WoF Retro Recap: September 14, 1984

EPISODE #200

Over $84K waiting to be won including…

• a $25K pub
• a $5,900 diamond star pin
• an $11K sportscar

Bob McBride: programmer for the government from Washington D.C.

Ali Galam: law student at the California Western School of Law from San Diego

Debbie Carney: flight attendant for a major airline from Stuart, FL

Round 1: PHRASE

Bob got a Free Spin right away, but there’s no T to be found. Ali also struck out w/ S. Debbie spun her way to two N’s and L’s at $450 per pair, three O’s, and a $500 Y pair. We had…

Y O _ / O N L Y
L _ _ _ / O N _ _

This statement is true nowadays as she said “YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE” for $2,050 and would spend that in the lover’s retreat…

• $700: his/her Helbros diamond quartz watches
• $700: brass lamps
• $200: Carol Anderson ladies’ blouses
• $140: French Guard figurine
• $260: on an American Express GC

DUDS: T (Bob), S (Ali)

FEATURED PRIZE: Dicker & Dicker cashmere and mink coat worth $2K

Round 2: PERSON

Ali’s first w/ two T’s for $600, but then N for negative. Debbie then said a $200 S, two C’s to triple up, and a $600 G pair.

G _ _ _ G _
C / S C _ T T

She solved film actor GEORGE C. SCOTT for $1,200 and she’ll spend that in the outdoor furniture area…

• $444: his/her Dubin yachting jackets
• $370: Whites metal detector
• $300: Bushnell weatherpoof binoculars
• $86 on a GC

SOLE DUD: N (Ali)

Debbie: $3,250/Men: $0 each (Bob had the FS)

Round 3: PLACE

Debbie led off w/ three T’s for $900, a $250 H, four E’s and A, a $500 S, an I buy, but then C for crud. Bob secondly spun a $250 R, a $500 D pair, a $200 P, but then BANKRUPT near $300 to lose $950 and he used the FS. After a $400 N to complete the board…

T H E
P A I N T E D
D E S E R T

…he read the answer correctly and bought a $350 piggy lamp from the pub showcase. The remaining $50 went on a GC.

SOLE DUD: C (Debbie)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Bob

Bob: $400/Ali: NOTHING/Debbie: $3,250

Round 4: QUOTATION

Bob led off w/ two T’s and R’s at $400 per pair, a $400 M, but he and Ali BANKRUPTed near $1,500 back-to-back, costing Bob $1,200. Debbie picked a $1,500 W, five O’s, but then E for end of turn. Bob then said a $600 N pair and a $1,200 L duo, but time’s running out…

_ O / L O N _ / _ N T _ L
T O M O R R O W

…and the consonants were worth $250 a pop. He made Vanna lit up the frontloading S…

S O / L O N _ / _ N T _ L
T O M O R R O W

…and said “SO LONG UNTIL TOMORROW” for $2,050. Back to the pub showcase…

• $1,052: Samsung microwave, Tara Ware cookware, Furniture Concepts server w/ hutch
• $814: brass end table w/ glass top from Corsican Furniture
• $130: reproduction picture (“Greedy Girls”)
• $54: on a GC

SOLE DUD: E (Debbie)
BANKRUPTS: 2 (men)

FINAL SCORES
Bob: $2,450/Ali: PARTING GIFTS/Debbie: $3,250

GT: $5,700
BANKRUPT TRASH: $2,150

Bonus Round

Debbie played for a 1985 Chevrolet Camaro worth $11,982.

Category: THING

TSRNLE gave her…

_ E N T _ L
T E L E _ _ T _ _

Pat couldn’t send the answer via MENTAL TELEPATHY to her, because she didn’t get either word (she thought the word started w/ DENTAL).

MY RATING: 4

WoF Retro Recap: September 13, 1984

EPISODE #199

Over $100K waiting to be won…

• $28K classic sportscar
• his/her motorcycles ($4,845)
• $20K Saxon convertible

Bill Brisack: division manager for a chemical company married w/ three kids, from Scottsdale, AZ

Brilla Smith: staff clerk for a major phone company

Teddy Parrett (female): just opened her own exercise studio and a photography buff from Bakersfield, CA

Round 1: TITLE

Bill said an instant dud of T. Second, Brilla called up a $450 S, a $300 R, but then N for negative. Third, Teddy took a $400 D, a $200 H, a $400 L quartet, two E’s, but then B for bad. Bill then said two F’s for $350 and a $600 G. We had…

F _ R / H E ‘ S
_ / _ _ L L _
G _ _ D / F E L L _ _

He solved “FOR HE’S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW” for $950 and would spend that money in the library…

• $700: his/hers Helbros quartz watches
• $170: Alsy-Cycle II ginger jar lamps
• $80: on an American Express Catalog GC

DUDS: T (Bill), N (Brilla), B (Teddy)

FEATURED PRIZE: set of Skyway luggage worth $738

Round 2: PHRASE

Brilla’s first w/ four T’s for $2,200, a $400 H pair, a $900 G, two E’s, but she and Teddy both BANKRUPTed out near $300, costing the middle lady $3,250. Bill followed w/ an $800 S, a $900 F, two O’s and I’s, a $200 M, but the other BANKRUPT (next to $250) cleaned him out of $1,400. Brilla then said a $300 D, a $250 N, and a $700 K. We had…

_ T / T H E
S T _ O K E / O F
M I D N I G H T

She realized that Cinderella left AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT for $1,250. The next showcase was the utility center…

• $991: Speed Queen washer/dryer
• $115: Harvest Savor food dehydrator/producer
• $144 on a GC

BANKRUPTS: 3 (whole panel)

Bill: $950/Brilla: $1,250/Teddy: NOTHING

Round 3: QUOTATION

S for sorry was how Teddy started. Bill secondly spun his way to two T’s for $400, four R’s for another $1,400, a $350 N, buys of E and three A’s, but then D for dud. Brilla then said a $400 M pair and a $15K Y trio, but time’s running out…

M A R Y / M A R Y
_ _ _ T E
_ _ N T R A R Y

…and the two remaining consonants are worth $5K apiece! She then said C…

M A R Y / M A R Y
_ _ _ T E
C _ N T R A R Y

…and solved MARY MARY QUITE CONTRARY for $20,400! Here’s a big list of items she bought from the TV room showcase…

• $6,700: Van Cleef & Arpels diamond ear clips
• $4,315: trip to Rio Sheraton in Brazil
• $4,845: his/hers motorcycles
• $2,100: 25-inch RCA color TV plus contemporary etagere
• $1,426: Lake Powell houseboat tour in Arizona
• $526: Casablanca ceiling fan
• $400: Dalton women’s sportswear
• $88 on a GC

DUDS: S (Teddy), D (Bill)

FINAL SCORES
Bill: $950/Brilla: $21,650/Teddy: PARTING GIFTS

GT: $22,600
BANKRUPT TRASH: $4,650

Bonus Round

Brilla wasn’t playing for a car but rather a Custom Crafts computer center worth $2,794.

Category: PLACE

TSRLNE was her combo and this is the place located on the U.S./Canada border…

N _ _ _ _ R _
_ _ L L S

She successfully pinpointed NIAGARA FALLS to leave w/ $24,444 in prizes!

MY RATING: 8

WoF Retro Recap: September 12, 1984

EPISODE #198

Over $84K waiting to be won including…

• a $12K spa showcase
• $1,300 crystal stemware
• an $11K Camaro

Marsha Cohen: housewife w/ two kids (8 and 11) and going back to school at the Univ. of Missouri studying accounting from St. Louis, MO

Leslie Swain: boat marina worker studying for a captain’s license from Rowley, MA

Jerry Johnson: salesman for an air carrier from Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Round 1: PHRASE

Marsha kicked off w/ a $175 (yes, there was one dollar value ending w/ -75 back then) T, but then R for rats. Second, Leslie called up three S’s for $600, a $175 M, but she then repeated the T. Jerry LaTed out on the spot. Marsa then said a $300 L pair and a $150 G before we saw…

_ L L
S _ S T _ M S / G _

ALL SYSTEMS GO for Marsha who solved for $625 and she would spend it in the old-fashioned bedroom…

• $552: Lane wood chest
• $73: on an American Express Merchandise Catalog GC

SOLE DUD: R (Marsha)
SOLE LaT: Jerry
SOLE DQ: Leslie’s T repeat

FEATURED PRIZE: Tiffany & Co. set of English cut crystal including service for 8 worth $1,320

Round 2: PHRASE

This round’s all Leslie: a $400 S, a $900 T trio, an $800 F pair, and a $750 R trio.

_ _ T / _ _ _ R / _ _ S T
F _ _ T / F _ R _ R _ _

Since you were able to PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD, you scored a $2,850 PR. This time, it’s the spa area…

• $2,546: houseboat tour on Lake Powell in Arizona
• $249: black glass vase
• $55: ON ACCOUNT

Marsha: $625/Leslie: $2,795 ($55 OA)/Jerry: NIL

Round 3: PLACE

This round’s all Jerry: an $1,100 T pair, two S’s to double up, three E’s and two A’s, a $600 N trio, a $200 W, a $200 G (those two were close to LaT), and a $400 L.

N E W / E N G L A N _
S T A T E S

He pinpointed the NEW ENGLAND STATES for $3,100 and PR #2. To the family room showcase…

• $2,675: Cable Console piano
• $425: Alsy-Cycle II brass lamp and clear glass canister lamp (nothing left on a GC)

Marsha: $625/Leslie: $2,795 ($55 OA)/Jerry: $3,100

Round 4: THING

Marsha’s first w/ a $400 T, a $1K R pair, a $500 Y, buys of A and O, but then the BANKRUPT near $1,500 to lose $1,400. Leslie then said a $500 C, a $300 L and a $600 B to clean out the consonants…

R O T A R Y
C L _ B

She solved ROTARY CLUB for $1,400 plus the $55 she had OA. Let’s go back to the family room showcase…

• $1,398 Berkline wallaway recliners
• $57 on a GC

SOLE BANKRUPT: Marsha

Marsha: $625/Leslie: $4,250/Jerry: $3,100

Round 5: THING

Leslie fell short of TD, but still got a $1K S pair and it’s S-U time…

S _ _ _ _ _
_ _ / _ _ S _

…w/ a $500 Final Spin.

Chosen Next: T (DUD), R (DUD), N (DUD), W (DUD), L, two H’s

S _ H _ _ L
_ _ / _ _ S H

Marsha spotted the SCHOOL OF FISH for a grand. Let’s go back to the old-fashioned bedroom…

• $800: Tiffany’s Paul Revere silver bowl
• $185: set of Giorgio accessories
• $15 on a GC

DUDS: T (Leslie), R (Jerry), N (Marsha), W (Leslie)

FINAL SCORES
Marsha: $1,625/Leslie: $4,250/Jerry: $3,100

GT: $8,975
BANKRUPT TRASH: $1,400

Bonus Round

Leslie played for the Chevrolet Blazer S10 4WD worth $14,763.

Category: PHRASE

STLRWE’s an interesting combo, but that won’t do much…

W _ _ E
_ _ _
_ _ _ E

This would fit under RHYME TIME nowadays, and she blanked out on WINE AND DINE

MY RATING: 6

WoF Retro Recap: October 1, 1984

EPISODE #211

Over $83K waiting to be won including…

• $6,300 electric car
• $1,900 gold heart choker
• $14K four-wheeler

Kersteen Anders: salesperson for commercial grade carpeting studying for a real estate license

Cynthia “Cinders” Zadel: X-ray technologist from Scottsdale, AZ who got the nickname while she played softball and married w/ one daughter and one another on the way

Jack York: sales representative for an electronics firm who liked gambling

Round 1: PERSON

We had an instant null cycle to start the game: Kersteen’s M call, CInders’ LaT and Jack’s T call. Starting fresh again w/ Kersteen who said a $200 S, two R’s for a grand, a $1K L, but then N for no. Cinders got a $300 Y, a Free Spin, but no C. Jack then said a $250 J and a $400 W to clean out the consonants.

J _ R R Y
L _ W _ S

This is a famous comedian w/ a Telethon named after him on Labor Day, as Jack solved JERRY LEWIS for $650. He spent that money in the lover’s retreat showcase…

• $340: weekend at the Ramada Palm Springs
• $200: Carol Anderson ladies’ blouses for his sister
• $110 on a GC

DUDS: M (Kersteen), T (Jack), N (Kersteen), C (Cinders)
SOLE LaT: Cinders

FEATURED PRIZE: Dicker & Dicker mink jacket worth $1,500

Round 2: PHRASE

Cynthia got the fur right away and found two N’s for $300. She followed w/ four T’s for $3,200, three E’s and A, a $1,600 H pair, four I’s, a $300 G, and the final vowel of O, but her FS did her no good, because she said two CRITICAL DUDS in F and L; $5,900 cash & fur were in jeopardy. Jack then said a $450 S, an $800 R pair, and a $550 P. Board…

A / S T E P / I N
T H E / R I G H T
_ I R E _ T I O N

He was taking A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION for another $1,800 and would spend that in the outdoor fun showcase…

• $600: Connelly water skis
• $566: Lake Tahoe (High Sierra Casino Hotel)
• $356: Camel goose-down sleeping bags
• $185: Columbia 12-speed bike
• $93 on a GC

CRITICAL DUDS (by Cinders): F and L

Jack: $2,450/Ladies: $0 each

Round 3: PHRASE

(Pat nearly forgot about the two hyphens in this puzzle.)

We had SIX lost turns right off the bat: Jack’s S call, Kersteen’s N call, Cinders’ S repeat, Jack’s LaT, and both ladies’ BANKRUPTs near $1,500. Jack stopped the skid w/ a $750 T trio, but then L for loss. After Kersteen’s non-existing B call, it’s S-U time…

_ _ T T _ _ –
_ _ – _ _ _ T

…and the consonants were worth $500 apiece. One R and a C later…

_ _ T T _ R –
_ _ – _ _ C T

Jack swept the game w/ MATTER-OF-FACT for $1,250. The last featured showcase was the pub…

• $980: trip to Las Vegas at the California Hotel & Casino
• $265: After Six black tuxedo
• $5 on a GC

DUDS: S (Jack), N (Kersteen), L (Jack), B (Kersteen)
SOLE LaT: Jack
BANKRUPTS: 2 (both ladies)
SOLE DQ: Cinders’ S repeat

FINAL SCORES
Jack: $3,700/Ladies: PARTING GIFTS EACH

NO BANKRUPT TRASH

Bonus Round

The non-announcing Jack played for a Tiffany furnished 43-diamond star pin worth $5,950.

Category: PHRASE

STLNRE only gave him two R’s and E’s…

R E _ _ _
_ _ _
_ _ R E

These are the words soldiers hear when prepared to shoot, but he flubbed w/ READY AND and READY NOT DARE instead of saying “READY, AIM, FIRE”.

MY RATING: 4

WoF Retro Recap: September 10, 1984 — SEASON 2 PREMIERE

As promised, I’m starting my Season 2 side project. BaV has a ton of these episodes available. Some notes according to the timeline…

• Around this point, at Merv’s insistence, contestants stopped using “as in” when calling their letters (e.g. “N as in Nancy”) except when necessary if Pat does not hear them clearly.
• According to at least one recollection, mid-round breaks stopped occurring on the nighttime show as of the start of this season. However, as there are many episodes between this point and the switchover to the “play for cash” format (when mid-round breaks definitely stopped occurring) which do not circulate, this recollection cannot be completely confirmed.
• The show is now credited as being “produced by Merv Griffin Enterprises”, and the Griffin logo is altered accordingly. Also, the show now uses the same style of Griffin logo that the daytime series adopted in February 1984, with much smaller text in the Peignot font, and with the blinking animation removed from the griffin.
• The King World credit is changed to the company’s “star” logo, and is moved up to the center of the Wheel (itself changed to use the Round 3 layout).
• Presumably at this point, and likely due to the debut of Jeopardy!, episodes of Wheel are now transmitted by satellite to subscribed affiliates. As a result, episodes now air in production order.

EPISODE #196

Over $97K waiting to be won including…

• an $18K gold and diamond bracelet
• $11K sportscar
• $14K four-wheel Blazer

The first contestants that season were…

Anita Yusi: registered nurse by trade who “enjoys men” (LOL!)

Paula Williams: maintenance agreement sales clerical person for a major service center

Wayne Henry: sales representative for an outdoor advertising firm from San Diego

Round 1: QUOTATION

This round’s all Anita: two T’s for $400, a $200 R, a $1K N pair, a $750 D, an A buy, an $800 C pair, and a $300 C duo.

R _ A C H / _ _ T / A N D
T _ _ C H / _ _ _ _ _ N _

She solved “REACH OUT AND TOUCH SOMEONE” (it came from an advertising jingle first coined in 1979 by AT&T according to Wikipedia) for $3,200 — PR. She’ll spend the money in the old-fashioned bedroom showcase…

• $1,052: Samsung microwave plus Tara Ware cookware and a Furniture Concepts microwave server/hutch
• $599: classic wall telephone
• $872: 4-piece bed linens from GEA Designs
• $499: Cheval mirror
• $150: ceramic doll (a replica of a French antique)
• $28 on a GC (American Express Merchandise Catalog)

FEATURED PRIZE: a jade Guanyin figure worth $1,875

Round 2: FICTIONAL CHARACTERS

Paula got the jade prize away, but there’s no S for the $150 underneath. Second, Wayne called up a $300 R, a T to double up, a $550 C, a $150 N, a $300 L, but then a baddie of G. Third, Anita took a $200 D, a $600 B, but then F for flunk. Paula then said a $150 H and a $300 M to clean out the consonants.

T H R _ _
B L _ N D
M _ C _

She IDed the THREE BLIND MICE for $450 and the jade prize. That money was spent in the spa…

• $227: Gucci GC for tennis gear
• $205: Ray-Ban leather sunglasses
• $18 on a GC

DUDS: S (Paula), G (Wayne), F (Anita)

Anita: $3,200/Paula: $2,325/Wayne: NIL

Round 3: PHRASE

Wayne and Anita struck out right away w/ S and F, respectively. Paula next picked two N’s for a grand, a $5K H, but then L for loss. Wayne next lit up a $500 V, a $600 R duo, but then T for trouble. After Anita wasted another turn w/ BANKRUPT near $1,500, it’s time for the first Final Spin this season…

_ / _ _ R R _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
_ N / H _ _ V _ N

…and consonants were worth $1,500 apiece.

Next Picks: four E’s, D, two M’s

_  / M _ R R _ _ _ E
M _ D E
_ N / H E _ V E N

Anita got a A MARRIAGE MADE IN HEAVEN for three grand. To the family room we went…

• $2,675: Cable Console console piano for her mom
• $275: Olympia electric typewriter
• $50 on a GC

DUDS: S (Wayne), F (Anita), L (Paula), T (Wayne)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Anita

FINAL SCORES
Anita: $6,200/Paula: $2,325/Wayne: PARTING GIFTS

GT: $8,525
NO BANKRUPT TRASH

Bonus Round

Anita won a prize for her mom and had a chance to win this for herself — a Tiffany furnished diamond bracelet worth $18,750.

Category: PERSON

RSCLTA was her combo and this was a famous actor of Hollywood’s Golden Age…

R _ C _
_ _ _ S _ _

After saying RICK NELSON and RICH, she got the right one of ROCK HUDSON for the bracelet, giving her a final total was $24,950 in prizes. The women she brought along were her mom and a female friend.

MY RATING: 7

WoF Social Distancing Edition Recap: Game 4 (Finals)

SOCIAL DISTANCING EDITION (FINALS)

Sarah Beatty (Planned Parenthood), Brian McGaha (Toledo Area Humane Society), and Sheana Turner faced off against each other in this final game of the social distancing edition of this show.

Round 1: LIVING THINGS

Sarah led the way w/ a $600 S, a T for that MDW, but the BANKRUPT near $600 took that sparkly green wedge right back along w/ the money. Second, Brian called up a $700 R and two N’s for $900, then he bought two E’s and the sole dud vowel of A for awful. Sheana then said four L’s for $1,200, four I’s and two P’s for another $1,200.

P _ T – _ E L L I E _
P I _ S / R _ L L I N _
I N / _ _ _

Could’ve gone for the D’s, but she solved POT-BELLIED PIGS ROLLING IN MUD.

SOLE DUD: A (Brian)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Laura

Mystery Round: SAME NAME

Brian’s first w/ a $400 R, but then D for dud. Sheana secondly found an S on the MW next to LaT and obviously flipped…no $10K this time. Sarah thirdly picked off two T’s for a grand, three T’s for $1,200 more, buys of I, A and four E’s, and a $1,200 G pair. Board…

_ _ N N I E / &
E A S T E R / E G G
_ _ N T

She just missed it w/ CONNIE & EASTER EGG HUNT (the former was actually a contestant on 10/1/1997), so $2,650 was at risk for her. Brian then said a $300 H and the leftover vowels of U and O.

_ O N N I E / &
E A S T E R / E G G
H U N T

He solved BONNIE & EASTER EGG HUNT for $200 bumped the the $1K house minimum.

SOLE DUD: D (Brian)
SOLE BANKRUPT: Sheana
SOLE DQ: Sarah’s missolve

Sarah: NOTHING/Brian: $1K/Sheana: $2,150

Express Round: BEST SELLER

Sheana landed on $5K right away and hoped for a T…but that stood for terrible. Sarah’s second in line w/ five E’s via FP, two S’s for $1,800, three A’s, five R’s for $4,500 more, but then the sole dud vowel of I. Brian FPed a $500 V and got five S’s for $1,750. We had…

M E _ / A R E
_ R _ M / M A R S
_ _ M E _ / A R E
_ R _ M / V E _ _ S

He solved “MEN ARE FROM MARS, WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS” for only $2,250, because he didn’t go on for the N’s.

DUDS: T (Sheana), I (Sarah)

Sarah: BUPKIS/Brian: $3,250/Sheana: $2,150

Speed-Up: WAYD?

No instant BANKRUPT from Davira the host this time — consonants were worth $6K apiece!

Sarah: N
Brian: C — DUD
Sheana: G
Sarah: L
Brian: two R’s
Sheana: S
Sarah: two I’s
Brian: P — DUD
Sheana: D — DUD
Sarah: F — DUD
Brian: M — DUD
Sheana: two H’s (last of the consonants)

H _ I L I N G
_ _ R / H _ R _ _ S

Sheana blanked out on the last word, so $24K was going down the drain for her. Sarah then bought the two O’s for free…

H _ I L I N G
O _ R / H _ R O _ S

We’re HAILING OUR HEROES, as she solved for $12K and the comeback win.

DUDS: C (Brian), P (Brian), D (Sheana), F (Sarah), M (Brian)

FINAL SCORES
Sarah: $12K/Brian: $3,250/Sheana: $2,150

GT: $17,400
BANKRUPT TRASH (excl. MDW and MW $): $600

The category menu for Sarah…

• PHRASE
• LIVING THINGS
• WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

She went for WAYD?.

$250K Bonus Round

Sarah got the N envelope of WIN. Just two N’s and an S to start…

_ _ _ _ N _ / _
_ _ _ _ _ / S N _ _ _

HGMA’s a great combo…

H A _ _ N G / A
_ _ M M _ / S N A _ _

She’s HAVING A YUMMY SNACK for $40K and a final total of $52K plus $100 for Planned Parenthood.

MY RATING: 7

WoF Social Distancing Edition Recap: Game 3

SOCIAL DISTANCING EDITION (GAME #3)

Laura Cheng: former English teacher based in Hong Kong from Ft. Worth, TX who won $46,200 on Sept. 12, 2017; she played for Trinity Gap Rescue

Jamice Lee: wife of “the chocolate version of Bruce Lee” and 90’s hip-hop fan from Richmond, VA who won $9,050 on Dec. 8, 2016; she played for Katie’s Art Project

Brian McGaha: fan of spicy foods from Las Vegas who won $19,160 on April 15, 2019; he played for the Toledo Area Humane Society

Round 1: WAYW?

Laura led off w/ two T’s for $1,100, a $900 N, but then LaT. Second, Jamice called up a $600 S, four A’s, two M’s for $800 more, and four E’s, followed by a $1,400 D pair, a single I, a $2,500 H, a $1,600 C pair, and a $300 R. Board…

H A N D M A D E
_ R _ T E C T I _ E
_ A C E / M A S _

Hopefully you have a HANDMADE PROTECTIVE FACE MASK in your possession, as she solved for $6,450.

SOLE LaT: Laura

Mystery Round: CROSSWORD (NEWS _________)

Jamice and Brian struck out right away w/ S and T, respectively. Laura did all the work for a $700 N pair, three R’s for $2,700 more, two E’s and three A’s, a $900 P pair, the last vowel of four O’s, an M for $500 and the WC, and a $600 C duo.

•                        C     R
•          P A P E R     O
•                        E     O
• A N C _ O R _ O M A N

CREW and ANCHORWOMAN were the remaining words for $4,650.

QUICK DUDS: S (Jamice), T (Brian)

Laura: $4,650 WC/Jamice: $6,450/Brian: NIL

Express Round: SAME LETTER

This round’s all Brian and he nearly went all the way here: a $500 T, a $450 R, an $800 N pair, the SL Bonus of three $350 Q’s, buys of E, three I’s, three U’s, an $800 S, a $1,200 L pair, the last vowel of four A’s, a $700 M, and two Z’s via FP.

Q U I Z Z I _ A L
Q U A R A N T I N E
Q U A L M S

He solved QUIZZICAL QUARANTINE QUALMS for $6,500 — PR.

Laura: $4,650 WC/Jamice: $6,450/Brian: $6,500

Speed-Up: RHYME TIME

After Davira’s instant BANKRUPT for the third game in a row, it’s a $1,600 Final Spin again.

Laura: two T’s
Jamice: three S’s
Brian: N
Laura: D
Jamice: R
Brian: M — DUD
Laura: three A’s
Jamice: P
Brian: two C’s

S T R _ P / S T _ A _
A N D / C _ _ _ S _ C A _ _

IMO, STRIP STEAK AND CHEESECAKE don’t go that well together, but Brian solved for $4,800 and the win.

SOLE DUD: M (Brian)

FINAL SCORES
Laura: $4,650/Jamice: $6,450/Brian: $11,300

GT: $22,400
NO BANKRUPTS

Big Brian’s picking from…

• THINGS
• PHRASE
• WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?

He went for PHRASE just like the last time he was on the show.

$250K Bonus Round

The BW stopped on the S of AMERICA’S. Again, stingy RSTLNE help…

_ T / _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ N _ _

After mistakenly picking L, he went for CHPO and that only gave him most of the third word…

_ T / _ _ _ _ _ _ _
O C C _ P _ N C _

…but he nailed AT MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY for $35K and a final total of $46,300 plus $100 going to his charity. Oh, and Brian decided to donate $50 each to Laura and Jamice’s charities in addition to the $25 consolation donations — that’s very nice of him!

MY RATING: 7

WoF Social Distancing Edition Recap: Game 2

SOCIAL DISTANCING EDITION (GAME # 2)

Tammy Mitzel: a longtime game show fan who accomplished a feat of driving 2,700 miles each way and won $81,967 on Feb. 25, 2013 from Wrightsville, PA; she played for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater PA and WV

Sarah Beatty: candy company marketing manager and avid international traveler who won $48,350 on April 21, 2015 from Evanston, IL; she played for Planned Parenthood

Edgar Ibay: deli employee at a supermarket and a fan of the Backstreet Boys fan from Lynnwood, WA who won $11,700 on June 10, 2016 (could’ve made it to the BR had he NOT foolishly thought of playing mobile apps at the ocean for too long); he played for the American Red Cross

Round 1: OCCUPATIONS

Tammy BANKRUPTed from the get-go next to TD. Second, Sarah called up five S’s for $1,500, triple A’s, a $1,200 N pair, a $1,200 D trio, and three E’s, followed by five R’s for $2,500 more, buys of I and three O’s, a $2,500 P, and the final vowel of U. She’s still stumped, so she went on for a $700 T and BANKRUPTed near $600 to give up $8,350. Ouch. Edgar followed w/ a $500 M, but the MDW’s right side stopped him cold. Afterwards…

D O _ T O R S
N U R S E S
P A R A M E D I _ S
A N D / _ R O _ E R S

…Tammy could’ve gone for the C’s, but she solved DOCTORS, NURSES, PARAMEDICS AND GROCERS for the $1K house minimum.

BANKRUPTS: 3 (whole panel)

Mystery Round: FOOD & DRINK

Sarah made quick work of this round: three R’s for $1,650, three S’s to add $1,500, four A’s, and a FP I.

A / _ _ A S S / _ _
R A S _ _ _ R R _
I _ _ _ / _ _ A

She helped herself to A GLASS OF RASPBERRY ICED TEA for $2,900 — PR.

Tammy: $1K/Sarah: $2,900/Edgar: ZIP

Express Round: BEFORE, DURING & AFTER

Edgar led off w/ four N’s for $1,200, but the BANKRUPT near $5K took that money right back. Tammy secondly lit up two T’s for $900, but that same BANKRUPT got her too. After Sarah said S for sorry, Edgar rattled off three T’s for $1,800, all five vowels in one fell swoop (five A’s, two I’s, three E’s, O and U in that order), an $800 B pair, two FP T’s, and a $300 H (just made it passed LaT).

D E B U T A N T E
B A _ _ / A N D
C H A I N
_ E A C T I O N

I can’t imagine a DEBUTANTE BALL AND CHAIN REACTION, but he’s on the board w/ $2,650.

SOLE DUD: S (Sarah)
BANKRUPTS: 2 (everybody else)

Tammy: $1K/Sarah: $2,900/Edgar: $2,650

Speed-Up: THING

After Davira’s BANKRUPT, the consonants were worth $1,600 a pop.

Tammy: N — DUD
Sarah: two R’s
Edgar: two T’s
Tammy: two L’s
Sarah: D
Edgar: S
Tammy: C
Sarah: two P’s

_ _ L D / _ _ R S T –
P L _ C _ / T R _ P _ _

Sarah earned a virtual GOLD FIRST-PLACE TROPHY for $8K and the win.

INSTA-DUD: N (Tammy)

FINAL SCORES
Tammy: $1K/Sarah: $10,900/Edgar: $2,650

GT: $14,550
BANKRUPT TRASH: $10,950

Sarah picked from…

• THING
• LIVING THINGS
• FUN & GAMES

F & G it is.

$250K Bonus Round

Sarah’s envelope came from the N of SPIN. The RSTLNE only provided…

_ L _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ N _

HPGA gave her most of the second word and two up top…

_ L A _ _ _ A _ _
H A N _

…but she didn’t have the winning BLACKJACK HAND for $35K. Thus, $10,900 and $50 went to Planned Parenthood.

MY RATING: 5

WoF Social Distancing Edition Recap: Game 1

Almost four months ago on April 18 (I wasn’t there), there were several WoF fans and former contestants who teamed up to host a virtual edition of America’s Game. The former contestants from the real show faced off against each other to try to win money for the charity of their choice. They played four games, the last of which was a rematch between the winners of the first three games. Instead of using a computerized Wheel, Robert enlisted the help of former contestant Clayton Capps who built an actual-size replica of the Wheel himself.

Here’s the staff who helped put together these shows…

Davira Kuy: host
Alex Braun: contestant coordinator (he randomly selected who would play) and treasurer (he handled all charity donations)
Kyle Hirshon: director (he organized the Zoom call and Twitch stream
Robert Santoli: producer and puzzle writer
Clayton Capps & Alexandra Boivin: Wheel spinners

Fan George Smith was meant to host game 2 and be the Bonus Wheel spinner, but since he had a misunderstanding of the scheduling as well as Internet connection issues on his end, Robert and Co. had to improvise for the Bonus Wheel and envelopes.

Here’s the layout of the Wheel used in this game…

$2,500/$3,500/$5,000 (the last TD value was used for R3+)
$300 (location of the WC)
$600
$300 (EXPRESS placed here for R3)
$500 (one MW placed here)
$800
$550
$400
MDW (for R4, the $3,500 was used again in this location)
$900
$500
$300
$900
BANKRUPT
$600
Free PLAY
$300 (other MW placed here)
LaT
$800
$350
$450
$700
$300
BANKRUPT

There were NO TOSSUPS, because the lag from Zoom would make things unfair. The winner of each game earned a $50 bonus donated to the charity of their choice, and doubled to $100 if they won the BR. 2nd and 3rd place finished had $25 donations made in their honor.

And before the games started, Vanna made a surprise appearance on Zoom to wish them well!

(I’m using the category Special WoF Games for any games that haven’t aired on the actual show.)

SOCIAL DISTANCING EDITION (GAME #1)

Here’s who’s playing first…

Sheana Turner: married mom of two, N’SYNC fan and former cheerleader from San Diego who won $49,490 cash & trip to London on February 23, 2017; she played for the Make-A-Wish Foundation

Michael Carney: worker at Metlife Stadium, two-time former “Millionaire” lifeline (he was helping Eugene Byon) and “namestache” trendsetter from  New Jersey who won just $1K on January 12, 2016; he played for the Alzheimer’s Foundation in honor of his late grandma

Aimee Soy: married mom of two, school employee working from home and karaoke fan from Lowell, MA who won $14,250 on May 23, 2017; she played for the American Red Cross

Round 1: SHOW BIZ

Sheana kicked off w/ a $900 R, three S’s for $1,500 more, buys of four O’s and two E’s, and an A via FP. She followed w/ two M’s for $600 more, and a $7,500 H trio, a $300 F, a $500 W, but then a costly LaT to leave $10,800 on the table. Moving on to Michael who said a $400 D, but the BANKRUPT near $600 stopped him cold. Aimee then spun once for a $1,600 T pair…

T A _ _ / S H O W S
H O S T E D
F R O M / H O M E

…and she realized that there are TALK SHOWS HOSTED FROM HOME in this pandemic we’re in right now for that much money.

SOLE LaT: Sheana
SOLE BANKRUPT: Michael

Mystery Round: BEFORE & AFTER

Michael’s first w/ three T’s for $1,650, three O’s, but the same BANKRUPT got him again for $1,400 that time. Aimee secondly spun her way to three N’s for $1,500 and the WC, three A’s and I’s, a $550 W, an E buy, and a $300 S before she LaTed out. Sheana then landed on the MW next to LaT and found two D’s before she flipped it over…$$$…

I / W A N T / T O
_ O _ D / _ O _ _
_ A N D
S A N I T I _ E _

…and she solved the fake Beatles hit “I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND SANITIZER” for that prize.

SOLE LaT: Aimee
SOLE BANKRUPT: Michael

Sheana: $10K/Michael: NOTHING/Aimee: $1,600 WC

Express Round: IN THE KITCHEN

Aimee BANKRUPTed near TD from the get-go, so there went the WC. Second in line, Sheana filled in a $300 T, but the MDW’s left side struck. Michael’s up third w/ a FP U, three N’s for $2,100, four I’s, a $1K H pair, and a $2,700 S trio. Board…

_ _ _ _ N –
S _ _ N T _ _
_ I S H _ _ S H I N _
_ I _ U I _

He got a bottle of LEMON-SCENTED DISHWASHING LIQUID for $5,550 (I think Robert miscalculated there).

BANKRUPTS: 2 (ladies)

Sheana: $10K/Michael: $5,550/Aimee: $1,600

Speed-Up: PHRASE

After Davira’s BANKRUPT, the first Final Spin of this series was the $1,300 minimum.

Sheana: three T’s
Michael: L (DUD)
Aimee: N
Sheana: two R’s

_ _ ‘ R _ / _ N
T _ _ _ / T _ _ _ T _ _ R

Sheana rightly stated “WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER” for $6,500 and the win.

SOLE DUD: L (Michael)

FINAL SCORES
Sheana: $16,500/Michael: $5,550/Aimee: $1,600

GT: $23,650
BANKRUPT TRASH (minus WC): $2,100

Sheana’s BR category menu…

• PHRASE
• PEOPLE
• OCCUPATION

I agreed w/ her on OCCUPATION.

Bonus Wheel prizes ranged from $25 to $50K and the big three amounts were $75K, $100K and $250K. Robert used the SpinTheWheel app to spin the Bonus Wheel.

$250K Bonus Round

The E in GAME was where the BW stopped on. This one-wordy started as…

_ _ S _ _ _ N _ E R

DMPI added two more…

_ I S _ M _ N _ E R

I’ve never heard of FISHMONGER until now, and neither did she, so she lost $50K. With that, $16,500 plus $50 went to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

MY RATING: 6