Wheel of Fortune Season 41 (and Celebrity S4) Discussion Thread

[mechamind]

Only two more weeks until the 41st season of Wheel of Fortune begins! It's going to be hard to top the last two seasons (S39 with its $100,000 wins and the return of Changing Keys, S40 with XL and some new theme weeks).

Celebrity Wheel could be a different story this time. It is also expected to start soon, though the WGA strike may affect the schedule. Tape dates and any cancellations are being posted on Buy A Vowel.

Of course we know, Pat Sajak will be retiring from the show after this season. Another thing to note is that the 7th episode of the season will mark 40 years since nighttime Wheel's debut! It's also 40 years since the introduction of the famous $5,000 space.

As usual, I'm hoping for something great to happen this season!

[Richie]

Two weeks for the civilian version to start?   Wow.  This was that fast man!

I heard that $40,000 is the mainstay minimum now?

[JayC]

^Yes, $40,000 is the minimum cash amount now. They're no longer doing the minimum matches the season number thing.

[imhomerjay]

That's for the best since that was a pointless waste.

[Richie]

The start of Season 41, and the puzzles in this maingame were very hard!   Even some of the popular letters were duds in several of these puzzles!

[whowouldeverhurtawhammy]

I thought that Vanna was going to be m.i.a. for a few shows because she was COVID-stricken...it seems they're airing that out of order.

On the other hand, it was nice to see a Million Dollar Bonus Round to start the season. Here's hoping a Million Dollar Winner will be crowned before Sajak completes the season...

[Trevor Tuominen]

They did push it back; I'm guessing they didn't want to start the season with a Vanna-less week.

[pannoni1]

It looks like Wheel is just standing "Pat" with the rules, Wheel layouts (including the BR), graphics/sound package, and the like for the final season. The MDW is still no longer held by a family member or friend in the audience at the start of the BR like it was pre-COVID as was established last season. Too bad our first Bonus Land contestant couldn't taste victory there.

[mechamind]

We went a full week without a cringe worthy Trip Puzzle. Even Monday and Friday didn't push it as far as I've seen in the past.

A HAPPY-GO-LUCKY GUY (Person)
ELVES AND HOBBITS (Characters)
THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (Title)
COFFEE-TABLE BOOK (Around The House)
DID I JUST SEE WHAT I THINK I SAW? (Phrase)

[JayC]

I do think the puzzle should have some kind of relation to taking a trip/vacation or the location though. Elves and Hobbits was a really random puzzle for a trip to Italy particularly.

We're off to an 0 for 5 start in the bonus round this season, with at least two going viral for not making sense as puzzles.

[Richie]

We're off to an 0 for 5 start in the bonus round this season, with at least two going viral for not making sense as puzzles.

The WHAT ARE YOU DOING Bonus puzzle was one of those two weird puzzles IMO.

I thought the contestant on Friday picked right with the category: FOOD and DRINK over THING and PHRASE.    Bellamie put the landmine in FOOD and DRINK.  Unbelievable.

[mechamind]

I don't know if I'd call it a "landmine" when all four of CDMA fill in half the puzzle. For the average player, it would look like a forced win.

[jude_este]

Per news sources that include Variety this afternoon, Vanna has settled her contract dispute and will remain as the co-host until 2026.

As other changes for the show, Alex Van Wagner (ABC's Shark Tank & Holey Moley, NBC’s The Voice, and NBCUniversal’s The Kelly Clarkson Show) is the show's new director following the retirement of Robert Ennis. And Maggie Sajak will be expanding her role as the show’s social media correspondent with a recurring “Fan Fridays” segment.

[PGS25]

7 shows in and NO bonus round win. WHY is this happening? This is unacceptable.

[mechamind]

7 shows in, and I think the Round 3 puzzle and the trip are now simply unrelated. There may be special weeks that do use themes in the future.