Wheel of Fortune timeline (syndicated)/Season 40

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A timeline for Season 40 of Wheel of Fortune, which aired in first-run from September 12, 2022 through June 9, 2023.

Season Changes

• Bellamie Blackstone is now the show's producer; while she joined during Season 39, all production of that season had been completed prior to her joining.
• Jim no longer appears on camera during the intro.
• Most of the changes enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic are reverted:
  • Studio audiences are reinstated.
  • The "White Things" are retired.
  • Pat once again walks over to congratulate the contestants.
  • The Bonus Round is mostly staged as it was prior to Season 38, although Pat still grabs the envelope.
  • Pat, Vanna, and the winning contestant no longer stand six feet apart during the closing.
  • Despite these changes, the widened railing and extended arrows are retained, as are the railing behind the contestants and the bags for cardboard lost to Bankrupt.
• The T-Mobile Puzzles are retired.
• The puzzle board is now one contiguous screen activated by Lidar. As a result:
  • Vanna now moves her hand in front of letters to activate them, instead of touching them directly.
  • The screen can now display other graphics, including a graphic for each week's theme which typically appears as a bumper after Round 2 or 3.
  • The font is slightly smaller and bolder.
  • For the first week, bonus puzzle answers fill in all at once regardless of whether or not the puzzle is solved. Starting with the second week, they revert to revealing one letter at a time (and in a zig-zag if the puzzle uses two rows), but at a much faster pace than previously.
  • The board's border and the rest of the set lights do not flash if the Bonus Round is won.
  • In studio, the Prize Puzzle footage now displays on the board when Jim reads the copy, all contestants' end-game totals after the Speed-Up, and the category strips for Bonus Round choices. Previously, the latter would be displayed on the board written out like a puzzle, with an asterisk before each category.
• The base of the Wheel no longer flashes after a contestant solves the puzzle.
• The opening sequence is similar to last season. However, it cuts to a shot looking straight down the tunnel zooming out, wiping to the "o" in "OF" and revealing the Wheel of Fortune logo.
• The graphics are changed again:
  • The category strips now have gray semi-circles at the top and bottom, and the three-dimensional effect is removed. Also, the font changes to Gilroy.
  • The "popup" score graphics at the start of Round 3 are now transparent.
  • The circular graphic for whenever a contestant calls a letter now has an embossed effect. Also, the red slash for letters that are not in the puzzle now faces in the opposite direction.
  • The Toss-Up wipe is changed to resemble the one used on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, but it has a black base and multi-colored wedges, and is in a different font.
  • The scoreboards, prize value chyrons, and category strips all have their fonts changed. "Bankrupt" is in Impact and "Lose a Turn" is in Arial.
• Contestants who claim the Wild Card now have this indicated by a graphic of it on their scoreboard.
• Exclamation points are now used more frequently in puzzles.
• As has been the case on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, Vanna now wears a mic throughout the show. She also does throws to commercial.
• The Toss-Up cue now changes key every four measures instead of staying in the same key. Both the $1,000 and $2,000 Toss-Ups start at the beginning of the cue. Only the second and third Triple Toss-Ups begin at their respective key changes.
• The Mystery Round bumper is changed once again. Both overhead shots of the Wheel now feature the current, distanced podiums and the $3,500 and yellow $900 wedges. In this version, a full-size Million-Dollar Wedge is placed on the pink $500, even on episodes where the normal wedge is used.
• John Lauderdale retires as stage manager. He is replaced in this role by Jimmy McGuire, formerly of the Jeopardy! Clue Crew.
• Wheel of Fortune Live starts on September 8 and continues throughout the season.
• 2022 is the calendar year in the show's history with record for the most top prize hits in the Bonus Round, with 15 instances of either $100,000 or the Million being landed on.

September 2022

• The week of September 12 is the first Wheel of Fortune XL Week, taped July 27. During this week:
  • Due to Jim testing positive for COVID-19, there is no studio audience and all of his announcing is done in post-production.
  • A special opening sequence is used, featuring Roman numerals rapidly counting from 1 to 10, then 20, then 40. This is followed by a montage of clips from throughout the week set to the music cue that typically opens traveling-themed weeks.
  • To celebrate the show's 40th anniversary an XL Wedge is added to Wheel. This wedge is placed on the yellow $850 and is played similarly to the Million-Dollar Wedge. Correct consonants called on it are worth the top dollar value per that round. If it is landed on, the "XL" glows and the logo appears on the contestant's scoreboard. It offers an extra $40,000 in the Bonus Round if a contestant takes it there and solves the bonus puzzle, and also awards that amount to a Wheel Watchers Club member. It also remains on the Wheel for Rounds 4+.
    • As a result, $850 is absent for XL weeks only.
  • Because of the XL Wedge, the Million-Dollar Wedge moves to green $500 beside the pink $600 (with the full wedge side up), plus a second one is added to the green $500 beside the orange $900 in Round 2 and the Prize wedge moves to the pink $500. Also, one of the Mystery Wedges moves to the purple $500 next to $800. In addition, if the Million-Dollar Wedge is taken to the Bonus Round, two $1,000,000 envelopes are present (replacing not only the $100,000 envelope, but also one of the $40,000 envelopes), and any wedges lost in Rounds 1 or 2 are returned to the Wheel in the next round. Landing on one wedge while already carrying the other counts as a $1,000 wedge, as on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.
  • The show's logo has a blue-violet XL behind it, identical to what appears on the XL Wedge.
  • Round 1 puzzles always use all four rows of the puzzle board.
  • Many puzzles are themed towards large or luxurious things.
  • An additional $5,000 is given with each Prize Puzzle. As Jim announces this, the "XL" logo appears onscreen.
  • It is also the Vacay and $40K Giveaway. Home viewers may submit each day's Prize Puzzle to the show's website for a chance to win the trip offered by each day's Prize Puzzle and $40,000 cash. The plug itself is edited out of reruns, though Pat verbally acknowledging the giveaway is still intact.
  • The Bonus Round envelopes have the XL logo on the top flap.
• On September 12:
  • There is a cold open featuring Pat and Vanna acknowledging the milestone season premiere. on the darkened set.
  • Jim does not introduce Pat and Vanna, as they are already in their positions after the intro.
  • The $1,000 Toss-Up is FORTY SEASONS ON TELEVISION! Despite the preceding opening, this is not solved until only the first T is missing, to which Pat comments, "Obviously, they paid no attention to us while we were out there."
  • A "null" cycle is cut out of Round 2, as evidenced by Pat saying "back to you" on contestant Adriana's first aired turn.
  • Contestant Robin spins only once the entire game, calling a wrong letter on $600 in Round 2. Even so, she solves that round's puzzle along with Round 3's, the second of the Triple Toss-Ups, and the Speed-Up.
  • Wheel is pre-empted in most West Coast markets: on NBC affiliates by the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards and ABC affiliates by a national broadcast of Monday Night Football (the latter of which runs long as results in the show not airing in its entirety in some markets that schedule it after the game). Because of this, the show announces on social media that any input will be accepted for the Vacay and $40K Giveaway. Although the episode is rebroadcast on June 12, 2023, it is once again pre-empted on West Coast ABC affiliates by Game 5 of the NBA Finals, which runs extremely long due to being the winning game.
• On September 13:
  • The closed captioning does not include the exclamation point in the $1,000 Toss-Up puzzle GO BIG OR GO HOME! when it is solved, going against the precedent of the captions always using punctuation exactly as the board does.
  • For the first time, Show Biz has a decade other than the 80's attached (90's Show Biz, in Round 1). Despite this, it's the only appearance of a decade category this season, and the last to date.
  • During the first spin of Round 2, the Mystery Round sting can be heard.
  • There is a $100,000 loss.
• On September 14:
  • Vanna wears a sleeveless top and pants.
  • During Round 3, when contestant Monique calls T, a C is accidentally shown in the "letter circle".
  • The Triple Toss-Ups are categorized as Thing instead of Living Thing due to all of them being extinct animals.
  • Contestant Ryan exceeds $100,000 without hitting that amount. After winning a BMW X3 and $40,000 from the XL Wedge in the Bonus Round, he leaves with $123,090.
  • Unusually, the June 14, 2023 rerun of this episode retains the original SPIN ID drawing after the Bonus Round, rather than replacing it with a new one or editing it out entirely.
• On September 15, contestant Valrie solves the $2,000 Toss-Up CHEMICAL ENGINEER without ringing in.
• On September 16:
  • The Round 1 puzzle EENIE MEENIE MINY MOE CATCH A TIGER BY THE TOE generates controversy on social media, due to one variant of the rhyme involving a racial epithet. Because of this, this episode is never rebroadcast in North America. However, it does air on MediaCorp Channel 5 in Singapore and Arena in Australia.
  • When the above puzzle is solved, the closed captioning misspells the second word as "meanie".
  • Contestant Brooke takes the first spin in Round 4 just as the Final Spin bells sound. He is allowed to complete his turn, after which he does the Final Spin.
  • For the first time since Season 37, the winning contestant brings a guest to the Bonus Round. Due to the lack of a studio audience, the guest is shown on-camera from behind the host's position, as was the case on the episodes that Vanna guest-hosted and the last taped episodes of Season 37.
• The week of September 19 is California Coast, taped August 11. During this week, the circular LED contestant backdrop is not used.
• On September 19:
  • Contestant Cynthia solves the third Triple Toss-Up SANTA CRUZ with only the Z showing.
  • Rounds 1 and 4 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
  • Contestant Ashlee solves the Speed-Up puzzle with no money.
• On September 20, the original Round 4 puzzle DELAYED REACTION is thrown out due to the "only vowels remain" beeps accidentally sounding despite the Y having not yet been revealed. This puzzle is later used on October 21.
• On September 21, the Round 1 puzzle WARM WET & WILD generates controversy on social media due to its perceivably sexual nature.
• On September 22, during the post-game chat, Pat shows the proper pronunciation of Antigua on his cue card.
• On September 23:
  • Contestant Terresa solves the second Triple Toss-Up STOP SIGN with only the N showing.
  • During the post-game chat, Pat reads a letter from a viewer who sends him a "frayed knot" (a worn-out rope tied in a knot), a pun on the term "afraid not".
• The week of September 26 is Teacher's Week, taped July 28. During this week:
  • There is no studio audience.
  • There is a bumper after Round 1 featuring kids talking about their favorite teachers.
• Although the September 26 episode is aired three times on television, all three airings are pre-empted on West Coast ABC affiliates: its original airing by a national broadcast of Monday Night Football, its first repeat on December 2, 2023 by college football, and its second repeat on August 19, 2024 by the 2024 Democratic National Convention, which overruns by about 90 minutes and results in the episode not being seen at all.
• On September 27, there is a $1,000,000 loss.
• On September 28:
  • No vowels are bought in Round 1.
  • The shot of contestant Lauren picking up the Gift Tag in Round 1 is clearly dubbed in as it shows her picking it off the green $500 beside the orange $900.
• On September 29, On the Map is offered in the Bonus Round for the only time since September 9, 2019.
• On September 30, there is a jump cut to Pat after the first turn of the Speed-Up despite no "null" cycle occurring.

October 2022

• The week of October 3 is Great Escapes, taped August 12.
• On October 3:
  • The Round 4 puzzle STRIKING IT RICH has only one vowel.
  • Vanna misses two of the I's in the above puzzle.
• On October 7, all of the puzzles are very short, with the $2,000 Toss-Up (AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE) being the longest at only 19 letters.
• The week of October 10 has no theme, taped July 29. During this week, there is no studio audience.
• On October 10:
  • The Prize is a trip to New York City sponsored by the movie Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.
  • None of Same Name, Before & After, Same Letter, or Crossword are used.
• On October 11:
  • After Round 1, there is a Winner's Circle segment on March 24, 2020 for contestant Marianna.
  • For no apparent reason, the first Triple-Toss Up BUYING A NEW CAR has two spaces between the words NEW and CAR.
  • For the only known time since 1985, the bonus puzzle (PANCAKES MADE FROM SCRATCH) is the longest puzzle.
• On October 12:
  • Five penalty spaces are hit in consecutively in Round 1 (three Bankrupts and two Lose a Turns).
  • After Round 1, there is a Winner's Circle segment on October 12, 2020 for $100,000 winner Patrick McIntosh.
  • For no apparent reason, when Vanna activates the third Triple Toss-Up MATING CALL, the first A lights up first instead of the G.
• On October 13:
  • Vanna wears a shirt and pants.
  • After Round 1, there is a Winner's Circle segment on February 9, 2015 (in Hawaii) for contestants Laura & Spencer.
  • The "Wheel of Fortune Memories" clip is contestant Blair's interview from 2019 where he jokingly describes his family in negative terms.
  • The Round 4/Speed-Up puzzle SNAZZY AND JAZZY has only one vowel and four Z's in it.
  • No fewer than nine wrong letters are called in the Speed-Up, none of which are aired. After the red contestant gives the Final Spin, the blue podium is seen lit and the blue contestant can be seen calling a letter, but he is overdubbed with the end of Pat's rules spiel. The other two "null" cycles are made evident by the daily promo for this episode, which shows clips of Pat laughing after several incorrect letters, as well as his exaggerated reaction to the Y's (the first letter after a "null" cycle jump cut) being revealed. Strangely, the promo is edited to make it look like N was one of the incorrect letters called, despite a shot of the partial puzzle showing two N's already revealed.
• On October 14:
  • No one solves the first Triple Toss-Up FRIENDLY FACE.
  • During the post-game, a photo of Vanna's 500-piece jigsaw puzzle that she put together is shown.
• The week of October 17 is Fabulous Food, taped September 7. During this week, the Mystery Round is sponsored by the movie Ticket To Paradise.
• On October 17:
  • After Round 1, there is a repeat of the Winner's Circle segment on January 15, 2021 for contestant Angelina.
  • During the post-game chat, Pat and Vanna eat a giant thin-crust pizza from LaRocco’s pizzeria with sausage, mushrooms, onions, and jalapeños which Pat dubs the "Sajak pizza".
• On October 18, during the post-game chat, Pat and Vanna eat some buffalo wings form Holy Cow BBQ.
• On October 19:
  • After Round 1, there is a repeat of the Winner's Circle segment on March 24, 2020 for contestant Marianna.
  • The prize for the Prize Puzzle is a trip to Bali sponsored by the movie Ticket To Paradise.
  • The "Wheel of Fortune Memories" clip is Pat and Vanna pouring bottles of ketchup as fast as they can from 2006.
  • During the post-game chat, Pat and Vanna eat some hot dogs from Johnny Pastrami’s. Pat reluctantly eats one with ketchup, a reference to his long-standing disagreement with Vanna over putting ketchup on hot dogs.
• On October 20:
  • After Round 1, there is another repeat of the Winner's Circle segment on $100,000 winner Patrick from October 12, 2020.
  • During the post-game chat, Pat and Vanna eat some pies from Winston Pies.
• On October 21:
  • Vanna wears a sleeveless top and pants.
  • After Round 1, there is repeat of the Winner's Circle segment on February 9, 2015 (in Hawaii) for contestants Laura & Spencer.
  • The bonus puzzle is SOLVING PUZZLES.
• The week of October 24 is America's Game.
• On October 24:
  • It is the sixth episode of Wheel of Fortune XL. As a result, the Wheel layouts from the week of September 12th are used again and the XL Wedge is once again in play, and there is no studio audience.
  • After Round 1, there is a Winner's Circle segment on September 1, 2020 for contestant Tina.
  • The $10,000 Wheel Watchers Club plug is not done.
  • The third Triple Toss-Up INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION ties the record for the longest answer to be used as a Toss-Up in terms of only letters, at 25 letters.
• On October 26:
  • There is no studio audience.
  • Contestant Katie adds an S to the first word in the $1,000 Toss-Up MARYLAND BLUE CRABS, but this is never noticed.
  • The "Wheel of Fortune Memories" clip is Pat and Vanna asking how much money they make from 2019.
• On October 27:
  • After Round 1, there is a Winner's Circle segment on October 27, 2021 for Prize Puzzle winner Jordan Costa.
  • Although a repeated R is called in Round 2, it is not acknowledged as such.
  • The first Triple Toss-Up THROWING DARTS AT A DARTBOARD ties the record for the longest answer to be used as a Toss-Up in terms of only letters, at 25 letters.
• On October 28, there is no studio audience one last time.
• The week of October 31 is European Vacation, taped September 8. During this week, all of the Prizes are provided by Railbookers.
• On October 31:
  • Contestant Keke's last name is never mentioned.
  • After Round 1, there is a Winner's Circle segment on December 31, 2020 for Prize Puzzle winner Rana Arrian.

November 2022

• On November 1:
  • After Round 1, there is a repeat of the Winner's Circle segment on October 12, 2020 for $100,000 winner Patrick McIntosh.
  • The Bonus Round (YOUR FAIR SHARE) is categorized as Phrase, instead of Rhyme Time.
• On November 2, contestant Lamont finishes second with $20,049.
• On November 3, during the contestant interviews, Pat walks over to the contestant area to demonstrate the rising platforms on which contestants stand.
• The week of November 7 is Veterans' Week, taped August 24.
• On November 7:
  • Contestant Tim fills in the entire Round 3 puzzle SAILING A CATAMARAN by himself.
  • Round 4 begins with a "null" cycle that is not edited out (two consecutive incorrect calls of N, and an incorrect R).
• On November 9:
  • Wheel is pre-empted on several ABC affiliates, including all O&O's, due to the Country Music Association Awards' red carpet. The episode is rebroadcast on July 27, 2024 and August 31, 2024, although the latter airing is pre-empted on all ABC affiliates by college football.
  • After flipping a Mystery Wedge to find a Bankrupt on the other side, contestant John throws it behind him, only noticing the bag behind the podium too late. Pat jokes that a stagehand has been decapitated.
  • This is the sixth known episode to have two weekend repeats. Unusually, they are only five weeks apart.
• Due to the aforementioned pre-emption, KABC-TV in Los Angeles airs the November 9-11 episodes in a different order: the November 9 episode airs on Thursday the 10th, the November 10 episode airs on Saturday the 12th, and the November 11 episode airs on its proper day. It is not known why this move was done, as neither the November 9 nor 10th episodes feature any contestants from the Los Angeles area.
• On November 11, contestant Deb guesses WE LOVE VANNA on the bonus puzzle WE LOVE PIZZA, to Vanna's amusement.
• All five Bonus Rounds are lost on the week of November 7.
• The week of November 14 is the second XL week, taped August 24. Starting this week, the green spaces on the board are darkened.
• On November 15, there is a $100,000 loss.
• On November 16:
  • Contestant Emily mentions that her father was on the show in 1988. The show's Instagram posts a video featuring clips of his appearance interspersed with her interview, in which the original "Changing Keys" is retained.
  • All three contestants hit Bankrupt consecutively in Round 3.
  • The "Wheel of Fortune Memories" clip is contestant Jacob twerking in 2021; the clip is erroneously dated to 2019.
• On November 17, contestant Julie spins only once in the entire game, landing on Lose a Turn in Round 1. However, she also does the Final Spin and wins $7,400 from the Toss-Ups and Speed-Up Round.
• On November 18, nobody solves the second Triple Toss-Up STAYING LATE.
• The week of November 21 is College Week, taped August 26. During this week:
  • The contestants introduce themselves from center stage.
  • College Life is used on all five shows.
• On November 22:
  • Round 1 is a Crossword with only three words.
  • On the second shot of the board in Round 2, the category strip accidentally displays What Are You Doing? instead of the puzzle's actual category of What Are You Wearing?
• On November 23:
  • None of Same Name, Before & After, Same Letter, or Crossword are used.
  • The third Triple Toss Up puzzle (THANKSGIVING DINNER) is categorized as Food & Drink, instead of Event.
• On November 25:
  • Starting this year, Wheel is now pre-empted on all ABC affiliates on Black Friday due to the network adding a third college football game.
  • Some airings on West Coast ABC affiliates scheduled after college football end up not being seen due to the second game going into double overtime and causing the third game to run late. KABC-TV in Los Angeles is known to have aired this episode in its entirety at 9:00 PM Pacific Time.
  • 7:00 PM Eastern airings on CBS affiliates, as well as some 7:30 airings scheduled after local newscasts, do not start until Round 2 due to overrun from that network's college football broadcast.
  • Although this episode is re-broadcast on August 17, 2024, several affiliates pre-empt this episode a second time due to local broadcasts of NFL preseason games.
• The week of November 28 is America's Game.
• On November 30, contestant Sonia fills in the entire Round 2 Same Name puzzle LOVE & EJECTION SEAT by herself.

December 2022

• On December 1:
  • Contestants Danielle and Breauna win all cardboard except the Gift Tag, claiming the $10,000 Mystery Prize, Gift Tag, Wild Card, and Million-Dollar Wedge in Round 3, as contestant Danielle gets the $10,000 Mystery Wedge in Round 2, while Breauna gets the Wild Card and Million-Dollar Wedge in Round 3.
  • Contestant Kyle's name tag falls off after the Speed-Up Round.
  • Contestant Danielle finishes second with $27,700.
  • Neither Bankrupt nor Lose a Turn is hit.
• On December 2:
  • Wheel is pre-empted on FOX affiliates due to the Pac-12 Football Championship Game.
  • Nobody solves the first Triple Toss-Up MEETING UP.
• The weeks of December 5 and 12 are Disney Secret Santa weeks, taped September 29 and 30. During this weeks, the prizes are Disney themed.
• On December 6:
  • Contestant Taryn finishes second with $25,664.
  • The $10,000 Wheel Watchers Club plug is not done.
  • During the post-game chat, clips of Walt Disney World are shown.
• On December 7:
  • Contestant Corinne adds the key word in the Round 1 Crossword puzzle Peppermint____ SPRINKLES OIL TOFFEE TEA, but is still accepted.
  • During the post-game chat, Francheska Roman, a candy maker from Disneyland Resort, joins Pat and Vanna shows them how to make a Mickey Mouse holiday rice crisp treat.
• On December 8:
  • The Round 2 puzzle (EXACTLY WHERE I WANT TO BE) is categorized as Place instead of Phrase.
  • There is a noticeable edit when contestant Jonathan solves the third Triple Toss-Up STROKE OF LUCK. The camera jump-cuts to Pat as he calls on Jonathan; after the cut back to the split-screen shot, Jonathan is looking to his left and his mouth is not moving despite his voice being heard. This is likely due to Jonathan slurring his words when solving the puzzle and having to have his answer verified by the judges.
  • Clips of Disney Cruise Lines are shown during the closing chat.
• All five Bonus Rounds are lost on the weeks of December 5, part of a six-day losing streak starting on the 2nd.
• On December 12:
  • Contestant Laura fills in the entire Round 3 puzzle MORE THAN I EVER EXPECTED all by herself by hopping on the Express.
  • Laura solves the third Triple Toss-Up JINGLE BELL ROCK with only the third L showing.
  • Laura has $52,190 before the Bonus Round, which she wins.
  • During the post-game chat, clips of Walt Disney World are shown.
• On December 13:
  • Round 1 is a Crossword Round with only three words.
  • During the post-game chat, clips of Disneyland are shown.
• On December 14:
  • The shot of the puzzle board is noticeably out of sync during the $2,000 Toss-Up, as the D in the puzzle DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR? reveals after contestant Michael rings in.
  • Disneyland Ambassador Nataly Guzman Garcia joins Pat and Vanna for the post-game chat and gives them both Mickey-Shaped Christmas Tree ornaments with their names on them.
• On December 15:
  • Contestant Aeden's name tag falls off during the contestant interview. It is retrieved before the start of Round 2.
  • Clips of Disney Cruise Lines are shown during the closing chat.
• On December 16, neither Bankrupt nor Lose a Turn is hit.
• The week of December 19 is Weekend Getaways, taped November 2.
• On Decemeber 19, the Prize is a trip to San Diego sponsored by the movie Top Gun: Maverick.
• On December 20, contestant Ricky sweeps the game and wins $40,000 in the Bonus Round. This is the first sweep with a Bonus Round win since December 13, 2017, and the first since the addition of the Triple Toss-Up.
• On December 21:
  • Almost all 7:30 PM Eastern airings on ABC, CBS, and NBC affiliates are pre-empted due to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Joe Biden holding a joint press conference at the White House. Some Mountain Time Zone airings are also joined in progress during Round 1 or 2 due to the special reports. Although the episode is rebroadcast on October 28, 2023, it is pre-empted again on all ABC and NBC affiliates by college football, and some 7:30 airings on CBS affiliates are joined in progress halfway through or are pre-empted entirely due to local newscasts delayed by said sport.
  • A photo of Vanna and some of her high school friends at their annual weekend getaway in North Myrtle Beach is shown during the post-game chat.
• On December 23, during the post-game chat, Pat gives Vanna a $5 bill as a Christmas gift.
• The week of December 26 is Happy New Year!, taped October 21.
• On December 26:
  • Round 4 (SAYING THE CORRECT ANSWER) is the longest puzzle.
  • During the post-game chat, Vanna brings in a basket of vegetables from her garden.
• On December 27, Round 5 (DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN) is the longest puzzle.
• On December 28:
  • Contestant Maggie wears $5,000 wedge earrings custom-made by her friend.
  • The closed captioning misinterprets Maggie's hometown of Lonoke, Arkansas as "Lone Oak", likely due to Pat and Maggie discussing the town's legend of its namesake being a single remaining oak tree.
  • The captioning does not include the S at the end of the Prize Puzzle BEACHFRONT ACCOMMODATIONS when it is solved.
  • Neither Bankrupt nor Lose a Turn is hit.
• On December 29:
  • All three Triple Toss-Ups use only one line.
  • Nobody solves the first Triple Toss-Up LEGAL EAGLE.
  • The winning contestant leaves with only $10,500. This is the first winning score under $12,000 (with or without a Bonus Round win) since January 6, 2021, and the lowest winning score overall since December 26, 2018.
• On December 30:
  • All three contestants hit Bankrupt consecutively in Round 3.
  • During the post-game chat, Pat and Vanna give a New Year's toast. Balloons fall from the rafters and an instrumental version of "Auld Lang Syne" plays over the credits.
  • ABC airings in the Pacific Time Zone are pre-empted due to an ABC News Special Report on the death of former network personality Barbara Walters. The affected O&O stations air this episode overnight or on Saturday the 31st.

January 2023

• The week of January 2 is Winter Hideaway, taped November 3.
• On January 2:
  • Contestant Matthew forgets to pick up the Wild Card in Round 2. Due to this, the overhead shot of him picking it up is done after his next spin, resulting the card briefly being placed on the red $600.
  • Contestant Khalid appears to add an S to SHORT in the Round 2 Crossword puzzle ____Walk SHORT MOON CAT CAKE, but is still accepted.
  • Pat incorrectly states during the post-game chat that the 21st century will be one quarter over in two years. As he says this, the following statement appears on screen: "Actually, he's wrong. It will be 3 years, not 2. Please don't tell him we did this."
• On January 3, Vanna wears a sweater and pants.
• On January 4:
  • The "Wheel of Fortune Memories" clip is Pat noticing that he and Lou are wearing the same outfit on May 31, 2001.
  • During the post-game chat, Pat gives Vanna a box of peanuts.
  • ABC's O&O stations time the show to immediately transition to the same day's episode of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune following the credits.
• On January 5, for the second time, a contestant goes Bankrupt on Express by giving a wrong answer.
• On January 6, Pat and Vanna sit by the virtual fireplace on set and drink from their Wheel of Fortune mugs during the post-game chat. The winning contestant sits with them during the credits.
• The week of January 9 is Shopping Spree, taped August 25.
• On January 9, clips of Pat and Maggie shopping back in November 2007 are shown during the post-game chat.
• On January 10, the $1,000 Toss-Up I AM NOT HERE TO WINDOW-SHOP is improperly hyphenated.
• On January 11:
  • The Round 2 puzzle MONEY MONEY MONEY has only three unique consonants.
  • No fewer than eight turns are lost in Round 2. The daily and weekly promos show calls of three incorrect consonants (S, C, and D) that end up being edited out of the aired episode as part of at least one "null" cycle.
• On January 13, the "Wheel of Fortune Memories" clip is Sarah Manchester becoming the third $1,000,000 winner in 2014.
• The week of January 16 is Collette Week, taped November 17. During this week:
  • The intro features Pat and Vanna promoting the theme from an international locale, followed by travel footage set to the XL Week intro music.
  • Home viewers may submit each day's bonus puzzle on the show's website for a chance to win a Collette vacation.
• On January 17:
  • Contestant Carmon solves the Speed-Up puzzle STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE with only the S's and R's showing.
  • During the closing chat, clips of Dom Estrada from January 18, 2022 are shown of his trips to Bern, Zermatt, and the Matterhorn with his wife Tawny.
• On January 18, during the closing chat, clips of Ash Colwell from August 3, 2020 are shown of his trips to Edinburgh, Florence, Pisa, and Siena with his mother Jill.
• On January 19:
  • While contestant Kilimanjaro solves the Second Triple Toss-Up, he ends up spinning only once, calling a wrong letter on $900.
  • For no apparent reason, the audience applauds when a correct letter is called in the Speed-Up Round.
  • There is a $100,000 win.
• The week of January 23 has no theme, taped November 30.
• On January 25:
  • The "Wheel of Fortune Memories" clip is a dog riding a skateboard during Pet Lovers Week from 2011.
  • The bonus puzzle BAFFLING MYSTERY has at least one each of R, S, T, L, N, and E.
• On January 26:
  • Contestant Ben appears to leave out the S in third Triple Toss-Up FAMOUS LAST WORDS, but is still accepted.
  • For the fourth known time, and the only known time during a Speed-Up round, a correct letter call is edited out; with consonants worth $1,600, after the second of two jump cuts to Pat, the D is suddenly revealed in the puzzle VICTORY PARADE despite never being called on-air, and contestant Aja's score is $1,600 more than before the jump cut.
• On January 27:
  • Several East Coast airings are at least partially pre-empted by the following events:
    • All East Coast CBS airings due to the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament.
    • 7:30 PM Eastern airings on ABC affiliates due to a special report on the public release of the video of the police killing of Tyre Nichols. These airings do not begin until Round 2.
    • 7:30 PM airings on NBC affiliates are cut off around the end of the main game for a special report on the same matter. In the Memphis market where the incident happened, the show is fully pre-empted.
    • The Philadelphia and Kansas City markets due to local specials.
    • The first Toss-Up and part of the interviews do not air in the Washington, D.C. market due to affiliate WJLA-TV accidentally switching to the ABC network feed, showing part of a repeat of ABC World News Tonight.
  • Contestant Anne solves the third Triple Toss-Up SUIT OF ARMOR with only the F showing.
  • During the post game chat, Vanna claims that contestant Brandon, who is a hypnotist, hypnotized Pat after the Bonus Round. Vanna conducts an experiment where Pat will do anything she asks of him. Every time she whispers in Pat's ear, he silently gives her money.
• The week of January 30 is America's Game.
• On January 31:
  • It is the sixth episode of the second Wheel of Fortune XL week. As a result, the special gameplay changes are once again present.
  • Contestant Christy exceeds $100,000 without hitting that amount. After winning a Lincoln Corsair and $40,000 from the XL Wedge in the Bonus Round, she leaves with $112,570.

February 2023

• On February 1, the "Wheel of Fortune Memories" clip is contestant Brandon giving wrong answers to the bonus puzzle WAVING GOODBYE and then waving goodbye from April 30, 2013.
• On February 3, Pat does not prompt contestant Madi to use the Wild Card on $3,500 in Round 3.
• The week of February 6 is Wheel Across America Week, taped December 13.
• On February 6, contestant Cory hops on the Express with only one consonant remaining.
• On February 10, contestant Natasha's attempt at solving the bonus puzzle WAY AHEAD OF THE CROWD is initially not accepted by Pat due to her pausing between the last two words, but he is overruled by the board revealing the full answer anyway.
• The week of February 13 is Sweethearts Week, taped November 18. This is the first team week since February 2020. During this week, several teams do not mention their hometowns.
• On February 13:
  • All three teams hit three penalty spaces consecutively in Round 2 (one Lose a Turn and two Bankrupts).
  • The original Round 3 (NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN PHOTOS) is thrown out due to the yellow team's F call (while on Express) being misheard as S. As a result, Round 1 and the replacement Round 3 are Phrase.
  • The Wheel is not reset to start on $3,500 at the start of the replacement Round 3; it starts with the yellow arrow on Express.
  • Contestants Sharon and Chris solve the third Triple Toss-Up DATE NIGHT with only the second T showing. Notably, they attempt to ring in before the T is revealed.
• On February 14:
  • Appropriately, the $1,000 Toss-Up is VALENTINE'S DAY!
  • Contestants Roger and Toni's total is accidentally shown as $0 instead of $4,000 on the drop-down graphics during Round 3.
  • Roger and Toni solve the bonus puzzle LONG FLOWING ROBE before the timer can start.
• On February 16:
  • For the first time in the show's history, a same-sex couple (Charlie and Kelly) competes during a couples' week. It is known that the show was not allowing same-sex couples to audition as a team as of Season 37.
  • Due to the country’s broadcasting laws, this episode was skipped on Mediacorp Channel 5 in Singapore.
  • Contestants Shannon and Chad solve the second Triple Toss-Up INTROVERTS with only the S showing.
• On February 17, contestants Miller and Alicia mention that their young daughter wants them to win "a Wheel of Fortune unicorn." At the end of the main game, Jim presents them with a miniature unicorn piñata with a Wheel of Fortune logo.
• The week of February 20 is Teen Week, taped December 1. This is the first Teen Week with solo players since Season 13, and the first Teen Week at all since Season 34. During this week:
  • The are two additional Gift Tags on the Wheel, neither of which is sponsored: one shaped like a smartphone with the Teen Week logo on the green $500 between $650 and $900, and another shaped like a pair of pink "ADMIT ONE" tickets on $550. The latter still awards $500 per letter when picked up. This is the first time since Season 30 that more than one Gift Tag is on the Wheel, and the first time since Season 23 that there are three.
  • No cars are available in the Bonus Round.
• On February 20:
  • None of Same Name, Before & After, Same Letter, or Crossword are used.
  • Round 3 goes viral due to contestant Khushi calling an incorrect G with only the S missing in the puzzle FRESH TROPICAL FRUIT.
• On February 21:
  • Contestants Kennedi and Joel both mention that their mothers were on the show; this the first known instance that two contestants on the same show are known to have relatives who also competed.
  • Round 2 is a Crossword Round with only three words.
  • Pat references a cut "null" cycle in the Speed-Up by acknowledging a repeated R despite the original call having been part of the cut cycle.
• On February 22, there is a rare instance of a contestant solving the Speed-Up puzzle with no money.
• On February 23, during the post-game chat, Pat acknowledges that his first show back in 1981 was a Teen Week.
• On February 24:
  • Contestant Ross wins the Mystery Round with only the $10,000 Prize.
  • Round 5 (K-POP BAND) is shorter than ten letters.
  • None of Same Name, Before & After, Same Letter, or Crossword are used.
  • The camera pans at Pat and Ross as Vanna reveals his letters for the Bonus Round.
• The week of February 27 is the third XL week, taped January 12.
• On February 28, both Rounds 1 and 2 are completely filled in before being solved.

March 2023

• On March 2:
  • Contestant Devin pulls out a handkerchief and wipes his eyes every time he hits Bankrupt.
  • Most 7:00 PM Eastern airings are interrupted during Round 1 for special reports on the verdict of the Alex Murdaugh murder trial. All affected airings return by the end of Round 3.
• The week of March 6 is Wheel Around the World, taped January 13. As is normal for this theme, clips are shown of an international version during the closing chat: Spain on Monday, Hungary on Tuesday, Denmark on Wednesday, Romania on Thursday, and Greece on Friday.
• On March 6, the first Triple Toss-Up PLAYING GAMES (Fun & Games) is rare instance of the category also containing part of the answer.
• On March 7:
  • Pat pulls contestant Greg's beard during the interviews.
  • Greg's name tag falls off as he takes his first spin in Round 2 but quickly retrieves it.
• On March 8, contestant Bradley solves the Speed-Up puzzle AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER with only the T's and R's showing.
• On March 9:
  • Pat receives negative attention on social media for seeming to mock contestant Ashley's fear of fish after giving contestant Shawn a prop fish. As a result, this episode is barred from reruns. Despite this, a clip of this moment remains available on the show's social media pages.
  • Contestant Bonnie finishes third with $15,848.
• The week of March 13 is Fun & Games week, taped December 14. This week is sponsored by Live Play Bingo which includes:
  • $10,000 in cash as the Prize.
  • $1,000 in cash as the Gift Tag.
  • The sponsor for the category Fun & Games.
  • $10,000 Giveaway to Lucky Wheel Watchers.
• On March 14, contestant John finishes second with $20,000.
• On March 15:
  • According to an eyewitness, Round 3 contains a streak of four lost turns in a row: incorrect calls of D, T (also a repeat), S, and a Bankrupt that takes away $6,750. On the original airing of this episode, the latter three are edited out, despite this edit affecting score. The edit is referenced when contestant Carla restarts from $0 when control returns to her, and it affects the outcome, as she wins the round and comes in second by less than $6,750. This is the first known instance of an edited-out turn causing a discrepancy in the outcome. The episode is re-edited on its August 2, 2023 rerun airing, where the first three of the four turns are now edited out and the Bankrupt is restored. Round 3 also has different closed captioning on the rerun version.
  • Carla finishes second with $24,399.
• On both March 16 and 17, the show announces that any input will be accepted for the $10,000 Giveaway due to these episodes being pre-empted on CBS affiliates by NCAA March Madness. Roanoke, Virginia affiliate WDBJ airs both of these episodes in an unusually early time slot of 10:00 AM Eastern, the timeslot normally occupied by CBS game show Let's Make a Deal.
• On March 16:
  • Contestant Kristie's name tag falls in Round 1 but is retrieved in Round 2.
  • All three contestants hit penalty spaces consecutively in Round 2 (one Lose a Turn and two Bankrupts).
• On March 17, for the first time this season, Thing is not offered in the Bonus Round.
• The week of March 20 is Hawaii Week, taped January 26. During this week:
  • The circular LED contestant backdrop is not used.
  • Several contestants dress in Hawaiian shirts.
  • Vanna wears a different style lei each day.
• On March 20:
  • Round 2 begins with three consecutive Bankrupts, followed by two incorrect consonants (T and S), the Bankrupt Mystery Wedge being flipped, and a Lose a Turn. No letters are revealed until the sixth turn (the first known instance since Season 17 of this happening on-air), and nobody earns any money until the eighth turn. None of the lost turns are edited out, and none of the four Bankrupts take anything anyway.
  • In Round 3, contestant Tonisha hits Express on her first spin, and uses it to fill in the entire puzzle LOCAL CULINARY DELIGHTS by herself.
• On March 21:
  • Contestant Fred solves the third Triple Toss-Up THE STARRING ROLE with only the G showing.
  • Fred sweeps the game and wins $40,000 in the Bonus Round. This marks the first time since Season 26 that multiple total clean sweeps occur in the same season.
  • Pat jokingly pretends to wrestle Fred after he solves the bonus puzzle. In a highlights video posted on the show's social media pages, there is an alternate take of Pat covering Fred's mouth with his right hand and Fred biting him. This take is not used in the broadcast version of the episode.
• On March 22:
  • Contestant Nicole finishes second with $28,350.
  • During the post-game chat, Pat and Vanna read the recipe for the national dish of Barbados (the cou-cou and flying fish) in reference to the Prize Puzzle THE NATIONAL DISH OF BARBADOS.
• On March 23:
  • Contestant Nathan quickly solves a Rubik's cube during the contestant interviews.
  • The Round 1 puzzle FAN-FAVORITE TELEVISION SHOW LOST (Show Biz) is rare instance of the category also containing part of the answer.
  • During the post-game chat, clips of Pat and Vanna in Hawaii over the years are shown.
• The week of March 27 is WWE week, taped February 1. During this week:
  • This is the first time since the Celebrity Week in New York City on November 2007 to have celebrity/civilian pairings. As was the case with previous such weeks, the house minimum is not doubled.
  • The celebrities include: Xavier Woods, Drew McIntyre, and Carmella on Monday; Sonya Deville, Austin Theory, and Bianca Belair on Tuesday; Big E, Bayley, and Liv Morgan on Wednesday; and Natalya, The Miz, and Kofi Kingston on Thursday.
  • Jim introduces each wrestler at the top of the show with a cloud of smoke shown in the background and then introduces Pat and Vanna as the "Wheel of Fortune superstars".
  • All celebrities go by their professional names and their name tags have the WWE logo on the left side. This is also the case for Xavier and The Miz, both of whom previously appeared on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune under their real names.
  • The Friday Finals format is used for the first time since the January 1999 NFL Players Week. Unlike previous Friday Finals, only the winning team is eligible for a place in the finals while second and third-place teams are not even if they have won more than a winning team.
  • The winner of the finals wins a three-day VIP trip to Wrestlemania 39, regardless of whether they win the Bonus Round.
  • Except Friday, the Prize Puzzle all week is a trip to Wrestlemania XL in Philadelphia next year.
  • The Gift Tag is tickets to any future WWE pay-per-view event of the contestant's choice.
  • The Crosswords are not played.
• On March 27:
  • Pluto TV adds episodes from Season 20 and Season 21 to its roster. This is the first time since 2011 that an episode prior to 2010 has aired.
  • Contestant Connie and Carmella forget to take away the $10,000 Mystery Prize after they hit Bankrupt.
• On March 28, the third Triple Toss-Up MAXING OUT MY CREDIT CARD is incorrectly categorized as Fun & Games.
• On March 30, for only the fourth known time, Places is used in the Bonus Round.
• On March 29 and 30, neither Same Name, Before & After, nor Same Letter is used.
• On March 31:
  • For the first time since June 1, 2005, no Prize Puzzle is played.
  • Contestants Ray and Austin solve the second Triple Toss-Up IMMOVABLE OBJECT with only the first E showing.
  • For only the second known time, Events is used in the Bonus Round.
• All five Bonus Rounds are lost on the weeks of March 27, part of an eight-day losing streak starting on the 23rd.

April 2023

• The week of April 3 is College Week Spring Break, taped January 27. During this week, the contestants introduce themselves at the top of the show.
• On April 4:
  • The Round 2 Before & After puzzle FLYING FISH STICKS has only one vowel.
  • For the first time since Season 16, a "bad" Final Spin is left intact; contestant Dane hits Lose a Turn on his first two spins and Bankrupt on his third. Pat comments "you won't see this at home" during the taping, a comment which is ironically edited out of the broadcast.
• On April 6:
  • None of Same Name, Before & After, Same Letter, or Crossword are used.
  • Rounds 2, 3, and the Bonus Round are What Are You Doing? Unusually, neither Round 2 nor 3 is a replacement puzzle.
  • There is a $100,000 loss by a contestant who picked up the Million-Dollar Wedge in Round 3 but did not solve the puzzle.
• On April 7:
  • The category strip disappears briefly during Round 3.
  • Contestant Ben finishes second with $21,950.
• The week of April 10 is America's Game.
• On April 10, it is the sixth episode of the third Wheel of Fortune XL week. As a result, the special gameplay changes are once again present.
• On April 11:
  • Contestant Justin's first Final Spin attempt lands on Bankrupt, and his second attempt hits Lose a Turn. As was the case on April 4, these spins are left intact.
  • Contestant Tiffani wins by $75.
  • All the puzzle are very short, with Round 1 (CHART-TOPPING HIT SONG) being the longest at only 19 letters.
• On April 12:
  • The "Wheel of Fortune Memories" clip is Vanna lifting dumbbells during the post-game chat from 2017. This is clip is erroneously credited as 2015.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 4.
  • The bonus puzzle FUN OUTDOOR FESTIVAL has at least one each of R, S, T, L, N, and E.
• On April 13:
  • The $2,000 Toss-Up is SCHOOL AUDITORIUM; as this was also the $2,000 Toss-Up on March 24, this is only the second known time a puzzle has been used twice in the same season. As this is a sixth episode, this appearance of the puzzle was taped first. Coincidentally, a rerun of this episode airs on October 7, 2023, five days after the puzzle is used a third time on October 2.
  • The winning contestant leaves with only $11,700.
• All five Bonus Rounds are lost on the week of April 10, part of an eight-loss streak beginning on April 5.
• The week of April 17 is Great American Cities, taped February 2. During this week:
  • Some of the extra stage lights from WWE Week are left intact.
  • Various news anchors from affiliates that have carried syndicated Wheel from the beginning wish the show a happy 40th anniversary at various points throughout the episodes.
• On April 17:
  • Before the opening, Eric Johnson and Mary Nam from KOMO 4 in Seattle, Washington wish the show a happy 40th anniversary.
  • Contestant Karen is a member of the Radio City Rockettes, although it is referred to generically as "kicking with a very famous holiday production in New York City".
• On April 18, during the closing chat, Maggie walks out with her dog Jak.
• On April 19, contestant Frank solves the second Triple Toss-Up THE BIG DIPPER with only the G showing.
• On April 21:
  • Round 2 is a Crossword Round with only three words.
  • The "Wheel of Fortune Memories" clip is Pat and Vanna sitting in a spa and Pat says to the camera “We’re practically clothed” from the 1980s.
• The week of April 24 is Margaritaville Resorts Family Vacation, taped March 9. During the week, Jim introduces Pat and Vanna from his podium on set.
• On April 24, during the post-game chat, Pat and Vanna play pickleball.
• On April 25:
  • Contestant Angela loses $21,350 (including the $10,000 Mystery Prize) to Bankrupt.
  • Contestant Darin is credited with a correct answer to the third Triple Toss-Up without ringing in after the other two contestants previously rang in; while the Toss-Up solve cue plays, the puzzle continues to reveal like an unsolved Toss-Up.
• On April 26:
  • Nobody rings in on the second Triple Toss-up RARE BOOK; this is the second aired instance of this ever happening.
  • Jim and Pat trade places in the Bonus Round.
• On April 28:
  • Contestant Darcy returns because of a questionable ruling during the Speed-Up round last season on October 4, 2021.
  • Darcy solves the second Triple Toss-Up SILVER MEDAL with only the R showing.

May 2023

• The week of May 1 is the fourth XL week, taped February 24.
• On May 1, contestant Mike has $58,298 before the Bonus Round. He also exceeds $100,000 without hitting that amount in the Bonus Round, which he solves for $45,000 and a total of $103,298.
• On May 2:
  • The Wheel of Fortune Memories clip is contestant Latoya's $100,000 win from May 25, 2016.
  • Neither Bankrupt nor Lose a Turn is hit.
• On May 3:
  • Contestant Jeremy solves the second Triple Toss-Up HIGH JUMP with only the P showing.
  • None of Same Name, Before & After, Same Letter, or Crossword are used.
• On May 5:
  • Contestant Kayla solves the second Triple Toss-Up BEST FRIENDS with only the S showing.
  • Contestant Dwana finishes second with $22,700.
  • Kayla exceeds $100,000 without hitting that amount in the Bonus Round, which she solves for $40,000 and another $40,000 from the XL Wedge for a total of $104,600.
• The week of May 8 is Fan Favorites, taped March 20. This week features former contestants returning to play, for the first since Some of the Greats! in February 1995. During this week:
  • The Season 27 title sequence is used.
  • The contestants are: Blair Davis, Christian Dixie, and Caitlin Burke on Monday; John Salvetti, Melinda Gardner, and Emil DeLeon on Tuesday; Jessie Rebhan, Reka Barton, and Kellen Franklin on Wednesday; Julia Fry, Fred Fletcher Jackson, and Ricky Gilbert on Thursday; and Tanino Privitera, Justin Orschein, and Diana Hawkins on Friday.
  • Sheldon the ceramic Dalmatian appears in various spots around the set throughout the week.
  • The Prize Puzzle trip is a cruise to the South Pacific.
  • According to Christian, contestant positions are predetermined at least for this taping, rather than the contestants drawing randomly for them.
• On May 8:
  • Contestant Christian solves the first Toss-Up WELCOME BACK! with only the second E showing.
  • The $2,000 Toss-Up (VIVA LAS VEGAS) is categorized as Song Lyrics, going against the precedent of using Title if a title or work exists in more than one medium.
  • After spinning the Bonus Wheel, Christian takes the envelope before handing it to Pat, which is the first time since Season 37 that this occurred.
  • Christian Dixie is the first civilian contestant to win two Bonus Rounds since Dottie Gonzalez from June 1998.
• On May 9, contestant John solves the second triple Toss-Up DOWNHILL SKIING with only the second L showing.
• On May 10:
  • Rounds 1, 2, and 4 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
  • Contestant Dr. Reka only spins twice the entire game, but still wins the main game by hopping on the Express and claiming $22,500 in that round.
• On May 11, all three are contestants those who swept at least the maingame in their previous appearances.
• On May 12, Round 2 is a Crossword Round with only three words.
• The week of May 15 is HSN/HSN+ Shopping Spree, taped March 21. During this week, exclusive behind-the-scenes videos and promotions for various Wheel merchandise are made temporarily available on streaming platform HSN+.
• On May 16, during the post-game chat, Vanna brings in a special edition doll of herself with her son Nikko as a baby.
• On May 18:
  • In Round 3, contestant Cesar hits Express on his first spin, and uses it to fill in the entire puzzle VISITING GORGEOUS WINERIES by himself and claiming $25,398 in that round. It is also the highest record among contestants who only spun the Wheel once.
  • There is a $100,000 loss.
  • Lacey Chabert appears in the closing segment to promote her line of merchandise on HSN. Her appearance on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune is mentioned.
• The week of May 22 is Grand Getaways, taped March 10. During this week:
  • Teams of grandparents and grandchildren play.
  • The usual age requirement of 18 is relaxed for this week, with some of the grandchildren being as young as middle schoolers.
  • No cars are available in the Bonus Round, likely due to the above.
• On May 22:
  • Contestants Riley and Linda solve the second Triple Toss-Up NEW YORK with only the K showing.
  • The Wheel of Fortune Memories clip is of contestant Tiffany giving an answer of "BOURBON AND GIN" to the Speed-Up puzzle BARBIE AND KEN from October 3, 2018.
• On May 23, the Round 4 puzzle SLAYING IT! is shorter than ten letters, suggesting that Rounds 1-3 ran overtime.
• On May 24:
  • None of Same Name, Before & After, Same Letter, or Crossword are used.
  • Nobody solves the first Triple Toss-Up TEAM EFFORT.
• May 29 is Star Wars Galactic Celebration, a week themed after the Star Wars franchise, taped February 23. During this week:
  • The show's logo appears on a black background with a graphic of the Millennium Falcon flying around it, and a graphic effect resembling hyperspace is used as a transition.
  • Jim introduces Pat and Vanna as "the brightest stars in our galaxy".
  • Various Star Wars sound effects replace the usual sound effects.
  • Most contestants wear Star Wars-themed apparel.
  • The set includes various Star Wars-themed pieces, including a droid which rotates its head as Pat and Vanna walk out.
  • Home viewers may submit each episode's bonus puzzle online for a chance to win a trip to Star Wars Galaxy's Edge at Walt Disney World.
  • On one of the episodes this week, a contestant becomes ill after Round 1 and is unable to continue. As a result, the episode to that point is discarded and the other two contestants play a new episode with that week's alternate. It is confirmed that the contestant will come back in Season 41.
• On May 29:
  • Jim is shown on-camera introducing Pat and Vanna; as he does, he is wearing a Darth Vader helmet while a name tag reading "Darth" replaces the usual "Jim" name tag on his microphone.
  • The contestants swing lightsabers during the intro.
  • Wheel is pre-empted on FOX affiliates due to the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race, postponed from Sunday the 28th due to rain.
  • No vowels are bought in Rounds 1 or 4.
  • There is a $100,000 win.
  • Contestant Jeff solves the bonus puzzle STAY AFLOAT before the timer can start.
  • During the post-game chat, Sal Perales of Saber Guild & Lightsaber Academy gives the hosts a training lesson on using lightsabers.
• On May 30:
  • Round 2 is the first appearance of Family since May 13, 2019.
  • Round 3 (WHERE ADVENTURE AWAITS) is categorized as Place instead of Phrase.
  • During the post-game chat, Pat and Vanna show off a collection of original toys from Return of the Jedi in honor of the movie’s 40th anniversary.
• On May 31, during the post-game chat, Erik Varszegi of the LEGO Group presents an Ultimate Collector’s Edition Millennium Falcon.

June 2023

• On June 1:
  • Jim is shown wearing a Mandalorian helmet going into the second commercial break.
  • Contestant Victoria solves the second Triple Toss-Up JABBA THE HUTT with only the E showing, and then the third Triple toss-up BOBA FETT with only the second T showing. This is only the second known instance of two puzzles on the same episode being solved with only one letter.
  • During the post-game chat, a montage of various Star Wars characters and people wielding lightsabers is shown. Pat then presents Maggie her very own lightsaber.
• On June 2:
  • Several 7:00 PM Eastern airings are partially pre-empted by an address from President Joe Biden on the United States debt-ceiling crisis. Because of this, the show announces that any input will be accepted for the sweepstakes, though this ends up not mattering, as all impacted airings begin around the end of Round 3. The episode is yet to be re-broadcast.
  • During the post-game chat, Pat, Vanna, Jim and Maggie show off personalized Star Wars selfie series action figures of themselves.
• On June 5:
  • It is the sixth episode of Star Wars Galactic Celebration. It is also the first time since Season 30 that a sixth episode is billed with its original theme and not as America's Game.
  • None of Same Name, Before & After, Same Letter, or Crossword are used.
  • During the post-game chat, Pat and Vanna talk about Disney’s $100 million commitment to supporting children’s hospitals globally. Both Disney and LucasFilm have teamed up with Starlight Children’s Foundation to donate Star Wars themed hospital gowns to kids in hospitals nationwide.
• June 6 onward is America's Game.
• On June 6:
  • All three contestants hit penalty spaces consecutively in Round 2 (Bankrupt and two Lose a Turns).
  • Contestant David is accidentally awarded the value of next day's trip (to Mexico) instead of that day's trip to Antigua, despite the proper footage for the latter being shown in-studio. This is "corrected" by overdubbing Pat saying "Mexico" when throwing to Jim, as well as Jim re-dubbing the copy. As the improper value affects the outcome, David is brought back in March 2024.
• On June 7, the Wheel of Fortune Memories clip is a series of incorrect Toss-Up answers from May 2, 2022.
• On June 8:
  • Vanna wears a suit.
  • Wheel is at least partially preempted in most East Coast markets due to the indictments against former President Donald Trump: The episode is yet to be re-broadcast.
    • No gameplay is impacted on 7:00 PM Eastern airings, with ABC being the only network to interrupt in this time slot, around 7:28.
    • 7:30 airings are interrupted during Round 2 on NBC affiliates and at the end of Round 3 on CBS affiliates. They are pre-empted for the entire half hour on ABC affiliates.
    • 6:00 PM Mountain airings are slightly cut off at the beginning following the networks signing off, starting around the $1,000 Toss-Up.
  • Vanna wears a shirt and pants.
  • In Round 2, for the second time, the Crossword Clue "Which 'Way'?" has a word in quotation marks, similar to certain categories on Jeopardy!
  • Robert Ennis is credited for the last time.
• On June 9:
  • It is the sixth episode of the fourth Wheel of Fortune XL week. As a result, the special gameplay changes are once again present.
  • In airing order, it is also Robert Ennis' last episode as director.
  • Wheel announces that any input will be accepted for the sweepstakes entry due to the episode being pre-empted on West Coast ABC affiliates by the NBA Finals.

Post-Season

• During summer reruns, several single episodes are excluded from the rest of their weeks and are replaced with random episodes from America's Game or unthemed weeks, some of which are for no apparent reason:
  • June 16: September 16 is replaced with January 30, presumably due to the controversial Round 1 puzzle.
  • June 28: September 21 is replaced with April 11, again, presumably due to the controversial Round 1 puzzle.
  • August 3: March 16 is replaced with April 14.
  • August 18: April 28 is replaced with June 7.
  • August 31: March 9 is replaced with February 1, possibly due to Pat making fun of a contestant's fear of fish with a rubber fish toy.
  • September 7: May 4 is replaced with January 24, possibly due to a contestant losing over $25,000 and the Million-Dollar Wedge to an incorrect vowel late in Round 3.
• Pluto TV adds episodes from Seasons 1-12 (with the exception of Season 6) and Seasons 15-16. Hidden in these episodes are Pat's first episode from 1981, and Vanna's first episode from 1982. This is the first time since their respective post-season reruns that episodes from Seasons 3-4, Seasons 8-9, Season 11, and Seasons 15-16 have been shown in reruns.