Wheel of Fortune – Spinning Money Into Gold
January 26th, 2010 Filed under: Uncategorized — Movie Critic
Wheel of Fortune had to be one of Merv Griffin’s most brilliant inventions (along with Jeopardy). He was certainly a genius, and he absolutely loved games and people. He put the two together to form some of the most profitable, long-lasting franchises in the history of television and modern entertainment culture. Of course, he was a superb talk-show host back in the earlier days for many years.
We all want to be on that show. We live and die with the contestants because they represent us. When they solve the word puzzles (patterned after the ancient kids’ game of Hangman) before we do at home, we’re both disappointed and in awe of those folks from all walks of American life who don’t crumble under the enormous and short-lived chance of a lifetime. There is a lot of pressure placed on these gamers. It’s probably their only shot at fame and fortune all at once, in a brief 20-minute participation in the pressure cooker of bright lights in front of a huge live audience that will be seen by millions after the show is taped.
Pat Sajak has to be the best game show host ever invented. He is the most glib, smooth-talking guy on the face of the Earth. He can say absolutely nothing, but we believe every word like it was the Gospel. He is so likable and friendly, it’s amazing he can do it show after show (they tape 12 a day for 2 weeks at a time). He has the impeccable and extraordinary skill of making the contestants, their families, and the entire studio and TV audiences feel so at ease. It’s simply uncanny.
Vanna White has to be the best letter-turner and sidekick in the Universe. But, much more than that, she is the elite sophisticated eye candy that projects titillating, yet wholesome goodness through and through. You’ve always wished she and Pat could have tied the knot. But, you always sense they are the closest of friends. Vanna exudes classiness and friendliness in one fell swoop.
When 6:30 rolls around (actually they start at 6:29 and you better not be late because they immediately have their first toss-up puzzle), we are there, the entire family, every weeknight. It is one of our basic long-held family traditions to begin the night of TV and Netflix viewing with Wheel of Fortune. It’s like we can’t do a thing until Wheel is over. We are truly mesmerized. And, it’s always over much too soon. Sure wished they’d show 2 episodes back-to-back, or at least launch WFC, The Wheel of Fortune Channel so we could watch it 24-7.
About the Author:
Grant Brad Gerver is an entrepreneur and creative consultant for Filibi, a robust online classified ad and printable coupon advertising business paying 70% commissions to its members. He’s also a YouTube blues singer-songwriter and guitar player (gbgerver) who performs with The Buzzard Brothers. Additionally, Grant writes political humor, thousands of bumper stickers, and humorous movie reviews. He has also worked with various companies as a product-naming specialist. He’s a retired elementary school teacher and published children’s author who works in the health care field.
