I seriously doubt its “rigged” as in cheating people. The quiz show debacle back in the 50’s changed the standard by which game and quiz shows were scrutinized. If they were cheating they’d have to find a way to fool the authorities which just does not seem to be worth all the work.
On at least one Million Dollar Spectacular that I saw, late in the game one of the players was simply given the chance to spin for a Million. It seems like he was the big winner going into the showcase showdown, or something.
In other words, the easier way to make sure someone spins for a Million is to change the rules under which one earns the right to spin-- not rig the wheel to make sure.
Has anyone ever gotten hurt spiing the big wheel?
It’s seems there’s a lot of close calls of people falling over, smacking themselves into the wheel, or getting their hand stuck between the wheel and the wall.
A friend of mine in college was on the Price is Right (he ended up winning his showcase). There was a little old lady spinning the wheel before he did, and Bob tried to give her a hand, they got off balance while spinning, and my friend ended up catching Bob before he fell over.
Unfortunately, almost nobody ever saw the episode because it was aired on the same day that the Supreme Court handed down the decision in Bush v. Gore, and all the networks were covering it.
Wow, now that I see that in print, I hardly believe it myself. I’ve got a video of it somewhere. I’ll see if I can find the bit where Bob almost falls over.
Sick little monkey that I am, I’ve always wanted to see some big guy spin the hell out of the wheel and have break loose and roll towards the audience.
Later, you’d see some guy with a giant “50” dented into his chest.
I think it is hilarious when Bob plays with a person that he knows has won the prize. He will go to turn over the card or whatever it is and stop and turn around and ask the contestant another question.
I remember a clip on one of those Dick Clark/Ed McMahon “Bloopers” shows years ago where somebody was standing under the sign that shows their total (55 cents or whatever). They got excited and jumped up, smacking their head on the sign. I’m pretty sure that the sign got moved in subsequent shows.
Well, it would be backward, looking like an 02. The guy’s new nickname could be “General Lee”.
As for the height of the score sign, they have to try to strike a balance between the average height of most contestants (the majority of whom are female and probably about 5’3") and the relatively rare 6-foot-plus man.