‘Wheel of Fortune’ Fans Sound Off About The Show’s Changes

Martin Holmes
13 Comments
Wheel of Fortune Pat Sajak and Vanna White
CBS

Wheel of Fortune returned for its 39th season on Monday evening with a new snazzy look and some updates to the gameplay, and it certainly got fans talking.

These changes included a bright and colorful new studio set, increased screen time for the show’s announcer Jim Thornton, and, perhaps most controversial of all, updated music.

“Can you believe this is Season 39? It’s incredible,” said host Pat Sajak to open the show. “You’ll notice some changes in the studio. I thought I caught a glimpse of that Thornton guy on the way out. A few little tweaks in the game, but it’s still Wheel of Fortune. We’re gonna have a great time. Let’s get to it.”

One of the big gameplay changes involves the final spin of the wheel, which has always been done by Sajak himself. However, the power has now been handed over to the contestants. “The final spin goes to whoever has control of the wheel,” Sajak explained in the episode.

These updates come after the show’s executive producer Mike Richards exited his role last month following public backlash. The changes also mark Sajak’s new position as consulting producer on the show — a stipulation that was added as part of the long-running host’s contract renewal that will keep him and hostess Vanna White on the show through 2024.

“If you think about it, by doing the ‘final spin’ I, as host, had an impact on the outcome of the game, and that has always bothered me because it just didn’t feel right,” Sajak told Deadline. “With this change, only the contestants determine the outcome of the game and the host does not impose themself in any way.”

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But not all Wheel of Fortune viewers were on board with these changes, especially regarding the new music. Check out some of the reaction below.

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  1. O

    OrangePin

    The old music and set were absolutely fine. Not a fan of the new changes. Why do people think that they have to change things to make it better?

    8

    1. G

      GoldBottleOpener

      I don't like the new changes. The music is terrible and the new set is awful. I've watched 2 episodes and I won't be watching a 3rd. I think the show will lose a lot of viewers over this and I'm one of them. If it aint broke don't fix it. Goodbye, Wheel of Fortune.

      2

  2. G

    GreenQuill

    What the! Do no like the new look nor the music. Please PLEASE tell me this is temporary. Not a fan much longer.

    5

  3. G

    GreenPlane

    This article seems very one-sided; there were a lot of positive reactions to the changes as well. People who grew up with the show in the '80s and '90s are happy to have a version of the old theme back, and that they replaced the video wall (introduced around the turn of the century) with a colorful permanent backdrop. These changes make the show feel a lot more vibrant.

    5 1

  4. O

    OliveDice

    IMO It's good they gave the final spin to the contestant because Pat's spin has gotten very weak. It has seemed to be hard for him to get any strength into it for a while now.

    4

  5. O

    OliveCactus

    I loved seeing the backgrounds of the beaches and sand and vacation spots, so welcoming 😎

    The music is really not enjoyable at all. Please bring it back the way it was everything. Thank you

    2

  6. G

    GoldFlame

    We just quit watching after 10 years because the "music" sounds are too annoyingly painful to listen to. Who ever did this to the show should be fired.

    2

  7. P

    PurpleMustache

    I liked that the old set and music much better. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

    3 1

  8. C

    CyanBus

    I am a fan of some change...but not THIS change.The new music sounds like music from the cutting room floor of " The Grinch Who Stole Christmas"...you know, where they did a knock-off version of the Jeopardy theme? Yikes!! The high pitched sound of the music is grating like fingernails on a blackboard. And let's talk about the set. Are we at at LAX??? Runway baaaalluuuewe!! I think they were correct in letting a contestant control the final spin, however it should be turned over to the lowest ranking player who has no reason to want a less than high dollar spin. If the leader wants to sabotage a high dollar spin, then the other two have no chance of catching up like they have done from time-to-time in the past. Has anybody heard from Mike Richards to see what he thinks???😷

    3 1

  9. C

    CyanBucket

    I don't like the new set. Bring back the Screen behind the contestants.

    1

  10. C

    CyanBike

    The music changes are annoying only because they are new...everybody will get used to it over time. They've done rule/game updates over the years (anybody miss the ceramic dog when they gave away prizes?) My only complaint is the music sounds like it's from an old video game from the 90's.

    1

  11. P

    PurpleBug

    Never could figure out why they kept Vanna and pay her all that money. She does absolutely nothing and hasn't since the board went digital more then 20 years ago.

    1

  12. P

    PurpleCorn

    Love the changes and the new music

    1 5