People like to use prize wheels because they’re a fun way to spice up events, but it may be safe to say that people wouldn’t like prize wheels half as much as they do if wasn’t for a certain game show. Wheel of Fortune is one of the longest running primetime series in history, and after over three decades on the air they’re still going on strong. People have been watching the wheel for years, but even the show’s biggest fans may not know some of these facts.
Statistics and Amounts
Since Wheel of Fortune made its syndication debut in 1983 the show has given out more than $200 million in cash and prizes. The luckiest contestant on the show was Michelle Loewenstein. In 2008 Lowenstein won $1 million in the show’s bonus round, and when the show was over she had earned $1,026,080 in cash and prizes. Thanks to an international broadcasting license and formatting rights, Wheel of Fortune has been locally produced in 45 territories and countries. On average over 10,000 people audition to be on the show every year, but only 600 of those who try will make it on the show.
Wheels
A lot of work went into the creation of what may be the world’s most recognizable prize wheels. The wheel has over 200 computerized lighting instruments that can create up to 2 million different color choices. It has 73 stainless steel pins and three hard rubber flippers that help make the wheel’s characteristic sounds. The 100 behind the scenes staff and crew workers have a lot of work to do when the show tapes in different locations. Wheel of Fortune only has one puzzle board and one wheel, and both need to be dismantled and reassembled whenever the show goes on the road.