# Wheel of Fortune (1983)

> Contestants solve Hangman-style word puzzles to win cash and prizes, with the amount set by spinning a giant carnival wheel.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/2641

## Facts

- Seasons: 44
- Episodes: 2815
- Episode runtime: 25 min
- Status: Returning Series
- Genres: reality
- Created by: Merv Griffin
- Network: NBC, Syndication
- Cast: Pat Sajak, Ryan Seacrest, Vanna White, Jack Clark, Charlie O'Donnell, Jim Thornton, Christonikos Tsalikis, Charles Jang
- TMDB rating: 6.7/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072584/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: mild
- Complexity: simple
- Violence: none
- Tone: cheerful, breezy, upbeat, warm, playful

## What critics say

Audiences find the long-running game show a light, familiar pastime, with ratings mixed and the puzzle format and wheel spin carrying its appeal.

## Synopsis

Wheel of Fortune (1983-present) is an American game show created by Merv Griffin and broadcast on NBC and in syndication. Hosted for decades by Pat Sajak (Pat Sajak) alongside co-host Vanna White (Vanna White), with Ryan Seacrest (Ryan Seacrest) appearing as a later host, the series asks contestants to solve word puzzles similar to those used in Hangman. Each round, players spin a giant carnival wheel that determines the cash value of each letter they guess, and the game builds toward a bonus puzzle where prizes and money can be won. The engine is simple and playful: a contestant wants to decode a hidden phrase before the opponents do, while the spin decides how much each correct guess is worth. Episodes move briskly and the show runs as a long, continuing daytime and syndicated institution across more than thirty seasons, with each episode self-contained. Its tone is cheerful, warm and accessible, with bright studio lights, crowd reactions and the familiar rhythm of the wheel. Fans of Jeopardy! and Password will find the same appeal in quick wordplay, household familiarity and a format that suits families and casual viewers alike.

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