TV's comfy house slippers

KUAlum26

I say,with little amount of self-consciousness,that I've watched this show (particularly the evening syndicated version) faithfully for almost twenty-five years,and even though the whole routines of the show get a little stale and "samey" (as any show that's been on for a long time tends to do from time to time),there's still something comforting or reassuring that people want to play for (and watch)cash and prizes by solving puzzles. Yup,puzzles. No immunity challenges,no competitive back-biting,no suspense or plotting, no promises of winning "One MILLION DOLLARS!", no lifelines or help from the audience. Just simple contestant-to-puzzle/question format,with host(Pat Sajak,effortlessly affable for close to thirty years,picking up for the equally disarming Chuck Woolery),hostess(Vanna White,truly the luckiest woman in all of showbiz!;Susan Stafford the most notable here before her) and announcer(Charlie O'Donnell now,once TV host Jack Clark back when).

The late Merv Griffin created this show in the mid 1970s as part of his attempt at expanding his repertoire from talk shows(of which he hosted for the better part of twenty years)and music. Coupled with "Jeopardy!" (another show I got into,though I burned out of for reasons too many to explain here),these shows developed a long-lasting familiarity that long outlived the period from which it was spawned. It,along with afore-mentioned "Jeopardy!" and "The Price is Right" were able to become iconic in some degree. But while "Jeoprardy!" and "Price" were able to sustain some level of respect,deserved or otherwise,"Wheel" got drubbed for various offenses,such as lack of intelligence required(mildly false)or being a ripoff of "Hangman"(somewhat true). To me,I still say,faults and all,a show like Wheel is a great refuge for people who remember when game shows tried to be entertaining honestly,with emphasis on the games themselves and less emphasis on the embarrassing,degrading aspects of competition. While the prize values have,naturally,raised considerably over the years and major facets of the show have changed (among them, the acquisition of prizes and how the end game is played),I think the general élan of the show remains. Simple,friendly competition for winnings that neither taxes your brain too much (if at all) nor insults your general sense of dignity.

score /10

KUAlum26 16 February 2008

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw1821145/