Q&A with Wesley Hyatt, author of I’d Like to Buy a Vowel - Spinning 50 Years of Wheel of Fortune
Why do a book about Wheel of Fortune?
There’s never been a serious history of the series in print until now. It’s celebrating fifty years on the air come January 1975, an achievement few series ever achieve. And it’s a show with broad recognition, so it should attract the interest of many readers.
How did you research the series?
I did a combination of things. Obviously, I watched as many shows as possible, although the sheer number of episodes (over 12,000) meant I couldn’t watch them all. Fortunately, there are blogs that recap episodes, which helped immensely in determining which shows to seek out. I also watched two symposiums on the show held at the Paley Center for Media in New York City, along with a few rare episodes from the 1970s held there. The Library of Congress has the holdings of NBC’s press releases from the 1970s and 1980s, so that helped a great deal. Also, I combed through many news articles over the years, including several in trade magazines, and a good number of books related to the show in some way. Finally, I made a spreadsheet and managed to track down and talk to more than 60 people, from former contestants to the original “letter turner,” Susan Stafford, who was wonderful to interview.
What surprised you most about the series from your research?
How often the show came close to cancellation. NBC daytime fell into third place in 1976 and stayed in that spot thereafter, so there were rating fluctuations in the first seven years or so. What saved it was even when it finished behind the competition on the other two networks at the time (CBS and ABC), it still was doing better than most of the rest of the lineup, so it survived. But barely, at points.
What was the toughest part to research?
It was trying to find information about Wheel 2000, the show’s Saturday morning version for children that lasted a year. I only found one person involved with the production who was willing to discuss it, and her answers were pretty short. I have a feeling it’s a disappointment to most of the participants, and they didn’t want to relive the experience.
Any favorite interviewees?
John Lauderdale was a longtime stage manager for Wheel who went back to creating the pilot in 1973. Retired now, he had plenty to say about what happened behind the scenes, some of what may surprise fans of the show. And when Pat Sajak left hosting the daytime version, his short-lived replacement was Rolf Benirschke. The latter has become the butt of a joke to some in the game show community, so I made sure to talk with him in depth and relay a lot of his life story, which is quite amazing to read.
Speaking of Pat Sajak, do you discuss the late night show he did in 1989 which caused him to leave the daytime version?
Yes I do, as well as Vanna’s abortive TV acting career. I get into the stars’ personal and professional endeavors outside the show to an extent to provide context of what Wheel of Fortune offered them and how they handled their success with the show.
What sort of contestants and winners did you interview?
They all had an interesting story to tell in one way or another. I talked with the first million dollar winner on the show. There was a man who got to play on the show a record eight episodes, and I talked with him to learn how that happened. One guy proposed to his fiancée during a taping of the show and years later became a contestant himself. I have stories going all the way back to the show’s first big winner, Judy Bongarzone, in 1976. I think people will get a kick out of hearing how they got on the show and their lives afterward.
So, the book is basically a narrative history then, correct?
Yes, but I also include two indices, one on the show’s achievements including Emmy nominations and awards, the other on what happened to key personnel involved in the show’s history at various times during the last half century.
Did you do the book after Pat announced he was retiring last year?
No. I secured the contract before that news came out. When it did, I said to myself, “Well, now I have the ending for the book!” I didn’t get to interview him, but I did hear from several former players who attended the taping of the 8,000th episode near the end of his tenure, and they all had great memories to share.
Anything else to add about the book?
I talked with almost all the surviving heads of daytime programming who oversaw Wheel of Fortune, so I think you’ll get a good overview of the history of what happened during that part of the broadcasting day during the 1970s through the present day.
购买假人民币（CNY），（微信：Scottbowers44）购买人民币 CNY，购买假人民币/RMB，假人民币 | 人民币，购买假人民币，购买假人民币
购买假美元/澳元/加元/人民币/欧元/人民币，购买假欧元钞票，购买假澳元，购买假加拿大元，购买假美元，在线购买假人民币，购买假人民币
购买假元，购买假的中国人元，WHATSAPP：+1 (725) 867-9567 购买假CNY 购买假人民币 购买假人民币 (Telegram：Zhaochen44 )
购买美元、人民币、(微信：Scottbowers44 ) 人民币和马来西亚林吉特等假币！详情请私信！
购买假美元和人民币！了解更多假币信息！购买假美元和人民币！探索更多！购买假币：美元和人民币。详情请私信！WHATSAPP：+1 (725) 867-9567 购买假币：美元、人民币、马来西亚林吉特等！详情请私信！
Telegram：https://t.me/buy_real_and_fake_passport
购买美元、人民币和马来西亚林吉特等假币！详情请私信！
专营高品质假币 购买假币：美元、人民币、人民币和马来西亚林吉特。您的假币首选！
购买假币。(微信：Scottbowers44) 购买假美元（USD），购买假人民币（RMB），((WhatsApp: +1 (725) 867-9567)) 购买假币（CNY），购买假马来西亚林吉特（MYR），购买假加拿大元（CAD），购买假澳元（AUD），购买假英镑（GBP），购买假欧元（EUR），购买假港元（HK）。(Telegram: +1 (725) 867-9567) 购买高质量、未经验证的纸币
微信：Scottbowers44
Telegram : https://t.me/buy_real_and_fake_passport
https://buyrealcurrency.com/product/buy-chinese-yuan-cny-renminbi/
在线购买固态硬盘化学溶液，购买固态硬盘化学溶液，固态硬盘化学溶液，（微信：Scottbowers44 ） 亚马逊固态硬盘化学溶液
在线购买固态硬盘化学品，购买固态硬盘化学品，购买J. Solution Chem，购买固态硬盘液体化学品，购买M-Chem Solutions LLC
固态硬盘溶液化学配方，固态硬盘通用溶液，我们购买固态硬盘，购买Z-Chem溶液，固态硬盘化学溶液价格 WhatsApp：+1(740)280-2019
在线购买护照（邮箱：authenticnotes5@gmail.com）、购买合法美国护照、购买中国护照、（微信：Scottbowers44）、购买加拿大护照、购买马来西亚护照、购买香港护照、购买台湾护照、合法生物特征护照、购买美国护照、购买欧洲护照、购买澳大利亚护照、购买在政府数据库中注册的护照、购买加拿大居留许可（RP卡）、获得美国公民身份和绿卡，我在哪里可以获得护照？ (WHATSAPP：+1 (725) 867-9567)，在线购买驾照，更新护照
购买托福、雅思、托业（微信：Scottbowers44），购买加拿大公民身份，购买美国公民身份，购买加拿大TCF、TEF、CELPIP、Celta证书，加拿大居留权，直接移民加拿大，购买驾照、身份证，购买美国绿卡（微信：Scottbowers44），购买社会安全号码 (SSN)、工作许可证，获取新身份证、国民保险卡、NIN、SIN，购买SSN，购买结婚证，购买出生证明。在线订购（微信：Scottbowers44）
您想以新的身份开启第二人生吗？保护您的隐私，建立新的信用记录，绕过犯罪记录检查，重获自由？ 微信：Scottbowers44
更多信息：
WHATSAPP：+1 (725) 867-9567
微信：Scottbowers44
邮箱：authenticnotes5@gmail.com
本公司在制作假护照和其他身份证件方面拥有多年经验。我们使用高品质的设备和材料制作假护照。我们精心复制真护照的所有秘密特征，以制作假证件。我们是优质假身份证件的最佳制造商。
更多信息：
WhatsApp：+1(740)280-2019
微信：Scottbowers44
邮箱：authenticnotes5@gmail.com
https://buyrealcurrency.com/
https://linktr.ee/counterfeitdocsforsale
https://buyrealcurrency.com/product/buy-fake-counterfeit-us-bills/
https://buyrealcurrency.com/product/buy-fake-us-dollars/
Buy Nembutal pentobarbital and Fentanyl,(Capsules,Liquid, powder and pills)- WhatsApp: +447401473736
We are reliable and trusted vendors of Nembutal (Pentobarbital Sodium).We have established an excellent reputation over the years by providing our customers with excellent quality/ purity Nembutal. We offer pleasant and professional shipping experience with 100% discreet packaging and delivery worldwide. Our warehouse is unlimited. We sell Nembutal in Liquid form(50ml, 100ml, 250ml bottles)and in powder form ranging from 25g,50g,100g, etc. If you are looking to buy Nembutal Online, do not look any further. We have provided the safest and most accurate methods to buy Nembutal online and our service can be offered worldwide. Distance is not a barrier when ordering from us. We continuously invest in our service and upgrade on a daily basis to meet up with the demands of our customers. For your orders and more information you can reach us in the various ways listed below
WhatsApp:+447401473736
Text:+447401473736
Telegram: @Ranko3222
Note: we ship Nembutal 100% discreetly and expedited all over the world and we have a returns policy that offers our customers maximum satisfaction. We are available 24 hours a day to answer all your questions and also show you samples as long as you prove to be serious customer.
We are determined to give truly painful people real hope and lasting rest. We sell Nembutal powder and Nembutal Solution(Injectable). Simply indicate your age and weight, we will be able to provide you with exact information on price, delivery and payment.
When you order Nembutal online from us, we keep a close eye on details. We want to be sure of the dosage that will certainly be effective. You can purchase Nembutal online without any prescription and collect the shipped package without having to sign any papers. Shipping and delivery usually take a maximum of 3 days. All you have to do is provide some health related facts (for dosage estimates)
SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY
Get IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, CPSO, Degree & other documents 100% WhatsApp: +447401473736
Get your Degree & Certificate without Exams and get the best results
We also issue fake & legal documents likes ( PASSPORT, ID CARD, DRIVING LICENSE, DEATH CERTIFICATE, BIRTH CERTIFICATE, IELTS, DEGREE, CPSO)and other documents as well. very authentic documents within a short time frame, for more information
Our large platform is a professional team committed to providing you with valid DALF, DELF, TCF, TEF, CELPIP, IELTS, PTE, Goethe & other language certifications without Exam. we provide Official Language certificate with registration into the database and also actual center stamps for customers interested in obtaining the certificates without taking the test.
1) Get exam materials to prepare you for upcoming test.
2) Renew your expired certificate without taking another test.
3) We also assist candidates to register for any of the above tests.
4) Obtain a certificate without taking the exam if you meet the requirement.
5) Follow our guide and change your failed results to a pass.
Email-: qualitybills-documents@hotmail.com
Telegram: @Ranko3222
WhatsApp: +447401473736
USE ANY OF THE ABOVE TO CONTATC IF ONLY YOU ARE 100% SERIOUS/ NO TIME WASTERS
Buy Nembutal pentobarbital sodium online,(Capsules,Liquid, powder and pills)- WhatsApp: +447401473736
We are reliable and trusted vendors of Nembutal (Pentobarbital Sodium).We have established an excellent reputation over the years by providing our customers with excellent quality/ purity Nembutal. We offer pleasant and professional shipping experience with 100% discreet packaging and delivery worldwide. Our warehouse is unlimited. We sell Nembutal in Liquid form(50ml, 100ml, 250ml bottles)and in powder form ranging from 25g,50g,100g, etc. If you are looking to buy Nembutal Online, do not look any further. We have provided the safest and most accurate methods to buy Nembutal online and our service can be offered worldwide. Distance is not a barrier when ordering from us. We continuously invest in our service and upgrade on a daily basis to meet up with the demands of our customers. For your orders and more information you can reach us in the various ways listed below
WhatsApp:+447401473736
Text:+447401473736
Telegram: @Ranko3222
Note: we ship Nembutal 100% discreetly and expedited all over the world and we have a returns policy that offers our customers maximum satisfaction. We are available 24 hours a day to answer all your questions and also show you samples as long as you prove to be serious customer.
We are determined to give truly painful people real hope and lasting rest. We sell Nembutal powder and Nembutal Solution(Injectable). Simply indicate your age and weight, we will be able to provide you with exact information on price, delivery and payment.
When you order Nembutal online from us, we keep a close eye on details. We want to be sure of the dosage that will certainly be effective. You can purchase Nembutal online without any prescription and collect the shipped package without having to sign any papers. Shipping and delivery usually take a maximum of 3 days. All you have to do is provide some health related facts (for dosage estimates)
SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY
A Truck Driver’s Heart: How JetWebHackers Restored My Hope and Saved My Family
Losing $78,000 to a scam crushed my soul. I felt helpless, broken, and drowning in despair. I worked so hard every day just to keep my family afloat, and suddenly, everything was gone — my dreams, my future, my hope. I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare with no way out. Then, I found JetWebHackers. They didn’t just recover my money—they gave me a reason to believe again. Within 48 hours, they tracked down the scammers and returned what I thought was lost forever. That moment, holding that money, was like a miracle. It’s changed everything for my family. They even gave me a blank ATM card, and I withdrew $55,000 to help us survive. It’s risky, yes — but for us, it’s been a lifeline when we needed it most. I’ll never forget how they pulled me out of darkness when I thought all was lost. If you’re struggling, if you’ve been scammed — don’t give up. Reach out. JetWebHackers gave me a second chance at life. They can do the same for you.
Contact now:
WHATSAPP: +1(763)357-2550
Website: [jetwebhackers.com]
Email: jetwebhackers@gmail.com
Telegram: @jetwebhackers
Please, take that step. Your life can change today.