Wheel of Fortune

Himself - Host / ... (6,060 episodes, 1983-2014)

Herself - Hostess / ... (6,045 episodes, 1983-2014)

Himself - Announcer (4,215 episodes, 1988-2010)

Originally, all contestants played just for one show. Starting with Season 7 in 1989, the returning champions rule was adopted. The Returning Champions rule allowed contestants to appear on the show for up to 3 days. Starting with Season 14 in 1996, the "returning champions" idea was reworked and replaced with a "Friday Finals" format. Three new contestants appeared Monday through Thursday, with the week's top winners returning on Friday (regardless if they were their show's top winner) to play for a jackpot prize package. However, when Season 16 started in 1998, all returning champs ideas were dropped and once again contestants played just for one show.

For Season 12, their 6th year recording at CBS Television City, the puzzleboard had its light border changed in the fall of 1994 to the spring of 1995, keeping the same frame. The new boarder features golden flashing lights. Later, when moving to Sony Pictures Studios for Season 13 in the fall of 1995, the board was changed to the one when Wheel is taping a show elsewhere in the United States. This board was used until February 1997.

In early 1990, this became the first game show to be closed-captioned.

Announcer: Created by Merv Griffin.

Host: Ladies and gentlemen... presenting... our new puzzle board. Oh, oh, oh! Oh, I'm all goosebumpy!

Announcer: [copyright screen appears/drumroll plays] "Wheel of Fortune" is produced by Columbia/Tristar Television. Distributed by KingWorld.