The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: wdm1219inpenna on March 25, 2012, 07:16:26 PM
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With the video monitors replacing the old puzzle board, the flashing Jackpot & Free Play spaces, video walls adorning the set, why is it that contestants still have to peel off the wedges from the wheel? Seems to me the show can modernize a bit, replace the cardboard with a video monitor, akin to the "Big Money" space used during season 25, and behind the players, display the various things they may have picked up off the wheel "Wild Card", "$10,000 mystery prize", prize wedges, gift tags, "1/2 Car", and the like. It just seems very "ancient" to me that players still have to lay prize wedges and the $10,000 wedge on their "flipper".
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{This post has been edited for broadcast. Now stay tuned for Reading is Fundamental, next over most of these CBS stations!}
He's not suggesting replacing the wheel. He's suggesting replacing the "markers" that right now are physically removed from the wheel that Pat then has to confiscate upon hitting Bankrupt. Pretty big difference.
Ah, my mistake. Hmmm, then I suppose that would fall in line with my point about how replacing props with technology isn't the worst thing in the world. Mea culpa.
/Nothing to see here
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He's not suggesting replacing the wheel. He's suggesting replacing the "markers" that right now are physically removed from the wheel that Pat then has to confiscate upon hitting Bankrupt. Pretty big difference.
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I don't think that the physical wheel props need to be replaced with digital just because they can. (There could be accusations, albiet unfounded, that the spaces are altered mid-spin, just as they were accused of impropriety because of the auto-spinning of the wheel at the top of the episode, halting that practice.)
But, I do think that the contestants should be able to place wedges/cards into a slot or receptacle, with the prize displayed on their score monitors. Otherwise, when Blue hits bankrupt with a pile of unbundled cardboard, it halts the game for a bit when it is handed in to Pat (even more awkwardly when they have the contestant partners).
Not a major quibble, it's fine as it is, but it would seem to keep things a little more tidy, not to mention placing the non-wedge-shaped items on display throughout the game.
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Slightly related thought...
I kinda miss the days when you *had* to spin in order to win big. These days, with the $1000 guarantee, prize puzzles, toss-ups and the $1000 added to the final spin, someone could realistically win the game with only a couple touches. Just get enough to buy the vowels and you're good.
I know, not a tragedy, but just something I wanted to muse about.
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(There could be accusations, albiet unfounded, that the spaces are altered mid-spin, just as they were accused of impropriety because of the auto-spinning of the wheel at the top of the episode, halting that practice.)
Source?
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I've had a vision of the entire *wheel* going on a screen too and stopping it with a plunger...
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Source?
I distinctly remember reading it in the Q&A section of Pat Sajak's website. Someone asked him why they stopped having it automatically spin at the beginning of the show and his answer was to remove any way for someone to accuse the show of being rigged. But a year or so ago, both his website and Twitter went blank, so it's no longer accessible.
EDIT: Found it, via the Internet Archive (http://web.archive.org/web/20101002064128/http://www.patsajak.com/interact-with-pat/?page=8).
Why does the wheel no longer spin automatically during the opening of the show or during the credits? --Arthur, Toronto, ON
I never liked that because I thought it was a bad idea to demonstrate that we had the ability to automatically spin the wheel. Obviously we didn't do it during the game, but I was still pleased when our new Executive Producer removed that capability many years ago.
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Well, anytime you have something that's non-mechanical, there's always the possibility that it could be controlled. I still am not totally convinced about the wheels on The Joker's Wild being impartially spun each time.* And I remember reading that on the original Family Feud, it was decided to have the answers for the main game on flip cards rather than using the Solari board (which Family Fortunes did in England). The reason was the same - to assure the viewer that those were the actual results, and couldn't be changed at the last second to favor one team or the other. Or maybe I'm paranoid.
*There is no evidence of this happening at any time. This is just my view, nudged a bit by the host's game show history.
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Obviously we didn't do it during the game, but I was still pleased when our new Executive Producer removed that capability many years ago.
Fine and good, but all that shows me is that Sajak approved of the move for that reason, not that that was the reason for the removal. (It is absolutely possible that the two are correlated, even likely, but I'm not seeing absolute truth.
This is just my view, nudged a bit by the host's game show history.
Which is funny, since that was an era when Compliances and Practices still existed, and as such I would believe the complete and total opposite, for exactly the same reasons.
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But, I do think that the contestants should be able to place wedges/cards into a slot or receptacle, with the prize displayed on their score monitors. Otherwise, when Blue hits bankrupt with a pile of unbundled cardboard, it halts the game for a bit when it is handed in to Pat (even more awkwardly when they have the contestant partners).
I like your receptacle idea- The scoreboard would look kinda crowded after a couple of items, so I would suggest the backdrop. That would probably require the backdrop to revert from living screensaver to red-yellow-blue, but you won't see me complaining about that :)
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I like your receptacle idea- The scoreboard would look kinda crowded after a couple of items, so I would suggest the backdrop. That would probably require the backdrop to revert from living screensaver to red-yellow-blue, but you won't see me complaining about that :)
I can think of a ton of ways to block that that don't require killing the screensaver.
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Couldn't you do what Concentration did: have a line for each prize or gadget that you've picked up, and overlay that on whatever the backdrop is? What's the greatest number of things that you'd have:
$1,000,000
Prize
Mystery Prize
Car Tag
Gift Tags
(And I like the idea of returning to the colored backdrops as much as the next guy, but they're doing the spy camera deal for a reason.)
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I like your receptacle idea- The scoreboard would look kinda crowded after a couple of items, so I would suggest the backdrop. That would probably require the backdrop to revert from living screensaver to red-yellow-blue, but you won't see me complaining about that :)
I can think of a ton of ways to block that that don't require killing the screensaver.
I'm thinking an opaque box (color-coded) above the contestants, or over their shoulders. It would probably look a little less cluttered if done over the heads.
That's something I came up with just now. You might say it was (puts on shades) off the top of my head.
/I think you know where this is going (http://"http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTL5i5j1rilXYH25L-Y71ocxt5BcuRvzPZkuoOt70aU4LgsDmh8ipa6MN-f4g")
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I'm thinking an opaque box (color-coded) above the contestants, or over their shoulders. It would probably look a little less cluttered if done over the heads.
Bingo.
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While I like the idea about Wheel (I've seen a few players who had a considerable amount of cardboard in front of them), the concept of picking up stuff from the Wheel has been a long-time part of the show. Also, Travis, you forgot the Wild Card (among the items that can be picked up).
I remember reading that on the original Family Feud, it was decided to have the answers for the main game on flip cards rather than using the Solari board (which Family Fortunes did in England). The reason was the same - to assure the viewer that those were the actual results, and couldn't be changed at the last second to favor one team or the other.
And yet, the Feud of today loves to change and throw out questions at the last second so they don't end after three rounds or have to go to six (one of the stated reasons being related to showing favoritism). And some of the more bizarre answers on the board leave me wondering if they are legit, such as #6 of the "pilot holding his..." question from a few weeks ago (they must have been giggling when they saw the disgust on Granny's face...and she seemed to be looking right at the staff, too).
/portions directly affecting the outcome of the game were edited or retaped
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(And I like the idea of returning to the colored backdrops as much as the next guy, but they're doing the spy camera deal for a reason.)
Which is? (Seriously, I have no idea.)
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I would LOVE to see a multi-touch wheel, sorta like this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV6CR9A3qFU
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Also, Travis, you forgot the Wild Card.
No I didn't. Wild Card (I was about to add the Free Spin, but that's no longer a thing) is tendered upon use in the main game.
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the concept of picking up stuff from the Wheel has been a long-time part of the show.
So was the concept of physical letter-turning. Or buying prizes with your earned money.
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the concept of picking up stuff from the Wheel has been a long-time part of the show.
So was the concept of physical letter-turning. Or buying prizes with your earned money.
As well as Woolery hosting.
\Apparently he has since left.
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One question: Once the contestant has acquired the Free Play/featured trip/what have you and the item is displayed above their head/in their score monitor, how does the cardboard leave the wheel without somebody picking it up?
(In response to the original poster's suggestion that it be in a monitor -- then you have a whole bunch of monitors on the wheel.)
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One question: Once the contestant has acquired the Free Play/featured trip/what have you and the item is displayed above their head/in their score monitor, how does the cardboard leave the wheel without somebody picking it up?
(In response to the original poster's suggestion that it be in a monitor -- then you have a whole bunch of monitors on the wheel.)
Well, as previously stated, there can be a discard slot. If the wedges seem to cumbersome for that process, make the prize wedges "rinds", like what the Aussies do with Free Spins.
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And yet, the Feud of today loves to change and throw out questions at the last second so they don't end after three rounds or have to go to six (one of the stated reasons being related to showing favoritism). And some of the more bizarre answers on the board leave me wondering if they are legit, such as #6 of the "pilot holding his..." question from a few weeks ago (they must have been giggling when they saw the disgust on Granny's face...and she seemed to be looking right at the staff, too).
Huh?
(And I like the idea of returning to the colored backdrops as much as the next guy, but they're doing the spy camera deal for a reason.)
Which is? (Seriously, I have no idea.)
Well, it looks neat and it gives your eye something to focus on while the camera shot is on home base.
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I think he was asking what the "spy camera deal" is. I too was confused by that.
-Jason
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(And I like the idea of returning to the colored backdrops as much as the next guy, but they're doing the spy camera deal for a reason.)
Which is? (Seriously, I have no idea.)
Well, it looks neat and it gives your eye something to focus on while the camera shot is on home base.
To be honest, I have never once paid attention to that backdrop, and I imagine that all but three viewers are looking to see if Joe Schmo is going to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain during "Get the Hell Out of America Getaways" Week. When they're on location, some of these things make more sense, but maybe my distaste for it comes from the fact that I don't think it's necessary for every week to have a theme. At this point it feels like they just play Mad Libs to come up with new names for weeks, and roll out the appropriate set pieces- why bother?
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At this point it feels like they just play Mad Libs to come up with new names for weeks, and roll out the appropriate set pieces- why bother?
I've often thought the same thing...when they did Pet Lovers Week, I thought they were really scraping.
I'm fine with the traditional Teen/College/Military/Mistresses Weeks, but let's not saturate things with goofy stuff like "Wheel Across America" or "City Living" or whatever they're coming up with, when all you're doing is playing out of L.A. Save it for the road trips. When they're in Vegas, the video wall makes sense. But in the studio, I'm not really caring about a screen saver of some tropical locale.
Honestly, do Teen/College/Military/Celebrity Weeks each during a major Sweeps month (if they don't already), put a few road trips in during sweeps, and keep the L.A. episodes during the other parts of the year, and not theme weeks.
/And especially no "America's Game"
//I actually miss the scenic backdrop they used during the Friday Finals season
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(And I like the idea of returning to the colored backdrops as much as the next guy, but they're doing the spy camera deal for a reason.)
Which is? (Seriously, I have no idea.)
Well, it looks neat and it gives your eye something to focus on while the camera shot is on home base.
Because the game itself is so visually uninteresting? Yeesh. I appreciate that Sony has the funds and technology to put a Jumbotron behind the players, but they could put an actual elephant sanctuary back there, too, if they wanted. Wouldn't have any less to do with the game.
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Because the game itself is so visually uninteresting? Yeesh. I appreciate that Sony has the funds and technology to put a Jumbotron behind the players, but they could put an actual elephant sanctuary back there, too, if they wanted. Wouldn't have any less to do with the game.
If you could train an elephant to spin the wheel with its trunk, then you have some ratings.
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"Get the Hell Out of America Getaways" Week
Something like this is totally what would get me watching WoF regularly again.
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/And especially no "America's Game"
"America's Game" is the on-and-off theme for sixth episodes from taping sessions. They have given themes to sixth-episode weeks before (in fact, they did it last season), so I don't know why they keep vacillating on that.
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Wow, this really went much farther than I thought! I remember the daytime version and the display behind each player with "ON ACCOUNT". I'd love to see the show do that too as far as what each player's current winnings total is, rather than that line that "flies in" at the top of the screen at random times during the show...or maybe not so random, I'm not sure...
If I can I'll try to do a "rendering" of sorts of what I'd like to see...
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Wow, this really went much farther than I thought! I remember the daytime version and the display behind each player with "ON ACCOUNT". I'd love to see the show do that too as far as what each player's current winnings total is, rather than that line that "flies in" at the top of the screen at random times during the show...or maybe not so random, I'm not sure...
If I can I'll try to do a "rendering" of sorts of what I'd like to see...
I also wish they would bring that ON ACCOUNT display back because sometimes it's hard to keep track of what people have won so far.
I miss the five prize envelopes the winner had to pick from. The prize wheel seems like an excuse to give away more money and the only prize they have on set any more is a car.
What's with the video scenes behind the contestants? Are those scenes being shown live at taping or are they taped?
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What's with the video scenes behind the contestants? Are those scenes being shown live at taping or are they taped?
I'm gonna guess stock video, no different from video used of the trips they offer.
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I also wish they would bring that ON ACCOUNT display back because sometimes it's hard to keep track of what people have won so far.
Well, at various times throughout the game, they drop in a graphic showing the overall totals. Decent enough "compromise".
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This is just a very very VERY basic thing I made on MS Paint today, my "vision" rough draft of what I'd like to see done on the program with regard to the video wall. I'd rather see the stuff displayed on a board behind the players, to make it more viewer friendly. Similar to the "Fox Box" used during NFL broadcasts....
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z69/GameShowFanMan66/ZZZPLAYERPODIUMS033012.png
Might be a nice way to start season 30....
Pat Sajak: "It's been suggested that with all the updates we have made on our show over the past three decades, the biggest of which being the electronic puzzle board, that it seemed rather antiquated and cumbersome to have our contestants placing the various cardboard wedges and other items in front of them, so now, we're utilizing the video wall located behind our three contestants to display what they have instead. Now if a player lands on a bankrupt space, those items will, like magic, instantly vanish from that player's wall. You'll also notice now we're keeping track of each of our three contestants' current winnings. Lastly, the infamous "used letter board" will be displayed at the top, more appropriately is should be called the 'unused letter board'. It will also be able to be seen by you at home when we show the puzzle board. We have incorporated all of these changes so that you, the home viewer, can have an even more enjoyable experience while watching our game. Now after all that, our time is up for today so..."
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This is just a very very VERY basic thing I made on MS Paint today, my "vision" rough draft of what I'd like to see done on the program with regard to the video wall. I'd rather see the stuff displayed on a board behind the players, to make it more viewer friendly. Similar to the "Fox Box" used during NFL broadcasts....
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z69/GameShowFanMan66/ZZZPLAYERPODIUMS033012.png
Might be a nice way to start season 30....
Pat Sajak: "It's been suggested that with all the updates we have made on our show over the past three decades, the biggest of which being the electronic puzzle board, that it seemed rather antiquated and cumbersome to have our contestants placing the various cardboard wedges and other items in front of them, so now, we're utilizing the video wall located behind our three contestants to display what they have instead. Now if a player lands on a bankrupt space, those items will, like magic, instantly vanish from that player's wall. You'll also notice now we're keeping track of each of our three contestants' current winnings. Lastly, the infamous "used letter board" will be displayed at the top, more appropriately is should be called the 'unused letter board'. It will also be able to be seen by you at home when we show the puzzle board. We have incorporated all of these changes so that you, the home viewer, can have an even more enjoyable experience while watching our game. Now after all that, our time is up for today so..."
My god, that's far too much information to put behind a player for a game show. There's a point where things get too complex for the average viewer, and you passed that point 3 miles back.
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I agree it's definitely too busy. I say keep it simple; at the top, have one box with three columns. Top row are names, bottom row the scores.
Directly under that, a slightly larger box (height-wise; same length), with prizes for the round. No icons, just text. Think what "High Rollers" used to do, whether it was the backlit slides or chyroned. Or "(Classic) Concentration" for that matter. Keep the boxes opaque so that you can still see the people frolicking around the island or beach. :-)
Make it unique but not detracting.
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I'd rather see the stuff displayed on a board behind the players, to make it more viewer friendly.
That was about the least "viewer friendly" example I have ever seen. That is a fantastic argument NOT to do it.
Pat Sajak: "It's been suggested that with all the updates we have made on our show over the past three decades, the biggest of which being the electronic puzzle board, that it seemed rather antiquated and cumbersome to have our contestants placing the various cardboard wedges and other items in front of them, so now, we're utilizing the video wall located behind our three contestants to display what they have instead. Now if a player lands on a bankrupt space, those items will, like magic, instantly vanish from that player's wall. You'll also notice now we're keeping track of each of our three contestants' current winnings. Lastly, the infamous "used letter board" will be displayed at the top, more appropriately is should be called the 'unused letter board'. It will also be able to be seen by you at home when we show the puzzle board. We have incorporated all of these changes so that you, the home viewer, can have an even more enjoyable experience while watching our game. Now after all that, our time is up for today so..."
"And by the time they get to the first question, the first question is "Can you come back tomorrow?"" -- George Carlin
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Might be a nice way to start season 30....
Pat Sajak: "It's been suggested that with all the updates we have made on our show over the past three decades, the biggest of which being the electronic puzzle board, that it seemed rather antiquated and cumbersome to have our contestants placing the various cardboard wedges and other items in front of them, so now, we're utilizing the video wall located behind our three contestants to display what they have instead. Now if a player lands on a bankrupt space, those items will, like magic, instantly vanish from that player's wall. You'll also notice now we're keeping track of each of our three contestants' current winnings. Lastly, the infamous "used letter board" will be displayed at the top, more appropriately is should be called the 'unused letter board'. It will also be able to be seen by you at home when we show the puzzle board. We have incorporated all of these changes so that you, the home viewer, can have an even more enjoyable experience while watching our game. Now after all that, our time is up for today so..."
My god, that's far too much information to put behind a player for a game show. There's a point where things get too complex for the average viewer, and you passed that point 3 miles back.
I don't necessarily blame you for not reading all the way to the end, but there is a punch line there that shows he's not being serious.
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It's true, it is very "busy", the "High Rollers" or "Concentration" list examples are very good. Just a vision I had that I wanted to put out there. It's been fun reading all the various posts and responses! Thank you.
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I just don't understand why we're fixing something that isn't broken. Sure, I get it, it's a little bit low-tech, but it works.
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I just don't understand why we're fixing something that isn't broken. Sure, I get it, it's a little bit low-tech, but it works.
To me, it really doesn't matter who wins on WOF. I just like solving the puzzles faster than the contestants. That's the appeal of the show.