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A night at Nine’s top dollar

Channel Nine invited media along for a sneak preview of the revamped Wheel of Fortune last night. TV Tonight was there to see the new show taken for a spin….

Media journos were welcomed by producer Paul Waterhouse, who produced the original Wheel back in 1981. He was at pains to point out that in bringing the show into a contemporary era the show will indeed have $1M on offer every night.

In the first round there is a $1M wedge on the new wheel. If a contestant spins it up and becomes the final round player they win the right to have another $1M wedge in play. They would have to spin it and successfully solve the final puzzle to win the million -but Waterhouse is confident it will go off at some point. Otherwise the top prize is $200,000 each night.

Media then watched a preview of the first ep, which indeed had a big win. On first viewing Tim Campbell looked very relaxed and confident. Kelly Landry as yet wasn’t offered much to do, always a criticism of the hostess role. No doubt everyone will be looking to further this.

The buzzer for incorrect answers is the buzzer from hell -loved it (is it just me or did prisoners hear this in Oz?)!

The audience for the first show was certainly very hyper. This is an increasing habit by Aussie gameshows (Gladiators, Moment of Truth) and I hope they settle a bit so that viewers aren’t too distracted. It’s great that those in studio are bursting with excitement. We’re not. We’re just enjoying a puzzle show with some nice people. I reckon if the $1M went off they could struggle to show us they hadn’t already peaked.

As we walked onto the white set, its enormous size was hard to miss. It’s 70’s in style, with big, bold primary colours pulled straight off the set of The Archies. It works very well in its simplicity.

Having taken the wheel (flat in structure not conical) for a spin I can also tell you, it’s a heavy bugger!

Nine sure has a lot riding on this, particularly as an improved lead-in for its News. For all the bells and whistles (and extra bucks), Wheel is a traditional and dependable brand. Nothing will take away from the fact that this is essentially a puzzle-based game that can be easily played at home. In the hands of Tim Campbell there is every reason why this should appeal to those who enjoy its no-fuss format.

The question now is whether audiences will take it for a spin.

Press Release:
The stakes will be high when Channel Nine presents the all new Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune, on Monday, May 26 at 5.30pm. In a world first, there’ll be one million dollars up for grabs every week night.

Hosted by the popular and talented Tim Campbell, Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune has never been richer. Joining Tim as co-host is gorgeous newcomer Kelly Landry. Kelly will reveal the letters on a new letter board that uses the latest digital technology

Wheel of Fortune spins into action in more than 32 countries but Nine’s new Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune is the first in the world to offer the ultimate wedge on the Wheel – one million dollars in cash.

In another world first, Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune is the only show of its kind to unveil an exciting illuminated wheel.

Wheel of Fortune has long proved its success on Australian television, where it has been seen for 26 years. Undoubtedly one of the most popular of all game show formats, the original concept was created in America by Merv Griffin more than 30 years ago.

Today, Wheel is still the highest rating syndicated game show on US television, with an average daily audience in excess of 11 million viewers.

With names such as Ernie Sigley, John Burgess and Tony Barber at the helm in the past, all-round entertainer Tim Campbell joins an esteemed lineup as the seventh local host of the show.

“I feel privileged to be given the reins to the institution that is Wheel of Fortune. The revamped version means I have the chance to give away millions of dollars in cash and prizes – what more could I ask for?” Campbell said.

“Kelly and I can’t wait to be in viewers’ lounge rooms five nights a week, especially in such a critical timeslot for the Nine Network as it leads into the evening news”.

The reinvigorated Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune, which is still being rolled out around the world, will have all the familiar elements that have made the show such a perennial favourite. And along with a modern look and feel, contestants will be playing for envious amounts of cash, whereas previous Wheels only had prizes to play for.

The “bankrupt” wedge will be one to avoid as it will mean losing “real” money, but with three contestants a night it’s pretty simple – solve the puzzle and you win the cash.

At the end of each episode an exciting new game will be also played, featuring sensational prizes such as a car, as well as the potential to play for a massive $1,000,000 cash jackpot. The carryover champion returns the next night to try and do it all over again.

3 Responses

  1. One question: Do all the contestants have to yell out their letters and answers? This is a strange phenomenon on the US version. I don’t know what’s wrong with them, but have a look — they do it every time.

  2. I think their press kit had a wheel of cheese, a colostomy bag, an O’Keefe voodoo doll(complete with pins) and a picture of John Burgess with a drawn on mustache.

  3. Sounds like a good night David.
    What did they send you in regards to a Press kit? Underbelly had the bullet did wheel do anything special?

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