Wheel of Fortune timeline (syndicated)/Season 6

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A timeline for Season 6 of Wheel of Fortune, which aired in first-run from September 5, 1988 through June 16, 1989.

Season Changes[]

A "registered trademark" (®) symbol is added to the show's logo.
The Wheel is slightly changed:
- The $2,500 and $3,500 wedges are now in the Clarendon font.
- In Round 2, the "off-model" yellow $300 wedge covering Free Spin is changed to the Clarendon font, albeit shorter and narrower than the other wedges.
- The Prize wedges' lettering returns to normal.
As of this season, the slide whistle no longer sounds if Pat hits Bankrupt on the Final Spin.
The second and more familiar $25,000 sign debuts. This one, shaped like an elongated hexagon, is composed of green and blue light bulbs which give a "pulsating" effect.
Several weeks this season offer a $45,576 "Trip of a Lifetime" in the Bonus Round, which may be the most expensive vacation offered in the Bonus Round.
Starting this season, and lasting until at least Season 9, the show offers official T-shirts and sweatshirts to all contestants as consolation prizes. The shirts have the traditional logo with the Round 4 template as the Wheel part of the logo, with "I'm a Wheel Watcher!" under it.
When rerun on Game Show Network in the early 2000s, there are several anomalies:
- Consistent with reruns of other seasons prior to the introduction of returning champions, the season is aired in production order as some markets were still utilizing tapes and thus alternate air schedules. As a result, most episodes' original air dates are unknown, with most of the known ones having been confirmed by outside sources.
- Although the show had already become closed captioned by this point, no captions are present on the Game Show Network airings.
- There are several sound abnormalities, with many audio channels being muffled, distorted, unusual sound mixes being present (such as announcer only on the left channel and music only on the right), or sound being completely absent; whether any of these were present in original airings is still unknown.
- Many owners of the 1988 Mattel play-at-home game reported that it was still functional with Game Show Network's reruns.
On several episodes this season, the Wheel can be heard spinning during the opening; whether this was present in the original airings or was a result of Game Show Network's audio errors is unknown.

September 1988[]

September 5-26 is the New York Contest, During this contest:
- Viewers are shown partially-revealed puzzles during the closing segment and must submit their answers by the 26th. The winners receive a trip to New York to see the Radio City Music Hall tapings in late October. Because of these puzzles, the winning contestant does not appear with Pat and Vanna during the credits and the blanks from the contest puzzle can be seen during the credits (sometimes with the revealed letters turned to their "blank" sides but still lit up).
- A promo with Don Pardo airs during this period, using the same animated graphics as the upcoming shows themselves. Runners-up receive the new Wheel play-along game from Mattel (see Video games).
- Most references to this contest are edited out of Game Show Network reruns, although the partially-revealed puzzles can still be seen during the credits and some episodes leave in the rules crawl.
On September 5:
- M.G. Kelly becomes the show's announcer. During his tenure, he ad-libs on a number of occasions and frequently deviates from the "solve this puzzle and you win good ol' American cash that adds up to $25,000" line in the Bonus Round.
- No vowels are bought in Round 2.
- Pat pays tribute to Jack Clark after Round 2, although this appears to have been edited in.
- Round 4 (ROAST BEEF AND YORKSHIRE PUDDING) is the longest puzzle. This is the first known instance of this happening since the end of shopping.
- In the Speed-Up, Ann accidentally calls a letter during Jan's turn, which results in the buzzer sounding before Jan's five seconds have expired. Jan appeals to the show and is brought back later in the season due to this mistake.
- Constance sets a winnings record of $78,097: $36,000 cash and a $42,097 Corvette.
- In the Bonus Round, Constance calls E as her vowel, but the chyron briefly displays R by mistake.
- After Constance solves the bonus puzzle, the lights in the studio stay dimmed for a few seconds longer than usual.
- M.G. accidentally says "Gift certificates do not include sales tax" during the closing disclaimer.
On September 6:
- The value of the Round 2 Prize is in silver.
- The Round 4 Prize is a $10,800 Fred Joaillier gift certificate with which a gold unisex bracelet may be purchased.
- Same Name debuts in Round 4, with a trumpet fanfare preceding Pat's announcement of it being a new category. For the next several episodes, he comes up with joking non-examples of Same Name puzzles (such as "stretch and Groucho Marx") whenever the category appears.
- After the Bonus Round, M.G. appears on-camera while Pat and Vanna welcome him as the new announcer.
On September 7:
- There are two sets of repeated categories: People in Round 1 and the Bonus Round, Phrase in Rounds 2, 3, and 5.
- Ellen fills in the entire Round 1 puzzle CANCAN DANCERS by herself, albeit with a cycle of lost turns mid-round.
- After the last remaining letters are revealed in Round 1, Ellen's scoreboard changes from $2,300 to $26 before going entirely blank. It then comes back on (with the correct score of $3,650) while the camera is still focused on the puzzle board.
- Before the start of Round 3, Pat plugs the upcoming road show tapings in New York and mentions the contest as well.
- During Round 3, the third E in the puzzle FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE fails to light up. Vanna stands in front of it, apparently waiting for it to light up, then goes to turn the other E's, and only turns the still-unlit E when Pat tells her to. It lights up once Vanna has moved to her usual spot at the far end of the puzzle board.
- After Ellen solves the Round 3 puzzle, Pat mistakenly says her total so far is $5,700, when it is actually $7,000. Her scoreboard then shows $6,700 (with Gayle's not showing any money at all, when she had already won $8,900). Pat corrects Ellen's total before the start of Round 4.
- Rounds 4 and 5 are in the same segment for the first known time. From now until Season 8, there is no set pacing for shows in which five or more rounds are played.
On September 8:
- Colin returns due to an error on his first appearance (presumably in Season 5).
- During the Round 2 Prize description, the volume on M.G.'s microphone is turned too low. As there is a crossfade after he announces the value, it is very likely the copy was redone in post-production (as this has been confirmed to have happened multiple times during M.G.'s tenure).
- The chimes warble when the Round 2 puzzle is revealed.
- Pat and Vanna show off the new $25,000 sign at the end of the show.
On September 9:
- The Round 4 Prize is a $9,579 Jeep Comanche Pioneer.
- A trumpet fanfare plays before Pat announces that Round 4's category is Same Name. After this, Pat explains that the category debuted earlier in the week and an offstage voice (possibly Nancy Jones) can be heard verifying this.
- Round 4 (BENJAMIN AND ARETHA FRANKLIN) is the longest puzzle.
- Lynne spins over the Final Spin bells. She is allowed to complete her turn, after which Pat does the Final Spin.
On September 12:
- No vowels are bought in Round 1.
- The category chimes warble in Round 2.
- The Round 4 Prize is a $10,268 Fremarc antique furniture and fine china package.
- Once again, a trumpet fanfare sounds before Pat introduces Round 4's Same Name puzzle.
- Round 4 (MICHAEL J AND TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX) is the longest puzzle.
- Neither Bankrupt nor Lose a Turn is hit.
On September 13:
- Before the contestant interviews, Pat plugs the New York contest.
- There are two sets of repeated categories: Person in Round 1 and the Bonus Round, Phrase in Rounds 2 and 3.
- Round 1 is a very rare pre-Season 7 instance of a Person puzzle having a descriptive term (HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION MIKE TYSON).
- After the Round 4 puzzle is solved, the contestant backdrops show a reflection of the puzzle board being wheeled away.
- Rick sweeps the game but loses the precious metals package in the Bonus Round.
On September 14:
- No vowels are bought in Round 3.
- The Round 4 Prize is a Scat hovercraft.
- Neither Bankrupt nor Lose a Turn is hit.
On September 15:
- No vowels are bought in Rounds 1, 3, or 4.
- When Connie calls O in Round 2, the A's in the puzzle THERE'S NOTHING TO BE AFRAID OF ding and light up but quickly turn back off. Vanna turns the O's anyway, and they light up soon afterward (although the dings do not sound).
- Pat's Final Spin lands on Lose a Turn.
- The original Round 5 is thrown out but not fully edited out of the episode. The puzzle is revealed as a three-word Phrase, but changes to a one-word People (SIGHTSEERS) after the Final Spin. In addition, there is a noticeable crossfade before the Speed-Up split-screen appears.
The Game Show Network airings of the September 13-15 episodes leave the New York Contest rules intact during the credits.
On September 16:
- There are several long pauses during M.G.'s read of the Round 2 Prize, suggesting it may have been redone in post-production.
- Round 2 is a grammatically incorrect answer of NOTHING COULD BE FARTHER FROM THE TRUTH (should be "further"). Contestant Mary Lou is ruled incorrect for saying FURTHER, then turns in her Free Spin to give the answer as shown on the board.
- There is a very rare appearance of Quotation in the Bonus Round.
All five Bonus Rounds are lost on the week of September 12. This is the first known instance of an all-loss week in the show's history.
On September 19:
- Both Prizes (a pair of chairs and a cruise) are modeled by Vanna.
- The chimes warble when the Round 2 puzzle is revealed, as do the letter dings in the Bonus Round.
- Round 4 (RENDERED SPEECHLESS) has only one vowel.
On September 20:
- No vowels are bought in Round 1.
- The music cue "Buzzword", typically reserved for Bonus Round car wins, is used for the Round 2 Prize (a television with a neon frame).
- The Round 2 puzzle PRIME TIME TELEVISION is improperly punctuated ("prime-time" should be hyphenated).
- The Round 3 puzzle YOU SAY NEETHER AND I SAY NYTHER is the first of only two known instances of a puzzle using phonetic spelling.
- The Round 4 prize is a $12,793 Jeep Wrangler truck.
- Betsy begins to call a repeated R in Round 4, but she quickly changes to V. Pat consults the judges, and Betsy is credited with the V, although this call is possibly misheard as B. Because of this, the correct letter ding sounds, but the V in the puzzle does not light up until her letter call is confirmed by Pat.
- The Round 5 puzzle BIOLOGICAL CLOCK has none of the five most common consonants.
On September 21:
- The "only vowels remain" beeps do not sound in Round 3 until after contestant Elliot solves.
- The Round 4 Prize is a Sillinger inflatable boat, a Kawasaki jet ski, and a Bic Sport sailboard.
- Before introducing Round 4's Same Name puzzle, Pat references the previous two examples (MICHAEL AND JESSE JACKSON and MICHAEL J AND TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX).
- Round 4 (TOM AND CARRIBEAN CRUISE) is the longest puzzle.
- When introducing the $25,000 prize in the Bonus Round, M.G. says only "$25,000 in cash, Elliot. Go for it."
- Rounds 1, 2, and the Bonus Round are Thing(s).
- Although Elliot loses the Bonus Round, Pat has his fiancée come onstage anyway.
On September 22:
- For unknown reasons, the music track is absent from the Game Show Network airing.
- Rounds 1-3 and 5 are Phrase.
- Round 2 (SECURITY BLANKET) is categorized as Phrase instead of Thing.
- The Round 4 Prize is an Addictor Bambino boat.
- Contestant Hal incorrectly solves the Round 4 puzzle DUN AND BRADSTREET as DON AND BRADSTREET, but this is never noticed and does not affect the outcome.
On September 23, Pat's Final Spin lands on Bankrupt.
On September 26, contestant Carolyn solves the bonus puzzle RELAY RACE before the timer can start.
On September 27:
- Round 2 (PIZZA WITH ANCHOVIES) is inexplicably categorized as Things instead of Thing.
- Round 4 (LOVE IS LOVELIER THE SECOND TIME AROUND) is the longest puzzle.
- The Round 4 prize is an $11,275 Toyota Tercel hatchback.
- There appears to be a scoring error in Round 4: with David's score at $11,150, he calls a single M on $5,000. Pat can be heard saying "sixteen" then abruptly going quiet. On David's next aired spin, he calls an S on $900, and after the two S's are revealed, Pat announces his score as $17,800, as opposed to the correct $17,950 (and his scoreboard shows $17,800 also). David wins Round 4 with $18,850, rather than what should be $19,000. This is acknowledged and corrected in the final segment, when Pat and Vanna show cue cards noting David's misstated total (from after the Bonus Round) of $48,050, and his correct total of $48,200.
- According to a United Press International article, David is killed in an accident five days before the episode's airdate; the article also quotes a Merv Griffin Enterprises representative as saying that this is the first time in the show's history that this has ever happened.
On September 28:
- There are two sets of repeated categories: Phrase in Round 1 and the Bonus Round, Things in Round 2 and Thing in Round 3.
- During the closing chat, Pat and Vanna discuss the then-upcoming Bonus Round changes.
On September 29:
- The Round 1 puzzle DO YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR is inexplicably categorized as Quotation instead of Phrase.
- Against normal practice, the "only vowels remain" beeps are used in the Speed-Up. This is likely due to Kathy remaining silent after guessing the last consonant. After this, Varda calls an E and incorrectly adds AN to the puzzle IRATE CUSTOMER, and Sam solves without calling a letter.
On September 30:
- Round 1 (KNUCKLE SANDWICH) is categorized as Phrase instead of Thing.
- The Round 4 Prize is a $12,000 mink coat.
- The Bonus Round uses the original rules for the last time. The puzzle, FIRST PRIZE, is not solved.
- The Bonus Round timer beeps continue to sound for about three seconds after the time's-up buzzer.

October 1988[]

Sometime this month, the Used Letter Board changes from flip-down cards and a chalkboard to a dry-erase board. As a result, there are no longer tapping sounds during the Speed-Up.
On October 3:
- After the last consonant is called in Round 3, the Bankrupt slide whistle accidentally sounds instead of the "only vowels remain" beeps, which themselves sound immediately afterward.
- All of the puzzles are very short, with Round 2 (IRREGULAR HEARTBEAT) being the longest at only 18 letters.
- The Round 4 Prize is an $11,285 European cruise.
- The Bonus Round rules are changed. RSTLNE is now revealed at the outset, the contestant now provides three more consonants and a vowel, and the time limit is reduced to 10 seconds. THE VATICAN, the first puzzle under these rules, is solved for $25,000.
On October 5:
- The show tapes the new Bonus Round rules for the first time.
- Rounds 3 and 4 are in the same segment for the first time this season.
- Round 4 (IN THE PRIVACY OF YOUR OWN HOME) is the longest puzzle.
- Pat's Final Spin lands on Bankrupt.
On October 6:
- It is the 1,000th nighttime episode by taping order (taped August 17).
- No vowels are bought in Round 1.
- The Round 4 Prize is the same $10,292 travel trailer from April 28.
- Rounds 2, 4, and 5 are Phrase.
- Ten consecutive wrong letters are called in Round 5's Speed-Up with K as the only remaining consonant unrevealed in the puzzle THIS STEAK IS TOUGH.
- Maureen calls the last consonant in the Speed-Up and gives two wrong answers, after which Morris solves without calling a letter.
On an episode from the first week taped after the Bonus Round change (Vila/Scott/Maria):
- Round 2 (A PERSON OF CONSEQUENCE) is categorized as Person, a rare instance of the category also being in the answer.
- Rounds 3 and 4 are in the same segment.
- Pat's Final Spin lands on Bankrupt.
- For one of the only known times, there are three duplicate categories: Rounds 1 and 3 are Thing(s), Round 3 and the Bonus Round are Person, and Rounds 4 and 5 are Phrase.
- The "RSTLNE" portion of the Bonus Round chyron is much further to the left than the category name; usually, they are aligned with each other.
On an episode from the week of October 10 (Rhonda/John/Carolyn), Rounds 1-3, 5, and the Bonus Round are Thing.
On another episode from the same week (Shari/Tom/David):
- The Round 2 Prize includes food: specifically, pasta from Pasta Mama's, a shipment of citrus fruits from Hale Groves, cake mixes from Miss Grace, chocolate from Paron Chocolatiers, and coffee from Java Hut. M.G.'s copy runs for exactly one minute, one of the longest known for a Prize copy.
- Rounds 1-3 are Phrase.
- No vowels are bought in Round 4.
- Rounds 4 and 5 are both played in their own segments, with the latter beginning as a Speed-Up. As a result, the show ends after the Bonus Round.
On an episode from the week of October 10 (Diana/Judy/Dan):
- For the first known time, one of the text elements on a Prize wedge is written horizontally instead of vertically (in this case, the Round 2 Prize has "Cuff" written horizontally and "Links" written vertically).
- Dan loses $30,900 throughout the game, including $14,550 to a Bankrupt in Round 3 and $14,250 to a wrong letter in Round 4.
- In the final segment, Pat and Vanna promote the Moana Surfrider hotel, at which they stayed (apparently during a contestant search).
On October 12 (Karen/Jay/Jim):
- It is the 999th episode by taping order.
- For the first known time, a television offered as a Prize shows footage of the Wheel spinning. Televisions offered as Prizes continue to display footage of the show until late Season 19.
- The Round 4 Prize is a signed painting by LeRoy Neiman.
- Neither Bankrupt nor Lose a Turn is hit.
On October 13 (Duane/Ginni/Pam):
- Once again, the Round 2 Prize is a LeRoy Neiman painting.
- Round 4 is SECRET HIDING PLACE in the category of Place, a rare instance of the category also being in the answer.
- Round 5 (TO EACH HIS OWN) is categorized as Quotation instead of Phrase.
- Rounds 4 and 5 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
- Rounds 1, 3, and the Bonus Round are Phrase.
- The bonus puzzle SNAP YOUR FINGERS is one space further to the left than usual.
- Ginni calls her vowel first in the Bonus Round, and it is placed first on the chyron. This is the first known instance of a contestant calling letters out of order. For the rest of the season except where noted, the chyron reflects letters in the order called. This changes in Season 7 to always showing the vowel last before reverting in Season 14.
- Ginni solves the bonus puzzle before the timer can start.
- During the closing chat, Pat notices a fake cannon on-set (used to represent the "island vacation" offered in the Bonus Round) and asks a stagehand named Dennis to fire it. After this, a cloud of fake smoke appears at the cannon's head and a firing sound is heard.
On October 14 (Les/Colleen/Julie):
- The Round 2 Prize is a television and a collection of movies.
- The Round 4 Prize is a $12,000 mink coat.
- In Round 4, only three of the four "only vowels remain" beeps sound.
- The bonus puzzle THE PLOT THICKENS is the first instance under the "three more consonants and a vowel" rule of RSTLNE revealing more than half of the answer, a rarity since that rule's introduction.
- Pat and Vanna discuss the upcoming Wipeout Week during the closing chat.
October 17 is the first Wipeout Week. During this week:
- The transitions in the opening use a "clock hands" wipe instead of the star-shaped wipe.
- M.G.'s intro on the 17th is "Over [amount], just waiting to be won as we begin Wipeout Week on Wheel of Fortune!" As he says "Wipeout Week", the words "Wipe Out" spin on-screen in multiple colors while the intro of "Wipe Out" by The Surfaris plays. The animated logo also appears with a "clock hands" wipe before rolling off-screen.
  - If the Bonus Round is won, the contestant is allowed to return the next day, and the prize played for is no longer available. Red "WO" letters are placed on prizes won to indicate this.
  - For the rest of the week, the opening is to "Over [amount] left, just waiting to be won as we continue Wipeout Week on Wheel of Fortune!" as prizes are won and their values subtracted.
- All of this week's contestants draw numbers to determine their taping order. Footage of this is shown before the interviews.
- As was the case prior to Season 5, winning contestants' cumulative totals are shown on their backdrops after the last round.
- The intro of "Wipe Out" also plays in place of the usual cue if the Bonus Round is won.
On October 17, after Pat walks out, M.G. asks him to explain the premise.
On October 18:
- Vanna wears a suit.
- Rounds 1, 2, and 4 are Phrase.
- Round 4 (YOU ALWAYS WANT WHAT YOU CAN'T HAVE) is the longest puzzle.
- Peggy sweeps the game and wins $25,000 in the Bonus Round.
- Although Peggy calls her vowel third instead of last, the chyron puts the vowel in its normal position and leaves a gap for the third consonant.
On October 19, M.G. cracks up as the "Wipe Out" snippet plays during the intro.
On October 20:
- The Round 2 Prize is a Kawasaki motorcycle.
- Round 2 (HANGING GARDENS OF BABYLON) is categorized as Landmark, an unusual move given that there is no definitive proof they ever existed.
- Pat's Final Spin lands on Lose a Turn.
- After the Speed-Up, Pat says that Anne's two-day total is $53,239. Before the Bonus Round, he points out that it is actually $47,139, although this is still $1,000 over her actual total to that point.
- Round 3 and the Bonus Round are Title.
On October 21 (Myrna/Anne/Robbie Jean):
- No vowels are bought in Round 2.
- During the closing chat, Pat and Vanna hold up the red "WO" letters.
On October 24 (Tim/Karla/Kitty):
- No vowels are bought in Round 1.
- The Round 4 Prize is a $12,500 mink coat.
On October 25 (Pam/Kathi/Neal):
- Round 1 (SENATOR LLOYD BENTSEN OF TEXAS) is a rare pre-Season 7 instance of Person using a descriptive term for a famous person.
- Round 2 (BRONX CHEER) is categorized as Phrase instead of Thing.
- Pat does not announce the dollar amount before Kathi calls a B on $900 in Round 2, suggesting a possible edit.
- Twelve turns are lost in Round 2, ten of which are wrong letters.
- No vowels are bought in Round 2.
- Kathi calls her vowel in the Bonus Round before her third consonant and they are put on the chyron in that order.
On October 26 (Manuel/Cathy/Claire):
- Manuel fills in the entire Round 3 puzzle DON'T CRAMP MY STYLE by himself.
- Round 1-3 and 5 are Phrase.
- During the closing chat, Pat and Vanna discuss Vanna's then-upcoming role in the TV movie Goddess of Love.
On October 27:
- Michelle carries a plush koala with her as a good-luck charm. After she solves Round 2, Pat sets this on the Wheel and spins it.
- The Round 4 Prize is a $10,000 Fred Joaillier gift certificate; despite this, the round goes to Speed-Up after only two spins.
On October 28:
- Round 1 begins with five consecutive lost turns (four wrong letters and a Bankrupt).
- The Round 2 Prize is a trip to Caesars Palace, plus tickets to a boxing match between Sugar Ray Leonard and Donny Lalonde held on November 7.
- Anthony wins the game by calling only two right letters: one each on $2,500 and $3,500.
- Round 1 is Person and the Bonus Round is People, while Rounds 2 and 4 are Phrase.
On October 31:
- The Round 2 Prize is an RCA television, which displays looped footage of the Wheel spinning.
- The Round 4 Prize is a $12,600 Van Cleef and Arpels gift certificate with which a bracelet may be purchased. When throwing to M.G. for the Prize copy, Pat looks at the wedge upside-down and jokes that it says "telecarb", causing M.G. to laugh throughout the copy.
On a Fall episode (Nadia/Tricia/Betty):
- In an unusual move, both Wheel Prizes are mentioned in the intro. (The other is a $5,500 mink coat.)
- The Round 4 Prize is a $14,735 Chevrolet Corsica.

November 1988[]

On November 1 (Connie/Chris/Jani):
- Jani lands on Free Spin three times in a row in Round 1.
- After Jani calls a repeated C in Round 1, the buzzer sounds against precedent. Also, Pat forgets to ask her if she wants to use a Free Spin.
- The Round 4 Prize is an $11,725 Toyota Tercel. Despite a Prize being added, Round 4 goes to Speed-Up after only two spins.
- Jani fills in the bonus puzzle WHAT'S THE CATCH completely, the first instance of this being done. As a result, she solves it before the timer can start.
On November 2 (Louanne/Ann/Walt):
- Rounds 2 and 3 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
- Round 4 (ZIGZAGGING ALL OVER THE PLACE) is the longest puzzle.
- The day's winner, Walt Ruskoski, sets a winnings record of $90,095: $34,850 cash ($30,000 of it coming from a $5,000 Final Spin) and a $55,245 motorhome.
On November 3 (Cher/John/Susan):
- No vowels are bought in Round 1.
- Rounds 3 and 4 are in the same segment.
- Rounds 2, 4, and 5 are Phrase.
On November 4 (Wendy/Michele/Laura):
- The Round 4 Prize is a $12,500 chinchilla coat from Dicker & Dicker. There is a blue ring around the footage of Vanna modeling it.
- The audience is shown on-camera during the closing chat, one of the only known instances of this during the Burbank era.
On November 7 (Rob/Valerie/Martha):
- No vowels are bought in Round 2.
- The Round 4 Prize is a Jeep Comanche Pioneer.
- Rounds 1 and 4 are Thing(s), while Rounds 2 and 3 are Phrase.
- The second I in the bonus puzzle MIAMI BEACH FLORIDA fails to light up. This is not noticed until after Pat says "you have ten seconds, good luck", at which point two offstage voices can be heard saying "Another I" and Vanna turns it.
- Possibly because of this, Martha solves the above bonus puzzle before the timer can start.
On November 8 (Michael/Fran/Christie):
- The Round 4 Prize is an $11,000 Fred Joaillier gift certificate. There is a blue "halo" effect around the value.
- Fran wins the game with $10,500, earned entirely from a single spin landing on $3,500 in Round 3.
- During the closing chat, Pat and Vanna reveal the answers to the New York Contest puzzles.
On November 9:
- Six consecutive turns are lost in Round 2.
- The Round 4 Prize is a $10,000 Fred Joaillier gift certificate, with which a gold, diamond, and mother-of-pearl pin may be purchased.
- Contestant Randy wins despite failing to claim $13,450 (including the above Prize) in Round 4.
- Pat shows off a Free Spin boomerang in the closing segment.
On November 10 (Jack/Dan/Ellen):
- Rounds 3 and 4 are in the same segment.
- For the first time, a contestant (Dan) gets no help from his three more consonants and a vowel in the Bonus Round.
On November 11 (Dave/Susan/Dede):
- The Round 4 Prize is a $15,000 Dicker and Dicker marten coat.
- All three of the contestants also participate in an unaired test episode for the daytime version following Pat's departure from that version, with Jimmy Connors hosting the test episode in question.
The weeks of November 14 and 21 are the show's first set of travel episodes, taped at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on October 26-27. Changes for these weeks include:

The road show board.
- New set pieces are built for road shows, most of which are used until 1997. These include a diamond-shaped contestant backdrops, connected scoreboards that hold six digits and have the dollar sign directly next to the first digit, a new puzzle board, and a new Wheel frame.
- The road show puzzle board has a bigger frame than the "home" board. Also, the trilons are further apart, and unlike the "home" board, this one does not have the four extra unusable trilons in the corners.
  
  Really big money.
- The prize budget is higher than usual (the money graphics range from $268,000 to $342,000). Several of the prizes are placed on a second stage above the set.
- Each show opens with Vanna saying "I love New York!" followed by a montage of New York-related scenery at night, accompanied by a recording of "New York, New York" (from Leonard Bernstein's On the Town), with "It's a wonderful town" replacing "It's a hell of a town" from the original. Among the montage shots are: a fireworks show at the Statue of Liberty, the Times Square monitor reading "NEW YORK WELCOMES WHEEL OF FORTUNE", a graphic of Pat and Vanna appearing on the front page of a fictional newspaper called the Anytown Times with the accompanying headline "PAT & VANNA IN NEW YORK", the River Cafe, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the World Trade Center.
- The post-Round 3 commercial bumpers feature "Wheel of Fortune: Radio City Music Hall" (using the two-row logo) written in gold letters in the middle of an apple against a shot of the city's landmarks (such as the Manhattan skyline and the World Trade Center's Twin Towers as an airplane flies past, or the Rockefeller Center skating rink filled with skaters). Often, they will include zoom-ins or zoom-outs on the Times Square monitor from the intro.
- "Changing Keys" is played on the Mighty Wurlitzer organ during the intro and post-Round 2 commercial break. For the rest of the program, the regular version is used.
- Don Pardo announces, his only time doing a game show since the end of the original Jackpot in 1975. His spiel, complete with a new timpani roll when the venue is announced, starts with "From Radio City Music Hall in New York City, it's America's #1 game show!" over a flyover shot of the theater's exterior (containing the show's title on the marquee), which cuts to a shot of the theater's interior. The intro then uses a star wipe to a shot of the audience doing the chant. His spiel continues as normal, and ends with "Over [amount] in cash and prizes, just waiting to be won tonight as the Wheel takes Manhattan! And now, here's your host: Pat Sajak!", and the logo rolls away towards the right instead of just panning towards the right.
- For the first week, seven prizes are available in the Bonus Round: a $64,000+ Porsche 911 convertible, Toyota Supra, $37,000+ boat, $49,000+ "Shipboard Party", $50,000+ motorhome-van, some jewelry, and the $25,000. Four of the five Bonus Rounds are played for the Porsche, and three are won. For the second week, the Porsche and Toyota are replaced with a pair of his-and-hers Cadillacs while the Shipboard Party is replaced with tickets to "every sporting event in America".
- Most of the Wheel prizes are presented via footage of Vanna "shopping" in various upscale shops in New York City or otherwise visiting local landmarks.
- Except for November 15, Pat's opening spin does not use the overhead Wheel shot.
- Most of the four-digit chyrons during these tapings use commas.
- Several five-figure non-car Prize wedges are offered: a $15,000 mink cape on the 16th (Round 4), a $15,300 pair of watches on the 17th (Round 4), a $13,000 diamond bracelet on the 18th (Round 4), and a $15,200 diamond pin on the 21st. None are claimed.
- According to a Boston Globe article published October 31, the audience becomes restless as the tapings progress, going so far as to yell "move the cars" and "get that damn Porsche out of here" (referring to the platform in front of the set during the first week). At least half of the original audience departs before tapings conclude.
- The Wheel does not spin during the credits.
- Presumably due to the extra room on the Radio City Music Hall stage, the diamond backdrops behind the contestants are placed much farther away than they would be in later road shows.
- Several bumpers are used:
  - November 14-16, 18, and 25 after Round 3; November 23, after Round 2: the "Wheel of Fortune Radio City Music Hall" written inside an apple, against the Manhattan skyline
  - November 14, after Round 4; November 22, after Round 3: an animation panning down a street in New York, showing Vanna popping out of an apple, a lighted "Welcome to New York" sign, a taxicab, and the windows of a skyscraper turning like the board's trilons to spell out "WHEEL OF FORTUNE". (This animation was previously used in promotional ads for the New York Contest.)
  - November 17, after Round 3: a zoom-in on the Times Square monitor reading "NEW YORK WELCOMES WHEEL OF FORTUNE" (from the intro).
  - November 22, after Round 2: the Times Square monitor reading "WHEEL OF FORTUNE" (lacking the "NEW YORK WELCOMES") as it zooms out.
- Don's closing disclaimer is appended with "Production support provided by Radio City Music Hall Television Productions."
On November 14 (Meg/Dave/Matt):
- During Pat's intro speech, the Wheel can be heard spinning, so Pat asks the control booth to stop it.
- Dick Cavett makes a cameo after his name is the Round 3 puzzle. He returns at the end of the show to talk with Pat and Vanna, and stays to chat with the winning contestant during the credits.
- The value of the Round 4 Prize (a bangle from Van Cleef & Arpels) is in silver, a color not normally used by the chyrons.
- Round 3 and the Bonus Round are Person.
On November 15 (Andy/Shari/Sonia):

...Wow.
- The Round 2 Prize is accidentally placed over Lose a Turn when it is shown. By the first spin, it is moved to its proper spot.
- Jane Pauley makes a cameo after her name is the Round 2 puzzle.
- None of the puzzles have an S in them.
On November 16 (Regina/Donna/David):
- Vanna models the Round 4 Prize (the aforementioned mink cape) in front of the puzzle board.
- Pat's Final Spin lands on Bankrupt.
- Don can be heard groaning after David fails to solve the bonus puzzle APRICOT, followed by booing from the audience.
On November 17 (Amy/Bill/Mary Lou):
- After Pat does the opening spin, he complains that the Wheel needs to be oiled and "It's really noisy."
- The Round 2 Prize value accidentally uses the opening money graphic's font, with no comma.
- A Prize is added for Round 4, even though it goes to Speed-Up after only one spin.
- The trilon containing the A in the bonus puzzle MINK COAT squeaks when Vanna turns it.
- The camera is positioned too far to the right during the Bonus Round.
- Round 1 is Person while Round 4 is People.
On November 18 (Alan/Karl/Nikki):
- No vowels are bought in Round 1.
- There appears to be an edit after Nikki solves the Round 3 puzzle I DIDN'T SLEEP A WINK, as there is a long pause before Pat accepts her answer and the applause suddenly cuts out. In addition, Nikki seems to say I DIDN'T SLEEP A WEEK, but this is never noticed. This ruling ends up affecting the outcome.
During the week of November 14, every Round 1 puzzle is Person or People.
On November 21 (Jason/Denise/Jane):
- The shot of Radio City Music Hall in the opening is done at an angle.
- The Round 3 puzzle is RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL ROCKETTES, despite their official name not using "Music Hall". They then appear at the end of the round, in place of the commercial bumper. They then do another performance after the Bonus Round to "New York, New York".
- Rounds 3 and 4 are People.
- The ding does not sound when the K is revealed in the Round 4 puzzle ANTISMOKING GROUP.
- For the only time during the New York episodes, no Speed-Up is played.
- Denise solves the bonus puzzle BROADWAY just after the buzzer, but she is still credited with a win and the answer is never checked.
On November 22 (Tim/Steve/Sharon):
- Before Round 3, the organists perform the "Charge" fanfare at Pat's request.
- Before the closing chat, Don says, "And now, one of the great talents in television, Pat Sajak!"
- There are two sets of duplicate categories: Rounds 1 and 2 are Phrase, while Round 4 and the Bonus Round are Thing.
On November 23 (Joseph/Charlie/Lesia):
- In Round 1, only three of the four "only vowels remain" beeps sound.
- Round 4 (SOMETHING IS ROTTEN IN THE STATE OF DENMARK) is the longest puzzle. This is also the longest known puzzle to be used outside of Rounds 1-3, at 36 letters.
- Five rounds are played with Round 3 in its own segment.
- The trilon containing the second A in the bonus puzzle GOING BANANAS squeaks when Vanna turns it. This is the same one that did this on the 17th.
- There are two duplicate categories: Rounds 1 and the Bonus Round are Phrase, while Round 2 and Round 5 are Thing.
On November 24 (Rubin/Father Joe/Lorraine):
- Debbie Reynolds makes an appearance after her name is the Round 2 puzzle.
- After Round 3, Pat mentions that the contest winners were flown in, and they are shown prior to break.
- Once again, the same trilon (this time containing the R in the bonus puzzle THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT) squeaks when it is turned during the Bonus Round.
- The camera is positioned incorrectly during the Bonus Round, cutting off the top and right of the puzzle board.
- The dings in the Bonus Round sound before any of the letters revealed by the three more consonants and a vowel light up.
On November 25 (Martha/Linda/Willie):
- After walking out, Pat thanks the two Wurlitzer organists, who once again play the "Charge" fanfare at his request.
- Vanna wears a suit.
- Willie gets three consecutive Free Spins in Round 1. He uses two of them after making two incorrect guesses on the puzzle KENNY AND ROY ROGERS with only the K unrevealed, and solves correctly after getting the third.
On November 28 (Karol/Sandra/Tim):
- The Round 4 Prize is a $15,415 set of bedroom furnishings.
- The category chyron becomes much thinner after Round 4 goes to Speed-Up.
On November 29 (Pamela/Robin/Chet):
- Pat makes several jokes about the Shipboard Party after he walks out. This would suggest that this is its first appearance in the prize rotation, which in turn would indicate this was taped prior to the New York shows.
- Rounds 1 and 2 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
- In a rather rare occurrence, Round 4 (A TIME TO BE BORN AND A TIME TO DIE) is the longest puzzle.
On November 30 (Martha/Cindy/John), five rounds are played with Rounds 3 and 4 in the same segment.

December 1988[]

On December 1 (Rick/Diane/Pamela)
- Rounds 1, 2, and the Bonus Round are Thing(s), while Rounds 3 and 4 are Phrase.
- For the first time since the three consonants and a vowel rules are introduced, E is the only vowel in a bonus puzzle (BEEF JERKY).
- There is a stock audience groan after Pat tells Pamela that her three more consonants and a vowel do not reveal any more letters in the bonus puzzle.
On December 5 (Todd/Pam/Lydia), the slide whistle sounds in Round 1 as Todd's second spin slows down on Bankrupt but just barely clicks over to the neighboring $350.
On an episode sometime around this time (Emerald/Chris/Janice):
- Six consecutive turns are lost with only the O and L missing from the Round 3 puzzle WHICH OLD WITCH THE WICKED WITCH.
- The Bonus puzzle CANADIAN BORDER is categorized as Thing instead of Place.
On December 12 (Sandra/Jon/Anne), all of the puzzles are very short, with Round 4 (GRASP THE SITUATION) being the longest at only 17 letters.
On December 13 (Bob/Joe/Carol):
- No letters are revealed in the Round 3 puzzle GO AHEAD MAKE MY DAY until the seventh turn.
- The Round 4 Prize is a $12,751 Eagle Summit.
- The timer continues to run for about five seconds after the time's-up buzzer, and the chyron does not disappear until after the answer is completely revealed.
On December 16 (Vivian/Susan/David):
- The Round 4 Prize is a $12,000 etching by Pablo Picasso. When describing the prize, M.G. makes a somewhat off-color quip: "Now you can truthfully say 'come up and see my etching sometime'."
- David sweeps the game but loses $25,000 in the Bonus Round.
During the week of December 19, the puzzle board is decorated with holly leaves on the center and edges of its frames, and large candles on either end.
On an episode from the week of December 19 (April/Mary/Arun):
- The Round 4 Prize is a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. A rendition of "Jingle Bells" plays under M.G.'s copy.
- Mary solves the bonus puzzle EGGNOG despite getting no help from her extra letters. This is the first instance of this happening.
On an episode from this week (Hal/Patt/Carol), Round 1, 4, and the Bonus Round are Place(s).
On an episode from this week (Karen/Dawn/Ginger), neither Thing nor Phrase is used in the main game.
On another episode from the above week (Marilyn/Sandi/Jon):
- The applause machine is used on its loudest setting after M.G. describes each prize in the intro, as opposed to a lighter setting and/or the "ooh" tracks.
- The Round 2 Prize value does not have a comma, but the Round 4 one does.
- Five rounds are played, with Round 3 in its own segment.
- In Round 5, after Jon calls L, his scoreboard briefly displays $15,000 before correcting to $15,600.
- Rounds 3, 5, and the Bonus Round are Thing.
On December 23 (Jan/Don/Eric):
- The Round 1 puzzle APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS is inexplicably categorized as Things instead of Place.
- Round 4 is a Same Name of VANNA AND SNOW WHITE.
- Round 1 is Things, while Rounds 3 and 5 are Thing.
- In the final segment, Pat gives an intentionally off-key rendition of "White Christmas" while Vanna accompanies him on a piano.
Reruns air during the week of December 26.

January 1989[]

Several episodes from this point onward do not have exact air dates known, due to the show airing considerably out of production order.
Likely by the midseason break, the following changes are made:
- One of the turntables is retired.
- One of the rugs is changed to have a nearly identical design to the other.
- Four-digit chyrons revert to using commas.
On an episode around this point (Jim/Debbie/Ken):
- Debbie fills in the entire Round 2 puzzle RUGGED INDIVIDUALIST by herself.
- The Round 3 puzzle WE HAVE WAYS OF MAKING YOU TALK is on the second through fourth rows of the board.
- Winning contestant Jim's father joins Pat and Vanna for the closing chat.
On an episode around this point (Pat/Laura/Otis), Rounds 1, 2, and 4 are Phrase.
On an episode around this point (Monica/Marlene/Alison):
- Round 1 (TED KOPPEL) is shorter than ten letters.
- No vowels are bought in Round 3.
- Pat's Final Spin lands on Lose a Turn.
- All of the puzzles are very short, with Round 3 (SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS) being the longest at only 19 letters.
On an episode around this point (Pam/Sarina/Lois), Round 3 (SOMEONE'S IN THE KITCHEN WITH DINAH) is categorized as Title instead of Quotation.
On an episode in January or early February (Eileen/Irene/Ray):
- Rounds 2, 3, and 4 are Phrase.
- During Round 3, the trilon containing the B in the puzzle WINNER BY A UNANIMOUS DECISION turns off as Vanna is turning it, then turns back on moments later.
- Round 4 (RAZZMATAZZ) is a rare instance of a one-word Phrase. It also has only one vowel, and four Z's in it.
- Sixteen wrong letters are called in Round 4, nine of which are consecutive. One of these is an I that is called after the A, due to Pat never telling the contestants that no more vowels remain. Finally, Ray calls the four Z's at $5,000 each and solves.
On another episode from the above timeframe (Arnie/Judy/Valerie):
- Six consecutive turns are lost in Round 3.
- Rounds 1 and 4 are played entirely by the contestant who began them.
- The buzzer does not sound on an incorrect letter in Round 5, and the Final Spin bells sound immediately afterward.
- Pat's Final Spin lands on Bankrupt twice. His third attempt lands on $1,500.
- Arnie jokingly asks to play for Vanna in the Bonus Round. After he says that he actually wants to play for $25,000, M.G. replies, "I was getting ready to tell him about Vanna!"
- The bonus puzzle THE WINDS OF WAR is one space further to the left than usual.
On another episode from the above period (Bill/Gail/Carolyn):
- The Wheel's automation can be heard during the opening.
- Rounds 1, 2, and 5 are Phrase.
- Pat forgets the apostrophe in Round 5 until someone notifies him from offstage.
- Against normal practice, the audience applauds during the first three turns of the Speed-Up. On the fifth turn, a single audience member can be heard clapping.
- Carolyn mispronounces the bonus puzzle MILAN ITALY as "MILL-in", then "MY-lun". After time expires, Pat explains that her answer will be reviewed during the commercial break. In the final segment, the puzzle is shown again in close-up before he tells her that her pronunciations are not acceptable.
On yet another episode from the above period (Hal/Joy/Sherril), contestant Joy wins his-and-hers cars in the Bonus Round, but tells Pat that she wants the one designated "His". As a result, Pat switches the signs in front of each car. Joy finds a Free Spin token on the car seat.
On still another episode from the above period (Eunice/Polly/Michelle):
- Michelle returns due to an error on her first appearance.
- Rounds 3 and 4 are played in the same segment, with $5,000 added in Round 5.
- There are two sets of repeated categories: Phrase in Rounds 1 and 5, Things in Round 3 and the Bonus Round.
- The Round 4 Prize is a $15,000 Dicker & Dicker mink cape.
- Round 5 inexplicably goes to Speed-Up with only one consonant (W) missing from the puzzle WELL IN ADVANCE, even though finishing without a Speed-Up would have taken considerably less time.
- The shot of the Speed-Up puzzle is cropped as tightly as possible, a practice that was abandoned at the beginning of Season 5.
- Michelle plays the bonus round for a $77,000 annuity, and wins it. Her final total is $87,450.
On an episode around this point (Ellen/James/Robert), the bonus puzzle ASPARAGUS is one space further to the left than usual.
On January 9 (Ray/Debbie/Jo Deen):
- Pat lets contestant Jo Deen name her children after she solves Round 2, since she did not get to do so during the interviews.
- Tom Smothers makes a cameo after Round 3 and performs yo-yo tricks as his character Yo-Yo Man.
- Pat's Final Spin lands on Lose a Turn. His second attempt lands on $5,000.
- Rounds 3 and 4 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
On January 11 (Marlene/Ron/John):
- The Round 4 prize is a $12,500 fur coat.
- Round 3 is in its own segment with Rounds 4 and 5 in the same segment.
- Marlene wins with $20,000, all claimed in the Speed-Up, thanks to a total of four letters found in two turns (two R's and two N's).
On January 12 (Monica/Sheila/Alec):
- Six rounds are played, with Round 3 in its own segment. Unusually, Round 6 is also in its own segment meaning that Pat and Vanna sign off immediately after the Bonus Round. This seems to catch Pat off-guard, as he draws out Monica climbing into her car before abruptly signing off. Despite this, the Game Show Network airing edits in a commercial break between the sign-off and credits.
- When M.G. describes the Corvette being played for in the Bonus Round, the word "CHEVROLET" appears in white text on the chyron, and the last shot of the car features a blue "halo" effect.
- All of the puzzles are very short, with Round 3 (EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY) being the longest at only 19 letters.
On January 18 (Lisa/Steve/Candy):
- The Wheel's automation can be heard during the opening.
- There are two sets of repeated categories: Phrase in Rounds 1 and 4, Thing in Rounds 2 and 5.
- Round 3 is in its own segment, with Rounds 4 and 5 in the same segment.
- Rounds 3 and 5 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
- The Round 4 prize is a $12,751 Eagle Summit DL sedan.
- Steve plays the Bonus Round for a $77,000 annuity and wins it. His final total is $85,926.
- Steve solves the bonus puzzle JUGGLER before the timer can start.
On January 20 (Elena/Tracy/Pete):
- Two of the contestants have good-luck charms: Elena has a blue baseball cap and Tracy has a plush frog wearing sunglasses.
- Rounds 3 and 4 are played in the same segment, with $5,000 added in Round 5.
- The Round 4 prize is a $13,620 7-day automobile tour of Europe from Trans Global Travel.
- Rounds 4 and 5 are Quotation.
On January 25 (Rich/Judi/Relda):
- There are two sets of repeated categories: Phrase in Rounds 1 and 3, Thing in Rounds 4 and 5.
- Round 3 is in its own segment with Rounds 4 and 5 in the same segment.
- The "only vowels remain" beeps do not sound in Round 4.
- Pat's Final Spin lands on Bankrupt.
- During the Speed-Up, Relda attempts to solve on the buzzer, and Pat refuses to comment on her answer. Moments later, Rich gives the same guess as Relda (MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION) and is ruled correct. After the round, Pat says they will check Relda's answer. Following the break, Pat says that the buzzer beat Relda "by about a third of a second".
- Rich plays the Bonus Round for a $77,000 annuity and wins it. His final total is $89,600.
On January 26 (Don/Lori/MJ), no vowels are bought in Round 1.
On January 31 (Andrea/Rhonda/Mike):
- All of the puzzles are very short with Round 3 (ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS) being the longest at only 17 letters.
- The bonus puzzle ONION is both the second known to be only five letters long, the first under the "three more consonants and a vowel" rule, and one of only two known instances of RSTLNE revealing every consonant in a bonus puzzle.
- Mike solves the above bonus puzzle despite getting no help from his extra letters.

February 1989[]

On February 1 (Dennis/Carol/Lisa):
- The Round 4 Prize is an $18,032 Chevrolet Sportside.
- Round 4 (OH BRING BACK MY BONNIE TO ME) is the longest puzzle.
- The O in the bonus puzzle POLICE CAR accidentally lights up while Vanna is revealing RSTLNE, but it turns back off.
- Dennis sweeps the game and wins $25,000 in the Bonus Round.
February 6 is the second and final Wipeout Week, played identically to the first. Pat obviously has a cold throughout, as he sounds congested and can occasionally be heard coughing and sniffling.
On February 6 (Sue/Terrie/Ed), Sue solves the bonus puzzle CHECK LIST before the timer can start.
On February 7 (Susan/Ken/Sue):
- No vowels are bought in Round 1.
- Pat mishears Ken's accidental call of N as an M in the Bonus Round, and prompts the contestant for a vowel. Unlike most other accidental RSTLNE calls in the Bonus Round, the chyron instead displays the contestant's vowel (O) in the third position while a voice can be heard correcting this. Pat asks the contestant for a third consonant, which then appears after the O.
On February 8 (Ken/Chris/Eugene):
- Pat almost forgets to show the footage of the contestants drawing numbers until after Round 1 is revealed.
- No vowels are bought in Rounds 1 or 4.
- Chris solves the Round 4 puzzle GOOD MORNING AMERICA with only the R's and N's revealed.
- Round 5 (QUE SERA SERA WHATEVER WILL BE WILL BE) is the longest puzzle.
- The shot of the bonus prize (a sport boat and Chevrolet pickup) appears to be edited in, as due to the size of the two, the entire Wheel is in the shot without Pat or the contestant being seen.
On February 9 (Lynne/Carol/Eugene):
- Vanna is wearing red, but the category chyrons are brownish-orange.
- The Round 4 Prize is a $12,500 mink coat. There is a blue "halo" around the footage of Vanna modeling it.
- Six rounds are played, with Rounds 3 and 4 in the same segment.
- Rounds 5 and 6 (LOLLIPOP and COLD AS ICE) are both shorter than ten letters. The former has none of the five most common consonants and only two unique consonants, tying the record for least in a main-game puzzle. Despite this, no vowels are bought in that round.
- Lynne solves the bonus puzzle MOTION PICTURE before the timer can start.
On February 10 (Lynne/Dana/Linda)
- Round 2 (THE CRIMSON TIDE OF ALABAMA) is categorized as People instead of Nickname.
- Round 3 (SITUATION NORMAL ALL FOULED UP) is the only known instance of a puzzle using a bowdlerized term in order to avoid profanity.
- Rounds 1, 2, and 4 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
- Linda solves the Round 5 puzzle LETTING OFF STEAM with only the T's and N's revealed.
- No wrong letters are called.
On February 14 (Holly/Ron/Susie):
- The Round 4 Prize is a $14,000 Van Cleef and Arpels gift certificate.
- Six rounds are played.
On February 16 (Sandy/Jodie/Vallie):
- Five rounds are played, with Round 3 in its own segment.
- The Round 4 Prize is a $13,400 Fred Joaillier gift certificate with which a topaz bracelet may be purchased.
On February 17, M.G. announces for the last time.
On February 20 (Renee/Carol/Damon):
- Charlie O'Donnell permanently returns as announcer. Strangely, no mention is made on-air of the change.
- Six consecutive turns are lost with only the B's missing from the Round 2 puzzle MARLA GIBBS.
- Marla Gibbs makes a cameo after the above puzzle. She appears again at the end of the episode and Pat mentions the episode of 227 on which Gibbs' character, Mary Jenkins, appears on Wheel.
- Ten wrong letters are called in the Speed-Up.
- Round 2 and the Bonus Round are Person while Round 4 is People.
- Some shots of the Wheel spinning appear to have been shortened, possibly due to Marla's appearances and/or the longer Speed-Up round.
On an episode believed to have aired on February 21 (Rich/Pattie/Stacy), the Round 4 Prize is an $11,958 Toyota Tercel.
On February 22 (Bo/Brad/Margaret), Margaret carries a blue plush dinosaur with her as a good-luck charm.
On February 23 (Caroyln/Jennifer/Todd), all of the puzzles are very short, with Round 3 (THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS) being the longest at only 19 letters.
On February 27 (Barbara/Lisa/Larry), Before & After debuts in Round 1. The "Charge" fanfare plays when Pat refers to it as a brand-new category.

March 1989[]

On March 1 (Michael/Teri/Lee):
- No vowels are bought in Rounds 2 or 4.
- The Round 4 Prize is a $10,000 Fred Joaillier gift certificate.
On March 3 (Malcolm/Jane/Jan):
- Jan (see September 1988) is brought back due to the aforementioned error on his original episode.
- The Round 4 Prize is an $11,213 Jeep Wrangler.
On March 6 (Lisa/Chuck/Cris), the Round 1 puzzle THE MARDI GRAS IN NEW ORLEANS has a redundant "the" at the beginning.
On March 8 (Donn/Rachel/Jackie):
- The Wheel's automation can be heard during the opening.
- Rounds 2, 4, and the Bonus Round are Phrase.
- During Pat's explanation of Before & After before Round 3, he gives a punny non-example of it ("Down Under Pants").
- The Round 4 Prize is a $14,000 Van Cleef & Arpels gift certificate.
On March 9:
- Before & After and Same Name are used in the same show for the first time (Rounds 2 and 5, respectively).
- Contestant Amy's post-Bonus Round total appears on a gray rectangle.
On an episode after Charlie's return (Kathy/Shelly/Lee), the Round 4 Prize is a $12,507 Chevrolet S-10. The value is in yellow, a color not commonly used by the chyrons at the time.
On an episode around this point (Ollie/Connie/Lori):
- Every puzzle except for Round 1 is Phrase.
- Round 3 (THE KINGDOM THE POWER AND THE GLORY) is categorized as Phrase instead of Quotation.
- During the closing chat, Pat and Vanna discuss the upcoming Family Week.
On another episode around this point (Charles/Sherrie/Karen):
- Round 5 and the Bonus Round are Title.
- Pat and Vanna do the closing chat from Charlie's booth, and Charlie gives them both Wheel of Fortune hats.
On an episode sometime after Charlie's return (Jeff/Leslie/Karen):
- The Wheel can be heard spinning during the intro.
- Vanna's dress is the same shade of green as the "unused" spaces on the puzzle board.
- The footage of the Round 2 Prize (a mink coat) features a gray "halo" effect.
- The Round 4 Prize is the same $10,424 Hi-Lo travel trailer that has appeared on other episodes this season.
- Round 4 (YABBA-DABBA-DOO) has none of the five most common consonants and only three unique ones; it is also incorrectly hyphenated.
- No letters are revealed in Round 4 until the sixth turn, and eleven wrong letters are called.
- Round 4 inexplicably goes to Speed-Up with only one consonant (the B's) remaining.
- Karen sweeps the game but loses $25,000 in the Bonus Round.
- Karen accidentally says a profanity when attempting to solve the bonus puzzle FANCY THAT, which is censored by the "cuckoo" from The $25,000 Pyramid.
- The Bonus Round chyron does not disappear until after the answer is fully revealed.
- Unusually, Pat and Vanna do the closing chat from the puzzle board.
On another episode sometime after Charlie's return (Jim/Jeannette/Tammi):
- Five rounds are played, with Round 3 in its own segment.
- Rounds 1, 3, and 5 are Phrase
- After contestant Jeannette solves the Round 3 puzzle ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE, Pat comments "Damn nice job on that one!"
- Pat's Final Spin lands on Bankrupt.
- The letter dings are accidentally used on the first turn of the Speed-Up.
- There is a very rare appearance of Quotation in the Bonus Round.
On March 16 (Jack/Laura/Dottie):
- The Round 2 puzzle WILLIAM TELL-OVERTURE is incorrectly hyphenated.
- Six rounds are played.
- All of the puzzles are very short, with Rounds 2 and 3 (the latter being A MUCH-NEEDED VACATION) tied for the longest at only 19 letters.
On March 20 (Harriet/Robert/Shelly):
- Round 1 (ATTENTION GETTER) is categorized as Phrase instead of Person; it is also improperly punctuated, as it should be hyphenated.
- Harriet fills in the above puzzle entirely by herself, while Rounds 2 and 3 are also filled in before being solved.
On March 21 (Judy/Frank/Alfred), Vanna brings out the $2,500 wedge during the closing chat to show that it is the same color as her dress.
On another episode from the above timeframe (Warren/Donna/Andrea), the chyron of the Round 4 Prize's value has a blue box surrounding it.
On another episode from the above timeframe (Yvonne/Stephanie/Joy):
- After solving the Round 1 puzzle DAMN AND NEW YORK YANKEES (Same Name), Pat chides Stephanie for hesitating to solve, saying "I know, I have a hard time saying 'Yankees' too".
- Rounds 3 and 4 are played entirely by the contestants who began them, although a Free Spin is used in Round 4.
- In the final segment, Pat and Vanna promote the Westin Hotel in Chicago, at which they stayed (apparently during a contestant search).
- On this episode, "Hotel accommodations and interview facilities in Chicago provided by THE WESTIN HOTEL CHICAGO" appears between the sponsor list and wardrobe plugs on six lines.
On an episode around this point (Maxie/Penny/Steve):
- No vowels are bought in Round 1.
- In Round 1, and three times in Round 2, Pat does not ask Penny if she wants to use her Free Spin. She uses it in Round 3, again without Pat asking.
- Six consecutive turns are lost in Round 2.
- In Round 4, Maxie asks to buy a repeated O while Pat is being told that no more vowels remain. Pat asks what should be done, and the O call is disregarded.
- During the credits, footage is shown of a "goofy hat contest" that the staff held before the taping.
On an episode in this timeframe (Lori/Dianne/Teri):
- Vanna wears a suit.
- No vowels are bought in Round 1.
- The Round 4 Prize is a diamond ring. Strangely, one of the Bonus Round Prizes is also a diamond ring.
- Round 4 (PARKING LOT TICKET VALIDATION) is the longest puzzle.
- The letter dings are accidentally used on the first two turns of the Speed-Up.

April 1989[]

Around this point, many episodes have Wheel Prizes above $10,000; likely to balance this out, many of these episodes also have considerably shorter puzzles than normal.
On April 3 (Tammie/Janice/Randy):
- Vanna wears a shirt and pants.
- Round 1 is this season's first appearance of Nickname.
- The Round 4 Prize is an $11,000 Fred Joaillier gift certificate.
On April 4 (Wendy/Denise/Mark):
- The Wheel spins very slowly in the intro.
- Pat's Final Spin lands on Bankrupt.
- The Round 4 Prize is the same $10,424 Hi-Lo travel trailer that has appeared on other episodes this season.
- Wendy is visible in the shot of the board during the Bonus Round.
On April 6 (Kelli/Rochelle/Rob), Round 4 (NOBEL PRIZE-WINNING NOVELIST) is the longest puzzle.
On April 7 (Liz/Victor/Leo):
- For the only known time, two puzzles are misspelled: Round 2 CHARLIE AND AMERICAN PRIDE (should be "Charley") and the Bonus Round GOOD WILL AMBASSADOR (should be "goodwill").
- Rounds 1, 4, and 5 are Thing.
On April 13 (Sallie/Wendy/Cheyney):
- In Round 2, contestant Cheyney calls N on $2,500, but when asked by Pat to repeat his call, he changes to D. This is never noticed, although it does not affect the outcome as he calls N on his next turn and does not solve the puzzle.
- The Round 4 Prize is a $10,000 savings bond.
- There are two duplicate categories: Round 1 is People, Round 4 is Person, and Rounds 2 and 4 are Phrase.
- All of the puzzles are short, with Round 5 (WORTHY OF ATTENTION) being the longest at only 17 letters.
On April 18 (Fred/Fran/Betty):
- During Round 3, eleven turns are lost, five of which are consecutive. Additionally, no letters are revealed until the sixth turn.
- In the final segment, Pat and Vanna plug the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, Arizona, at which they stayed (apparently during a contestant search).
On April 20 (Carrie/Steven/Richard):
- Pat's Final Spin lands on Bankrupt.
- After Pat's second Final Spin, the Speed-Up bells sound a second time before Richard calls a letter.
- A diamond-shape wipe is used when Charlie describes the his-and-hers cars played for in the Bonus Round.
- Richard accidentally calls T in the Bonus Round, and it briefly appears on the chyron before he picks another letter.
- Richard solves the bonus puzzle ACT YOUR AGE before the timer can start.
On April 21 (Steve/Nilou/Nancy), the Round 4 Prize is a $12,000 Fred Joaillier gift certificate. Its value is in yellow, a color not normally used by the chyrons at the time.
On April 24 (Sue/Susan/Vince):
- The Round 4 Prize is an $11,500 Fred Joaillier gift certificate with which a gold and diamond bracelet may be purchased.
- Landmark makes only its third known appearance in the Bonus Round.
- Contestant Vince guesses TOE ACROPOLIS and TIE ACROPOLIS on the bonus puzzle THE ACROPOLIS without ever giving the right answer. This moment has been recalled by many fans.
On April 27 (Elaine/Dedra/Kenneth):
- Round 1 (FOREIGN INTRIGUE) is incorrectly categorized as Phrase instead of Title.
- There is a red "halo" effect around the footage of the Round 4 Prize (a grand piano).
On an episode likely from this month (John/Greg/Diana):
- The Round 4 Prize is a $14,000 Van Cleef and Arpels gift certificate.
- The bonus puzzle PEEKABOO is a rare instance of a one-word Phrase.
On an episode around this point (Vinnie/Ann/Elinor):
- Round 2 is the first known appearance of Events.
- The Round 4 Prize is an $11,000 Van Cleef and Arpels gift certificate.
Around this point, and continuing through the end of the season, most four-digit values on the chyron once again stop using commas.
One episode from the 31st production week (during which the April 27 episode was taped) appears to have been skipped by Game Show Network.
On an episode likely from this month (Karen/Judi/Marlene):
- When contestant Karen buys an I in Round 3, the third I in the puzzle I'M GONNA WAIT TILL THE MIDNIGHT HOUR fails to light up and is not turned. Pat points this out after her next spin and asks Vanna to turn it, although it does not light up. Later in the round, the W in the same puzzle also fails to light up after being turned. Neither letter lights up until the puzzle is solved.
- The Round 4 Prize is a $12,391 Buick Skyhawk. There is a blue "halo" effect around the shot of it. Despite the addition of this Prize, Round 4 goes to Speed-Up after only three spins.
On an episode around this point (Carol/Brenda/Don):
- No vowels are bought in Round 1.
- The Round 4 Prize is a $13,400 Fred Joaillier gift certificate.
On another episode around this point (Robin/Franklyn/Tom):
- The Round 2 prize is accidentally placed on the $300 space five spaces counter-clockwise from $150. While contestant Franklyn hits both wedges on his first two spins, he does not solve that round.
- A prize is added for Round 4 despite going to Speed-Up after only two spins.
On an episode around this point (Marcell/Wendall/Carol), the bonus puzzle MEMORABILIA is the first known Things puzzle to not have an S in it.
On an episode possibly from this month (Shirley/Pat/Jeff):
- The Round 4 Prize is a $17,700 Fred Joaillier gift certificate with which an emerald and diamond bracelet may be purchased.
- There is a blue "halo" effect around the his-and-hers cars played for in the Bonus Round.
On an episode around this point (Michelle/Bettye/Andy):
- According to a now-deleted YouTube comment by contestant Andy, he is nearly disqualified because he had gotten lost from the group before the taping and accidentally ran into Vanna backstage.
- Andy's brother Jeff competed in late 1986.
- Against precedent, the buzzer sounds on a repeated N in Round 1, even though there is an N in the puzzle. Normally, the buzzer only sounds on repeats if the letter is not in the puzzle.
- All of the puzzles are very short, with Round 4 (TRANSATLANTIC VOYAGE) being the longest at only 19 letters.
- The Round 4 Prize is an $11,500 Van Cleef and Arpels gift certificate.
On an episode sometime this month (Jimmy/Abbie/Maddy):
- No vowels are bought in Round 3.
- Round 4 (SUPREME AND VOLLEYBALL COURT) is the longest puzzle.
On an episode this month (Tedd/Peggy/Mary):
- The Round 1 puzzle DOWN UNDER is shorter than ten letters. It is also only the second appearance of Nickname this season.
- The Round 4 Prize is an $11,379 Jeep Comanche Pioneer pickup.
- Six rounds are played. For the first known time, the sixth round is played entirely without a Speed-Up.
- The Round 6 puzzle SOUTHEAST ASIA has only three unique consonants.
- All of the puzzles are very short, with Rounds 3 and 4 (A LICK AND A PROMISE and MAIL ORDER CATALOG) being tied for the longest at 16 letters.
- Peggy solves the bonus puzzle CHARLIE CHAN before the timer can start. There is also a cut to the board by itself (with Vanna not seen) after she solves, suggesting an edit.
On an episode this month (Gwen/John/Billie):
- The Round 4 Prize is an $8,000 shopping spree at Fred Hayman Beverly Hills.
- The ding sounds twice when Vanna reveals the A in the bonus puzzle BABY BOOMERS.

May 1989[]

On May 1 (Mike/Franny/Andy):
- Andy Pargh later gains fame as the "Gadget Guru" on The Today Show.
- Mike is known to have previously competed in the shopping era.
On May 3 (Carol/Paula/Marvin), Nickname makes its first of only two known appearances in the Bonus Round.
On May 4 (Karen/Cathy/Larry):
- The Round 4 Prize is an $11,000 Van Cleef and Arpels gift certificate.
- The bonus puzzle LOGIC is the second known bonus puzzle under the "three more consonants and a vowel" rules to be only five letters long.
On May 5 (Dawne/Joyce/John), Joyce gets three Free Spins in Round 1.
May 8 is Family Week.
- The intro includes footage of the competitors standing in front of the puzzle board (which reads FAMILY WEEK, center-aligned on the middle rows).
- The five episodes, in order, are Lynda & Beverly/Scott & Ken/Smitty & Andy; David & Irene/Debbie & Vickie/Shirley & LaToucha; Ross & Bill/Dorothy & Susan/Becky & Dick; Kellie & Mary Ann/Art & Marla/David & Meredith; and Ed & Wayne/Alan & Madelyn/Joanne & Pat.
- Because of the two-person teams, the Bonus Round "window" is rectangular instead of circular.
- The top winning family receives a plaque and a trip to Roseland Ranch in Stanfordville, New York (which closed in 2008).
On May 8, the Round 2 Prize is a walking piano, which leads to two oddities:
- As Charlie mentions this during the intro, "Changing Keys" fades out for a few seconds so Vanna can be heard playing "Mary Had a Little Lamb" on it.
- Instead of a pre-selected music bed playing under Charlie's copy, Vanna is heard playing "Chopsticks". Amusingly, she gives up about halfway through. Charlie mentions that a similar piano appeared in the then-recently released movie Big.
On May 9:
- After the Round 2 puzzle is revealed, but before Vickie and Shirley take their first spin of the round, Pat asks them their hometowns, since he forgot to do so during the interviews.
- Round 2 is a redundant answer of MEXICAN CHIHUAHUA.
- Fourteen turns are lost in Round 2. The round also features a rare instance of a team losing their turn with only vowels remaining: with only the U's unrevealed, Shirley and LaToucha call an O.
- Altogether, the opening segment runs for over thirteen minutes.
- Twelve wrong letters are called in the Speed-Up.
On May 10:
- Round 2 (DUSTIN HOFFMAN IN RAIN MAN) is a rare pre-Season 7 instance of Person using a descriptive term. Interestingly, it matches the format of the Person/Title category which would debut on daytime soon afterward, suggesting that the writers may have been testing the format of that category before making it official.
- Neither Thing nor Phrase is used in the main game.
- For the first time, a contestant (Becky) calls Z in the Bonus Round.
- Contestants Becky and Dick solve the bonus puzzle A HIT OR A MISS before the timer can start.
- During the closing chat, Pat and Vanna show off the plaque which the winning family will receive.
On May 11:
- The Round 1 puzzle POLICE LIEUTENANT COLUMBO is the first known instance of Fictional Character using a descriptive term.
- A Prize is added for Round 4, despite it going to Speed-Up after only two spins.
On May 12:
- Joanne and Pat do not mention their hometown.
- No vowels are bought in Round 3.
- Joanne and Pat are declared the week's top winners in the final segment, with an all-cash total of $37,150.
As of May 12, and likely through the end of the season, full credit rolls still have headers in blue and names in yellow.
May 15 is College Week. During this week:
- There are three representatives for the schools represented on Monday-Thursday; however, only one from each school may be on stage at any time during the main game. Whichever school wins has all three representatives available for the Bonus Round. On Friday, the top three scoring contestants (one from each school) compete against each other with their Friday winnings donated to their school. The colleges represented are University of Notre Dame, University of Hawaii, University of Oklahoma, and University of Miami.
- The opening has all of the contestants in front of the puzzle board (which reads COLLEGE WEEK, center-aligned), and holding signs for their respective colleges.
On May 15:
- The other representative contestants help model the Round 4 Prize, a trip to New Orleans.
- When Vanna turns the D and A in the bonus puzzle POLKA DOTS, the dings do not sound until after those letters have been revealed.
On May 16, the bonus puzzle DAYDREAMING is a rare instance of a one-word Phrase. It is not known why the puzzle used that category instead of the more logical Event.
Game Show Network does not air the May 17 episode.
On May 18, all of the puzzles are very short, with Round 2 (a Same Name puzzle of PICKET AND CRUISE LINE) being the longest at only 19 letters.
On May 19:
- Vanna wears a suit.
- Both Rounds 4 and 5 are in their own segments. As a result, Pat and Vanna sign off immediately after the Bonus Round.
- There is a blue frame around the pair of Ford trucks played for in the Bonus Round, and the word "Ford" appears onscreen in white with no drop shadow effect.
On May 31 (Dennis/Derek/Donna):
- There are two instances of repeated categories: Phrase in Rounds 2 and 3, Thing in Round 5 and the Bonus Round.
- Rounds 2, 3, and 5 all have punctuation marks: an apostrophe in Round 2, and hyphens in Rounds 3 and 5.
- Pat forgets the apostrophe in Round 2's Phrase puzzle until after the first spin. It is revealed before Derek calls his letter, which is in the puzzle.
- Pat's Final Spin lands on Bankrupt.
On an episode from around this point (David/Eugene/Ken), the Round 1 puzzle PAUL SIMON is shorter than ten letters.
On another episode from the above timeframe (Cynthia/Scott/Jeff):
- The slide whistle does not sound on the first Bankrupt of Round 5 until after the next contestant starts to spin.
- Scott accidentally calls L in the Bonus Round, and it is put on the chyron. The D's in the answer REDD FOXX light up (but are not turned) before an offstage voice can be heard acknowledging the mistake. Pat then asks Scott for another consonant, and he picks C, which replaces L on the chyron as Vanna turns the D's.
On an episode around this point (Latanya/Andy/Kim):
- The Round 4 Prize is a $10,000 Fred Joaillier gift certificate.
- There is a blue "halo" effect around the footage of the Avanti convertible played for in the Bonus Round.
On an episode around this point (Sheryl/Tammy/David):
- The "only vowels remain" beeps do not sound in Round 2 until after contestant David starts to solve. Also, only three of them sound.
- The Round 4 Prize is a $10,750 Fred Joaillier gift certificate.
On an episode around this point (Barry/Nicole/Linda):
- Round 3 (PETER O'TOOLE IN LAWRENCE OF ARABIA) is a rare pre-Season 7 instance of a Person puzzle including a descriptive term. As was the case on May 10, this may have been a test run of puzzles in the soon-to-debut category of Person/Title.
- The Round 4 Prize is a $16,338 Chevrolet C/K pickup. There is a blue "halo" effect around the footage of it.
On an episode around this point (Barbara/Tom/Ed), the bonus puzzle PRIZE FIGHTER is misspelled (it should be one word).

June 1989[]

On June 5 (Ron/Lindsay/Jim):
- The inner background of the puzzleboard behind the trilons is repainted a light beige color. Additional lights are also added, while existing lighting is brightened. This is most noticeable in the frames and in the spaces between the trilons.
- Jim gets two Free Spins in Round 1.
- The "only vowels remain" beeps do not sound in Round 1 until Pat notes the situation himself.
- The Round 2 Prize is a trip to Chicago to see the fifth annual Chicago Gospel Festival on July 29-30.
- The Round 4 Prize is a $14,000 diamond ring.
- Pat's Final Spin lands on Bankrupt twice. His third attempt lands on $1,500.
On June 6 (Joanie/Dick/Rochella):
- Round 4 (OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN KENNEDY) is the longest puzzle.
- As contestant Rochella asks to solve the Round 2 puzzle, her score display goes blank. It comes back on while the camera is focused on the puzzle board.
- The Round 4 Prize is a home entertainment center valued at $12,500.
- Rounds 1 and 4 are played entirely by the contestant who began them, although a Free Spin is used in Round 4.
- In Round 4, Joanie's arrow barely lands on the red $250, but Pat mistakenly identifies the spin as $350. This does not affect the outcome, as Joanie does not win.
- After the Round 4 puzzle is solved, the contestant backdrops show a reflection of the puzzle board being wheeled away.
On June 7 (Clay/Robin/Sandi), no vowels are bought in Round 2.
For the week of June 12, a $68,000 diamond solitaire ring is offered in the Bonus Round. This is very likely the most expensive piece of jewelry ever offered on the show.
On June 13 (Theresa/Pat/Roland):
- The Round 3 puzzle HEIGH-HO HEIGH-HO IT'S HOME FROM WORK WE GO has an apostrophe and two hyphens, tying the record for the most known punctuation used in the trilon era (barring Fill In the Blank puzzles) until January 1997.
- The Round 4 prize is a trip to New York, London, and Paris worth $11,019.
On June 16 (Charlie/Dorothy/Robert), the third O in the bonus puzzle GOODNESS GRACIOUS turns off while Vanna is revealing the three more consonants and a vowel, but it later turns back on and is revealed before the timer starts.
On an episode this month (Arlene/Tina/Bill):
- Five rounds are played with Round 3 in its own segment.
- Six consecutive turns are lost in Round 3.
On an episode this month (Ron/Maurice/Jenee):
- The "only vowels remain" beeps do not sound in Round 1.
- In Round 1, contestant Jenee gives a wrong answer with only the E missing from the puzzle PECK'S BAD BOY, then turns in her Free Spin and gives another wrong answer.
- The Round 4 Prize is an $11,500 Fred Joaillier gift certificate.
- Maurice asks to play for the "good ol' American cash" in the Bonus Round, leading Charlie to refer to it as "good ol' cold cash" instead.
- Nickname makes it second of only two known appearances in the Bonus Round.
On an episode this month (Gina/Gordie/Rob):
- The Round 4 Prize is a $13,500 Fred Joaillier gift certificate. There is a blue "halo" effect around the value.
- No vowels are bought in Round 4.
On an episode this month (Kathy/Bill/Claudia):
- In Round 3, the ding does not sound until after the M in the puzzle LORETTA AND BRIGHAM YOUNG (Same Name) is revealed, and it does not sound at all when the B is revealed later in the round.
- A Prize is added for Round 4, despite it going to Speed-Up after only one spin.
On an episode this month (Gene/Bill/Pati):
- All of the puzzles are very short, with Round 2 (a Before & After of GEORGE MICHAEL LANDON) being the longest at only 19 letters.
- The Round 4 Prize is a $14,780 Buick Skylark. Vanna wears a suit while modeling this.
- Before the Bonus Round, Pat offers contestant Pati a cushion from a furniture set available in the Bonus Round.

Wheel of Fortune timeline (syndicated)/Season 6

Contents

Season Changes[]

September 1988[]

October 1988[]

November 1988[]

December 1988[]

January 1989[]

February 1989[]

March 1989[]

April 1989[]

May 1989[]

June 1989[]

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