Wheel of Fortune timeline (syndicated)/Season 7

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A timeline for Season 7 of Wheel of Fortune, which aired in first-run from September 4, 1989 through June 15, 1990.

Season Changes

• The nighttime show moves from Studio 4 at NBC Studios in Burbank to CBS Television City's Studio 33 (now the Bob Barker Studio, longtime home of The Price Is Right), used by the daytime version since July 17. Unlike the daytime show, nighttime credit rolls do not mention being "Recorded at CBS Television City in Hollywood, California", nor is "Television City" referenced in the opening spiel.
• Several cosmetic changes introduced on the daytime show in July-August carry over to nighttime, including:
  • An updated sound effects package which includes the current puzzle chime, "wrong letter" buzzer, Bankrupt slide whistle, "only vowels remain" beeps, Final Spin bells, and double-buzz for the time's-up buzzer in the Bonus Round (where previously, an elongation of the "wrong letter" buzzer was used). The Bonus Round timer is also changed to a different style of beep, which is used through Season 17. In addition, the CBS applause machine used on their other game shows carries over.
  • A second rearrangement of "Changing Keys", whose melody is now played on saxophone and electric guitar. Two versions are recorded: an opening theme that starts in the middle of the bridge, and a closing theme that starts with a series of rapid drumbeats and a faster-tempo version of the bridge. Even after "Changing Keys" is redone in 1992, the 1989 version continues to be used on select episodes until 1994.
  • Unlike the previous version of "Changing Keys", this rendition now ends on a single note.
    • The cue for solving a puzzle is now a separate music bed from the main theme, but it is re-orchestrated to match.
  • The white shadow on the chyrons is now thinner.
  • The second design of the Free Spin disc, which is now green with the word "SPIN" in white sandwiched between two yellow "Free"s in script, a change that would remain until the Free Spin's retirement.
  • The contestant name tags are changed to gray parallelograms with black outlines and the names in black letters. Unlike the previous name tags, they are not cut to size depending on the length of the name.
• Various changes are made to the set, coinciding with the move to a new studio:
  • The center rug sees some minor changes: the $750 becomes $150, the yellow $300 becomes $800 and swaps places with Lose a Turn, and the blue $150 becomes $100. This carries over into the 1992 set (with a golden border attached) and lasts until the end of Season 11.
  • The host/contestant area is changed to a solid brown design.
  • The contestant backdrops are updated to a chevron shape.
• The nighttime version adopts a three-day returning champion rule, just like the daytime version. Also like daytime, the contestant backdrops now show cumulative totals for returning champions after the final round where applicable.
• Partially owing to the introduction of returning champions, episodes of the nighttime version are now largely aired in the order in which they were produced and seen in the same order nationwide; for remaining markets still receiving the show on tape, all cities now receive the same episode.
• The intro is changed:
  • During the "Wheel! Of! Fortune!" chant, the contestants run onstage.
  • Charlie's spiel is now "From our studios in Hollywood, It's America's most watched game show! The famous Wheel is spinning your way with lots of cash and an assortment of fabulous and exciting prizes! Over [amount], just waiting to be won tonight! And now, here are your host and hostess: Pat Sajak and Vanna White!" Because Pat and Vanna now walk out together, "I'm a Wheel Watcher" is no longer used on nighttime.
  • On some Monday episodes, "tonight" becomes "this week", while the entire last phrase becomes "given away so far this week" on Friday episodes.
  • The intro graphic starts with several colored rings curling into place to form the frame of the Wheel, followed by the wedges falling down to form the Wheel itself. Once the Wheel graphic is fully formed, it tilts to form the "O" in "OF" (and fades as it does so), with the rest of the show's name spelled out in gold letters. The camera pans from the Wheel to the board as the logo appears, cuts to the audience as the logo reverses its animation and the Wheel graphic reappears and its wedges fly back out of the graphic, then cuts again to center stage while Charlie reads the cash value of the prizes, which drops off the screen as he introduces Pat and Vanna. As with most of the other "falling wedges" graphics used in later seasons, this one is extremely inaccurate; it has only 20 wedges, and it lacks Bankrupt and Lose a Turn while featuring $850 (not used from late 1979 until returning in Season 39), an "off-model" yellow $750 in a font similar to Times New Roman, and $950 (not used until Celebrity Wheel of Fortune in 2021).
• The audience is usually shown on-camera, typically during the intro and going into commercial after Round 2.
• The Round 2 Prize is moved to the other blue $150 (between the pink $250 and red $400).
• The prize value graphic, although in the same font, now has a thick white outline around the characters instead of a drop shadow.

  

• The contestant's Bonus Round prize is now determined by picking from one of five envelopes, placed in a holder that spells out W-H-E-E-L in gold letters on green sparkling stars. Each letter is atop thin metal poles that fan out from a base designed like the Wheel, albeit with only twelve wedges. Any prize that is won is taken out of rotation for the rest of the week. The change to envelopes was presumably because almost every contestant chose to play for the $25,000 (or occasionally the car), especially without returning champions.
  • If the $25,000 is won, the sign now lowers after the envelope is opened, and Charlie announces one of several rotating lines related to the prize.
  • Bonus Rounds largely stop using more than two lines of the puzzle board, although a few persist as late as Season 12. Previously, an answer that was three words or longer might be on three or even all four lines, even if it could fit easily on two.
  • The lights no longer dim during the Bonus Round, and the timpani roll is removed. However, both of these features remain on the daytime version.
  • The Bonus Round envelopes are noticeably shorter this season than they would be in later ones.
• "The following companies have furnished prizes or paid a fee for their promotion on the program." is the preface for the sponsor list from this point forward.
• Full credit rolls have headers in blue and names in pink. Additionally, the show's logo, as seen at the start of full credit rolls, is now pink.
• The King World logo becomes teal.
• Around this point, Charlie starts announcing more deeply and softly than he did in previous seasons. This lasts until about 2001.
• Several puzzles this season use one more line than necessary (i.e., using four rows when the entire answer can fit on only three, or three when it can fit on only two). The reason behind this is unknown.
• Puzzles that use only the second through fourth rows of the puzzle board are no longer left-justified, even when such an arrangement could fit. This continues until the trilon board is retired in 1997.
• From this point until the round structure is overhauled in Season 23, with only one exception, both the Bonus Round and sign-off are always in their own segments. Previously, some episodes would be structured in such a way that the sign-off would occur immediately after the Bonus Round, most commonly if a Speed-Up was played in its own segment. However, some games as late as Season 9 have Rounds 3 and 4 in the same segment.
• Throughout this season, several puzzles in the last round are extremely short. This may suggest that they were originally intended to be used as bonus puzzles until it was realized that enough time remained for another round.
• Unlike in most Season 6 episodes where this happened, the Bonus Round chyron always displays the contestant's three more consonants and a vowel in that order even if the contestant does not call the vowel last. This remains until Season 14.
• Bonus puzzles start to become noticeably shorter, with a large number of them being only one word and/or shorter than ten letters, and considerably more of them being Thing than in previous seasons. This trend gradually reverses throughout the 21st century, particularly by Season 26.

September 1989

That's not right.

• For the first few weeks of the season, there is an angled close-up shot of Pat's hands whenever he opens the Bonus Round envelope.
• On September 4:
  • Ten turns are lost in Round 1.
  • Rounds 2 and 3 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
  • When the Round 3 puzzle is revealed, the puzzle board's chase lights turn off completely once they stop flashing, and remain off until the puzzle is solved.
  • The Round 3 template is accidentally kept for Round 4, with $5,000 over the red $300 (normally the location of $3,500 in Round 3).
  • The bonus puzzle BINGO is the fourth known five-letter bonus puzzle and the third known under three-and-a-vowel rules.
  • After the Bonus Round is lost, Pat places the unopened envelope back in the holder. From September 5 onward (with one exception), he always opens the envelope at the end of the round.
• On September 5:
  • Round 2 is the first nighttime instance of Same Name using an ampersand.
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
• On September 7:
  • Pat is briefly visible in the Bonus Round window due to its camera being zoomed out too far.
  • The bonus puzzle ON GUARD uses a zero for the O. This anomaly, which started on daytime shortly before this season began, continues through the 29th. The zeroes can be easily discerned as they are wider and rounder than the O's. These zeroes were recycled from a promotional shot done to honor the network version in late 1986, in which the board read WHEEL OF FORTUNE'S 3000TH SHOW, although how they ended up in the show's rotation almost three years later is unknown.
  • There are two sets of repeated categories: Thing in Rounds 1 and 4, Phrase in Round 2 and the Bonus Round.
• On September 8:
  • No Wheel prize is added for Round 4, even though it does not begin as a Speed-Up.
  • For the first time, a contestant picks U in the Bonus Round.
  • Contestant John becomes the first nighttime player to retire undefeated, with $66,350.
• On September 11:
  • Contestant Bob accidentally buys a repeated A in Round 1 after all the vowels in the puzzle have been revealed, although Pat never informs the contestants of this. This does not affect the outcome as he wins regardless.
  • Bob's letters fill in the bonus puzzle MARMALADE completely.
• On September 12:
  • There are two sets of repeated categories: Phrase in Rounds 2 and 5, Thing in Round 4 and the Bonus Round.
  • The Round 2 prize is a trip to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to see the The Greater Fort Lauderdale Film Festival, which runs from October 21-28.
  • In Round 3, when contestant Kate asks to buy a vowel, she starts to say C, but cuts herself off and changes her call to E. Pat rules it as a bought E. Likely because of the initial confusion, several seconds pass between Pat acknowledging the correct letter call and any of the trilons lighting up or dings sounding. While waiting for the E's to light up, Vanna walks to the furthest-right E and stands there until the dings start to sound, only then turning them around.
• On September 13:
  • Vanna is wearing green, but the chyrons are pink.
  • The Round 4 Prize is a $12,000 Fred Joaillier gift certificate.
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
• On September 14, the bonus puzzle SIMMER DOWN uses a zero for an O.
• On September 15:
  • The Round 2 puzzle IN A MANNER OF SPEAKING uses a zero for an O.
  • The Round 4 Prize is an $11,000 Van Cleef and Arpels gift certificate with which a pearl ring may be purchased.
• All five Bonus Rounds are won for the first known time on the week of September 11, part of a seven-day winning streak through to the 19th.
• On September 18 (recorded August 12):
  • The bottom-most tier of lights around the Wheel is not working.
  • The bonus puzzle SLAPHAPPY is a rare instance of a one-word Phrase.
• On September 19:
  • Rounds 2, 3, and the Bonus Round are Phrase.
  • Rounds 2 and 3 (LAST-DITCH EFFORT and THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN SPEAKING) use zeroes for O's.
• On September 20:
  • The money graphic in the opening appears at the middle of the screen instead of the bottom.
  • Vanna is wearing purple, but the category chyrons are pink.
  • The Round 4 Prize is accidentally placed on the pink $300.
  • Rounds 2 and 5 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
  • Six rounds are played.
  • Rounds 5 and 6 are Thing, Round 1 is Person, and the Bonus Round is People.
• On September 21:
  • There are two sets of repeated categories: Phrase in Rounds 1 and 2, Things in Round 4, and Thing in the Bonus Round.
  • Round 2 and the Bonus Round (STIFF COMPETITION and LIFEBOAT) use zeroes for O's.
  • During the final segment, Pat and Vanna guess how many lights are in the $25,000 sign. After this, Pat asks stage manager Randy Berke for the actual number, which is 1,206. Pat then asks for the sign to stop flashing and notes about six burnt-out lights, at which point the entire sign turns off for a few seconds.
• On September 22:
  • The Round 4 Prize is an Eagle automobile worth $11,772. It is placed on the pink $300 instead of the usual purple $150.
  • Contestant Daisy solves the bonus puzzle CARD SHARK before the timer can start.
• On September 25:
  • Contestant Daisy spins Free Spin three times in a row in Round 1 and uses two of her Free Spins the following round.
  • Daisy sweeps the game but loses a pair of his-and-hers cars in the Bonus Round.
  • All of the puzzles are very short, with Round 4 (SPLIT DOWN THE MIDDLE) being the longest at only 18 letters.
• On September 26:
  • Round 4 (a Before & After of FERRIS WHEEL OF FORTUNE) is the longest puzzle.
  • Neither Thing nor Phrase is used in the main game.
• On September 27:
  • At one point in Round 3, Pat stops the Wheel mid-spin and asks contestant Jeannie to spin again due to it slipping out of her hands.
  • The Round 4 prize is a Toyota Tercel Deluxe coupe valued at $9,836.
• On September 28:
  • Rounds 1 (a Same Name of DOGGIE & BUTTERMILK BISCUITS) and 3 (YOU CAN RUN BUT YOU CAN'T HIDE) use zeroes for O's.
  • The Round 2 Prize is $3,500 credit to Carey Limousine. The Prize is modeled by an unknown man in front of a limousine.
  • All three contestants hit Bankrupt consecutively in Round 3.
• On September 29:
  • For the last time, a puzzle uses zeroes for O's: specifically, Round 4 and the Bonus Round (PERPLEXED LOOK and GROWN-UP).
  • There are two sets of repeated categories: Thing in Rounds 3 and 5, People in Round 4, and Person in the Bonus Round.

October 1989

• On October 2:
  • The dollar sign now disappears from the contestant score displays if that contestant has at least $10,000, an apparent glitch which remains for the rest of the season.
  • During the Bonus Round, the category chyron is red when Pat announces the category (People). As the contestant window appears (right before Pat says "proper names" in his reminder), the camera suddenly shifts to the left and the category chyron becomes purple.
• On October 3:
  • Twelve turns are lost in Round 1, eleven of which are consecutive; eleven turns are lost in Round 3, seven of which are consecutive.
  • The Round 2 Prize is a Kawasaki EL250 motorcycle.
• On October 4:
  • Rounds 2, 4, and the Bonus Round are Phrase.
  • The Round 3 puzzle GEORGE C SCOTT AS PATTON is inexplicably categorized as People instead of using IN and Person/Title. This is likely why Person/Fictional Character became Star & Role less than two weeks later, so as to make the category inclusive for actors who portray real-life people.
• On October 5:
  • Round 1 (TWINKLING LIGHTS) has only one vowel.
  • Round 3's Same Name puzzle is an awkward answer of GILBERT & ED SULLIVAN, eliminating the "and" from "Gilbert and Sullivan".
  • The "only vowels remain" beeps accidentally sound late in the above round, even though the V has not yet been revealed.
  • The Round 4 Prize is artwork by Andy Warhol (Flowers) signed and numbered by the artist.
  • Allison calls her vowel (A) first in the Bonus Round, and while it appears on the chyron first, it is quickly replaced by her first consonant (C) with the other letters then appearing in the standard order.
  • Contestant Allison retires with $89,683.
• On October 6:
  • The original Round 1 puzzle is thrown out for reasons unknown, although its blanks are still visible during the opening pan. This is most notable in that the original puzzle uses the middle two rows, while the replacement (Before & After) uses all four.
  • Round 2 is the only nighttime appearance of Person/Fictional Character.
  • Both Wheel Prizes are jewelry: a watch in Round 2 and a diamond bracelet in Round 4.
  • Five rounds are played, with Round 3 in its own segment.
  • Contestant Alan finishes with only $4,800.
• On October 9, neither Bankrupt nor Lose a Turn is hit.
• On October 10:
  • Rounds 2, 3, and the Bonus Round are Thing.
  • The camera briefly cuts to an angled close-up shot of the Bonus Round envelope after Pat opens it.
  • Contestant Alan retires with a total stated to be $35,450, despite losing all three Bonus Rounds. During the credits, Charlie notes that this total is a mathematical error and his total is actually $42,100.
• On October 11:
  • Round 3 is the nighttime debut of Person/Title.
  • The bonus puzzle HORSEPLAY is a rare instance of a one-word Phrase.
• On October 12, Round 3 (NEW YORK'S MADISON SQUARE GARDEN) is categorized as Place instead of Landmark.
• On October 13:
  • The prize value graphic in the opening abruptly disappears from the screen instead of dropping off.
  • Round 1 (GHOST STORY) has only one vowel.
  • The category chyron is accidentally dark red for the entirety of Round 3. Vanna's outfit for this episode is blue, which all the other category chyrons match.
• On October 16:
  • The Free Spin wedge is retired, with the "off-model" yellow $300 replacing it. From this point until its retirement, there is only one Free Spin disc. At this point, it is placed over a random dollar amount, covering that amount's hundreds digit, and claimed in the same way as Prize wedges. Until the end of Season 24, the disc is removed from the wheel before Round 3 if not claimed.
  • In Round 1, Person/Fictional Character is renamed Star & Role.
  • Both the winner's and yellow contestant's scoreboards turn off as Pat and the winner go over to look at the Bonus Round prizes. The first eight bars of "Changing Keys" loop during the prize descriptions.
  • The Bonus Round letter choices begin to be displayed in black, a color not otherwise used by the chyrons. This continues for the rest of the season.
  • While both car turntables are active in the opening, only one spins during the credits.
• On October 17:
  • The Round 1 puzzle DESE DEM AND DOSE GUYS is the second of only two known puzzles to use phonetic spelling.
  • Contestant Bruce incorrectly solves the completely-revealed Round 1 puzzle by mispronouncing the first word as "Desi". After calling the puzzle "crummy", Pat asks Nancy Jones for a ruling. She tells contestant Bruce to say it again, and after he does with the same mispronunciation, Pat says "Listen, he's got all the letters up, I'm taking it" and the answer is accepted. This ruling ends up affecting the outcome, as Bruce wins $600 in this round and then wins the game by $550.
  • The Round 2 prize includes a TV, which during Charlie's prize description shows a clip of Pat, Vanna, and some Muppets.
  • Round 2 is the first instance of a contestant landing on the Free Spin disc. The rule change was not mentioned on-air until this point.
  • Rounds 2 and 3 are also solved after being completely revealed: Round 2 by Mike, Round 3 by Donna.
  • The first segment runs for a very long 12 minutes and 51 seconds (with Round 1 alone taking 5 minutes and 8 seconds).
  • Bruce finishes with only $3,800.
• On October 18:
  • In Round 1, contestant Maria incorrectly solves the fully-revealed puzzle RAUCOUS BEHAVIOR by mispronouncing the first word.
  • Rounds 1 and 3 are completely filled in before being solved.
  • The buzzer accidentally sounds a wrong letter in the Speed-Up.
  • Pat grabs contestant Susan's Bonus Round envelope for her.
  • The Bonus Round prize won is a $58,000 white gold and diamond necklace, one of the most expensive known pieces of jewelry ever offered on the show.
  • Charlie's announcement of the above mentioned prize's value is obviously edited in, as it can be heard over top of him saying "congratulations".
• On October 19, contestant Diane wins a $36,488 cruise in the Bonus Round, which may be the most expensive vacation ever won on the show.
• On October 20:
  • Pat stops the Wheel's automation after he walks out.
  • Round 1 (GIMME A BUZZ) has none of the five most common consonants. No letters are revealed until the 13th turn, a likely record. Altogether, the round lasts for 4 minutes and 39 seconds.
  • The bonus puzzle DOG HOUSE is misspelled (it should be one word).
  • The value of the Bonus Round prize won (an Avanti convertible) appears onscreen with a "curtain" wipe.
• On October 23:

  

  Use wider displays? Nah.

  • Contestant Shelly's name tag is in a larger, wider font than usual.
  • The off-model $300 is upgraded to an on-model yellow $500, even though there is another yellow $500 only four wedges counterclockwise.
  • No music plays under Charlie's description of the Round 4 prize.
  • There are two sets of repeated categories: Phrase in Rounds 2 and 4, Thing in Round 5 and the Bonus Round.
  • Diane retires with $129,370. After she wins the game, Pat affixes a piece of cardboard reading "$1" to the far left side of her backdrop, since the display only has five digits (and then only by removing the dollar sign). This has been seen in several retrospectives.
  • At the end of the show, Pat mentions the CBS winnings cap of $100,000 and notes that anything over the limit is donated to a charity of the winner's choice.
• On October 24:
  • Round 2 is a seemingly rare appearance of Places.
  • Round 3 and 4 are played in the second segment, however, the second Prize is not added until Round 5.
  • Vanna shows off her Halloween costume of Tina Turner during the closing chat.
• On October 25:
  • Pat forgets to mention the ampersand in Round 2's Same Name puzzle until after the first spin. It is revealed before that contestant calls her letter, which is not in the puzzle.
  • 12 wrong letters are called in Round 2, two of which are vowels.
  • As the Final Spin bells sound, the category chyron quickly "decreases" from purple to darker shades of blue until it disappears. It returns to purple for the rest of the round.
• On October 26:

  

  • For the first time, Free Spin is on a value not ending in "00": in this case, $350. This is also the only known time that Free Spin is placed on a wedge adjacent to Bankrupt.
  • Rounds 1 and 2 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
  • Rounds 2-5 are Phrase.
  • Pat's Final Spin lands on Lose a Turn.
  • Contestant Mark retires with $110,757, resulting in the first instance of two consecutive retired undefeated nighttime champions.
  • At the end of the show, Vanna surprises Pat with a birthday cake, and the audience sings "Happy Birthday" while "Happy Birthday, Pat!" appears on the chyron. Pat jokes that he has turned 30, although he was actually 43.
• On October 27:
  • In Round 3, Nicole hits $3,500 three times in a row.
  • No prize is added for Round 4, even though it does not begin as a Speed-Up.
  • Only Phrase and Thing(s) are used: the former in Rounds 1 and 2, the latter in Rounds 3, 4, and the Bonus Round.
  • Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Pluto are seen in the audience during the credits.
• On October 30:
  • In Round 1, there is a somewhat well-known incident: with the B, P, and U missing from the puzzle BARBECUE SPIT, contestant Tom guesses H, after which Pat comments on the implied inappropriate word by saying "Happily, no."
  • The Round 2 prize is accidentally placed on the blue $150 two spaces to the left of Lose a Turn.
  • There are two sets of repeated categories: Thing in Round 1 and the Bonus Round, Phrase in Rounds 2 and 4.
• On October 31:
  • There are two sets of repeated categories: Phrase in Rounds 1 and 4, People in Rounds 2 and 3.
  • Contestant Larry's name tag falls off as he picks up the Round 2 prize, and Pat walks over to fix it.
  • The Round 4 prize is a $10,000 Fred Joaillier gift certificate with which a gold and diamond ring may be purchased.
  • Nicole Mordis retires with $91,530, despite not making it to the Bonus Round on her third appearance. She later appears on "Some of the Greats!" in February 1995.
  • In the final segment, Vanna introduces Pat to Donald Duck, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy.

November 1989

• Sometime this month, the show airs a series of promos with alien-like puppets called "Wheelies". One promo features them wreaking havoc on a re-creation of the set while solving the puzzle WHEELIES HAVE MORE FUN; one features them appearing around a kid watching the show in the living room; and a shorter one features several gathering around Pat.
• On November 1:
  • The Round 3 puzzle SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER is inexplicably categorized as Things instead of the more logical Events.
  • Rounds 3-5 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
  • The bonus puzzle is DAILY DOUBLE.
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
• On November 2:
  • After picking up the Round 4 Prize, contestant Julie immediately solves the puzzle without calling a consonant, ending the round.
  • Neither Thing nor Phrase is used.
  • During the closing chat, Minnie Mouse and Goofy join Pat and Vanna to help promote the then-upcoming Walt Disney World episodes.
• On November 3:
  • No vowels are bought in Round 1.
  • Rounds 1 and 2 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
  • All of the puzzles are very short, with Round 4 (INTOXICATING LIQUORS) being the longest at only 18 letters.
• All five Bonus Rounds are won on the week of October 30, part of a seven-day winning streak beginning on the 26th.
• On November 6, contestant Rama manages to go from $0 to a winning score in Round 4 without ever hitting $5,000.
• On November 7:
  • The ding and buzzer both sound on a correct R in Round 4.
  • Rama's 2-day total of $8,798 is displayed with a zero in front of it on the chevron backdrops.
  • Contestant Matt sweeps the game but loses a pair of watches in the Bonus Round.
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
• On November 8:
  • The Round 2 Prize is an Atashii TV which displays clips of the Wheelies as Charlie describes it.
  • No vowels are bought in Rounds 2, 3 or 4.
  • Round 4 is People while Round 5 is Person.
  • Charlie accidentally says "Good luck" after describing Matt's bonus prize.
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
• On November 9, Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
• On November 10:
  • No vowels are bought in Round 4.
  • For the first known time, the music cue "Buzzword" (typically used for car wins in the Bonus Round) is used for another prize: specifically, a fishing boat.
• November 13-17 is a sweepstakes which offers a trip to Orlando from January 11-15 to attend the Disney World tapings. Entries are accepted through the 27th.
  • All episodes this week have two different closing segments. The one used by participating stations details the contest and does not contain fee plugs, instead fading to more contest details after the wardrobe plugs. Before and after the crawl, Pat and Vanna are shown talking behind the host's railing at the Wheel. GSN reruns use the "contest" version with the segment itself edited out.
  • All episodes this week also feature the car turntable in reverse during the intro and outro.
• On November 13:
  • The first six turns of Round 1 are all lost (three Lose a Turns and three wrong letters).
  • After an N is revealed in Round 3, the buzzer accidentally sounds amid the applause.
  • Some episodes begin using a bumper that consists a shot of the audience, framed in a thin purple border surrounded by a thick blue border, following Rounds 2, 3, or 4. The CBS Eye curtains can be seen in these shots.
  • No Prize is added for Round 4, even though it does not begin as a Speed-Up.
  • The bonus puzzle (A FLIRT) is the first known instance of a puzzle including a redundant A (which itself is inexplicably on its own row).
• On November 14:
  • No vowels are bought in Round 3.
  • When contestant Kelley picks up the Free Spin in Round 2, she puts it on her arrow instead of the railing. Later in the round when she lands on the Prize, Pat walks over, moves the Free Spin to the railing, picks up the Prize for her, and puts it on her arrow.
  • The Round 4 prize is a gold, pink sapphire, and diamond ring valued at $10,000.
  • The alternate ending has Vanna playing a round for charity, with Pat turning the letters. She spins the Wheel once and calls letters until the answer, STARK REALITY, is completely revealed. Her first spin lands on Bankrupt (complete with slide whistle), and her second spin lands on $250, but Pat tells her to move it to the $900 that she almost hit. Her $900 goes to the American Cancer Society. The remainder of the segment consists of the fee plugs, followed by Pat and Vanna talking to the day's winner at center stage.
• On November 15:
  • No vowels are bought in Round 1.
  • The Round 4 Prize is an Addictor Bambino boat.
  • Round 4 (PREPARING FOR THE INEVITABLE) is the longest puzzle.
  • Kelley retires with $67,524.
• On November 16:
  • Rounds 2 and 3 are Phrase.
  • The Round 4 Prize is a $10,000 Dicker & Dicker mink coat.
  • Pat's Final Spin lands on Bankrupt.
• On November 17:
  • The Round 3 puzzle PEANUTS CARTOONIST CHARLES SCHULZ is the first instance this season of a puzzle consisting of a famous person's name and a descriptor; while extremely rare prior to this season, such puzzles become increasingly common into the present day.
  • Contestant Larry's two-day score does not appear on his backdrop after he wins the game.
• On November 20:
  • The Round 4 Prize is $6,000 credit to Fred Hayman Beverly Hills.
  • Clips of this episode later appear in the 1990 movie Arachnophobia.
• On November 21:
  • Six rounds are played, with Rounds 3 and 4 in the same segment.
  • Rounds 5 and 6 (ALTER EGO and KNAPSACK) are both shorter than ten letters; the former is also categorized as Phrase instead of Thing, while the latter has only one vowel.
• On November 22:
  • Appropriately, contestant Karen, who is pregnant at the time of taping, solves the Round 5 puzzle DELIVERY ROOM.
  • Contestant Keith wins by $50.
• On November 23:
  • Rounds 2 and 3 are Title.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 3.
• On November 24:
  • No vowels are bought in Round 2.
  • Rounds 2 and 3 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
  • Six rounds are played, with Rounds 3 and 4 in the same segment.
  • Round 6 (MADAGASCAR) has only one vowel.
• On November 27:
  • No vowels are bought in Round 2.
  • Round 3 is the debut of Husband & Wife (PHIL DONAHUE AND MARLO THOMAS), although Pat remarks that it is a "category we haven't seen much of this season". This would suggest that either it appeared previously this season in a round that had been thrown out, or more likely that Pat misspoke when introducing the round.
  • The Round 5 puzzle SWEET'N LOW is shorter than ten letters.
• On November 28, contestant Wilson finishes with only $4,000.
• On November 29:
  • Vanna wears a suit.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 4.
  • Rounds 2, 3, 5, and the Bonus Round are Thing.
• On November 30:
  • The Round 4 Prize is a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Its value "spins" onscreen.
  • The Round 5 puzzle HOTEL ROOM is shorter than ten letters.
  • Pat draws contestant Debby's Bonus Round envelope for her.

December 1989

• On December 1:
  • The Round 1 puzzle NAPOLEON AND JOSEPHINE is the only known instance of Husband & Wife not using the full first and last names.
  • The Round 4 Prize is an $11,750 gold and diamond bracelet.
  • Pat forgets to say the category for the Bonus Round (Thing) until an offstage voice reminds him.
  • Neither Bankrupt nor Lose a Turn is hit.
  • None of the puzzles have R in them.
• During the week of December 4, one of the Bonus Round prizes (a trip to Australia) is promoted through video footage rather than being shown onstage. This is the first known instance of this practice, which would become increasingly frequent throughout the 1990s.
• On December 4:
  • The camera is zoomed too far out for the entirety of Round 3, showing the entire puzzle board.
  • There are two sets of repeated categories: People in Rounds 1 and 5, Phrase in Rounds 2 and 4.
• On December 5:
  • Vanna wears a suit.
  • Six rounds are played, with Rounds 3 and 4 in the same segment.
• On December 6:
  • The chyrons for Round 4 and the Bonus Round are smaller than usual.
  • Pat offers to pick the Bonus Round envelope instead, and Dorothy lets him.
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
• On December 7:
  • The shot of the audience after Round 2 is inside a rotating rhombus on a blue-to-pink gradient.
  • Rounds 1, 3, 4, and the Bonus Round are Thing.
  • In the closing chat, Pat sits in the car that contestant Tom won, while Tom and Vanna pretend that Pat is the contestant.
• On November 30, December 1, December 5, and December 7, there are four consecutive instances of Husband & Wife being used for a couple who is not alive at the time of taping. This would become increasingly rare throughout the category's life.
• On December 8:
  • The audience shot (used after Round 2) is framed in a rotating star without a border.
  • Contestant Gary solves the Round 3 puzzle MEL BROOKS AND ANNE BANCROFT with only the N's and T showing.
  • The "only vowels remain" beeps accidentally sound twice in Round 4.
  • Even though Rounds 3 and 4 are in the same segment, the second Wheel Prize is not added until Round 5.
  • The bonus puzzle ATOM is the first confirmed four-letter bonus puzzle.
• On December 11:
  • All of the puzzles are very short, with Round 1 (HOSPITAL VISITING HOURS) being the longest at only 19 letters.
  • Unusually, "Changing Keys" starts playing as soon as contestant Steve solves his bonus puzzle, and continues to play under Charlie's description of the Toyota 4Runner that he won.
• On December 12:
  • Round 1 (SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE) is categorized as Phrase instead of Title.
  • No vowels are bought in Rounds 1 or 4.
  • The Round 4 Prize is an $11,750 Fred Joaillier gift certificate, with which a diamond and ruby band may be purchased.
  • Contestant Steve retires undefeated with $68,180.
• On December 13:
  • Ten turns are lost in Round 2, six of which are consecutive.
  • The bonus puzzle AIRTIGHT is a rare instance of a one-word Phrase.
  • Contestant John sweeps the main game and wins $25,000 in the Bonus Round.
• On December 14:
  • The Round 4 Prize is the same Hi-Lo travel trailer that was used several times in Season 6; by this point, its value has increased to $11,731.
  • Six rounds are played, with Rounds 3 and 4 in the same segment.
  • The Round 6 puzzle BOUILLABAISSE has only three unique consonants.
• On December 15:
  • Two of the contestants are named Steve.
  • Twelve turns are lost in Round 1, six of which are consecutive.
• During the weeks of December 18 and 25, the set is decorated for Christmas: large "spiked" lights are placed on the chevron backdrops behind Pat, while the puzzle board is decorated with three large starbursts.
• On December 18:
  • No vowels are bought in Round 1.
  • Round 1 (BODYGUARD) is shorter than ten letters.
  • When the Round 4 puzzle is revealed, the puzzle board's chase lights turn off completely once they stop flashing, but turn back on by the first letter reveals of the round.
• On December 19:
  • Contestant Cheryl loses $25,400 to Bankrupt in Round 3.
  • Contestant Margaret accidentally calls L in the Bonus Round, and it is placed on the chyron until an offstage voice can be heard acknowledging this.
  • Margaret solves the bonus puzzle ROBOT before the timer can start, despite getting no help from her extra letters.
• On December 18 and 19, Pat draws Margaret's Bonus Round envelope for her.
• On December 20:
  • Contestant Ed solves the bonus puzzle HALLUCINATION before Vanna finishes revealing his letter choices.
  • Ed sweeps the game and wins a Chevrolet Lumina APV in the Bonus Round.
• On December 21:
  • No vowels are bought in Round 2.
  • Round 5 (GARGOYLE) is shorter than ten letters.
  • Contestant Dimitri accidentally calls S in the Bonus Round, and it is placed on the chyron.
• On December 22:
  • During Round 4 (done on the Round 3 Wheel template), the Prize is on the pink $300.
  • During the final segment, Pat throws a handful of fake snow at Vanna, a moment which appears in various retrospectives.
• December 25 is Family Week, with the Friday Finals format. The winning team on Friday receives a "Family of the Year" trophy. Some general notes about this week:
  • The opening has the teams already in place, with no movement by them until the "Wheel! Of! Fortune!" chant finishes.
  • The contestant window in the Bonus Round is an oval instead of a circle, and (perhaps as a result) the shot of the board is zoomed out further than usual.
• On December 25:
  • Appropriately, Round 1 is the debut of Family.
  • Contestants Bill and Lynn fill in the bonus puzzle TWILIGHT completely.
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
• Between December 8 and 25, twelve bonus puzzles in a row are only one word.
• On December 26:
  • No vowels are bought in Round 2.
  • Round 3 (INTELLECTUAL THINK TANK) is both a redundant answer, and categorized as Place instead of Thing.
  • Contestants Gus and Lee spin over the Final Spin bells. They are allowed to complete her turn, after which Pat does the Final Spin.
  • Contestant Mike starts to solve the bonus puzzle HUMAN BEING before the timer can start, but Pat stops him.
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
• On December 27:
  • The Round 1 puzzle SNEEZY DOC BASHFUL HAPPY GRUMPY SLEEPY AND DOPEY is both the longest known puzzle in terms of letters and overall spaces to be used on the four-line trilon board, using 41 of the 48 spaces.
  • The Round 2 Prize is an entertainment center with a Sharp TV, which displays the Round 1 Wheel template spinning as Charlie describes it.
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • Contestants Dave and Carol win by $100.
  • Pat grabs Dave and Carol's envelope for them.
  • Dave and Carol solve the bonus puzzle BARNYARD before the timer can start. This is all the more unusual given Pat's treatment of a similar situation the previous day.
  • Rounds 1 and 3 are Fictional Character(s), while Rounds 2 and 4 are Thing(s).
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
• On December 28:
  • The Round 2 Prize is an entertainment center from Colortyme, along with a set of 50 VHS tapes from Video Treasures. As was the case on the previous day, the TV in this package shows footage of the Round 1 template spinning as Charlie describes it.
  • When the Round 2 puzzle is revealed, the board's lights do not stop flashing until the first spin.
  • The Round 4 Prize is an $11,410 trip to Hawaii.
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
• On December 29:

  

  • The teams are introduced with their previous scores on the main contestant displays, and the chevron backdrops are not used for the cumulative scores after the game.
  • Rounds 1 and 2 are played entirely by the teams who began them.
  • Rounds 1-3 are Thing. Round 1, IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS, is given this category instead of the more logical Person/Title.
  • The Round 4 Prize is a $10,000 savings bond, and there is no close-up shot of its wedge.
  • In the final segment, the trophy is shown with Pat, Vanna, and the winning team inlaid in the lower left-hand corner (continuing from Pat's joke about it being "six stories tall"). The camera remains on the group during the credits, almost certainly to continue the illusion, only to "break" it when the King World logo appears.

January 1990

• Reruns air during the week of January 1. The repeats have "It's an encore presentation" dubbed in right after "It's America's most watched game show!"
• On January 8:
  • The Round 2 Prize is a Panasonic television, which as usual for the era, displays looped footage of the Round 1 template spinning as Charlie describes it.
  • Six rounds are played, with Rounds 3 and 4 in the second segment.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 5.
• On January 9:
  • Only one of the two turntables spins during the opening and credits.
  • Contestant Meg retires with $107,938.
• On January 10:
  • The Round 3 puzzle PAUL AND LINDA MC CARTNEY is misspelled (should be "McCartney").
  • The Round 4 Prize is a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
  • No vowels are bought in Rounds 4 or 5.
  • Vanna forgets to turn the first L in the Round 5 puzzle FLANNEL SHIRT, although the puzzle is solved immediately afterward.
  • After describing the Cadillac won in the Bonus Round, Charlie accidentally says "Good luck."
  • Full credit rolls now begin with Merv Griffin as Executive Producer and continue to end with his creator credit.
• On January 11, during the closing segment, Pat and Vanna plug the upcoming Disney World tapings.
• On January 12:
  • The Round 4 Prize is an $11,269 grand piano.
  • Six rounds are played, with Rounds 3 and 4 in the same segment.
  • Rounds 1, 2, and 6 are Phrase.
  • Contestant Louise retires with $118,936, a rare instance of two consecutive undefeated champions.
• On January 15:
  • Free Spin is on a value not ending in "00": in this case, the pink $250.
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • Contestant Annie solves the Round 2 puzzle DANNY DEVITO AND RHEA PERLMAN with only the N's and D's showing.
  • Rounds 2 and 3 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
  • No vowels are bought in Rounds 2, 3, or 6.
  • The Round 4 Prize is 18 karat ring worth $10,000.
  • Six rounds are played, with Rounds 3 and 4 in the same segment.
• On January 16:
  • Rounds 1 and 4 (DON'T PANIC and BLOW DRYER) are both shorter than ten letters.
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • The first three turns are lost in Round 4 (a Bankrupt and two Lose a Turns).
  • Rounds 3 and 4 are played in the same segment.
  • Contestant Judith solves the bonus puzzle WALK ON BY before the timer can start.
• On January 17:
  • Before Round 1, Pat informs the contestants that the puzzle (DEARLY BELOVED) can be both Phrase and Title, although the chyron displays only the former. This is the last instance of a puzzle being in more than one category.
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • The value of the Round 4 Prize appears with a "curtain" wipe.
  • In Round 4, Pat forgets to mention the hyphen until after contestant Joye begins to spin. He does not acknowledge this until after the Wheel stops.
  • Rounds 3 and 4 are played in the same segment.
  • As the bonus puzzle is GOOD LUCK, Pat says "You have ten seconds, here we go" instead of "you have ten seconds, good luck" before the timer starts.
• On January 18:
  • Free Spin is on a value not ending in "00": in this case, the blue $150 between $250 and $400. This also results in the Round 2 Prize being on the blue $150 two wedges counterclockwise from Lose a Turn.
  • The Round 1 puzzle GORGEOUS GEORGE is this season's first appearance of Nickname. It also has only three unique consonants.
  • Seven consecutive turns are lost in Round 1.
  • When the Round 3 puzzle is revealed, the board's lights do not stop flashing until the first spin.
  • Although a repeated R is called in Round 4, it is not acknowledged as such.
  • Judith retires with $103,068, having won all three of her Bonus Rounds.
• On January 19:
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • In an unusual move, Pat grabs sole the remaining envelope at the beginning of the Bonus Round.
• All five Bonus Rounds are won on the week of January 15, part of a seven-day winning streak beginning on the 12th.
• On January 22:
  • Free Spin is on a value not ending in "00": in this case, the blue $150 two wedges counterclockwise from Lose a Turn.
  • Contestant Kathy fills in the bonus puzzle VENDOR completely.
• On January 23:
  • In the final segment, Pat and Vanna plug the Red Lion Inn in Bakersfield, California, at which they stayed (apparently during a contestant search).
  • "Hotel accomodations and interview facilities in Bakersfield provided by THE RED LION INN" appears between the eligibility disclaimer and Vanna's wardrobe credit, on four lines over a shot of Pat, Vanna and the day's winner at center stage. Also, "accomodations" is misspelled.
• On January 24:
  • Kathy fills in the entire Round 1 puzzle COMING ON STRONG by herself.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 5.
  • Kathy retires with $100,121.
• On January 25:
  • One of the contestants is named A.
  • There are two sets of duplicate categories: Phrase in Rounds 2 and 3, Person in Rounds 4 and 5.
  • All of the puzzles are very short, with Rounds 1 and 2 (a Before & After of MINNIE PEARL NECKLACE and DENIED ANY WRONGDOING respectively) tied for the longest at only 19 letters.
• On January 26, the puzzle JACK IN THE BOX is categorized as Place instead of Thing, presumably in reference to the fast-food chain. Pat comments on this by saying "may I take your order?" after the puzzle is solved.
• On January 29:
  • For the final time, Free Spin is on a value not ending in "00": in this case, the blue $150 between $250 and $400. This also results in the Round 2 Prize being on the blue $150 two wedges counterclockwise from Lose a Turn, a repeat of the January 18th occurrence.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 3.
  • The Round 4 Prize is an $12,000 Fred Joaillier gift certificate, with which a gold necklace with a heart may be purchased.
  • During the post-game chat, Pat brings out Vanna's chair and she does some crocheting.
  • The Merv Griffin Enterprises graphic now flips down from above the screen for Charlie's spiel, then back up to show the set and King World logo/announcement. Previously, the camera cut to the logo for that portion of Charlie's spiel, then cut back to the set for the King World logo/announcement.
• On January 30:
  • Round 5 (BATMOBILE) is shorter than ten letters.
  • Six rounds are played, with Rounds 3 and 4 in the same segment.
  • During Round 6, contestant Alan begins to spin right before the Final Spin bells. He is allowed to complete his turn, after which Pat does the Final Spin.
  • Rounds 3, 5, 6, and the Bonus Round are Thing.
• On January 31:
  • Ten wrong letters are called in Round 5, two of which (D and L) are repeats.
  • Rounds 1, 2, 4, and the Bonus Round are Phrase.
  • Alan calls A as his vowel in the Bonus Round, but the chyron briefly displays E by mistake.
  • The bonus puzzle ALL GROWN-UP is improperly hyphenated.
  • All of the puzzles are very short, with Round 2 (FOLLOW YOUR INSTINCTS) being the longest at only 19 letters.

February 1990

• On February 2:
  • One of the contestants is referred to by her nickname, Mouse.
  • Rounds 3 and 4 are played in the same segment.
  • Rounds 1, 2, and 4 are Phrase.
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
• On February 5:
  • The Final Spin bells sound just before Pat's "People does not always mean 'proper names'" explanation, after which they sound again.
  • There are two sets of repeated categories: Thing in Rounds 1 and 3, People in Round 5 and Person in the Bonus Round.
• On February 6:
  • Contestant Lisa calls a wrong letter, then opts to turn in her Free Spin, but before she can do so, Jeff begins to spin the Wheel. He quickly stops himself, after which Pat resets the Wheel by moving it backward.
  • Rounds 3 and 4 are played in the same segment.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 4.
  • There are two sets of repeated categories: Thing in Rounds 1, 4 and the Bonus Round, and People in Rounds 2 and 3.
• On February 7:
  • Six rounds are played, with Rounds 3 and 4 in the second segment.
  • Round 6 (GRACELAND) is shorter than ten letters, it is also categorized as Place instead of Landmark.
  • Things is used in Round 3, while Round 4 and the Bonus Round are Thing.
• On February 8:
  • The Round 1 puzzle LOVE HANDLES is categorized as Nickname instead of Things.
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • Rounds 2 and 3 are played entirely by the contestants who began them, although Free Spin is used in Round 2.
  • Rounds 3 and 4 are played in the same segment.
  • The bonus puzzle GOOD-BYE KISS is improperly hyphenated.
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
• On February 9:
  • No vowels are bought in Round 1.
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • The Round 4 Prize is a painting of a San Francisco bar by Leroy Neiman.
  • In Round 5, the "only vowels remain" beeps fail to sound until after contestant Brenda starts to solve.
  • Six rounds are played, with Rounds 3 and 4 in the same segment.
  • Round 6 (CRYBABY) is shorter than ten letters and has only one vowel.
  • Pat opens the sole remaining envelope at the beginning of the Bonus Round but does not reveal it to the camera.
  • Vanna turns the L in the bonus puzzle LIMERICK too far, but fixes it just as she walks back into position.
  • Contestant Dan fills in the above bonus puzzle completely.
• All five Bonus Rounds are won on the week of February 5, part of a six-day winning streak through to the 12th.
• On February 12:
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • No vowels are bought in Rounds 2 or 5.
  • Rounds 3 and 4 are played in the same segment.
  • The Round 4 Prize stays on the Wheel during Round 5.
  • The Round 5 puzzle CRUMB CAKE is shorter than ten letters.
  • Contestant Laurel's scoreboard glitches during the score recaps.
  • There is a rare instance of "Buzzword" being used for something other than a car: specifically, a ruby and diamond ring.
  • Rounds 1 and 3 are Things, while Round 5 and the Bonus Round are Thing.
  • Dan retires with $121,749, having won all three of his Bonus Rounds.
• On February 13:
  • Contestant Eugene leaves out THE in the Round 1 puzzle THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA after he says "It's a great place to live", but is still accepted. This does not affect the outcome as he wins anyway.
  • Rounds 1 and 3 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • Round 3 (FRED AND WILMA FLINTSTONE) is categorized as Husband & Wife instead of Fictional Characters. It is also the first Husband & Wife puzzle that refers to a fictional couple.
  • Rounds 3 and 4 are played in the same segment.
  • The Round 4 Prize is a Fred Joaillier bracelet worth $11,500.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 5.
• On February 14:
  • Round 3 is WHEEL OF FORTUNE CONTESTANT.
  • The Round 4 Prize stays on the wheel during Round 5.
  • Six rounds are played, with Rounds 3 and 4 in the second segment.
  • Contestant Christy wins by $50.
• On February 15:
  • The Round 2 Prize is a pair of Yamaha Zuma motor scooters.
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • Round 2 is the second known use of Events.
  • Rounds 3 and 4 are played in the same segment.
  • The Round 4 Prize is a Fred Hayman shopping spree.
  • The Round 4 Prize stays on the wheel during Round 5.
  • Round 5 inexplicably goes to Speed-Up with only one consonant remaining (the G in the puzzle GUT INSTINCT).
  • Vanna turns the first N in the bonus puzzle BADMINTON incompletely, but fixes it just as she walks back into position.
  • Although contestant J.D. gives the correct answer to the above bonus puzzle almost immediately, it is not acknowledged for about six seconds.
  • The value of the Bonus Round prize (a pair of mink coats) is formed by two outlines of the number sliding onscreen from the left and right. In addition, the Prize footage uses heart-shaped wipes.
• On February 16:
  • Vanna wears a suit.
  • J.D.'s scoreboard accidentally turns off as he hands in his Free Spin.
  • Against precedent, the buzzer sounds on a repeated L in Round 1.
  • Eleven turns are lost in Round 1, six of which are consecutive.
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 4 or 5.
  • Contestant Dan spins the Wheel just after the Speed-Up bells ring, at which point Pat stops the Wheel and does the Final Spin.
  • There is a rare instance of a contestant losing their turn with only vowels remaining in the Speed-Up. This is mainly due to Pat not acknowledging this until the turn is lost.
  • Rounds 3 and 5 (SAY NO MORE and DOMINOES) are both shorter than ten letters; the former is a rare instance of such a puzzle in any round other than the first or last. The latter is categorized as Title instead of Things.
  • Rounds 1-3 are Phrase.
• Between February 6 and 16, nine bonus puzzles in a row are Thing.
• The weeks of February 19 and 26 are done from Walt Disney World, recorded in mid-January. Unusually for a road show, these weeks use the rugs, turntables, and CBS's applause machine. Near the end of the intro, an animation of Tinker Bell flies on-screen and taps the screen, the glow from her magic wand forming the wipe to the set.
  • Each intro starts with Vanna at a Disney World attraction, saying "It's Wheel of Fortune from Walt Disney World!" before the theme is cued to Disney World footage.
  • In one intro, Charlie's part is "On location in Orlando, Florida; America's favorite game show! Coming to you from America's favorite theme park!" As the logo forms over footage of Mickey Mouse waving from the Cinderella/Sleeping Beauty castle, he continues, "The famous Wheel is spinning your way: Wheel of Fortune!" at which point Tinker Bell zaps the screen with her wand and then flies off. He then ends by saying, "With lots of cash and fabulous prizes! Over (amount) just waiting to be won! And now, here are your host and hostess: Pat Sajak and Vanna White!"
  • A second intro features Vanna's usual opening line, followed with a shot of Mickey Mouse on the EPCOT Center dome, as a spinning 1987 Round 1 Wheel template complete with blue center zooms back as it spins. Charlie's part is "America's most watched game show, coming to you on location from the Disney-MGM Studios! Magic, fantasy, fun, excitement, special friends, and fabulous fireworks, on Wheel of Fortune!" The logo zooms up before Tinker Bell zaps the screen with her wand and then flies off. He then ends by saying, "Lots of cash, wonderful prizes! Over (amount) given away so far this week! And now, here are your host and hostess: Pat Sajak and Vanna White!"
  • The repeats for these shows include a modified intro for Charlie: "It's an encore presentation of Disney Week!" The rest of the intro remains unchanged.
  • Like the New York shows in 1988, the money graphic is used in the intro.
  • As the road show backdrops are used, champions' two- and three-day totals are instead displayed on the chyron after the final round.
  • From the week of February 19 until the Virginia episodes in late Season 12, two-line bonus puzzles on road shows use the first and second rows of the puzzle board instead of the second and third. This is probably done to increase visibility in larger venues.
• On all of the Disney World episodes:
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • The contestant's Bonus Round letter choices are the same color as the category chyrons.
  • The puzzle board uses its original chase light sequence.
  • During the audience shot after Round 2, various Disney characters can be seen in the audience.
  • Prior to the Merv Griffin Enterprises logo, there is a disclaimer that the show was "Taped at the Disney-MGM Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida", with the logo for the Disney-MGM Studios theme park minus the MGM portion. The camera zooms up on the flashing light background behind Pat. In full credit rolls, this disclaimer is seen scrolling at the end of the credits.
• On February 19:
  • Vanna wears a suit.
  • One of the contestants is named Patty Hearst, not to be confused with the infamous kidnapping victim.
  • In Round 2, contestant Catherine asks to buy a vowel but changes her mind, and her display deducts $250 briefly before re-adding it.
  • Rounds 3 and 4 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
  • J.D. leaves with $106,785 despite not making it to the Bonus Round on his last show. Charlie announces during the credits that winnings over $100,000 are donated to the charity of the contestant's choice.
  • The November 1989 contest winners are shown in the audience prior to the credits.
• On February 21, the Round 3 puzzle YO-HO YO-HO A PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME 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. This puzzle is also improperly hyphenated.
• On February 22:
  • No vowels are bought in Round 1.
  • Round 4 (A FIGURE EIGHT IN ICE SKATING) is the longest puzzle. This puzzle also has a redundant A at the beginning.
  • Round 1 and the Bonus Round are Title.
  • Unusually, after the Bonus Round is lost, Pat asks if anyone in the audience knows the answer, at which point at least one audience member can be heard saying the right answer of GUNSMOKE.
• On February 26:
  • Vanna wears a suit.
  • Contestant Terri-Jo is the first known contestant to have a hyphenated name.
  • There are two sets of repeated categories: Round 1 and 3 are Phrase, while Round 4 is Things, and the Bonus Round is Thing.
• On February 27:
  • The value of the Round 2 Prize zooms onscreen with a drop shadow effect that starts at the bottom left.
  • The Round 4 Prize is a $10,000 savings bond.
• On February 28:
  • Vanna wears a suit.
  • Rounds 1 and 2 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
  • Goofy models the Round 2 Prize, a set of golf clubs.
  • The bonus puzzle CHOPIN is the first known instance of a puzzle being only the last name of a famous person, as opposed to their full name.
  • Contestant Bill retires with $109,909, having won all three of his Bonus Rounds. Charlie announces during the credits that winnings over $100,000 are donated to the charity of the contestant's choice.

March 1990

• On March 1:
  • Rounds 1, 2, and 4 are Phrase.
  • The bonus puzzle MASH (Title) is only the second known four-letter bonus puzzle.
• On March 2:
  • The Round 2 Prize is a trip to Mexico, which is promoted by Vanna and Donald Duck dancing to "La Cucaracha" at the Pyramids of Mexico at EPCOT Center.
  • After Round 2, as the show goes to break, Goofy and Pluto can be seen entertaining the audience.
  • Neither Thing nor Phrase is used in the main game.
  • After Pat and Vanna sign off, there is a wide shot of the set, including the champion standing at the podium, just before Charlie begins the closing plugs.
• All five Bonus Rounds are won on the week of February 26, part of a six-day winning streak beginning on the 23rd.
• On March 5:
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • Rounds 3 and 4 are played in the same segment.
  • The Round 4 Prize is an $11,000 heart necklace. It is placed on the pink $300, and it stays on the Wheel during Round 5.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 5.
  • Pat grabs contestant Cornelia's Bonus Round envelope for her.
• On March 6:
  • Rounds 2, 4, and the Bonus Round are Phrase.
  • Round 4 (FLUNKED THE LIE DETECTOR TEST) is the longest puzzle.
  • Cornelia retires with $45,637.
• On March 7:
  • Pat's Final Spin lands on Bankrupt. His second attempt hits $5,000.
  • Round 5 (BARSTOOL) is shorter than ten letters.
  • Unusually, contestant Dave's family comes onstage before Pat opens the bonus envelope.
• On March 8:
  • Charlie accidentally says "just waiting to be won this week" during the opening, even though this is a Thursday show.
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • No vowels are bought in Rounds 2 or 5.
  • There are two sets of repeated categories: Thing in Rounds 2 and 5, Phrase in Round 4 and the Bonus Round.
  • After solving the Round 1 puzzle, David's score display briefly goes blank.
  • Bankrupt is hit four times in Round 4.
  • Contestant Dave solves the Speed-Up puzzle CHERRY COKE on the buzzer. Pat says they will check his answer during the break. As a result, there is a break between the end of the round and the final scores being announced.
  • Because of the additional segment, Pat signs off immediately after the Bonus Round is over. Despite this, Game Show Network adds a commercial break between the end of the Bonus Round and the credits.
• On March 9:
  • The Round 1 puzzle ROGER & ME is shorter than ten letters and has only three unique consonants. It is also the first use of an ampersand outside Same Name. This is also the only known such instance until Season 9.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 1.
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • Rounds 3 and 4 are played in the same segment.
  • The value of the Round 4 Prize (a Starcraft trailer) zooms onscreen from the upper right, using a drop shadow effect. Also, it stays on the Wheel for Round 5.
• On March 12:
  • After the bonus puzzle AT ITS PEAK is solved, the ding accidentally sounds when the I is turned, probably because it was the only letter unrevealed.
  • In the closing segment, Vanna shows off an afghan she made for Merv.
• On March 13:
  • Contestant Gerianne, a two-day champion, loses by $50.
  • Only Phrase and Thing are used: Phrase in Rounds 1, 3, and 5; Thing in Rounds 2, 4, and the Bonus Round.
  • Round 5 (NAMBY-PAMBY) has only one vowel.
  • Pat very nearly forgets to open the bonus envelope until he is reminded from offstage.
• On March 14:
  • There are two sets of repeated categories: Phrase in Rounds 1 and 3, Thing in Rounds 2 and 5.
  • Round 4 is ALEX TREBEK.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 4.
• On March 15:
  • No vowels are bought in Round 1.
  • In an unusual move, the value of the Round 4 Prize spins on-screen diagonally, and the value of the bonus prize is formed by horizontal lines flying in from the left and right. (The Round 2 Prize's value uses the normal dissolve.)
  • The Round 4 Prize is kept for Round 5, despite the change of templates. It is placed on the red $300, its normal position.
  • Six rounds are played, with two sets of repeated categories: Phrase in Rounds 2 and 4, Thing in Rounds 3, 5, 6, and the Bonus Round.
  • Pat draws contestant Catherine's bonus envelope for her.
• On March 16:
  • The lettering on the Round 2 Prize's wedge is vertically compressed.
  • The camera is much further to the right than usual during the Bonus Round.
• On March 19:
  • During the contestant interviews, Pat stands next to contestant Nelson as they wearing the same suit.
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • Rounds 3 and 4 are played in the same segment.
  • The Round 4 is a $12,000 Leroy Neiman painting of a leopard. It stays on the Wheel for Round 5.
  • Round 5 (QUICK FIX) is shorter than ten letters and has none of the five main consonants.
  • No letters are revealed in the above round until the sixth turn and sixteen turns are lost in total, including seven in the Speed-Up.
  • Pat grabs contestant Kathy's bonus envelope for her.
  • Contestant Kathy solves the bonus puzzle ZORRO just after the buzzer, after getting no help from her extra letters.
  • During the post-game chat, in reference to the above bonus puzzle, Pat sings the theme to the 1957 Zorro TV series. He would do this again in Season 12.
• On March 20, for the last time, a fur coat is offered: specifically, a $12,500 Dicker and Dicker mink coat as the Round 2 Prize. While furs were generally dropped from the prize rotation in late March due to their impracticality in warmer weather, they are dropped permanently at PETA's insistence.
• On March 21:
  • Six rounds are played, with Rounds 3 and 4 in the second segment.
  • The Round 4 Prize stays on the Wheel during Round 5.
  • The Round 5 puzzle HAM HOCKS is shorter than ten letters.
  • There is a rare instance of two contestants losing their turns with only vowels remaining in the Speed-Up: contestant Jennifer calls the L in the puzzle SCENE-STEALER but remains silent; Pat then acknowledges that only vowels remain, after which contestant Van calls an O.
• Between March 1 and 22, the $25,000 envelope is not chosen for 16 consecutive episodes.
• On March 23:
  • No vowels are bought in Round 1.
  • The Round 2 Prize is $3,000 credit to Fred Hayman.
  • Round 4 (DOCTOR FEELGOOD) is inexplicably categorized as Fictional Character instead of Title. It is also misspelled, as it should be "Dr."
  • There is a jump cut to contestant Barbara while Vanna reveals RSTLNE during the Bonus Round.
  • Barbara finishes with only $3,300.
• On March 26:
  • A couple of lights are burned out on contestant Stephen's eggcrate display.
  • The Round 4 Prize is a $6,000 Fred Hayman shopping spree.
  • Rounds 3 and 4 are played in the same segment.
  • The Round 4 Prize stays on the Wheel during Round 5.
  • Pat's Final Spin lands on Lose a Turn.
• On March 27:
  • Pat escorts Vanna to the puzzle board.
  • The Round 4 Prize remains on the Wheel for Round 5.
  • The Chrysler convertible is on a turntable, while a 4×4 near the puzzle board is on one of the rugs typically used for boats.
• On March 28:
  • Round 5 (POP SINGER) is shorter than ten letters.
  • Round 5 goes to Speed-Up with only one consonant (the P's) remaining.
• On March 29:
  • Six rounds are played, with Rounds 3 and 4 in the second segment.
  • Even though Rounds 3 and 4 are in the same segment, the second Wheel Prize is not added until Round 5.
  • Contestant Emily retires with $111,024. When announcing this total after Round 6, Pat mentions that her total is not on the scoreboard behind her since "our little machine doesn't go that high". Instead, her total is displayed on the chyron, similar to post-Bonus Round totals.
  • During the final segment, Vanna mentions that she had recently been to Paris and saw a taping of the French version while there.
• On March 30:
  • Contestant Joe wins with $27,500, all claimed in Round 3.
  • There are two sets of repeated categories: Phrase in Rounds 1 and 2; Thing in Rounds 4, 5, and the Bonus Round.

April 1990

• Reruns air during the week of April 2.
• During this month, some local stations air a promo with Vanna doing an audition plug on the set. The use of the Round 4 daytime layout suggests it was done after a daytime taping.
• On April 9:
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • The Round 4 Prize is a $7,000 Service Merchandise gift certificate.
• On April 10:
  • Rounds 3 and 4 are played in the same segment.
  • The Round 4 Prize is artwork by Italian painter Nicola Simbari. Unusually, it stays on the Wheel for Round 5.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 5.
  • Pat grabs contestant Wilma's bonus envelope for her.
• On April 11:
  • Round 4 (QUIET PLEASE GENIUS AT WORK) is the longest puzzle.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 5.
• On April 12:
  • The overhead shot of Pat's opening spin is no longer used.
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • The Round 4 Prize is diamonds from Fred Joaillier worth $11,275.
  • Round 1 is People while the Bonus Round is Person.
  • Wilma retires with $126,233, having won all three of her Bonus Rounds.
• On April 13:
  • Three consecutive Bankrupts are hit in Round 3 (two by the blue contestant and one by the red contestant).
  • No vowels are bought in Rounds 4 or 5.
  • In Round 5, the V in the puzzle EXTRAVAGANZA fails to light up until after Vanna turns it.
  • Rounds 3 and 5 are Event, while Round 4 and the Bonus Round are Thing.
• On April 16:
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • No vowels are bought in Rounds 4 or 5.
  • Rounds 1 and 2 are Phrase, while Rounds 4, 5 and the Bonus Round are Thing.
• On April 17:
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • Six rounds are played, with Rounds 3 and 4 in the second segment.
  • Rounds 2, 4, and the Bonus Round are Thing, while Round 6 is Things.
• On April 18:
  • Free Spin comes loose in Round 2, exposing the 5 on the yellow $500 between $200 and $700.
  • No vowels are bought in Rounds 4, 5, or 6.
  • The Round 4 Prize stays on the Wheel during Round 5.
  • Six rounds are played, with Rounds 3 and 4 in the second segment.
  • After contestant Mark does not solve the bonus puzzle HULK HOGAN, Pat asks Vanna to reveal the entire first word to give him a hint.
• On April 19:
  • The Round 2 Prize is an encyclopedia of movies with a Magnavox camcorder and a Colortyme TV, which displays the Round 1 template spinning as Charlie describes it.
  • Rounds 3 and 4 are played in the same segment.
  • The Round 4 Prize is an $11,000 heart necklace.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 5.
  • Pat grabs contestant Dorothy's bonus envelope for her.
• On April 20:
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • The Round 4 Prize is a trip to Ireland worth $11,792.
  • Round 4 (SUPERMARKET SHOPPING CART) is the longest puzzle.
  • Dorothy finishes with a two-day total of $8,600. This is one of only two known instances of a returning two-day champion winning less than $10,000.
• On April 23:
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • Rounds 3 and 4 are played in the same segment.
  • The Round 4 Prize stays on the Wheel during Round 5.
  • There are three sets of duplicate categories: Rounds 1 and 3 are Before & After, Rounds 2 and 4 are Phrase, and Round 5 and the Bonus Round are Thing.
  • Contestant Sheri sweeps the main game but loses a trip to Europe in the Bonus Round.
• On April 24:
  • Round 4 (MERYL STREEP) has only one vowel.
  • The Round 4 Prize stays on the Wheel during Round 5.
  • The bonus puzzle OOHS AND AHS uses three lines.
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
• On April 25:
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • The Round 4 Prize stays on the Wheel during Round 5.
  • Six rounds are played, with Rounds 3 and 4 in the second segment.
  • Pat's Final Spin lands on Bankrupt.
  • Contestant Cyra accidentally spins the Wheel in the Speed-Up at which point Pat stops it.
  • The Round 6 puzzle NEWS SCOOP is shorter than ten letters.
  • Cyra accidentally calls N in the Bonus Round, and it appears on the chyron.
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
• On April 26:
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • The Round 4 Prize is $5,500 credit to Fred Hayman.
  • Seven consecutive turns are lost in Round 4.
  • Contestant Kathy finishes with only $2,800.
• On April 27:
  • The Wheel does not spin during the intro.
  • Charlie says "As we continue our encore presentation" in the opening spiel, suggesting that Game Show Network aired a rerun copy instead of the original.
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
• On April 30:
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • The Round 4 Prize is a piano worth $10,044.
  • The bonus puzzle FRIDAY NIGHT is inexplicably categorized as Thing instead of the more logical Event.
  • Charlie's description of the Bonus Round prize, a $22,042 "Gourmet Delights" package, lasts for one minute and fifteen seconds, the longest known description of a prize.
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.

May 1990

• On May 1:
  • Charlie says "It's an encore presentation of big winners" in the opening spiel, suggesting that Game Show Network aired a rerun copy instead of the original.
  • Contestant Julie fills in the entire Round 1 puzzle NELSON MANDELA by herself.
  • There are two sets of repeated categories: Person in Rounds 1, 2, and the Bonus Round, Things in Round 3 and Thing in Round 5.
• On May 2:
  • Pat stops doing the opening spin (daytime, however, continues using it until Spring 1991). He does it again on the 3rd and 7th, but these appear to be flukes.
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • Rounds 3 and 4 are played in the same segment.
  • Neither Bankrupt nor Lose a Turn is hit.
  • Rounds 1, 2, and 5 are Phrase.
  • Contestant Vince retires with $101,649.
• On May 3:
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
• On May 4:
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • The Round 4 Prize is artwork by Italian painter Nicola Simbari.
  • Round 5 (GO-GO BOOTS) is shorter than ten letters and has only one vowel.
  • Only Phrase and Things are used: Phrase in Rounds 1, 2, and the Bonus Round; Things in Rounds 3, 4, and 5.
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
• During the week of May 7, for the first known time, no cars are offered in the Bonus Round.
• On May 7:
  • The colors of the audience shot border (used on this episode after Round 2) are changed to dark blue in a border that is purple on the right and gold on the left.
  • Round 3 (HIEROGLYPHICS) is a very rare instance of a one-word puzzle in any round other than the first or last one.
  • The Round 4 Prize is a Geo Prizm worth $13,394.
  • Although a repeated C is called in Round 4, it is not acknowledged as such.
  • Round 5 (RUTGERS UNIVERSITY IN NEW JERSEY) is the longest puzzle.
  • Contestant Kamee finishes with only $3,850.
  • There are two sets of repeated categories: Phrase in Rounds 2 and 4, Thing in Round 3 and the Bonus Round.
  • Charlie appears on-camera at the end of the show.
• On May 8:
  • No vowels are bought in Rounds 1 or 5.
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • Rounds 3 and 4 are played in the same segment.
  • The Round 4 Prize stays on the Wheel during Round 5.
• On May 9:
  • Fifteen turns are lost in Round 1.
  • The Round 2 Prize is a Satellite dish with a Colortyme TV which displays the Round 1 template spins as Charlie describes it.
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 4.
  • Pat grabs contestant Jackie's bonus envelope for her but then puts it back and lets her grab it herself.
  • Pat has trouble opening the envelope.
  • During the closing segment, Pat brings out a Free Spin token and asks why it is not called "Free Turn" since it can be turned in to buy a vowel as well. Interestingly, he would later do the same during the closing chat in Seasons 12, 16 and 23.
• On May 10:
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • The Round 4 Prize is a Toyota Tercel worth $10,863.
  • Rounds 2, 4, and the Bonus Round are Phrase.
• On May 11:
  • Charlie says "As we continue encore week" in the opening spiel, suggesting that Game Show Network aired a rerun copy instead of the original.
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the blue $150 near Lose a Turn.
  • Rounds 3 and 4 are played in the same segment.
  • Only Phrase and Thing(s) are used: the former in Rounds 1 and 4; the latter in Rounds 2, 3, 5, and the Bonus Round.
  • Jackie retires with $69,265.
• On May 14:
  • The blue $150 near Lose a Turn is increased to $500, leaving only a single blue $150 (between the pink $250 and red $400) for Rounds 1 and 2. This is the last alteration made to the Wheel templates until September 1996.
  • A shot of the contestant area is shown after the Round 2 Prize description.
  • Round 5 (DOZE OFF) is shorter than ten letters, has only three unique consonants, and has none of the five most common ones.
  • Sixteen wrong letters are called in the Speed-Up, including a Y that Pat does not acknowledge as a repeat.
  • Pat briefly appears in the Bonus Round window.
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
• On May 15:
  • The first S in the Round 3 Before & After puzzle ULYSSES S GRANT ME A WISH partially slides off but Vanna fixes it.
  • Rounds 3 and 4 are played in the same segment.
  • Rounds 1, 2 and 4 are Phrase.
• On May 16:
  • The Round 2 Prize is an entertainment center from Colortyme, along with a set of 50 VHS tapes from Video Treasures. The TV in this package shows footage of the Round 1 template spinning as Charlie describes it.
  • The Round 4 Prize stays on the Wheel during Round 5.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 4.
  • Round 5 (PAULA ABDUL) has none of the five most common consonants.
  • Round 3 is People, while Round 5 is Person.
• On May 17, contestant Angelo calls an M in the Bonus Round, but an N appears on the chyron. This is corrected just as Vanna turns the letters.
• On May 18:
  • Round 4 is PAT AND LESLY SAJAK (Husband & Wife). This is also the last known instance until December 2001 of the category using AND instead of an ampersand.
  • After Pat consoles the contestant who solved Round 5 for his not hitting a larger amount, she replies with "Well, there's always Jeopardy!"
  • Round 5 (LITHUANIA) is shorter than ten letters.
  • As the camera pans the set leading into the pre-Bonus Round commercial break, the lights on the $25,000 sign are solid instead of flashing.
• May 21 is College Week, played with the same rules as the one in Season 6. During this week:
  • One of the bonus prizes is a $25,000 scholarship, represented by a sign with the traditional logo in green on a white diamond that has "$25,000" written on all four sides and "Scholarship" underneath.
  • Prizes stay on the Wheel for the entire game.
• On May 21:
  • Vanna wears a suit.
  • Pat almost does the opening spin.
  • In each round, the first letter revealed (or in the case of Round 1, the ampersand in Same Name) fails to light up until after it is turned.
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the pink $300 in Round 3 and the red $300 in Round 4.
  • The "wrong letter" buzzer accidentally sounds on a correct letter in Round 3.
  • The Round 4 Prize is on the peach $200.
  • Landmark makes only its second known appearance in the Bonus Round.
  • Contestant Todd sweeps the game and wins a $30,000 Annuity in the Bonus Round.
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
• On May 23:
  • The Round 2 Prize is a $3,000 Service Merchandise gift certificate.
  • Rounds 2 and 3 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
  • Contestant Tom solves the Speed-Up puzzle HURRY BACK SOON with only the R's and S showing.
  • Contestant Emily wins with $22,850 all claimed in Round 3.
  • Rounds 1, 2, and 5 are Phrase, while Round 3 is People and Round 4 is Person.
• On May 24:
  • For the first known time, two contestants have the same first name (Brian).
  • The Round 2 Prize is on the pink $300 in Round 3.
  • Rounds 1-3 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
  • The Round 4 Prize is a package which includes an Emerson TV which displays the Round 1 template spinning as Charlie describes it.
  • For unknown reasons, the Scholarship Prize moves from the first E to the H on the W-H-E-E-L holder.
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
• On May 25:
  • The opening has three teams already in place with no movement by them until the chant finishes.
  • Each player allows only one of the three teams play, while the other two sit in the audience.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 1.
  • The Round 2 Prize is an RCA TV with a recliner, said TV displays the Round 1 Wheel template spinning as Charlie describes it.
  • The value of the Round 2 Prize slides onscreen from the right.
  • Before Rounds 3 and 4, a representative for each team gives a presentation on his or her college.
  • Round 4 (JOHN F KENNEDY'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS) is the longest puzzle.
  • Pat forgets to open the bonus envelope.
  • Pat and Vanna do the closing chat with every contestant present, and announce that they have raised $148,807 altogether.
• During the week of May 28, one prize includes a greenhouse package with a collection of doves that can be heard often during the week, a fact which Pat brings up several times during each show. They are shown on-camera on May 28th and June 1st.
• On May 28, Pat grabs contestant Karen's bonus envelope for her.
• On May 29:
  • Round 5 (RUNNING GAG) has only three unique consonants.
  • Round 3 is Things, while Rounds 4 and 5 are Thing.
  • Following the Bonus Round, Pat is shown holding the $39,000 earrings that had just been won. He tosses one in the air after saying "Want to see a producer get nervous?", then puts the pair on Vanna's ears.
• On May 30:
  • Six rounds are played, with Rounds 3 and 4 in the second segment. This is the last known game to use this pacing until early 1991.
  • Round 6 (CRAB CAKES) is shorter than ten letters.
  • There are two sets of repeated categories: Phrase in Rounds 1 and 2, Thing in Round 5, and Things in Round 6.
• On May 31:
  • The O in the Round 2 Before & After puzzle DRESSED IN RAGS TO RICHES partially slides off but Vanna fixes it.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 5.
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.

June 1990

• On June 1:
  • Rounds 2, 4, 5, and the Bonus Round are Thing.
  • The yellow and blue contestants' scoreboards are still lit up during the Bonus Round.
  • During the post-game chat, Pat and Vanna take one last look at the doves.
• On June 4:
  • Vanna turns the C in the Round 2 puzzle BEYOND MORAL REPROACH too far.
  • Rounds 1-3 and the Bonus Round are Phrase.
  • Contestant Jeanine finishes with only $4,450.
• On June 5:
  • Against normal practice, the buzzer sounds on a repeated letter already on the board in Round 2.
  • The value of the Round 4 Prize (an Addictor boat) appears with a downward "folding" effect.
  • Pat accidentally drops the envelope after contestant Nadine loses the Bonus Round.
  • The Round 4 puzzle FLULIKE SYMPTOMS is misspelled ("flu-like" should be hyphenated).
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
• On June 7:
  • The Round 2 Prize is a $4,000 Service Merchandise gift certificate.
  • The Round 4 Prize stays on the wheel during Round 5.
  • The dollar sign appears on contestant Steve's display even though his total is over $10,000.
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
• On June 8:
  • Vanna is wearing a dark yellow dress, but the category chyrons are blue.
  • Steve's name tag falls off as he picks up the Free Spin in Round 1. He retrieves the name tag, after which Pat tosses it aside and says "You don't even need this."
  • Rounds 1, 3, and the Bonus Round are Phrase.
  • Steve retires with $74,455.
• For unknown reasons, the June 11 and 13 episodes do not air on Game Show Network.
• On June 12:
  • Contestant Terri accidentally looks at the wrong arrow almost causing her to pick up the Round 2 Prize.
  • The Round 4 Prize stays on the wheel during Round 5.
  • Six rounds are played, with Rounds 3 and 4 in the second segment.
  • Rounds 1, 3 and 5 are Phrase, while Round 2 is Things and Round 6 is Thing.
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off.
• On June 14:
  • Vanna is wearing a green dress, but the category chyrons are red.
  • In Round 4, contestant Kathleen nearly lifts up part of the Wheel template when attempting to pick up a Prize wedge. Pat lifts it off the Wheel for her.
  • Pat's Final Spin lands on Bankrupt three times. His fourth attempt lands on $5,000.
• On June 15:
  • The Free Spin disc comes loose during Round 1 and nearly falls off the Wheel.
  • Rounds 2 and 4 are Event; the latter, UNDER HOUSE ARREST, is inexplicably in that category instead of Phrase.

Post-Season

• September 1 is the last known day on which the Mattel game is compatible with the TV show.