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Maybe not suprising, but next season Wheel may be shot in HD.
Also, I don't know how immediate this is, but it seems there are eventual plans to change the wheel to a more "video look".
The plan is to replace the wedges with some sort of video display. The purpose would be so they don't have to change wedges during break (it doesn't take that long). For example, if someone takes the mystery round wedge, the other one not chosen would be able to change to a normal wedge on the fly.
More importantly, the plan is to have video playing while the wheel is spinning. Problem is right now that's impractical due to the amount of weight that would be put on the wheel.
Having spun it, it's about as heavy as you'd think. Adding anymore just wouldn't work.
Discuss.
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You better be joking.
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[quote name=\'whoserman\' date=\'Nov 22 2005, 08:39 PM\']You better be joking.
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Those who know me, know I don't joke about news.
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Heyyyy, it's the Fonz! And he's wearing water-skis!
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[quote name=\'cmjb13\' date=\'Nov 23 2005, 02:26 AM\']Maybe not suprising, but next season Wheel may be shot in HD.
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Would this be an incentive to put more prettier faces on Wheel or just more work for make up?
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Confirmation link?
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[quote name=\'mystery7\' date=\'Nov 22 2005, 09:07 PM\']Confirmation link?
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I didn't read it anywhere. I was told in person.
There's no guarantee the changing of the wheel will happen, but the idea has been tossed around.
Hell, I said some of the charm is the way it looks now.
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[quote name=\'fostergray82\' date=\'Nov 22 2005, 08:45 PM\']Heyyyy, it's the Fonz! And he's wearing water-skis!
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Line of the day!
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If it does come to fruition, horrible move. The fun is spinning that big ass Wheel for cash...not seeing a video monitor.
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Meh...I don't really think this is any worse than replacing the puzzleboard or contestant backdrops with video screens/walls. In fact, I figured it was only a matter of time before this happened. I'm sure the producers will find some way to pull it off.
Of course, this show is so far past its prime that I could really care less about what changes they make anymore.
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Didn't Wheel 2000, oh, excuse me....*goes to bathroom and throws up*...have some similar setup on their wheel?
I don't remember because I went through many years of therapy to block out that insipid show.
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[quote name=\'fostergray82\' date=\'Nov 22 2005, 07:12 PM\']Didn't Wheel 2000, oh, excuse me....*goes to bathroom and throws up*...have some similar setup on their wheel?
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I don't think so. I remember the wedges being odd sizes, and I remember there being a Surprise Box or some crap, where the kid would guess a letter, Cyber Lucy would do some idiotic dance that some focus group someplace said would appeal to kids, and then they would open up the box and pull out a Discman or something like that.
But video on the wheel itself? Don't remember that. Bluescreen effects, maybe, but no video.
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There was a video screen right smack dab in the center of the wheel.
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[quote name=\'whoserman\' date=\'Nov 22 2005, 07:31 PM\']There was a video screen right smack dab in the center of the wheel.
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Oh, now that you mention it, you're right. I was thinking of the wedges and whatnot. But yeah, they had that TV stuck on the hub, so Lucy could be stupid there too. :)
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[quote name=\'cmjb13\' date=\'Nov 22 2005, 08:26 PM\']The plan is to replace the wedges with some sort of video display. The purpose would be so they don't have to change wedges during break (it doesn't take that long). For example, if someone takes the mystery round wedge, the other one not chosen would be able to change to a normal wedge on the fly.[/quote]
I'm trying to envision how this would work, and am completely failing. If they're just video displays, how does one "take" a mystery wedge, a prize wedge, etc.?
More importantly, the plan is to have video playing while the wheel is spinning. Problem is right now that's impractical due to the amount of weight that would be put on the wheel.
. . . in the middle of the wheel, or on the wedges? That idea ranges from "distracting" to "seasickness-inducing".
(They might consider watching a recent Wheel episode to see just how often the edits even allow you to see the wheel spinning for more than one second, anyway.)
I'm honestly watching Wheel at this point just for the challenge of trying to solve the puzzles early, or to catch a rare glimpse of a good player. And even that is wearing thin as a justification. Bleagh.
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[quote name=\'cmjb13\' date=\'Nov 22 2005, 09:32 PM\'][quote name=\'mystery7\' date=\'Nov 22 2005, 09:07 PM\']Confirmation link?
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I didn't read it anywhere. I was told in person.
There's no guarantee the changing of the wheel will happen, but the idea has been tossed around.
Hell, I said some of the charm is the way it looks now.
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Does this qualify for a "bowling buddy award"?
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[quote name=\'sshuffield70\' date=\'Nov 22 2005, 10:38 PM\']Does this qualify for a "bowling buddy award"?[/quote]
I would think you should at least ask for a specific cite (presumably a member of the Wheel staff) first.
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[quote name=\'Robert Hutchinson\' date=\'Nov 23 2005, 04:46 AM\'][quote name=\'sshuffield70\' date=\'Nov 22 2005, 10:38 PM\']Does this qualify for a "bowling buddy award"?[/quote]
I would think you should at least ask for a specific cite (presumably a member of the Wheel staff) first.
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I would probably be the last person you would want to give that award to, given my accuracy with news over the years.
For clarification, it was someone who works on Wheel, while I was at Wheel.
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[quote name=\'Robert Hutchinson\' date=\'Nov 22 2005, 10:36 PM\']I'm trying to envision how this would work, and am completely failing. If they're just video displays, how does one "take" a mystery wedge, a prize wedge, etc.?[/quote]
I did not get into an intense discussion regarding this, so anything would be just a guess. I suppose the mystery wedge doesn't even have to be touched. You could land on it. Risk your money, and the video changes from the ?000, to either Bankrupt or the prize. Nothing would have to be touched.
. . . in the middle of the wheel, or on the wedges? That idea ranges from "distracting" to "seasickness-inducing".
It's possible the center, but more likely the wedges. They want to be able to change the wedges as they see fit on the fly. There's nothing to change with the big center green circle.
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[quote name=\'cmjb13\' date=\'Nov 23 2005, 07:02 AM\']
I did not get into an intense discussion regarding this, so anything would be just a guess. I suppose the mystery wedge doesn't even have to be touched. You could land on it. Risk your money, and the video changes from the ?000, to either Bankrupt or the prize. Nothing would have to be touched.
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Possibly another scenario I was thinking about is that perhaps the score display could be modified so you have a little small icon of the wedge on the display. Someone lands on the trip, the video on the wedge changes to the dollar amount, and a little icon of the trip wedge is displayed by the score.
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[quote name=\'aaron sica\' date=\'Nov 23 2005, 08:55 AM\']Possibly another scenario I was thinking about is that perhaps the score display could be modified so you have a little small icon of the wedge on the display. Someone lands on the trip, the video on the wedge changes to the dollar amount, and a little icon of the trip wedge is displayed by the score.
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Almost exactly how I see it happening, except with a dippy whooshing sound effect. :)
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Nov 23 2005, 12:18 PM\']Almost exactly how I see it happening, except with a dippy whooshing sound effect. :)
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Of course, as dippy sound effects are taking over Wheel (see "NO MORE VOWELS"). One of the reasons why I find the show unwatchable anymore.
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[quote name=\'cmjb13\' date=\'Nov 23 2005, 07:02 AM\']It's possible the center, but more likely the wedges. They want to be able to change the wedges as they see fit on the fly. There's nothing to change with the big center green circle.[/quote]
Well, yes, but you said they want to have "video playing", which suggested to me constant animation, like an animated sombrero on a Mexico trip wedge or something.
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They can't even make the 1.5
million thousand hundred dozen colors of light on the bonus wheel flash in sync to the spinning of said wheel...exactly how do they plan to mount full video capacity onto an already-heavy wheel, keep all wheel wedges in the correct places, prevent glitches, keep everything synced, keep the wheel light enough to actually spin, and all the other related aspects...and not make the production teams heads a splode?
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Sadly, what I can see by this is that there will be no more physical spinning of the wheel. I see more of a PYL scenario.... push a button to start the wheel "moving" and/or push a button to "stop" motion.
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Sadly, what I can see by this is that there will be no more physical spinning of the wheel. I see more of a PYL scenario.... push a button to start the wheel "moving" and/or push a button to "stop" motion.
Oh, that would be so cool! Because then they could take the Bankrupts out and make them whammies and bring back Peter Tomarken and have contestants shout "Big Bucks, No Whammies!" and...:)
Alright, enough of that! On a more serious note, I would really hate to see Wheel go this way. However, part of me thinks that we may not have to think this extreme...after all, despite all of the changes they've made over the years, people associated with the show have kept saying they want to keep the basic game and its basic gimmicks intact, and that includes spinning that big, goofy wheel. I wish I could tell you where I read that (it was a few years ago), but I'm willing to believe that, although they have made a lot of changes, they definitely won't try to fix what ain't broke (at least they haven't, yet).
However, if I turn the show on a few years from now and I see, "Come on, no Bankrupt, no Bankrupt, STOP!" I will gladly report right back here and admit my folly...:)
Anthony
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OK, re-reading this, I just got a better understanding.
I don't care if it comes to fruition or not. Whoever came up with this idea needs to be banned from TV. And I'm saying that as objectively as possible. :-P
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[quote name=\'beatlefreak84\' date=\'Nov 24 2005, 12:03 AM\']Oh, that would be so cool! Because then they could take the Bankrupts out and make them whammies and bring back Peter Tomarken and have contestants shout "Big Bucks, No Whammies!" and...:)
Alright, enough of that! On a more serious note, I would really hate to see Wheel go this way. However, part of me thinks that we may not have to think this extreme...after all, despite all of the changes they've made over the years, people associated with the show have kept saying they want to keep the basic game and its basic gimmicks intact, and that includes spinning that big, goofy wheel. I wish I could tell you where I read that (it was a few years ago), but I'm willing to believe that, although they have made a lot of changes, they definitely won't try to fix what ain't broke (at least they haven't, yet).
However, if I turn the show on a few years from now and I see, "Come on, no Bankrupt, no Bankrupt, STOP!" I will gladly report right back here and admit my folly...:)
Anthony
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Theoretically, they could take a page out of the Carruthers book and load in several rotating dollar amounts and even prizes in the same wheel slot. Not saying they're going to do that, of course. Hell, I'm not sure I'm buying this anyway.
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Sorry if this has been asked, but is there any way the current wheel could be lightened? I understand it's pretty tough to get a good spin out of it now, but if they were to rebuild it, you'd think there was some sort of lighter material they could use.
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[quote name=\'MCArroyo1\' date=\'Nov 24 2005, 01:39 PM\']Sorry if this has been asked, but is there any way the current wheel could be lightened? I understand it's pretty tough to get a good spin out of it now, but if they were to rebuild it, you'd think there was some sort of lighter material they could use.
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The actual wheel is actually fairly light. It's the surgical tubing attached to the arrow in front of the contestant that provides the resistance to slow it down. It would take several minutes for the wheel to slow down without it.
Having spun the wheel, it's a combination of, obviously, strength and trying not to hit your hand on the arrow in front of you.
And some interesting tidbits...
With all the high tech equipment used on shows, the flashing lights on the outside of the wheel that circle as the wheel spins are controlled by DOS. There was a delay when it was tried with Windows (since it often wants to do it's own stuff before stuff requested)
The score displays are plasma or LCD (not sure which one), mounted so only a fraction of the screen is actually used.
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I'm sorry, but part of the fun is watching Pat come and "repo" the contestant's prize wedge(s) after they hit a bankrupt. If they change to a video screen, we probably would see some PYLesque effects on the podiums.
Making the wheel a video screen takes away from the charm of the wheel. This is probably why TPiR never went video in the first place.
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Thanks to technological advancements in the game show world, some previously-manual set parts that have been replaced by video screens have been changes for the better. To name a few:
The J! video screen board which replaced manual pull cards...
The Pyramid winners circle 'rising video screens' which replaced three-sided trilons...
The Wheel of Fortune Puzzle Board...
However, this idea of bringing the WoF set closer to 100% Sony Video Technology by 'allegedly' making the wheel one big round video screen is going a bit too far. Do they REALLY need another video outlet to tout their 1.5 GigaBillionZillionChameleon colors of light? It's about the equivilent of Fremantle saying they want to have an all-video PL!NKO board!
Besides, one could say the idea of a video wheel was done before -- Anybody remember "Your Number's Up"??? I really didn't care for the idea of 3 contestants pulling a lever and watching eggcrate numbers and car symbols whirl around below them on a more primitive "wheel".
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[quote name=\'TimK2003\' date=\'Nov 24 2005, 10:11 PM\']The Pyramid winners circle 'rising video screens' which replaced three-sided trilons...
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I felt this took away some of the charm from the original series...but it may just be me.
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[quote name=\'Modor\' date=\'Nov 24 2005, 11:51 PM\'][quote name=\'TimK2003\' date=\'Nov 24 2005, 10:11 PM\']The Pyramid winners circle 'rising video screens' which replaced three-sided trilons...
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I felt this took away some of the charm from the original series...but it may just be me.
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I say it was kind of a toss-up. On one hand, I agree with you, Mark, on the charm being lost. However, while the charm may have been lost, I thought that the reveal of the screens and the whoosh sound that accompanied it was kind of cool, so to me it made up for it a little.
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[quote name=\'PYLdude\' date=\'Nov 24 2005, 11:11 PM\'][quote name=\'Modor\' date=\'Nov 24 2005, 11:51 PM\'][quote name=\'TimK2003\' date=\'Nov 24 2005, 10:11 PM\']The Pyramid winners circle 'rising video screens' which replaced three-sided trilons...
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I felt this took away some of the charm from the original series...but it may just be me.
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I say it was kind of a toss-up. On one hand, I agree with you, Mark, on the charm being lost. However, while the charm may have been lost, I thought that the reveal of the screens and the whoosh sound that accompanied it was kind of cool, so to me it made up for it a little.
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It was a cool effect, kinda tried to emulate the turning of a trilon. The one weird thing that was noticed back on ATGS was that they would come from commercial with the screens up, but after Donny would do his spiel, the monitors were suddenly down, then rose up.
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[quote name=\'fostergray82\' date=\'Nov 24 2005, 08:17 PM\']The one weird thing that was noticed back on ATGS was that they would come from commercial with the screens up, but after Donny would do his spiel, the monitors were suddenly down, then rose up.[/quote]
And it was noticed by me in the studio, as well. Strangely enough, that's one of the few things on that show that actually wasn't edited; as the director cut to Donny with the rules explanation, the monitors were quickly lowered. I guess it looked better to come back from commecial with six Pyramid logos visible....
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[quote name=\'TimK2003\' date=\'Nov 24 2005, 07:11 PM\']Thanks to technological advancements in the game show world, some previously-manual set parts that have been replaced by video screens have been changes for the better. To name a few:
The Pyramid winners circle 'rising video screens' which replaced three-sided trilons...
[/quote]
Sez you. A LOT of us hated that too.
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Liked the Pyramid screens themselves, but thought having them "rise" was silly. They must have been regularly editing out the moment when they lower them right before raising them again--I've seen numerous episodes where they'll cut from a close-up shot that has the screens in the background straight to the "rise" shot. (sigh)
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Technological advances happen quicker then just about anything, and I've been fearing the day I'd hear WOF was considering something like making the wheel electronic. Excuse me while I now go and barf.
I hated the new Pyramid not having trilons, I almost felt like smashing the TV when I saw that. If Friedman wanted to update the wheel, make the spaces neon or something. Part of the reason the game is fun is because you get to spin a REAL-LIFE wheel, adding a realistic, more hands on, nerve-wrecking element to the game that a lot of other games can't match, with TPIR being a single possible exception. The virtual thing would immediately take all that away. If this were to happen in the near future, the show would be off the air in about 5 years tops, my prediction...
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I "suggested" that the wheel would be replaced by a "wedge shaped monitor" that showed a clip of the wheel spinning and the contestant would use their signalling button to stop the wheel. As an April Fools gag.
*PLEASE* say it ain't so Joe.
Someone said the wheel wasn't heavy...I thought I heard Pat & Vanna say (on an old R&KL) it weighed 600 pounds. I say...carbon fiber! :)
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If they attempt a video wedge of sorts, the only way I can see it possible is by elevating the face of the wheel, placing a flat screen underneath, and strategically positioning it through the "slot" where it will be shown.[but then how would you cover up the exterior of the screen, unless you decorate around it?] They would definately have to build a new wheel assembly in order to pull that off.
Otherwise they could superimposed a projector feed onto the wheel, but then it becomes a technical headache.
There's no possible way to make a "wedge shaped" monitor. So those are my only two assumptions if they even do pursue that route.
-Dan
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[quote name=\'dazztardly\' date=\'Nov 27 2005, 06:26 AM\']
There's no possible way to make a "wedge shaped" monitor. So those are my only two assumptions if they even do pursue that route.
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What I meant to say was that a monitor would display a graphic of "just a wedge" spinning by (kinda like the quicktime clips from that Wheel release from...95? 96?).
Otherwise, I suppose you could cover the screen and leave a wedge shaped hole.
Will they change the name of the show if they get rid of the wheel?
VIDEO! OF! FORTUNE!
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I had thought I read somehwere a long time ago they focus tested updating the wheel to make it more modern (e.g., video) but people enjoyed the traditional wheel. Perhaps times are now changing.
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[quote name=\'goongas\' date=\'Nov 27 2005, 10:44 AM\']I had thought I read somehwere a long time ago they focus tested updating the wheel to make it more modern (e.g., video) but people enjoyed the traditional wheel. Perhaps times are now changing.
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Chill. It's very unlikely that anyone is re-inventing the wheel in any significant way. There's always been talk like this on every game show set I've ever worked on for any period of time... conjecture and speculation and free-flowing creative ideas. Even at the holy grail of game shows.
I distinctly remember one day during the early 1980s the great Frank Wayne telling me that, at first, he wondered about the Showcase Showdown feature which was added when "Price" went to an hour. He said that he sometimes thought spinning the big wheel was a time consuming way of simply choosing one winner from among three to advance to the Showcase. He then smiled and said that there was no way he'd second guess it now, as the audience seemed fascinated by the wheel spinning.
Randy
tvrandywest.com
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[quote name=\'Modor\' date=\'Nov 24 2005, 10:51 PM\'][quote name=\'TimK2003\' date=\'Nov 24 2005, 10:11 PM\']The Pyramid winners circle 'rising video screens' which replaced three-sided trilons...
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I felt this took away some of the charm from the original series...but it may just be me.
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I think the bigger reason for the lack of charm is that the producers took a game that is at heart a warm, friendly competition, and gave it a Millionaire-esque set that made everything look cold and sterile. Bleh.
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[quote name=\'Fedya\' date=\'Nov 27 2005, 02:31 PM\']I think the bigger reason for the lack of charm is that the producers took a game that is at heart a warm, friendly competition, and gave it a Millionaire-esque set that made everything look cold and sterile. Bleh.
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And that it sucked. Don't forget that. It sucked. :)
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Nov 27 2005, 05:45 PM\'][quote name=\'Fedya\' date=\'Nov 27 2005, 02:31 PM\']I think the bigger reason for the lack of charm is that the producers took a game that is at heart a warm, friendly competition, and gave it a Millionaire-esque set that made everything look cold and sterile. Bleh.
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And that it sucked. Don't forget that. It sucked. :)
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Another problem was that it was often difficult to tell contestant from celebrity without seeing the graphic introducing them.
Or maybe it was just me.
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[quote name=\'cmjb13\' date=\'Nov 27 2005, 03:50 PM\'][quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Nov 27 2005, 05:45 PM\'][quote name=\'Fedya\' date=\'Nov 27 2005, 02:31 PM\']I think the bigger reason for the lack of charm is that the producers took a game that is at heart a warm, friendly competition, and gave it a Millionaire-esque set that made everything look cold and sterile. Bleh.
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And that it sucked. Don't forget that. It sucked. :)
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Another problem was that it was often difficult to tell contestant from celebrity without seeing the graphic introducing them.
Or maybe it was just me.
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And that it sucked. Don't forget that. It sucked. :)
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Nov 27 2005, 05:45 PM\'][quote name=\'Fedya\' date=\'Nov 27 2005, 02:31 PM\']I think the bigger reason for the lack of charm is that the producers took a game that is at heart a warm, friendly competition, and gave it a Millionaire-esque set that made everything look cold and sterile. Bleh.
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And that it sucked. Don't forget that. It sucked. :)
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The amount of charm a show has and whether it sucks aren't necessarily correlated. Bill Cullen brought charm to some rather crappy shows. :-)
And the hosts of The Weakest Link are by design as cuddly as an eel, but that doesn't mean the show sucks.
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[quote name=\'Fedya\' date=\'Nov 27 2005, 05:16 PM\']The amount of charm a show has and whether it sucks aren't necessarily correlated. Bill Cullen brought charm to some rather crappy shows. :-)
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Fair enough. So long as we agree that it sucked. :)
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I can't think of any reason it would be *impossible* to build non-rectangular flatscreens, just wildly expensive since there'd be no mass production. If you had a circular one the right size, surrounded by a ring with the hand grips, and fixed the graphics on the non-wheel to rotate in time with the ring, the display itself could be stationary.
Not in the least practical, even if having "Wheel of Fortune" with no wheel weren't a horrible idea to begin with, but it should be possible.
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I don't understand the problem Wheel has with changing the wheel by hand. Considering there is now a commerical between each round. Also, what's wrong with the words "Stop Tape"?
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[quote name=\'GPeefalt\' date=\'Nov 28 2005, 10:44 AM\']I don't understand the problem Wheel has with changing the wheel by hand. Considering there is now a commerical between each round. Also, what's wrong with the words "Stop Tape"?
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They cost money. Not the words themselves, but the time that passes between the words "stop tape" and "roll tape".
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The key here is "HDTV." As has been mentioned here before, a lot of game show sets--and sets for TV shows in general--may look great on TV, where they're supposed to look great, but much less so in person. The challenge of HDTV is that sets (and to be truthful, people) that may look perfectly fine in standard definition look like they do in real life in HDTV. And let's face it--that wheel's been through a lot of wear and tear in 30 years, if it's the same wheel.
And so, the idea that's being floated around (and if what Randy says is right, may not even be implemented) is that if we're going to have to build a new wheel, why not computerize it? What I wonder is this: Could it end up being cheaper just to make all new wedges for the new wheel instead?
And more importantly: How does Vanna look in HDTV? (Yes, and Pat too.)
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Nov 28 2005, 12:35 PM\'][quote name=\'GPeefalt\' date=\'Nov 28 2005, 10:44 AM\']I don't understand the problem Wheel has with changing the wheel by hand. Considering there is now a commerical between each round. Also, what's wrong with the words "Stop Tape"?
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They cost money. Not the words themselves, but the time that passes between the words "stop tape" and "roll tape".
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But his other point is valid. There is always a commercial break between rounds now. Since that tape break is there anyway, just change the wheel then.
Besides, last season, they were able to switch the wheel while the Jackpot/prize plug was happening, with seconds to spare.
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[quote name=\'cmjb13\' date=\'Nov 27 2005, 05:50 PM\'][quote name=\'Fedya\' date=\'Nov 27 2005, 02:31 PM\']I think the bigger reason for the lack of charm is that the producers took a game that is at heart a warm, friendly competition, and gave it a Millionaire-esque set that made everything look cold and sterile. Bleh.
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Another problem was that it was often difficult to tell contestant from celebrity without seeing the graphic introducing them.
Or maybe it was just me.
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And you're saying that everyone on Clark's or Davidson's Pyramids were common household names??? Like Barry Gordon... or for those non-game show fans, Henry Pollick II.
I'd say the percentage of "who the %@&! is that" celebrities that appeared on Donny's Pyramid was about the same as those on the Davidson and the later Clark Pyramids.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the strongest percentage of familiar A or B-list Pyramid celebrities on during the ABC $10K-$20K runs??
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[quote name=\'whoserman\' date=\'Nov 28 2005, 05:58 PM\']But his other point is valid. There is always a commercial break between rounds now. Since that tape break is there anyway, just change the wheel then.
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Why do you assume they stop tape for that? If they can get away with it, I'm sure they would roll right through it.
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[quote name=\'TimK2003\' date=\'Nov 28 2005, 06:10 PM\']... or for those non-game show fans, Henry Pollick II.
[/quote]
Believe it or not, a lot of people did watch "Webster".
I'd say the percentage of "who the %@&! is that" celebrities that appeared on Donny's Pyramid was about the same as those on the Davidson and the later Clark Pyramids.
I have no interest in even attempting to do the research, but I would bet you're wrong.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Nov 28 2005, 08:54 PM\'][quote name=\'whoserman\' date=\'Nov 28 2005, 05:58 PM\']But his other point is valid. There is always a commercial break between rounds now. Since that tape break is there anyway, just change the wheel then.
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Why do you assume they stop tape for that? If they can get away with it, I'm sure they would roll right through it.
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Well, obviously it takes at least a FEW seconds to get everyone back into position and get a new puzzle loaded in. Surely enough time to slap a few new slots on the wheel if someone was really on the ball.
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[quote name=\'whoserman\' date=\'Nov 28 2005, 08:53 PM\']Well, obviously it takes at least a FEW seconds to get everyone back into position and get a new puzzle loaded in. Surely enough time to slap a few new slots on the wheel if someone was really on the ball.
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I'm guessing it doesn't. Pat walks back to his spot, and that's that. The "loading in", I will guess, is likely as easy as pressing / clicking "Next Puzzle".
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Well, you've yet to disprove my point. How long does it take to slap two or three new slots onto the wheel? A few seconds? How much extra money does that cost?
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[quote name=\'whoserman\' date=\'Nov 28 2005, 10:10 PM\']Well, you've yet to disprove my point. How long does it take to slap two or three new slots onto the wheel? A few seconds? How much extra money does that cost?
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In all honesty, I'm not even sure I know what your point is, or if we even disagree.
You suggested that it was automatic that they stop down tape at commercial breaks. I'm saying that's not an automatic assumption at all, especially if they don't have to.
And two minutes here and there adds up over the course of a year in studio time.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Nov 28 2005, 11:19 PM\']You suggested that it was automatic that they stop down tape at commercial breaks. I'm saying that's not an automatic assumption at all, especially if they don't have to.[/quote]
Yes. You did disprove that.
My point was that there's nothing wrong with changing the wheel slots by hand because it takes a very insignificant time to do so; only a few seconds if the stagehand is on the ball.
(Actually, that was GPeefalt's point. I was just backing it up.)
And two minutes here and there adds up over the course of a year in studio time.
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You could very well be right.
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[quote name=\'uncamark\' date=\'Nov 28 2005, 03:36 PM\']The key here is "HDTV." As has been mentioned here before, a lot of game show sets--and sets for TV shows in general--may look great on TV, where they're supposed to look great, but much less so in person. The challenge of HDTV is that sets (and to be truthful, people) that may look perfectly fine in standard definition look like they do in real life in HDTV. And let's face it--that wheel's been through a lot of wear and tear in 30 years, if it's the same wheel.
And more importantly: How does Vanna look in HDTV? (Yes, and Pat too.)
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I attended a taping of Wheel when they were in Philly last year. I assure you of one thing, the set looked just fine, IMO, and there was no need to update anything if the people behind the scenes didn't feel like it. Pat and Vanna looked fine then too, both close-up and far away, but even if there was a problem, I'm sure there's nothing a little make-up here and there couldn't fix. Everything was shined up, glossed over, spotless, and looking brand new. I'm pretty sure HDTV won't be a problem for the show.
The other thing I am about 95% sure of is that the same base wheel that was used originally is not the same base now. I have heard many times before that when the producers did the wheel overhaul in 1997 (when the large gold spiky things started coming out from the wheel that better matched the new puzzle board that stayed until it all went neon), that a brand new wheel was built and installed. I also heard with this that this wasn't the first time this had been done. It makes sense though, I don't believe the same wheel base that was used in 1975 could still be used today. At some point, something should have rotted, worn out, or collapsed causing a new one to be needed...
[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Nov 28 2005, 11:54 PM\']Why do you assume they stop tape for that? If they can get away with it, I'm sure they would roll right through it.
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At that Philly taping, while Charlie was talking about the 2nd round prize, and while they took about a 2 minute break to go along with the commercials, the wedges were changed, noting though that there aren't too many they need to change these days. There will always be commercial breaks, I believe, because, for one, it gives contestants a short break from the action to relax, but also, Pat went backstage and chatted with the producers during EVERY break, I guess to make sure everything was going smoothly and there were no disputes on anything he or the contestants did during the previous round of taping. Pat seemed to be VERY involved in the off-camera work that went on with the show.
The puzzle board is connected to a computer system, so there is no reason, AT ALL, to stop taping to load a new puzzle in because I believe the puzzles are just typed in a program that puts them on the board before the show begins, as opposed to the much more physically demanding deal with the old puzzle board.
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[quote name=\'whoserman\' date=\'Nov 28 2005, 10:23 PM\']My point was that there's nothing wrong with changing the wheel slots by hand because it takes a very insignificant time to do so; only a few seconds if the stagehand is on the ball.
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Is that true? I have no idea how long it takes to change out the props safely and accurately. It might be true. I don't know.
(Actually, that was GPeefalt's point. I was just backing it up.)
Oh, ok. The only point of GPee's I spoke to was the one about stopping down being "no big deal."
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Nov 29 2005, 01:32 AM\']Is that true? I have no idea how long it takes to change out the props safely and accurately. It might be true. I don't know.[/quote]
While I won't say it takes a few seconds (based on the shows I saw), it doesn't take very long.
I figure they could have this person providing a different role for the show if the wedges didn't have to be changed anymore.
The "loading in", I will guess, is likely as easy as pressing / clicking "Next Puzzle".
While I believe this is correct, I can confirm for custom puzzles (like having "TV Guide Channel" on the puzzle board when a story is being done), it's very quick. A key is pressed and the whole puzzle is typed in, which can be placed any where on the board. Takes about 15-30 seconds tops.
IIRC, a light pen is used to reveal the letters.
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[quote name=\'wheelloon\' date=\'Nov 29 2005, 12:24 AM\'][quote name=\'uncamark\' date=\'Nov 28 2005, 03:36 PM\']The key here is "HDTV." As has been mentioned here before, a lot of game show sets--and sets for TV shows in general--may look great on TV, where they're supposed to look great, but much less so in person. The challenge of HDTV is that sets (and to be truthful, people) that may look perfectly fine in standard definition look like they do in real life in HDTV. And let's face it--that wheel's been through a lot of wear and tear in 30 years, if it's the same wheel.
And more importantly: How does Vanna look in HDTV? (Yes, and Pat too.)
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I attended a taping of Wheel when they were in Philly last year. I assure you of one thing, the set looked just fine, IMO, and there was no need to update anything if the people behind the scenes didn't feel like it. Pat and Vanna looked fine then too, both close-up and far away, but even if there was a problem, I'm sure there's nothing a little make-up here and there couldn't fix. Everything was shined up, glossed over, spotless, and looking brand new. I'm pretty sure HDTV won't be a problem for the show.
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The road show's a different story--since it's a much bigger deal than an ordinary studio taping, there's more of an incentive to make the sets look good to the people in the auditorium. I'd like to take a look at the set back in Culver City with the naked eye, especially since I've heard that a lot of "TPIR" set pieces would have to be spruced up to look good for HDTV.
And having been to enough "J!" road tapings in recent years (but realizing that things may not be the same for "Wheel"), they generally keep the breaks about the same as on the air, since they try to keep in that half-hour time frame, but in one instance where there was a long tape stoppage (due to checking on a response), the break (the first one) was extremely short--Trebek left his podium, went to the contestant interview mark, Lauderdale counted down and we were off and running.