Author Topic: Most Prolific Wheel Spinner... (Read 4517 times)

tvmitch · « **on:** July 12, 2010, 07:30:10 PM »

So, Pat Sajak is the Undisputed Most Prolific Wheel of Fortune Spinner of all time. That fact is easily established.

At this point, wouldn't he be able to spin any amount on the wheel with decent accuracy? Couldn't he really be spinning $5,000 on every final spin at this point (conspiracy!)? Those who have been on Wheel might be able to chime in as I have no idea how the thing feels...but given a few thousand opportunities to do something, wouldn't you become an expert at it?

Jimmy Owen · « **Reply #1 on:** July 12, 2010, 07:35:38 PM »

Chuck actually would aim for the big money in his day.

Strikerz04 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 12, 2010, 07:37:55 PM »

On my show, he was a peg off from the $5,000, so to say that he always hits it isn't quite accurate.

SRIV94 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 12, 2010, 07:46:32 PM »

[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' post=\'244014\' date=\'Jul 12 2010, 06:35 PM\']Chuck actually would aim for the big money in his day.[/quote]
And the look on his face when he hit a Bankrupt and the SFX guy (Geoff Cooper/Red Roe/whoever NBC tabbed for the day) hit the Bankrupt sounder was priceless.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7BDwLdBhfA (forward to about (6:08))

clemon79 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 12, 2010, 07:51:28 PM »

He's not paid to hit the $5,000 every time. He's paid to give the wheel a final spin, ask the next player in line for a letter, and if it's in the puzzle, give them three seconds to solve it. I imagine he's just instructed to reach down and give it a whip.

Also, no, I can't imagine the kind of muscle memory it would take to be able to do that. Basketball players don't hit every single free throw, either, and that's with a target that never changes from being 15 feet away and ten feet above the ground.

BrandonFG · « **Reply #5 on:** July 12, 2010, 08:01:31 PM »

[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'244018\' date=\'Jul 12 2010, 07:51 PM\']Basketball players don't hit every single free throw, either, and that's with a target that never changes from being 15 feet away and ten feet above the ground.[/quote]
Approves.

But can you compare the spinning skills of a man who's been doing this for 28 1/2 years, compared to 7 (Woolery), 2 (Goen), and a 6 months (Benirschke)?

Jimmy Owen · « **Reply #6 on:** July 12, 2010, 08:07:36 PM »

Babe Ruth hit 714 home runs. He also struck out 1330 times.

TheLastResort · « **Reply #7 on:** July 12, 2010, 08:49:58 PM »

[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'244018\' date=\'Jul 12 2010, 07:51 PM\']I imagine he's just instructed to reach down and give it a whip.[/quote]

That's what she said.

Matt Ottinger · « **Reply #8 on:** July 12, 2010, 09:01:15 PM »

Chuck always tried to hit the biggest value on the wheel, and usually did. ("Always" is one of those...words.) Pat specifically said in an interview about a hundred years ago that he does NOT aim at a particular wedge. Presumably by this point he'd be pretty accurate if he did try.

TLEberle · « **Reply #9 on:** July 12, 2010, 09:21:54 PM »

[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'244018\' date=\'Jul 12 2010, 04:51 PM\']Also, no, I can't imagine the kind of muscle memory it would take to be able to do that.[/quote]Pat also doesn't do the whole kabuki theater of crotchal grabbing, spitting, knocking of dirt out of cleats and tugging at uniforms. (Batters also bat several times per game anyway, instead of just one action per game.)

[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'244019\' date=\'Jul 12 2010, 05:01 PM\']Approves.[/quote]If you did the whole "Noonan! MISS IT!" thing would he actually drain one for a change?

[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'244022\' date=\'Jul 12 2010, 06:01 PM\']Pat specifically said in an interview about a hundred years ago that he does NOT aim at a particular wedge.[/quote]If I had cleaned up in all the previous rounds, I'd be a bit ticked if the game was suddenly up for grabs because Pat managed to spin $5,000.

Joe Mello · « **Reply #10 on:** July 12, 2010, 09:28:13 PM »

I'm of the belief that (at least nowadays) the R4 wheel is set up so that if it starts in speed-up, there's a very good shot that 5k is hit. Otherwise, all bets are off.

Another thing that may have to be taken into consideration is that all the times he hits a non-money space are cut out. I don't imagine this is a large number, though.

Clay Zambo · « **Reply #11 on:** July 12, 2010, 10:16:05 PM »

[quote name=\'TLEberle\' post=\'244024\' date=\'Jul 12 2010, 09:21 PM\']Pat also doesn't do the whole kabuki theater of crotchal grabbing, spitting, knocking of dirt out of cleats and tugging at uniforms.[/quote]

You're making a pretty big assumption about what gets edited for broadcast, aren't you?

TLEberle · « **Reply #12 on:** July 12, 2010, 10:17:20 PM »

[quote name=\'Clay Zambo\' post=\'244026\' date=\'Jul 12 2010, 07:16 PM\'][quote name=\'TLEberle\' post=\'244024\' date=\'Jul 12 2010, 09:21 PM\']Pat also doesn't do the whole kabuki theater of crotchal grabbing, spitting, knocking of dirt out of cleats and tugging at uniforms.[/quote]You're making a pretty big assumption about what gets edited for broadcast, aren't you?
[/quote]Yes I am. Ten points and control of the board to you, sir.

peiboy91 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 12, 2010, 11:19:23 PM »

[quote name=\'Joe Mello\' post=\'244025\' date=\'Jul 12 2010, 06:28 PM\']I'm of the belief that (at least nowadays) the R4 wheel is set up so that if it starts in speed-up, there's a very good shot that 5k is hit. Otherwise, all bets are off.[/quote]

As Pat explains here, the wheel is set up that way but not specifically so that the $5K can be hit. Couple that with his "normal" spin and that's why he lands on it so often.