the Mystery Round is now accompanied by footage of contestants removing the wedges from the Wheel, which is displayed on a monitor in the middle of the audience.
    • The Bonus Round timer is changed slightly.
    • Wheel, Jeopardy!, and other shows previously produced by Columbia TriStar Television are now produced by Sony Pictures Television.
  • On September 17:
    • The Round 2 puzzle FIRST-CLASS POSTAGE GETS A HIKE (Headline) is followed by a bonus question asking for the price of the first-class postage. Contestant Briana gives the correct response of 37 cents.
    • There is an $8,600 Jackpot win.
  • Starting September 18 and lasting until about December, most two-word bonus puzzles begin to display on only one line instead of two.
  • On September 19:
    • The scoreboards and arrows turn off after contestant Joseph's first spin in Round 1. This is fixed before his second spin.
    • Likely due to the above, the overhead shot of the second spin is clearly dubbed in from Round 3, as the Mystery Wedges are visible.
    • Rounds 1 and 2 each have a "null" cycle that is edited out. The first one is referenced by Pat saying "No L, either" despite no prior wrong letters being aired, and the second results in an extra $1,200 being added to the Jackpot after the second aired spin.
    • There is a $7,650 Jackpot win. The aforementioned Jackpot increase does not affect the outcome.
  • On September 20:
    • In Round 2, after contestant Brian gives an incorrect bonus response to the Who Is It? puzzle HE'S BEEN A LETHAL WEAPON A PATRIOT & MAD MAX, Pat has the audience shout the correct answer of Mel Gibson.
    • Contestant Alston finishes second with $20,300.
  • September 23 is Wheel Loves L.A.
  • On September 23:
    • Lose a Turn (with a white background) is now shown on the score displays when hit.
    • The Gift Tag is crooked in Round 1.
    • There is a rare instance of a "bonus" question being multiple-choice: after the Round 2 Slogan puzzle BREAKFAST MADE RIGHT, contestant Robin is asked whether it is the slogan of Kellogg's, General Mills, or Post, and she does not give the correct response of Post.
    • Vanna brings out Giovanna in the final segment.
  • On September 24:
    • The Round 3 puzzle THE OK CORRAL IN TOMBSTONE ARIZONA uses the second through fourth rows for no particular reason; it is also improperly punctuated, as "O.K." should contain periods.
    • Contestant Leigh is accidentally credited with $10,250 instead of $3,250 when he solves Round 4. This error is never acknowledged or corrected on-air, but it ultimately does not affect the outcome.
  • On September 25:
    • The $2,000 Toss-Up THE ISLAND OF OAHU is a rare instance of On the Map using a descriptive term.
    • The Round 1 puzzle OUT-TAKES & BLOOPERS is improperly hyphenated.
  • On September 26, Vanna wears a sleeveless top and pants.
  • On September 27:
    • Rhyme Time makes its fifth of nine appearances in the Bonus Round.
    • Contestant Sharon's letters fill in the bonus puzzle FINE WINE completely.
    • Charlie joins Pat and Vanna in the closing segment, and he does the "promotional consideration provided by..." tag from center stage.
  • September 30 is South Florida Week. During this week, Newsday and New York City affiliate WLNY-TV 55 hold the Read, Watch, and Win contest. A puzzle is shown before Round 3 on a graphic of the puzzle board, and home viewers may enter the puzzle through a form available in the classified section of Newsday for a chance to win a trip for two to a Wheel of Fortune taping. Airings on WLNY-TV 55 show each day's puzzle solution and an ad for the sweepstakes after Round 3.
  • On September 30:
    • Vanna wears a sleeveless top and pants.
    • Round 4 and the Bonus Round are On the Map.
    • Contestant Sylvia solves the bonus puzzle YUGOSLAVIA with only the S, L, and A's revealed before the timer can start. A clip of this is seen on the ceremonial 4,000th episode.

October 2002[]

  • October 1 begins the Play! Watch! Win! Sweepstakes, which lasts until December 31. During this period, viewers may submit each day's bonus puzzle on the show's website. The grand prize is a trip for two to Los Angeles with $1,000 spending cash and a chance to audition.
  • On October 1:
    • Contestant Jon-Paul is the second known contestant to have a hyphenated name.
    • The Round 2 puzzle ONE FISH TWO FISH RED FISH BLUE FISH is the first "long form" Rhyme Time (as opposed to previous ones which rarely went above three words).
  • On October 2, Round 4 goes to Speed-Up with only one consonant remaining (the T's in CANADIAN TOURISTS).
  • On October 3:
    • Vanna wears a sleeveless top and pants.
    • Interestingly, both Rounds 2 and 3 (BOW STERN RUDDER & MAST and ZIP CODE OF CONDUCT) have a word that has no letters in common with any of the other words in the puzzle.
    • The $3,000 Toss-Up BEN & JERRY'S uses only one line.
  • On October 4, the $2,000 Toss-Up is a factually incorrect answer of THE ORANGE BOWL (the puzzle is categorized as Landmark, and the stadium in question was called the Miami Orange Bowl; however, the puzzle would not have been erroneous had the category been Event).
  • On October 7:
    • Pat forgets to ask Jason who he has in the audience until the answer to the bonus puzzle is revealed.
    • The correct letter ding is used instead of the usual chime when the Bonus Round envelope is selected.
    • There is a $100,000 loss.
  • On October 9:
    • Contestant Angela spins over the Final Spin bells; she is allowed to complete her spin, but hits Lose a Turn.
    • Round 4 goes to Speed-Up with only one consonant remaining (the D's in PRODUCERS & DIRECTORS).
    • Contestant Peter solves the bonus puzzle I'M HUNGRY before the timer can start.
    • All of the puzzles are very short, with Round 2 (A QUAINT FRENCH BISTRO) being the longest at only 19 letters.
  • On October 10, contestant David declines to look at the Bonus Round envelope after losing; while Pat has joked repeatedly about contestants being "the first" not to look, David is the first of only two known contestants to do so.
  • On October 11, Round 5 goes to Speed-Up with only one consonant remaining (the L in LOCATION SCOUT).
  • October 14 is California Dreamin'.
  • On October 14, the Round 3 puzzle JACK TRIPPER JANET WOOD & CHRISSY SNOW (Classic TV) is followed by a trivia question asking what show are they from. Contestant Jon provides the right answer of Three's Company.
  • On October 15, Vanna reads the first line of the copy for the Bonus Round prize won (a Saturn Vue).
  • On October 16, Round 5 (MR. RIGHT) is shorter than ten letters and has only one vowel.
  • On October 17, Round 1 is a factually inaccurate answer of L.A. MEMORIAL COLISEUM (it is called the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum).
  • On October 18:
    • There is a $10,350 Jackpot win.
    • Pat and Vanna do the closing chat from the puzzle board, and Vanna uses the bonus puzzle to demonstrate how it works.
  • October 21 is Wheel Takes Manhattan. During this week:
    • All of the Prizes are trips to New York.
    • George Pataki, then-governor of New York, does a bumper on Monday-Wednesday. This bumper is shown from the center-stage video wall after Round 3 on Monday, and before the closing chat on Tuesday and Wednesday.
  • On October 21:
    • Vanna wears a sleeveless top and pants.
    • There is a $7,450 Jackpot win.
    • Round 4 (ISLAND OF CYPRUS) is a rare instance of On the Map using a descriptive term.
    • Round 5 (POLAR BEAR) is shorter than ten letters.
    • Round 5 and the Bonus Round are Living Thing.
  • On October 22, all of the puzzles are very short, with Round 2 (a Same Name of LITERARY & SECRET AGENT) being the longest at only 19 letters.
  • On October 23:
    • In Round 1, Pat forgets to ask contestant LaMar if he wants to use his Free Spin after a wrong letter, even though he picked it up only one turn prior; he uses it in Round 2 without being prompted.
    • Both Rounds 1 and 2 are completely filled in before being solved.
    • Round 2 is a Where Are We? with three clues.
    • Against normal practice, the buzzer sounds after a wrong answer in Round 2.
    • After the wrong answer, the next shot of the board appears to have been added in post-production, as the D's that were called on the previous turn suddenly disappear before reappearing on the next shot.
    • After contestant Dawn solves Round 2's Where Are We? puzzle for $300, her score is not bumped up to the house minimum before she is asked to identify what the puzzle describes; it is not known if this was normal practice by this point, or a one-time error. This does not affect the outcome.
    • Round 4 (HENNY PENNY) has with only one vowel.
    • Eight consecutive wrong letters are called in the Speed-Up, including a repeated C and an R that Pat incorrectly acknowledges as a repeat. Altogether, 10 wrong letters are called.
    • There is a rare instance of a contestant losing their turn in the Speed-Up with only vowels remaining; with only the E's missing, LaMar gives a wrong answer and Dawn solves, both without calling a letter first.
  • On October 24, neither Thing nor Phrase is used in the main game.
  • On October 25:
    • After the Round 1 puzzle I'LL HAVE WHAT SHE'S HAVING (Quotation), Pat asks contestant Roseanne what movie the quotation is from. She provides the correct answer of When Harry Met Sally...
    • The Prize includes a special-edition DVD of Mad About You, a trailer of which is then shown.
    • Roseanne says "gee, it's..." before solving the fully-revealed Round 2 puzzle THE KNICKS YANKEES METS GIANTS & JETS and her answer is accepted. This does not affect the outcome, as she does not win.
  • All five Bonus Rounds are lost on the week of October 21, part of a ten-day streak beginning on the 16th.
  • October 28 is Hallowheel. During this week:
    • Airings in certain California markets feature popups for the Wheel Watchers Club during the interviews, and again as the Bonus Wheel is spun. As these popups do not appear on other airings, and there is no other known reference to the Wheel Watchers Club existing before early 2003, it is likely that the show soft-launched it locally in late 2002 but did not begin formally promoting it until later in the season.
    • A picture of a jack-o'-lantern is projected onto the center of the Wheel.
  • On October 28, the Prize is a trip to Space Camp with several New Line Entertainment movies on DVD; said Prize's copy is preceded by a trailer for Jason X, one of the movies included in the bundle. In an unusual move, the value of this Prize is shown on the center stage video screen.
  • On October 29, during the closing chat, Pat and Vanna hand out Halloween candy to their children.
  • On October 30:
    • Contestant Janine mentions that her sister was on the show in 1986 and carried a plush dog with her as a good-luck charm; she then sets the same dog on the railing during her interview and it immediately falls on the Wheel to both her and Pat's amusement.
    • Janine solves Round 1 with only the $10,000 Wedge.
    • The Prize is a home theater system and a DVD copy of Spider-Man modeled by two unknown people.
    • After Round 3, Pat sets Janine's plush dog on the Wheel and spins it; this is shown via a now-rare overhead shot of the entire Wheel. Janine then spins the Wheel herself just before the closed captioning plug appears.
    • During the Bonus Round, the $25,000 graphic appears onscreen before Charlie begins announcing the win.
  • On October 31:
    • Contestant W.C. loses $27,850 to Bankrupt in Round 2.
    • The $3,000 Toss-Up A FULL MOON uses only one line.
    • Contestant Pam solves the bonus puzzle A RHYME before the timer can start.

November 2002[]

  • On November 1:
    • Contestant Tammie is brought back due to an incorrect answer being accepted from her opponent Erin on her original episode (September 20, 2001).
    • Coincidentally given the upcoming tapings, the Prize is a trip to Seattle. The copy includes shots of the Space Needle when it had the Wheel painted on its top in 1995.
    • Neither Thing nor Phrase is used.
  • The weeks of November 4-18 are taped at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle on August 9-11. During these weeks:
    • The intro includes the aforementioned shots of the Space Needle.
    • The Gift Tag is $1,000 courtesy of American Airlines.
    • The Mystery Round bumper is shown against a sparkling background.
    • The old Bonus Round timer is used.
  • On November 4:
    • Contestant Ashley wins two cars: a Ford Focus ZX 3-door from the Mystery Wedge, and a Mercedes C230 in the Bonus Round.
    • The close-up shot of the Mystery Wedges is used for the only time during the Seattle episodes.
  • On November 5:
    • The Prize is 20 tickets to a luxury suite at Key Arena for a Seattle SuperSonics basketball game.
    • During the closing credits, Vanna shows footage of her at Pike Place Fish Market. The final shot of the footage is her catching a fish that has been thrown at her, which is then added to the opening montage for the rest of the week. Outtakes of this shot have been shown in various retrospectives.
  • On November 6:
    • Contestant James' name tag falls off during Round 1. It is retrieved before the start of Round 2.
    • James solves the bonus puzzle SKI JUMP with only the S and I revealed.
  • Between November 4-6, three contestants in a row solve their bonus puzzles before the timer can start.
  • On November 7:
    • Contestant Jeremy spins the Wheel before the puzzle for Round 1 is revealed.
    • The ding does not sound when the T is revealed in Round 1.
  • On November 8:
    • Vanna wears a shirt and pants.
    • After contestant Cloretta solves the Speed-Up puzzle CINEMATOGRAPHY, she screams and celebrates with Pat, after which he asks, "Can we get a witness?" This was seen in some retrospectives.
SonyPicturesTelevision2002Logo
  • November 11 is College Week. During this week:
    • As usual, the contestants introduce themselves from the front of the audience and the University of Washington cheering squad introduces Pat and Vanna.
    • The University of Washington marching band plays music bumpers.
    • All of the trips are sponsored by American Airlines.
  • On November 11:
    • Columbia TriStar Domestic Television is re-branded Sony Pictures Television. This is reflected in a change in the closing logo, and edited into reruns.
    • The Round 3 puzzle JAMES TAYLOR'S YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND is on the second through fourth rows of the board for no particular reason.
    • The $1,000 Toss-Up is Thing, and Round 4 is Things.
  • On November 12:
    • Vanna wears a sleeveless top and pants.
    • The category strip does not appear in the Speed-Up.
    • Contestant Jesibel solves the bonus puzzle WAKE UP with only the E and P showing. A clip of this was seen on the ceremonial 4,000th episode.
  • On November 11 and 12, two contestants in a row solve their bonus puzzles before the timer can start.
  • On November 13:
    • $3,500 is accidentally placed on the Wheel for Round 1. While contestant Devon calls a correct letter on that amount in Round 1 and solves the puzzle, this does not affect the outcome as he would have won anyway.
    • The ding does not sound when the R is revealed in Round 1.
    • Same Name is used in Round 4 for the last time until Season 22.
    • The wheel's lights do not flash throughout the game.
  • On November 14, Round 3 is the third known instance since Season 7 of Same Name spelling out AND; despite this, Round 2 uses an ampersand even though AND still could have fit on the board (WEEKEND UPDATE ANCHORS JIMMY FALLON & TINA FEY).
  • On November 15, Rounds 1, 4, and the Bonus Round are Thing(s).
  • November 18 is Family Week. During this week, Vanna does a bumper overlooking Seattle before Round 3.
Gift Tag on $350
  • On November 18:
    • The $1,000 Toss Up (THE BRADY BUNCH) is categorized as Title instead of Classic TV.
    • Contestants Darlene and Demetria just miss the Bankrupt in Round 2. As a result, their score display accidentally switches off, and the last two amounts they land on are not added to their total or the Jackpot. Their score is corrected before the start of Round 3.
    • During the post-game chat, behind-the-scenes videos of the prize shoots from the trip are shown.
  • On November 19:
    • Contestants Bill and Ken's score is incorrectly shown as $11,200 after they solve Round 2. Pat corrects this to $11,800 before Round 3.
    • No vowels are bought in Round 4.
    • During the post-game chat, more behind-the-scenes videos of the prize shoots from the trip are shown.
  • On November 20:
    • The $2,000 is accidentally shown on Vicky and Carol's score display after they give a wrong answer to the $2,000 Toss-Up.
    • The Prize is a $10,828 trip to Arizona.
    • The Round 2 puzzle NOAH WYLE AS ER'S DR. JOHN CARTER is a rare instance of Star & Role using a descriptive term.
    • Round 4 (PINOCCHIO) is shorter than ten letters.
    • After contestants Jessica and Sharlene finish with no money, it is settled that they will both receive the $500 consolation prize.
  • On November 21, the Gift Tag comes loose and covers the dollar sign on $350. This is corrected in Round 2, so the placement of the Prize wedge is not affected.
  • On November 22:
    • The Prize is an $11,000 trip to Mexico.
    • After contestants Renee and Mary solve the Speed-Up puzzle NURSERY SCHOOL, Pat tells Mary, "The only reason I'm laughing is because your mother is patting my rear end!" This was seen in several retrospectives.
  • November 25 is Cornucopia Week, composed of sixth episodes. Because of this, November 26-28 use the closeup shot of the Mystery Wedges.
  • On November 25:
    • As it is the sixth episode from Viva Las Vegas, the Gift Tag is on the red $900.
    • Round 4 (WILL SMITH & TOMMY LEE JONES AS MEN IN BLACK) is the longest puzzle. This is the last time to date that a puzzle in Round 4 or later uses all four rows (although one episode of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, which uses a three-round structure, had a four-row puzzle in Round 3). It is possible that this puzzle was meant to be used in an earlier round but accidentally got switched.
    • The $2,000 Toss-Up, Round 3, and the Bonus Round are Thing.
  • On November 26:
    • The first F in the bonus puzzle CUP OF FLOUR fails to light up until just before the timer starts.
    • Vanna reads the first line of the Bonus Round prize copy (a Saab convertible).
  • On November 27:
    • The $1,000 Toss-Up and Bonus Round are Thing(s), while Round 3 and the $3,000 Toss-Up are People.
    • The bonus puzzle A GAG GIFT uses only one line.
  • On November 27 and 28, two contestants in a row get no help from their Bonus Round letters.
  • On November 29, contestant Paul (who does not solve the bonus puzzle) misses the $100,000 by one envelope.

December 2002[]

  • December 2 is Family Week, despite there having been one just two weeks before in Seattle. This one is called Family Vacations, and has the Universal Studios Orlando background, similar to the week of May 22, 2000. This Family Week has a sixth episode. It was originally scheduled for the week of December 30, but rescheduled to avoid being pre-empted by the Rose Bowl on ABC affiliates.
  • On December 2, the post-Round 2 announcement of the Mystery Round is removed.
  • On December 3:
    • The $2,000 Toss-Up is Things, and the $3,000 Toss-Up is Thing.
    • No vowels are bought in Rounds 1 or 4.
    • Round 5 (TEENAGERS) is shorter than ten letters.
    • The contestant window in the Bonus Round does not appear until Vanna starts revealing the letters that the contestants called.
    • The closing chat fades in on Pat and Vanna saying goodbye. Given that the episode would have originally aired on New Year's Eve, it is possible that a closing chat referencing that holiday was edited out.
  • On December 4:
    • There is an edit after contestants Ray and Matthew buy a repeated I in Round 3, as Pat is cut off after saying the word "there" and the buzzer sounds. It is likely that Pat did not acknowledge this as a repeat and his dialogue was muted to cover up this error.
    • The $3,000 Toss-Up is HAPPY NEW YEAR, indicative of the episode's originally-planned airdate.
    • Contestants Bonnie and Karen sweep the game and win $100,000 in the Bonus Round, solving the bonus puzzle CAMPGROUND before the timer can start. This is the first sweep with a Bonus Round win since May 1, 2000.
  • On December 5:
    • Round 4 and Bonus Round are On the Map.
    • Round 4 (INDONESIA) is shorter than ten letters and has only three unique consonants; despite this, a fifth round is played.
    • The right-letter ding does not sound when the R (the only letter provided by RSTLNE) in the bonus puzzle PARAGUAY is revealed in the bonus puzzle.
  • On December 6:
    • Vanna wears a shirt and pants.
    • There is a $12,100 Jackpot win.
    • After the Round 3 Where Are We? puzzle COLUMNS HONEST ABE NATION'S CAPITAL, contestants Tonya and Barbara guess Washington, D.C. Upon being asked to be more specific, they do not provide the right answer of the Lincoln Memorial. This is a very rare instance of someone who answers a "bonus" question being asked to be more specific.
  • December 9 is Fiesta Week.
  • On December 9:
    • The Round 2 Before & After puzzle BODY-SURFING THE INTERNET is improperly hyphenated.
    • The show switches to high-definition cameras, initiating a transition to high-definition which is completed in 2006. Pat mentions the new cameras during the closing chat.
  • On December 10:
    • Contestant Ana wins two cars: a Hyundai Accent in the Mystery Round, and an Audi TT in the Bonus Round.
    • The $1,000 Toss-Up and Round 4 are Person.
  • On December 12:
    • Vanna wears a sleeveless shirt and pants.
    • Contestant Rene solves the Speed-Up puzzle TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT just after the buzzer, after which contestant Bea calls a letter and solves. Pat then tells the contestants that the scores are tentative because they need to check the tape in regards to Rene. After the commercial break, it is determined that Rene was beaten by the buzzer, so Bea is present in the Bonus Round.
    • There is a $100,000 loss.
  • On December 13:
    • In Round 2, there appears to be an edit after contestant Meer calls a repeated N, possibly suggesting that his call was initially misheard as M. Against precedent, the buzzer (likely added in post-production) sounds afterward.
    • There is a $7,500 Jackpot win.
  • December 16 is Shopping Spree. During this week, except on Friday, the Prize is a shopping spree: BrandSource on Monday, TicketsNow.com on Tuesday, Macy's.com on Wednesday, HSN.com on Thursday.
Newwheel

The new, skinnier Wheel font.

LoseATurnJanuary2003
  • On December 16, three set changes occur (excluding episodes taped before this point):
    • Lose a Turn and all of the three-digit cash wedges are changed to variants of Clarendon. For the first couple weeks after this change, the word "Lose" is much higher on the wedge than before, nearly touching the Wheel's rim.
    • The permanent Bankrupt wedge now uses smaller text. The second Bankrupt is not altered to match until Season 24.
    • The inner frame of the puzzle board changes from a diagonal criscross to a more mottled texture. This remains until the frame is replaced the following season.
  • On December 18:
    • Vanna wears a sleeveless top and pants.
    • Round 3 is a very rare instance of a "bonus" category being multiple-choice: after the Slogan puzzle AMERICA'S FAVORITE COOKIE, Pat offers contestant Chris a choice of Chips Ahoy, Oreo, or Mrs. Fields. He does not provide the right answer of Oreo.
  • On December 19:
    • Round 3 is only the third appearance of Who Are They?
    • The shot of Round 3 being solved is done from behind the contestants' backs.
  • On December 20:
    • The Prize is a trip to Caesars Palace. Vanna reads the first line of the copy.
    • Round 3 (JOHN TRAVOLTA AS DANNY ZUKO IN GREASE) is a rare instance of Star & Role using a descriptive phrase.
    • The $3,000 Toss-Up METER READER is incorrectly categorized as Rhyme Time.
    • Although the bonus puzzle is not solved, the entire answer fills in at once and the board's border flashes.
  • December 23 is Happy Holidays. During this week, the phrase “Happy Holidays” is projected onto the center of the Wheel.
  • The weeks of December 23 and 30, due to being taped out of order, use the previous font for the wedges.
  • On December 24:
    • Round 1 (TWINKLING LIGHTS) has only one vowel.
    • Pat forgets to take away contestant Jessica's Gift Tag after she hits Bankrupt in Round 4.
    • Vanna's stepfather, Herbert White Jr., makes an appearance during the closing segment.
  • On December 26:
    • The $2,000 Toss-Up is WHEEL WATCHERS.
    • Round 3 is the last Where Are We? to use only one clue.
    • The $3,000 Toss-Up WHY PAY MORE? uses only one line.
    • Pat accidentally says "have a good weekend" during the closing chat; as he also does so on the 27th, this appears to be a genuine error on his part and not a scheduling change.
  • On December 27:
    • The $2,000 Toss-Up is SPIN TO WIN.
    • The Gift Tag is a one-year membership to 24 Hour Fitness.
    • Both Rounds 1 and 2 are completely filled in before being solved.
  • Both December 26 and 27 have Christmas-themed puzzles despite airing after Christmas. This might suggest that this week was moved forward to compensate for the Family Week originally slated to air this week being moved backward.
  • December 30 is San Francisco Salute.
  • On December 30:
    • Although the bonus puzzle is not solved, the entire answer fills in all at once and the board's borders flash.
    • There is a $100,000 loss.
  • On December 31, the Mystery Round prize is a $9,361 Kia Rio, a rare instance of the prize offered being under $10,000.

January 2003[]

  • On January 1:
    • There is a $9,050 Jackpot win.
    • The Round 2 puzzle BOWLING A PERFECT GAME (Event) is followed by a trivia question asking for the number of points in a perfect game of bowling. Contestant Sam provides the correct answer of 300.
    • The Round 4 puzzle FISHERMAN'S WHARF is categorized as Place instead of Landmark.
  • On January 2, there is a $9,150 Jackpot win.
  • January 6 is NFL Players Week. During this week:
    • The NFL players are: Richard Dent, Kurt Warner and John Riggins on Monday; Jeff Garcia, Drew Bress, and Shaun Alexander on Tuesday; Keyshawn Johnson, Jimmy Smith, and Troy Vincent on Wednesday; Kevin Carter, Jason Sehorn and Troy Brown on Thursday; and Tim Brown, Ed McCaffrey and Tony Dorsett on Friday.
    • The floor is black with the Players, Inc. logo at center stage.
    • The highest-scoring team wins a trip 5-day trip to San Diego to attend Super Bowl XXXVII.
    • The set features football-themed decorations in places, and the floor features the Players Inc. logo.
    • Various NFL stars do bumpers after Round 2.
  • On January 6, the category strip for Round 1 does not appear until after the first spin.
  • On January 7, the second and third P's in the bonus puzzle STAMP OF APPROVAL fail to light up until just before the timer starts.
  • On January 8, the Prize is a $3,500 Visa gift card.
  • On January 9, the Prize is a trip to Los Angeles to attend a trading card photography session with that year's NFL top draft picks, plus private dinners and a "video game challenge" from 989 Studios.
  • On January 10:
    • No vowels are bought in Round 1.
    • The Prize is a fully catered party for 31 people with an NFL player.
    • In the final segment, Charlie reveals the highest scoring team of the week (contestant Cynthia and John Riggins).
  • January 13 is Big Money Week, the first to occur only once in a season. During this week:
    • The Prize is a trip to Las Vegas.
    • Due to being taped out of order, this week uses the previous Wheel wedge font and crisscross puzzle board frame.
  • On January 13, the $3,000 Toss-Up and the Bonus Round are On the Map.
  • On January 14, there is a $100,000 loss.
  • On January 15, contestant Maria hesitantly gives the answer to the $3,000 Toss-Up ELEVATOR OPERATOR but immediately thinks she gave the wrong answer. Because of this, the board briefly resumes operating long enough for contestant Duc to ring in before Maria's response is ruled correct.
  • On January 16:
    • The Gift Tag is $1,000 credit to Hallmark. It is shaped like an actual gift tag, thus making it the first one not to be an oval.
    • Round 3 is the first appearance of Author/Title since February 8, 2001 (which used it as Title/Author).
    • Contestant Chris calls the last consonant in Round 3 on a Mystery Wedge, and the "only vowels remain" beeps sound before he is asked if he wants to flip it over. This then leads to a rare instance of a contestant losing their turn with only vowels remaining, as he flips it over to find a Bankrupt. The "only vowels remain" beeps sound a second time before the next contestant (Jill) is asked if she wants to solve, which she does.
    • One contestant (Lisa) wins all three Toss-Ups, and another (Jill) wins all other rounds.
  • On January 17, Round 4 (CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY) is the longest puzzle.
  • January 20 is American Travel. During this week, the opening shots (of the contestant area and Pat and Vanna walking out) use a camera stabilizer.
  • Sometime during this week's taping session, the show appears to have recorded a promotional clip for Nashville affiliate WKRN, as photos circulating online show members of the Tennessee Titans at the contestant area and the board displaying TITANS WIN AGAIN!
  • During the weeks of January 20 and 27:
    • The 1997-2002 puzzle solve cue is used when the Rounds 1-4 puzzles are solved.
    • Except on the 22nd, Vanna wears either a suit, or a shirt or sleeveless top with pants.
  • On January 20:
    • Except for the last couple of sixth episodes taped before the change, the mottled puzzle board frame and Clarendon Wheel wedges permanently return for all remaining Culver City episodes this season.
    • In an unusual move, Round 5 goes to Speed-Up after only one spin.
  • On January 21:
    • The Prize is a trip to Fan Fair (now known as the CMA Music Festival) in Nashville, Tennessee. Presumably in relation to this, the Round 3 puzzle is COUNTRY MUSIC STAR SHANIA TWAIN.
    • Contestant Shannon (who does not solve the bonus puzzle) misses the $100,000 by one envelope.
  • On January 23:
    • The Round 1 puzzle SPORT-UTILITY VEHICLE is improperly hyphenated.
    • When Round 3 is solved, the camera cuts to a shot from behind the contestants' backs.
    • Contestant Alan solves the bonus puzzle BLACKBIRD while Vanna is still revealing the letters that he called.
  • On January 24:
    • No vowels are bought in Round 1.
    • The Prize is a trip to Los Angeles and a DVD copy of The Master of Disguise, whose trailer is shown at the end of the copy.
  • January 27 is Teen Best Friends. During this week:
    • The Mystery Round prize is $10,000 credit to Sony Style.
    • The house minimum and consolation prize for two-person teams are increased to $1,000 (except for NFL Players' week).
  • During the weeks of January 27 and February 3, there is a bumper for the Hershey's Hugs & Kisses Sweepstakes before Round 3.
  • On January 27:
    • There is a $7,000 Jackpot win.
    • When Round 3 is solved, the camera cuts to a shot from behind the contestants' backs.
    • For the first time since the introduction of the $500 consolation prize, a contestant or team wins no cash whatsoever; contestants Hannah and Peri of the red team solve Round 3 for only the Prize Wedge, a trip to Colorado, and they do not solve any other puzzles.
    • The $1,000 Toss-Up, $3,000 Toss-Up, and Bonus Round are Thing.
  • On January 28, the Round 4 puzzle SNOOPY & WOODSTOCK has only one vowel.
  • On January 29:
    • For only the second known time, Vanna wears jeans.
    • All of the puzzles are very short, with Rounds 1 and 4 (OVERDUE LIBRARY BOOK and ACTRESS KATIE HOLMES) both tied for the longest at only 18 letters.
  • On January 30, the $1,000 Toss-Up is People while Round 4 is Person.
  • On January 31, the second B in the bonus puzzle BATHROBE fails to light up before contestants Robert and Sherri Lynn solve it.

February 2003[]

  • The weeks of February 3-17 are taped at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. During these weeks, the road show puzzle board frames are redone slightly.
  • On February 3:
    • The beginning of the Mystery Round spiel changes to "If you land on a Mystery Wedge, what will you do? One of the wedges is a Bankrupt." The last sentence still varies from day to day, and the animation is unchanged.
    • The shot of the board during the Bonus Round changes slightly: instead of being static, it now slowly zooms in until the timer starts.
    • The lettering on Lose a Turn is fixed.
    • In Round 3, contestant Eric calls the last consonant in the puzzle on the Mystery Wedge, and the "only vowels remain" beeps sound before he is asked whether he wants to flip the wedge.
    • Wynonna Judd does a bumper after Round 3.
    • The Bonus Round cue is altered slightly to add bells; however, this is not actually heard until the following week.
    • Eric wins two cars: a Hyundai Accent in the Mystery Round, and a Chevy Impala in the Bonus Round. This does not happen again until February 2012.
    • Eric's letters fill in the bonus puzzle SNOWPLOW completely; unusually, Pat immediately asks him to say the answer instead of jokingly waiting for the timer to start.
  • On February 4:
    • Vanna wears a jacket from Manuel Cuevas. She takes it off after Round 1, but puts it back on during the closing chat.
    • The Prize is a suite at a Tennessee Titans football game, along with a VIP tour of the Coliseum (now Nissan Stadium), official merchandise, and a photo shoot with the team's cheerleaders and mascot.
    • Lorrie Morgan does a bumper after Round 3.
    • The Round 4 puzzle HONEY ROASTED PEANUTS is improperly punctuated ("honey-roasted" should be hyphenated).
    • Vanna reads the first line of the copy for the Chevrolet Avalanche won in the Bonus Round.
  • On February 5:
    • Contestant Leigh Anne is picked out of the audience to play, something that Pat points out during her interview.
    • A "null" cycle is edited out of Round 1, as referenced to Pat saying "Try it again, Scott" and "Sheerin, back to you" despite them being their first turns aired.
    • The Prize is a $3,500 Visa gift card.
    • Contestant Scott jumps up and down with his fists in the air after solving Round 2, causing Pat to back away from him. This clip was shown on the 4000th episode.
  • On February 6, the bonus puzzle FORK & KNIFE is a rare instance of an ampersand in the Bonus Round.
  • On February 7:
    • All three contestants hit Lose a Turn consecutively in Round 3.
    • After contestant Tim hits Lose a Turn in Round 3, the words are not shown on his score display.
    • Carolyn Dawn Johnson does a bumper after Round 3.
  • All five Bonus Rounds are won on the week of February 3, part of a seven-day winning streak beginning on January 31st. Interestingly, all five Bonus Rounds this week have the contestant solve the bonus puzzle before the timer can start.
  • February 10 is Sweethearts Week, During this week:
    • Charlie's intro is "It's Sweethearts Week on..." accompanied by a timpani roll before the title chant.
    • The contestants wear red oval name tags. This is the only known instance of a week without celebrities using custom-shaped name tags.
    • The Hershey's Pot of Gold sweepstakes is held for the last time. Prizes include five Mercedes SLKs; trips to Paris, the Mexican Riviera, and Hawaii; a Sony plasma TV; and Hershey's gift baskets. As before, the sweepstakes form is found in Sunday, February 9's newspaper or online.
    • There is an oversized Hershey's Kiss at center stage.
    • After the Speed-Up, pictures are shown of the couples.
  • On February 10:
    • The Mystery Round prize is a $9,745 Kia Rio, a rare instance of the prize offered being under $10,000.
    • The chord does not sound when contestants Cyndi and Mark land on one of the Mystery Wedges.
    • Darryl Worley and George Jones do a bumper after Rounds 3 and 4.
  • On February 11, the Prize is $5,000 in Sacagawea dollars courtesy of Hersey's Pot of Gold.
  • On February 12:
    • Wynonna Judd and Joe Nichols do a bumper after Rounds 3 and 4.
    • During the closing chat, Vanna shows off footage of her touring the Grand Ole Opry house.
  • On February 13:
    • The bonus puzzle SHRUBS is inexplicably categorized as Things instead of Living Things.
    • Contestants Annie and Fred fill in the aforementioned bonus puzzle completely.
  • On February 14:
    • The wheel's lights do not flash throughout the game.
    • The Prize is $6,000 credit to Sony courtesy of Hershey's.
  • February 17 is first Country Music Stars Week, with teams consisting of a contestant and a country music singer. The singers are Wynonna Judd, George Jones, and Alison Krauss on Monday; Lorrie Morgan, Darryl Worley, and Mark Wills on Tuesday; Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Charley Pride, and Richie McDonald on Wednesday; Ricky Skaggs, Brenda Lee, and Joe Nichols on Thursday; and Barbara Mandrell, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Pam Tillis on Friday. During this week:
    • In the intro, Charlie names each singer while footage is shown of one of their music videos.
    • The singers have special oval-shaped blue name tags with a star at the top.
    • Images of the singers' albums appear on the contestant video wall.
    • On Monday-Thursday, Charlie introduces the next day's stars before the closing chat, and all three stars from that same day join Pat and Vanna to sign off.
  • On February 17:
    • Alison Krauss and her teammate Darlene solve the bonus puzzle BOOKWORM with only the R and M revealed.
    • Steve Azar makes a guest appearance in the closing segment.
  • On February 18:
    • Vanna wears a shirt and pants.
    • Round 2 is a Before & After of RIDING ON A FERRIS WHEEL OF FORTUNE.
    • Pam Tillis and Ricky Skaggs do a bumper after Rounds 2 and 3.
    • Before the start of Round 3, one of Minnie Pearl's dresses is displayed on a mannequin at the back of the audience while a clip of her trademark "Howdy!" greeting plays.
  • On February 19, the Prize is a trip to Nashville with two tickets to the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards.
  • On February 20:
    • The Prize is a $10,000 Baldwin piano; unusually, it is displayed at center stage.
    • Barbara Mandrell and Richie McDonald do a bumper after Rounds 2 and 3.
  • On February 21:
    • The Prize is a Gibson Les Paul guitar with a custom Wheel of Fortune design.
    • There is a $100,000 loss.
  • On February 20 and 21, for the only known time, two bonus puzzles in a row have an ampersand in them.
  • February 24 is Cruisin' Fun. During this week, there is a cold open where Vanna introduces the theme from the deck of a cruise ship.
  • On February 24, there are two sets of duplicate categories: the $1,000 Toss-Up is People, while is Round 5 is Person and Round 4 and the Bonus Round are Phrase.
  • On February 25:
    • The Round 3 Clue Puzzle THIS SHIP RAN AGROUND WITH GILLIGAN & COMPANY (S. S. Minnow) is the longest known puzzle without an E in it.
    • The second Bankrupt is not used in Round 4, despite it not beginning as a Speed-Up.
    • Round 4 and the Bonus Round are Event.
  • On February 26:
    • Vanna wears a sleeveless top and pants.
    • During the post-game chat, clips of Vanna onboard the Grand Princess are shown.
  • On February 27:
    • Vanna wears a sweater and pants.
    • The answer to Round 3 reveals like an unsolved bonus puzzle: the letters fill in one at a time in a zig-zag pattern instead of all at once, and the board's gold frame does not flash.
    • Contestant Shari manages to win with just the $10,000 Wedge and the $3,000 Toss-Up.
  • On February 28:
    • Vanna wears a suit.
    • The Round 3 puzzle PEOPLE MAGAZINE'S SEXIEST MAN ALIVE (Person) is followed by a bonus question asking who was the 2002 choice for Sexiest Man Alive. Contestant Roxanne does not provide the correct answer of Ben Affleck.
    • The Round 4 puzzle CONNECTING ROOMS is categorized as Things instead of Places.
    • The $1,000 Toss-Up, Round 4, and the Bonus Round are Things.

March 2003[]

  • March 3 is Variety Week, a week of sixth episodes.
  • On March 3:
    • There is now a popup for the Wheel Watchers Club during the contestant interviews, and again as the Bonus Wheel is spun. This continues for the rest of the season.
    • Contestant Janina solves the Round 2 puzzle KELSEY GRAMMER AS DR. FRASIER CRANE with only the R's and S's showing.
    • The Mystery prize is a $9,361 Kia Rio, a rare instance of the prize being under $10,000. This same car shows up on several occasions for the rest of the season.
    • Round 5 (HAIR CARE) is shorter than ten letters and has only three unique consonants.
    • During the first spin of Round 5, contestant Janine's scoreboard can be seen displaying the Lose a Turn graphic. This would suggest a "null" cycle was cut out.
    • No fewer than twelve wrong letters are called in Round 5 (ten aired, at least two cut out of the "null" cycle).
    • Harrah's becomes the sponsor for the Bonus Round.
  • On March 5:
    • As it is the sixth episode of Family Vacation, three teams play.
    • Contestants Judy and Georgeann pass the Gift Tag down to Pat after they solve Round 1.
  • On March 4 and 5, two contestants in a row solve their bonus puzzles before the timer can start.
  • On March 6:
    • Contestant Alberto makes an incorrect guess of SLEEPING DOPEY on the $3,000 Toss-Up SLEEPING BEAUTY, a moment which has been seen in several retrospectives.
    • The bonus puzzle is a redundant answer of CHURCH HYMN.
  • On March 7, the $3,000 Toss-Up and the Bonus Round are On the Map.
  • March 10 is Lap of Luxury. During this week:
    • There is a fountain in front of the center stage video wall.
    • The Mystery Prize is $10,000 credit to Bloomingdale's on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and a $16,310 Mediterranean cruise on Tuesday and Thursday. The latter are the first and second of only four instances of the Mystery Round offering a trip.
  • On March 10:
    • No vowels are bought in Round 1.
    • After contestant Leslie solves Round 2, she sings "I love playing Wheel of Fortune!" while imitating a Munchkin. A clip of this is later shown on the ceremonial 4,000th episode.
  • On March 11, the Prize is $5,000 credit to Neiman Marcus. Vanna reads the first line of the copy.
  • On March 12:
    • The Prize is $5,000 credit to Cartier.
    • Michelle Stafford and Peter Bergman make guest appearances after the Round 2 puzzle SOAP OPERA HUNKS AND BEAUTIES is solved. This is done to honor the 30th anniversary of The Young and the Restless on the 26th.
  • On March 13:
    • Vanna wears a shirt and pants.
    • Round 3 is a rare instance of a "bonus" category's question being multiple-choice: after the Slogan puzzle THE CLEAR ALTERNATIVE TO CELLULAR, Pat asks contestant Mimi whether it is the slogan of Cingular, AT&T, or Sprint PCS, and she gives the right answer of Sprint PCS.
    • For the first time since the introduction of Toss-Ups, there is a tie, which is broken by a fourth Toss-Up with no cash value.
    • Round 4, the tiebreaker Toss-Up, and the Bonus Round are Thing(s).
  • On March 14:
    • The $3,000 Toss-Up WINDOW-SHOPPERS is improperly hyphenated.
    • In reference to the previous day's bonus puzzle TAPIOCA PUDDING, Pat brings in a list of facts about tapioca. This is due in part to him incorrectly calling it a type of rice on the previous day's episode.
  • March 17 is Bahamas Week. During this week:
    • The floor is blue.
    • The Mystery Prize is a $9,745 Kia Rio, a rare instance of the prize being under $10,000.
  • On March 17:
    • There is a $6,250 Jackpot win.
    • The chord does not sound when contestant Janice hits a Mystery Wedge in Round 3.
    • The bonus puzzle GUMBY & POKEY is a rare instance of an ampersand in the Bonus Round.
    • For only the second known time since 1988, there are three sets of duplicate categories: the $1,000 and $3,000 Toss-Ups are Around the House, Round 1 and 5 are Thing(s), and Round 2 and the Bonus Round are Fictional Characters. This may suggest that multiple rounds were discarded and replaced.
  • On March 18:
    • The Gift Tag is erroneously placed on $350. It is picked up in Round 1, so the location of the Wheel Prize is not affected.
    • During Round 2, an overhead shot of a spin is obviously edited in, as it shows a Gift Tag on $700.
    • There is a $9,000 Jackpot win.
    • After the Bonus Round is lost, Pat forgets to open the envelope. He shows it in the final segment.
  • On March 19:
    • The $2,000 Toss-Up FREEWAY OFF-RAMP is improperly hyphenated.
    • For the last time, a puzzle in Round 4 or later (in this case, the Round 4 Speed-Up THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW) uses more than two rows.
    • Neither Thing nor Phrase is used in the main game.
  • On March 20:
    • There is a $7,350 Jackpot win.
    • Contestant Christi solves the bonus puzzle HAMBURG with only the M and R showing.
    • The $2,000 Toss-Up and Bonus Round are On the Map.
  • On March 21, the Round 3 Who Is It? puzzle SHE JUST WON A SEVENTH U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIP (Michelle Kwan) is the longest puzzle ever used on the show in terms of overall spaces, as it uses 47 of the 52 spaces (45 letters and 2 periods). In terms of letters used, it is only the second-longest answer, as two puzzles with 46 letters and no punctuation marks appear in January 2005 and October 2007.
  • On March 20 and 21, Wheel and Jeopardy! are pre-empted on most networks due to news coverage of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. However, both episodes are rerun during the summer.
  • March 24 is Hawaii Week. During this week, Vanna does a bumper from Hawaii after Round 2.
  • On March 24, the $1,000 Toss-Up and the Bonus Round are Place.
  • On March 25, the $3,000 Toss-Up (SLICE-OF-LIFE) is improperly hyphenated.
  • On March 26, contestant Marla finishes second with $30,000, won entirely in Round 4.
  • On March 27:
    • Rounds 1 and 2 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
    • No wrong letters are called.
    • There is a $100,000 loss.
    • In the post-game chat, Vanna gives Pat a spray tan on his shirt. A clip of this was seen in the 25th Anniversary flashback.
  • On March 28:
    • Round 3 is a very rare instance of a "bonus" category being multiple-choice: after the Slogan puzzle LOVE THE SKIN YOU'RE IN, Pat offers contestant Nicola a choice of Covergirl, Olay, or Maybelline and she gives the right answer of Olay.
    • Round 4 (SOLID OAK CURIO CABINET) is the longest puzzle.
    • Nicola solves the bonus puzzle HEAVY-DUTY before the timer can start.
    • Neither Thing nor Phrase is used in the main game.
  • March 31 is Spring Fling.
  • On March 31:
    • Round 2 is I'D LIKE TO SOLVE THE PUZZLE.
    • There is a $100,000 loss.

April 2003[]

  • On April 1, the $1,000 Toss-Up SIX STRING GUITAR is improperly punctuated (it should be hyphenated).
  • On April 2:
    • The Prize is $3,500 credit to Michael C. Fina.
    • During the closing chat, Pat and Vanna talk about which categories they think are best in the Bonus Round.
  • On April 3, the Round 2 puzzle PHILADELPHIA CHEESE STEAK SANDWICH is misspelled ("cheesesteak" should be one word).
  • In a very unusual move, April 2 has an Author/Title puzzle while April 3 has a Title/Author puzzle. This is the only known instance of either form of the category being used on consecutive episodes.
  • All five Bonus Rounds are lost on the week of March 31.
  • April 7 is NASCAR Week, taped March 13. During this week:
    • The opening graphic turns into a tire which rolls off-screen and makes a squealing sound. After this, three NASCAR drivers promote the theme, then Vanna says "It's NASCAR Week on Wheel of Fortune!" while the NASCAR and Wheel of Fortune logos appear below her.
    • Audience members hold up flags with the numbers of various NASCAR drivers during the intro.
    • Tony Stewart's racecar (number 20, sponsored by The Home Depot) is onstage.
    • NASCAR drivers do a bumper before the Prize copy and after Rounds 2 and 3.
    • During the closing chats on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, Pat and Vanna show off footage of a NASCAR driver: Tony Stewart on Monday, a montage of that year's top ten drivers on Tuesday, and Rusty Wallace on Thursday.
  • On April 7:
    • Vanna wears a suit.
    • No vowels are bought in Round 1.
    • Early in Round 3, contestant Kurt declines to flip over a Mystery Wedge. After control returns to him and he solves, Pat spins the Wheel around to that wedge and shows that it contained the Ford Ranger.
    • Before the $3,000 Toss-Up, Charlie promotes nascar.com over a shot of the audience.
    • Contestant Eva solves the bonus puzzle BANGKOK with only the A and N revealed.
  • On April 8:
    • Vanna wears a leather jacket.
    • The center-stage video wall shows a shot of a spin in Round 1, a practice largely dropped after Season 14.
    • The Prize is an opportunity to be an "honorary pit crew member" at a NASCAR race of the contestant's choice and official merchandise.
    • Several shots of the board and contestant area in Round 2 are done with the crane, including the reveal of the H in that round's puzzle.
    • Round 4 (BRICKLAYERS & STONEMASONS) is both the longest puzzle and the first appearance of Occupations.
  • On April 9:
    • The Prize is a $3,500 gift card for The Home Depot.
    • Contestant Janice sweeps the game but loses a Dodge Intrepid in the Bonus Round.
  • On April 10:
    • Round 2 (BRAZIL'S SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN) is a rare instance of On the Map using a descriptive term.
    • Before the $3,000 Toss-Up, Charlie promotes nascar.com over a shot of the audience.
    • There is a rare instance of the bonus puzzle being themed to the week (VICTORY LAP).
  • On April 11:
    • In an interesting coincidence, the $2,000 Toss-Up DIXIE CHICKS is taped only three days after that band begins to receive backlash for comments made against then-President George W. Bush at a concert in London.
    • After the Round 2 puzzle MARINATED CHICKEN AND BEEF KABOBS is solved, Pat points out that the word "kabob" may be spelled several different ways.
  • During the weeks of April 14 and 21, there is an ad before Round 3 for the 20 Cars in 20 Days sweepstakes in honor of the nighttime version's 20th season. The ad includes Pat, Vanna, and Charlie, as well as a shot of the puzzle board reading WATCH WHEEL TO WIN. This shot uses the frame from the then-upcoming San Diego tapings.
  • April 14 is First Class Getaways.
  • On April 16:
    • There is a $6,400 Jackpot win.
    • All three contestants hit Bankrupt consecutively in Round 3.
    • Contestant Harold calls the last consonant in Round 3 on a Mystery Wedge, and the "only vowels remain" beeps sound before he is asked if he wants to flip it over. This then leads to a rare instance of a contestant losing their turn with only vowels remaining, as he flips it over to find a Bankrupt. The "only vowels remain" beeps sound a second time before the next contestant (Joretta) is asked if she wants to solve, which she does.
  • On April 17:
    • There is an $11,200 Jackpot win. In a rather rare occurrence, it comes with all the letters filled in.
    • Rounds 1-3 are completely filled in before being solved.
    • Round 3 is a Before & After of IT'S A TOTAL MYSTERY ROUND.
    • After the Bonus Round is lost, Pat is asked to show the envelope a second time, due to him closing it too quickly for it to be seen on camera the first time.
  • During the week of April 14, all of the post-game chats are about Vanna's cat chasing a ball. She shows footage of this on the 18th.
  • During the weeks of April 21-May 12, as a tie-in to the then-upcoming 20 Cars in 20 Days sweepstakes, all Bonus Round cars are Lincoln or Mercury models.
  • April 21 is Salute to Chicago Week. During this week:
    • Various set pieces are used from the previous season's Chicago road shows.
    • The Prize is a trip to Chicago.
  • On April 21:
    • Contestant Carolyn is accidentally credited with $1,200 after she solves Round 1. This is corrected to $1,600 before the start of Round 2.
    • Although Contestant Amanda solves the bonus puzzle PLAYING A HUNCH as soon as the timer starts, her answer is not accepted for about four seconds.
  • On April 22, contestant Andrea solves the Round 3 Fill In the Number puzzle THERE ARE # SIDES TO A PENTAGON (5) by saying "number" in place of the pound sign.
  • On April 23:
    • The Prize is a trip to Chicago which includes a shopping spree at Marshall Field's.
    • The Round 3 puzzle CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? GOOD is the first known puzzle outside Fill In the Blank to have a question mark at any place other than the end. It is followed by a bonus question asking for which wireless company uses that slogan, and contestant Judy does not provide the right response of Verizon. It is not known why this was done instead of categorizing the puzzle as Slogan.
    • During the closing chat, Pat and Vanna show clips from Season 2 (erroneously identified as Season 1) of the show offering Lincoln and Mercury cars.
  • On April 24:
    • The 20 Cars in 20 Days sweepstakes begins. Home viewers can enter each week's bonus puzzle on the show's website or via postcard for a chance to win one of 20 different Lincoln or Mercury cars. Pat and Vanna announce it at the top of the show, and they do another bumper before Round 3 which includes Charlie announcing which model of car is available that day.
    • The $2,000 Toss-Up PRIME TIME (Rhyme Time) is a rare instance of the category's name being in the answer.
    • There is a $10,800 Jackpot win.
    • Round 3 is a Before & After of THE LAND OF THE FREE SPIN. Coincidentally, it is solved by Amy who uses the Free Spin in that round.
    • Contestant Byron solves the bonus puzzle JOCKEY with only the O and E revealed.
    • There is a $100,000 win.
  • On April 25:
    • The High Rollers chimes sounds twice in Round 3.
    • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
  • The weeks of April 28-May 12 are taped at the San Diego Convention Center. During these weeks:
    Wheel of Fortune 2003
    • A unique puzzle board frame is used. It resembles the then-current Culver City puzzle board, but with no spikes on the tops or sides and a much thicker base.
    • The floor is blue.
    • A shot of contestants applauding on their first turn appears on the monitor over the audience.
    • The wipe at the end of the Prize footage uses the style seen in Season 18, where the footage compresses into a wedge shape while the rest of the Wheel forms around it and the wedge itself slides onscreen from the lower right.
    • Except for the week of May 5, there is a sculpture of a breaching orca at center stage until the Bonus Round.
  • On April 28:
    • In a rather unusual move, Sweet'N Low sponsors the Prize and their logo appears on the wedge.
    • The second sentence of the Mystery Round spiel changes again to "One of the wedges—you're Bankrupt."
    • The $2,000 Toss-Up and the Bonus Round are Occupation.
  • On April 29:
    • Contestant Kelly lands on the Free Spin on her first turn, but Pat accidentally tells her that she has some money. The staff corrects him after she begins to spin again, causing Pat to stop the Wheel and spin it back to the Free Spin so she can claim it.
    • For the first time, a contestant (Lori Ann) wins the Mystery Round with only the Mystery Prize.
    • John solves the Round 4 puzzle SANFORD AND SON with only the S's revealed.
  • On April 28 & 29, a crane shot from behind the contestant area is used when Round 1 is solved.
  • On April 30:
    • Contestant Kelly is picked out of the audience to play, something that Pat points out during her interview.
    • In a rather unusual move, Sweet'N Low sponsors the Prize and their logo appears on the wedge.
    • Contestant Lisa hugs Pat after solving the puzzle JOAN & MELISSA RIVERS, after which Pat pretends to fall down. This clip has been shown in many retrospectives including the 4000th show and the 25th anniversary.
    • Round 4 (COMFORTABLE BEACH CHAIRS) is the longest puzzle.
    • The $2,000 Toss-Up and Bonus Round are Around the House.
    • There is a $100,000 loss. This results in season 20 holding a record for the highest number of grand prize losses at nine, a record which is tied in season 26.

May 2003[]

  • On May 1, contestant Kara accidentally breaks her buzzer after the $2,000 Toss-Up by jumping in celebration while holding it. It is fixed in time for the $3,000 Toss-Up. This was seen in the 4,000th episode and the 25th anniversary flashbacks.
  • On May 2:
    • Contestant Brendan starts to spin the Wheel before the Round 1 puzzle is revealed to which Pat stops it.
    • Brendan leaves off the S in the Round 1 puzzle HIGH AND LOW TIDES, but his answer is still accepted. This ruling affects the outcome, as he had $2,500 in that round and ends up winning by $1,400.
    • In a rather unusual move, Sweet'N Low sponsors the Prize and their logo appears on the wedge.
    • Pat forgets to mention the category (Phrase) in Round 4 until after the Final Spin.
    • Brendan solves the bonus puzzle GOLDEN POPPIES before the timer can start.
    • Vanna reads the first line of the Bonus Round car copy.
  • May 5 is Armed Forces Week. During this week, the Marine Band San Diego plays music during Pat and Vanna's introduction, and "God Bless America" over the credits.
  • On May 5:
    • The Prize is a $10,000 trip to the Caribbean.
    • Contestant Jessica starts the Jackpot Round with a wrong letter on the Prize wedge, but $3,000 is showing on her scoreboard. After control returns to her, she lands on the Prize again, calls a correct letter, then buys an A even though she should not have had any money. This does not affect the outcome, as she later hits Bankrupt.
  • On May 6, Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
  • On May 7:
    • Contestant Gervy and Pat slap each other's butts and then Vanna slaps Pat's butt during the closing chat. Clips of this have been seen in several retrospectives.
    • Pat accidentally accepts an incorrect response from contestant Evan in the Speed-Up, but notices this before he can finish walking over to congratulate him. As a result, he returns to his spot and gives Evan an additional three seconds.
  • On May 8:
    • No vowels are bought in Round 1.
    • Contestant Marie finishes second with $29,090. Interestingly, contestant Roy wins with $30,000 which is earned entirely in the Speed-Up.
  • On May 9:
    • There is a $9,400 Jackpot win.
    • Nobody solves the $3,000 Toss-Up WHAT A RELIEF.
  • May 12 is College Week. During this week:
    • The contestants introduce themselves from the contestant area during the intro.
    • San Diego State University cheerleaders follow Pat and Vanna as they walk out.
    • The San Diego State University Pep Band plays music bumpers.
  • On May 12:
    • Contestant Sarah mentions that her mother won a trip on the show in 1977, which resulted in her marriage and Sarah's birth. A clip of this appeared on several retrospectives.
    • The Prize is $4,850 credit towards Gold's Gym and their 3 Apple a Day fitness plan.
    • Before the $3,000 Toss-Up, the San Diego State University Pep Band is shown on-camera while Pat acknowledges them and their director, Bryan Ransom.
  • On May 14, the Prize is a trip to New York and a year's service from AOL for Broadband.
  • On May 16, the bonus puzzle CAMERA SHY is improperly punctuated (it should be hyphenated).
  • All five Bonus Rounds are lost on the week of May 12, part of a ten-day losing streak beginning on the 7th.
  • May 19 is Wheel Goes to the Movies. During this week, the Prize copy includes a movie trailer: Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle on Monday, Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas on Tuesday, Legally Blonde 2 on Wednesday, The In-Laws on Thursday, and Die Another Day on Friday.
  • On May 19:
    • Round 3 (ENGLAND'S FABLED SHERWOOD FOREST) is categorized as Place instead of Landmark or On the Map.
    • The $3,000 Toss-Up AND ALL THAT JAZZ is incorrectly categorized as Title (the song from Chicago, presumed to be what the puzzle is referring to, is "All That Jazz").
  • On May 20:
    • During the Prize copy, an onscreen caption misspells the name of the Beverly Wilshire hotel as "Bevery".
    • The Round 2 puzzle MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU is inexplicably categorized as Phrase instead of Quotation.
    • Rounds 2, 4, and the Bonus Round are Phrase.
    • Pat forgets to ask who Jason has in the audience until after opening the bonus envelope.
    • After the Bonus Round is not solved, Pat accidentally holds the envelope toward himself when announcing its contents. Near the end of the segment, he reopens the envelope so that it can be seen by the camera.
  • On May 21:
    • Contestant John's last name is never stated.
    • John pauses for several seconds before giving the last word when solving the Round 1 puzzle QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD, but his answer is accepted. Likely because of this ruling, both John and opponent Heather are brought back in different episodes of Season 21.
    • No vowels are bought in Round 3.
    • There is a $100,000 win.
  • On May 22:
    • Contestant Brandi Michelle's name tag just says "Brandi" as her full name is too large to fit on it.
    • No vowels are bought in Round 2.
    • Brandi Michelle's microphone falls off partway through Round 3, so Pat stands beside her and has her speak into his microphone for the rest of the round.
  • On May 23:
    • Vanna wears a sleeveless top and pants.
    • Neither Thing nor Phrase is used in the main game.
  • May 26 is It's Summer Time! This is a week of sixth episodes. As a result, the second sentence of the Mystery Round spiel reverts to "One of the wedges is a Bankrupt".
  • On May 26:
    • The Mystery Prize is $10,000 credit to Bloomingdale's.
    • A "null" cycle is not edited out of Round 3 (a repeated S before spinning the Wheel, followed by incorrect calls of N and L).
  • On May 27, as it is the sixth episode of Chicago Week, there is a bumper of Vanna on the Chicago "L" before the Mystery Round.
  • On May 28:
    • The $2,000 Toss-Up SPIC-AND-SPAN is improperly hyphenated.
    • Round 2 is the first of only two appearances of Fill In the Numbers.
    • Contestant Katrina solves the Round 4 puzzle U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT with only the S's and R's showing.
    • The Season 18 timer accidentally plays in the Bonus Round instead of the current one.
  • On May 29:
    • The Round 4 puzzle CAUGHT RED-HANDED is inexplicably categorized as Event instead of Phrase.
    • During the closing chat, Pat and Vanna confirm that the road show and Culver City puzzle boards are in fact two different boards.
  • On May 30:
    • The Mystery Round Prize is a $9,745 Kia Rio, a rare instance of the prize offered being under $10,000.
    • Round 4 goes to Speed-Up with only one consonant remaining (the V in AN AVID READER).
  • All five Bonus Rounds are lost on the week of May 26, part of a twelve-day losing streak which carries over into the next season. In addition, only three Bonus Rounds are won in the entire month of May, making for the fewest known amount of wins in any given month. This record is tied in March 2008 and January 2018, and broken in May 2019.
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