# The Contestants on Wheel of Fortune Drive Me Insane!!! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 12, 2012, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-contestants-on-wheel-of-fortune-drive-me-insane/621729 "2012-05-12T22:14:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-contestants-on-wheel-of-fortune-drive-me-insane/621729/21 "2012-05-13T18:37:15Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > Huh? What’s a “banana splat” ?? Really? God you’re stupid. It’s boneno sput ---
**Author:** ![gohadrona](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecd19e/32.png) [@gohadrona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gohadrona)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-contestants-on-wheel-of-fortune-drive-me-insane/621729/22 "2012-05-13T18:59:51Z")
Another former Wheel of Fortune contestant here…why do people do stupid things? Because they are in a TV studio with bright lights and a hundred different people running around. They’ve spent a couple of hours being prepped for their appearance and up to six hours waiting for their turn. You are told to buy vowels and keep the show moving. You’ve signed a contract acknowledging that if your show doesn’t air you won’t get any prize winnings, so you don’t want to be the person who screws up and walk away with nothing. Like many situations, it’s a lot harder than it looks! And for some seemingly intelligent people, when the lights go on , they freeze. I walked away with almost $54k, but I was happiest about the fact that I didn’t make myself look like a complete idiot. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-contestants-on-wheel-of-fortune-drive-me-insane/621729/23 "2012-05-13T19:04:13Z")
> [@gohadrona](#): > > You’ve signed a contract acknowledging that **if your show doesn’t air you won’t get any prize winnings** , so you don’t want to be the person who screws up and walk away with nothing. Really? I had no idea. Is this usual? ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-contestants-on-wheel-of-fortune-drive-me-insane/621729/24 "2012-05-13T22:01:43Z")
> [@gohadrona](#): > > I walked away with almost $54k, but I was happiest about the fact that I didn’t make myself look like a complete idiot. Oh wow awesome!! Did you actually win that? or was that the total you “won” and then you took home considerably less after taxes? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-contestants-on-wheel-of-fortune-drive-me-insane/621729/25 "2012-05-13T22:52:39Z")
> [@](#): > > It bothers me that so few seem to want to learn how to spin the wheel. After a couple spins, you should be looking where the loser wedges are and spin to avoid them. To see someone hit the wedge right next to bankrupt twice and a row and then hit it on the third time is inexcusable. On the flip side of this, I once saw an episode where one guy had the spin down _perfect_. On every single spin, he managed to hit the $10,000. You know, the little sliver of a third of a space, flanked by two slivers of bankrupt? But he never got a letter right. I’ve often wondered how he managed that. I mean, I can see how it could be done with practice, but that’s the one aspect of the show you can’t really practice in advance. Even if you were to build your own replica Wheel, you couldn’t be sure that it was balanced exactly like the one on the show. And you’d think that anyone who put in that much preparation would have learned that you start by guessing T, S, or H. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-contestants-on-wheel-of-fortune-drive-me-insane/621729/26 "2012-05-14T04:26:53Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > Huh? What’s a “banana splat” ?? > [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Really? ``` :D ``` > [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > God you’re stupid. It’s boneno sput You misspelled “splut.” Wait a minute- I just realized I misspelled it too. SP\_IT with an added A would be SPAIT, not SPLAT. Wow. WOF is harder than it looks! . ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-contestants-on-wheel-of-fortune-drive-me-insane/621729/27 "2012-05-14T04:33:53Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > You misspelled “splut.” > > Wait a minute- I just realized I misspelled it too. SP\_IT with an added A would be SPAIT, not SPLAT. > Wow. WOF is harder than it looks! > . You didn’t misspell it; you left out the ‘L’ instead of the ‘I’, which has nothing to do with buying an ‘A’. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-contestants-on-wheel-of-fortune-drive-me-insane/621729/28 "2012-05-14T18:18:22Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > You didn’t misspell it; you left out the ‘L’ instead of the ‘I’, which has nothing to do with buying an ‘A’. My original intent was to convey utter cluelessness, supposing all the blanks were A’s. ( B\_N\_N\_ SP\_IT ) + ( I’d like to buy an “A” ) = BaNaNa SPaIT Obviously, my attempt at being funny failed miserably. But as long as we’re admitting we’ve actually seen Wheel Of Fortune… am I the only person who thinks Sajak would be a more pleasant Jeopardy! host than Trebek? ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-contestants-on-wheel-of-fortune-drive-me-insane/621729/29 "2012-05-14T18:25:52Z")
Half the fun of _Jeopardy_ is Trebek’s pompous/awkward hosting. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Ed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Just\_Ed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Ed)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-contestants-on-wheel-of-fortune-drive-me-insane/621729/30 "2012-05-14T19:12:29Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > But as long as we’re admitting we’ve actually seen Wheel Of Fortune… am I the only person who thinks Sajak would be a more pleasant Jeopardy! host than Trebek? > [@Tangent](#): > > Half the fun of _Jeopardy_ is Trebek’s pompous/awkward hosting. Gah. Ordinarily I love words and wordplay, but I cannot watch _Wheel of Fortune_ - not just for the apparent idiocy of some contestants, but because Sajak is so damn bland. He’s _aggressively_ bland, and such a game show host automaton that I can’t stand watching him. Trebek on the other hand does have a personality, and even if he comes across as snooty at times, it fits the show, and is part of the _Jeopardy_ experience. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-contestants-on-wheel-of-fortune-drive-me-insane/621729/31 "2012-05-14T19:17:36Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > But as long as we’re admitting we’ve actually seen Wheel Of Fortune… am I the only person who thinks Sajak would be a more pleasant Jeopardy! host than Trebek? [It’s been done.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhzpJ5h-rZ8) ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-contestants-on-wheel-of-fortune-drive-me-insane/621729/32 "2012-05-14T19:24:20Z")
> [@Just\_Ed](#): > > Gah. Ordinarily I love words and wordplay, but I cannot watch _Wheel of Fortune_ - not just for the apparent idiocy of some contestants, but because Sajak is so damn bland. He’s _aggressively_ bland, and such a game show host automaton that I can’t stand watching him. Yes! I’m old enough to remember when Chuck Woolery was the host. It was really entertaining then. When Sajak took over I was sure the show would bore its audience to death and be quickly cancelled. The only explanation I can think of is he’s been riding on Vanna’s coattails. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-contestants-on-wheel-of-fortune-drive-me-insane/621729/33 "2012-05-14T19:43:16Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > Yes! I’m old enough to remember when Chuck Woolery was the host. It was really entertaining then. When Sajak took over I was sure the show would bore its audience to death and be quickly cancelled. The only explanation I can think of is he’s been riding on Vanna’s coattails. I think he’s been riding on a pair of something else Vanna has…and it ain’t coattails.. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-contestants-on-wheel-of-fortune-drive-me-insane/621729/34 "2012-05-14T21:07:16Z")
Show just hasn’t been the same since they stopped making the winners spend their winnings between rounds. Ceramic dog, yo. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-contestants-on-wheel-of-fortune-drive-me-insane/621729/35 "2012-05-15T01:23:44Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > Really? I had no idea. Is this usual? I was told the same thing in '93. As fate would have it, we were at the brink of war with Saddam at the time and I seriously worried that my show was going to be preempted by Tom Brokaw reporting that we were heading to war. Show aired on May 19, 1993 with no preemptions. I won $34K! We were on the College Week show. It turns out if you won any prizes, like Doan’s Back Pills, or a Harry & David basket, you get re-awarded if the show repeats. Our show did, so while I didn’t get anything additional one of my teammates returned one day to find a crate of York Peppermint Patties at his door. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-contestants-on-wheel-of-fortune-drive-me-insane/621729/36 "2012-05-15T01:27:58Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > On the flip side of this, I once saw an episode where one guy had the spin down _perfect_. On every single spin, he managed to hit the $10,000. You know, the little sliver of a third of a space, flanked by two slivers of bankrupt? But he never got a letter right. > > I’ve often wondered how he managed that. I mean, I can see how it could be done with practice, but that’s the one aspect of the show you can’t really practice in advance. Even if you were to build your own replica Wheel, you couldn’t be sure that it was balanced exactly like the one on the show. And you’d think that anyone who put in that much preparation would have learned that you start by guessing T, S, or H. The wheel is quite heavy and it’s really hard to get a good grip on the little sticks. You get a practice spin onstage, but it’s hardly enough time to suss it out. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-contestants-on-wheel-of-fortune-drive-me-insane/621729/37 "2012-05-15T04:38:46Z")
> [@Isamu](#): > > Wasting money on buying a useless vowel? I find those people really annoying. Worse than naggers. But not as bad as those chanks. (Yes, I remember the ‘naggers’ story) ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-contestants-on-wheel-of-fortune-drive-me-insane/621729/38 "2012-05-15T08:17:38Z")
[Epic fail (or win?) by servicemen on WoF.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS4BkkMRGsY) I’m actually glad that they weren’t familiar with those names. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-contestants-on-wheel-of-fortune-drive-me-insane/621729/39 "2012-05-15T08:47:57Z")
People who watch the show at home often think it’s so easy but when they actually appear on the show, it’s much different than watching it at home. For one thing, when you play along at home, it is always your turn. People seem to forget this when they plan what they will be doing. It makes things extremely different when watching at home and actually playing along for real. Try to consider the people who appear on the show are very much like you and I and everyone else. They thought it was real easy too and they were correct. In some ways it is real easy. But, when you actually appear on the show, there are several factors that you never considered when playing along at home. It’s a very different experience. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-contestants-on-wheel-of-fortune-drive-me-insane/621729/40 "2012-05-15T15:11:41Z")
I’m pretty sure that I’d blank out in front of lights and an audience… “EASY CH\_IR”? I’d like to solve it: “Easy Choir”! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-contestants-on-wheel-of-fortune-drive-me-insane/621729.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-contestants-on-wheel-of-fortune-drive-me-insane/621729.md?page=3)