Wheel of Fortune

Wheel of Fortune, a television game show created by Merv Griffin, is the longest-running syndicated game show in U.S. television history. The show first aired in 1975 on daytime television and was syndicated in primetime in 1983. Pat Sajak and Vanna White have hosted since its primetime debut. Contestants on the show compete to solve word puzzles. The show, which gets its name from the 4,000 lb. wheel that contestants spin to determine the dollar amount and prizes won, awarded more than $171 million in cash and prizes during its first 24 years of syndication.

Contestants on Wheel of Fortune compete to complete word puzzles in different categories, such as places, things, book titles or songs. Players spin the wheel, whose 24 spaces each represent cash values, prizes or penalties. Players ask for consonants and can buy vowels to gain clues to solve the puzzle. The player wins cash or prizes for every correct letter he or she guesses. Players can attempt to complete the puzzle at any time, and once the puzzle is completed, the round ends and the solving player wins cash and prizes. Only the solving player keeps the winnings from the round. The contestant winning the most throughout the entire game show wins the game and proceeds to a Bonus Round, where additional prizes and cash can be awarded.