Wheel of Fortune timeline (syndicated)/Season 21

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A timeline for Season 21 of Wheel of Fortune, which aired in first-run from September 8, 2003 through June 4, 2004.

Season Changes

• For the first time since Season 5, the season does not begin on Labor Day.
• On road shows, Charlie's intro is now "And now from [venue], here are the stars of America's Game, Pat Sajak and Vanna White!"
• This season's opening sequence features the logo forming (first the Wheel representing the O in "of", then the rest of it), on a white background with background streaks in shades of blue. The template used has an orange $500 in place of Lose a Turn and a green $700 in place of the lone Bankrupt. The Wheel's spaces are seen landing on the Wheel-shaped O of the two-row logo.

  

• The gold borders around the puzzle board are replaced with the current LED borders; the outer and inner frames of the new board are cyan and blue, respectively, unless otherwise specified. Additionally, the steps in front of the board, which had previously been white, now have black carpet on them.
• The video wall behind the contestants now has moving pictures instead of a singular pattern.
• Once again, the Wheel is altered:

  

  • The gold borders around the Wheel are replaced with metal borders.
  • The Wheel's base is rebuilt to be made out of translucent Plexiglas. In addition, a clear rectangle with the two-row logo is added at the end opposite the contestant area.
  • The contestant railing changes from brown to gray.
  • The Jackpot wedge design that had been in use since Season 15 is retired in favor of a new design which remains until October 24, 2005. The wedge itself remains red, but it now shows a new Jackpot logo featuring a star in a golden triangle, with the golden text "JACKPOT" on the triangle in the Tahoma font.
• The Toss-Up wipe is changed to a ring saying "Toss-Up" on the top and bottom, and the amount is written on a blue bar in the middle. The font is changed from Helvetica Condensed to Tahoma, and the color from bluish-purple with white text to teal with cyan text for both instances of "Toss-Up" and white for the amount.
• The category strips still use white text in Alternate Gothic, as they did in Season 20, but their coloration is changed from green-bordered blue to dark blue-violet, and the animation positioning them onto the screen is changed to a series of multicolored lines joining, after which the letters of the category name turn into place. Also, the left and right sides of the maingame strips now fade. However, the Bonus Round strips still continue to have distinct ends, and they reveal by "unfolding" onto the screen with the letters of the category name spinning into place.
  • Even though the maingame category strips are changed in Season 22, the Season 21 Bonus Round strip design remains in place until October 24, 2005; thus, it becomes the first Bonus Round strip design since Season 18 not to be changed at the start of a new season.
• The Jackpot logo graphic at the beginning of the round is changed to match the new design of the wedge itself, as is the post-plug graphic showing the wedge positioning itself onto the Wheel. The Jackpot display is also updated to match the new design, and the rectangle showing the amount changes color from gold-bordered red with gold text to gold with red text. It should be noted, however, that the shot of the Wheel when the Jackpot wedge positions itself is not updated to reflect the Wheel's new border and base; instead, it remains the same as it was at the beginning of Season 18 (it was not updated when the wedge fonts were altered around January 2003).
• The Mystery Round intro animation is changed to a still frame of the Wheel with the Mystery wedges in place. Also, the spiel changes to simply "In tonight's Mystery Round, a player could go Bankrupt..." followed by one of several rotating sentences used to describe the prize. The question mark wipe that reveals the prize copy is changed to a bright blue question mark in Clarendon, while the prize is revealed by the yellow-orange question mark from the Mystery Wedge itself, which spins towards and through the camera.
• The number graphics for the envelope amounts in the Bonus Round have their font changed from Helvetica Condensed to Clarendon, and the numbers now zoom out and spread into place. The light backgrounds that briefly surround the text when the amount graphics appear on-screen continue to be green for the $100,000 and blue for other amounts, but the text itself, which had previously been white with gold borders, has its color changed to orange-tinted gold for the $100,000 and silver for other amounts. Additionally, the background for the $100,000 has a few splashes of blue added to it, and after the background disappears several stars fly around the text, while the background for other amounts is changed to a deeper shade of blue.

  

• The Bonus Wheel is re-colored: the letters change from red to blue, the orange space after "$100,000" becomes green, the green space after "CASH" becomes purple, and the purple space after "BONUS" becomes pink.
• The Bonus Wheel animations displayed before and after the second-to-last commercial break are changed as well. The blue background from Season 20 is removed, and the wheel itself gains an orange tint to its gold coloration, with yellow lettering and a cyan center. Also, the colored wedges are in different colors from the design of the Bonus Wheel itself: the space after "$100,000" continues to be orange, the space after "CASH" continues to be green (but, in these graphics, is more specifically chartreuse), the space after "BONUS" is teal, and the space after "WIN" is pink. Additionally, the envelopes that fly out of the Wheel in the post-commercial Bonus Wheel animation, which had previously been blue-bordered gray, now use different colors for all of them: vermilion for $25,000 and $50,000, chartreuse for $30,000, teal for $35,000 and $45,000, and pink for $40,000.
• This is the first of two seasons in which the $100,000 prize is not won.
• Like the two from Season 19, weeks composed of sixth shows now have their own names.
• No family weeks are done this season.
• Several episodes this season offer the Kia Rio in the Mystery Round; for unknown reasons, its value stays at $9,726 until March (thus making it the only Mystery prize ever to be under $10,000), at which point it increases to $13,435.
• From this point until their first phasing out in Season 24, "decade" categories appear as Toss-Ups more frequently than before.
• From this point onward, almost no episodes have a round go to Speed-Up with only one consonant remaining.

September 2003

• September 8 is Big Money. During this week:
  • The Prize wedge says "Big Money" on it. Also, the wipe for the Prize footage is a safe opening and closing.
  • The Gift Tag is $1,000 cash in the form of then newly-redesigned $20 bills, and is shaped like one of said bills.
  • The second Bankrupt in Round 3 is accidentally placed on the yellow $300.
• On September 8:
  • The Prize is a $13,800 trip to Casablanca Resort and Casino in Nevada.
  • There is a $14,900 Jackpot win.
  • The 2000 closing theme plays during the credits.
• On September 9:
  • Round 1 (WHERE'S THE BEEF?) has only one vowel. It is also the first appearance of a "decade" category (The 80's) since March 21, 2002.
  • The overhead shot of the Final Spin is done in post-production, as the second Bankrupt is missing.
  • During the post-game chat, Pat and Vanna compare the old and new $20 bills.
• On September 10:
  • There is a $6,750 Jackpot win.
  • On the Menu debuts in Round 3.
  • During the credits, Vanna goes into the audience to sign an audience member's cast. After this, Pat is seen signing another audience member's leg.
  • Again, the 2000 closing theme plays during the credits.
• On September 11:
  • The Prize Puzzle is reintroduced. The first Prize Puzzle (in this case, Round 3) is GENTLE TRADE WINDS AND WARM BLUE WATERS, which awards a trip to the Caribbean. Unlike the Season 15 incarnation, several changes are made:
    • The puzzles now have a thematic connection to the prize, instead of describing it directly. Also, categories other than Thing(s), Event(s), and Place(s) may be used, although none of the "bonus" categories are used, Same Name is only used twice, and Before & After is phased out in early Season 22.
    • After the puzzle reveal chimes, a higher-pitched variant of them is used to indicate that the round is a Prize Puzzle; the Season 15 version did not have its own sound effect.
    • During Prize Puzzle rounds, the text "PRIZE PUZZLE" appears on the Used Letter Board alongside the category; it is not known if this was the case during the Season 15 ones.
    • Instead of being indicated directly on the category strip or not at all, Prize Puzzles are now indicated by a bug adjacent to the strip. The first one reads "PRIZE PUZZLE" in left-justified white Alternate Gothic text, with five colored sparks above it (which from left to right are colored yellow, green, cyan, white, and red).
    • There is also a wipe for the prize copy. The first one is three Wheel wedges (orange, yellow, and green) with four dollar signs apiece on them flying across the screen, surrounded by confetti.
    • For most of the first two seasons of its existence, the Prize Puzzle occurs one to three times a week.
  • Contestant Molly finishes second with $26,800.
  • The N in the bonus puzzle PIZZA PAN reveals itself before Vanna can touch it.
  • During the closing chat, Pat and Vanna go behind the puzzle board.
• On September 12, after Round 3's Headline puzzle QUEEN ELIZABETH CELEBRATES MILESTONE, Pat asks whether the puzzle refers to Queen Elizabeth's 40th, 50th, or 60th anniversary of coronation, and contestant Ginger provides the right answer of 50th. This is last instance of a "bonus" question being multiple-choice.
• All ten Bonus Rounds are lost on the weeks of May 26 and September 8, part of a twelve-day losing streak starting on the 22nd (counting the seven losses that ended Season 20). This is also part of a six-week span beginning on April 28 where only three Bonus Rounds are won.
• September 15 is Shopping Spree. During this week:
  • The inner frame of the board is yellow.
  • The Mystery Round Prize is a $10,000 shopping spree: at Bloomingdale's on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and Neiman Marcus and Tuesday and Thursday.
• On September 15, the opening animation is altered: the blue background is changed to teal and green, and the logo is cleaned up.
• On September 16:
  • The Prize is a trip to Caesars Palace and shopping spree at The Forum Shops at Caesars.
  • For the first of only five times, the Prize Puzzle offers something other than a trip: in this case, the Round 3 puzzle CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS offers a Sony plasma television.
  • Round 4 and the Bonus Round are On the Map.
• On September 17, the Prize is a $3,500 Visa gift card.
• On September 18:
  • The Round 3 Next Line Please puzzle PEAS PORRIDGE IN THE POT (nine days old) is misspelled (should be "pease porridge").
  • The bonus puzzle BUYING IN BULK is categorized as Phrase instead of Event.
• On September 19:
  • The $1,000 Toss-Up TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT is incorrectly categorized as Rhyme Time.
  • The Prize is a shopping spree at Mall of America with accommodations at Le Meridien Minneapolis.
  • Although a repeated T is called in Round 3, it is not acknowledged as such.
• September 22 is Resort Week. During this week, Pat and Vanna enter onstage from separate entrances; Pat is on the right of the video wall while Vanna is on the left.
• On September 22, Pat jokes before the $3,000 Toss-Up that "there are shows on Game Show Network that don't give away that in a month!"
• On September 23:
  • Vanna wears a sleeveless top and pants.
  • When Round 1 is revealed, the blanks for the $1,000 Toss-Up are accidentally shown. This is corrected by the first spin.
  • As the Prize is a trip to Utah, Pat mentions after the copy that KJZZ-TV of Salt Lake City, Utah has just become an affiliate of the show.
  • Both Rounds 2 and 3 are completely filled in before being solved.
  • The $1,000 Toss-Up and the Bonus Round are On the Map.
  • Pat and Vanna discuss the Prize Puzzle during the closing chat, and the Prize Puzzle chimes sound at the start of the chat.
• On September 24:
  • Pat gives contestant Christa a pair of high heels as a consolation prize after the main game.
  • Contestant Joseph guesses I'M BUSH on the bonus puzzle I'M BUSY, resulting in laughter from the audience.
  • Joseph misses the $100,000 by only one envelope.
• On September 25:
  • Vanna wears a sleeveless top and pants.
  • Similarly to the previous day, the audience laughs at contestant Rob's attempts to solve the bonus puzzle QUICK AS A WINK after the buzzer.
• September 29 is Wheels.
• On September 29:
  • A shot of contestant Julie spinning the Wheel in Round 3 is shown on the video wall.
  • The second Bankrupt is accidentally placed on the yellow $300.
  • Contestant Norman wins by $100.
• On September 30:
  • The Prize is an Eagle Rider motorcycle.
  • Contestant Marlo solves the bonus puzzle BARGAIN SHOPPING before the timer can start.

October 2003

• On October 1:
  • The Prize is a Willis mountain bicycle.
  • In an unusual move, contestant Lionel's supporters are shown after he spins the Bonus Wheel.
• On October 2:
  • Vanna wears a sleeveless top and pants.
  • Against normal practice, the buzzer sounds on a repeated letter in Round 3.
  • There is a rare instance of a team losing their turn with only vowels remaining in the Speed-Up.
  • The right-letter ding does not sound on the first letter in the Bonus Round.
  • In reference to the $1,000 Toss-Up puzzle ICE CREAM SANDWICH, Pat and Vanna eat one during the post-game chat.
• On October 3, Pat and Vanna's post-game chat is about the changes to the puzzle board.
• October 6 is Home Sweet Home. During this week:
  • Pat and Vanna enter from a gate next to a fake house.
  • Except on Thursday, the Prize is $3,500 credit: to Sony Style on Monday, The Home Depot on Tuesday, Furniture of America on Wednesday, and Kathy Ireland on Friday.
  • The Gift Tag is $1,000 credit to QVC.
  • On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, the Mystery Prize is a $10,000 Diners Club credit card.
• On October 6:
  • The $1,000 Toss-Up is PUZZLE SOLVERS.
  • The Round 1 puzzle BUILDING A TREE HOUSE is misspelled ("treehouse" should be one word).
  • All of the puzzles are very short, with Rounds 1 and 4 (the latter being SQUIRRELS & CHIPMUNKS) both tied for the longest at only 18 letters.
• On October 7:
  • The reveal of the Round 1 puzzle is shot differently than usual. Instead of a closeup of the board, the camera pans over from the contestant area before zooming in on the board.
  • Round 5 goes to Speed-Up with only one consonant remaining (the H's in CHINA HUTCH).
  • There is a rare instance of a contestant losing their turn with only vowels remaining in the Speed-Up.
• On October 8, neither Thing nor Phrase is used in the main game.
• On October 9:
  • The Prize is a Sony Vaio desktop computer, a CLIÉ personal digital assistant, and a subscription to soapcity.com.
  • All of the puzzles are very short, with Rounds 1 and 3 (JEFF AND BEAU BRIDGES and CRYSTAL BLUE LAGOONS) both tied for the longest at only 18 letters.
• On October 10:
  • No vowels are bought in Round 3.
  • In reference to the bonus puzzle BABY WIPES, Pat and Vanna use some to clean various things around the set including the puzzle board during the closing credits.
• All five Bonus Rounds are lost on the week of October 6, part of a seven-day losing streak.
• October 13 is Great Northwest.
• On October 13, the Round 2 puzzle ZIP-A-DEE-DOO-DAH ZIP-A-DEE-AY has seven hyphens, very likely a record.
• On October 14:
  • Contestant Fred is brought back due to him injuring himself on his original episode (April 1, 2002).
  • The reveal of the Round 1 puzzle is shot differently than usual. Instead of a closeup of the board, the camera pans over from the contestant area before zooming in on the board.
  • Round 1 (WOOD-BURNING FIREPLACE) is categorized as Thing instead of Around the House, due to the $3,000 Toss-Up being Around the House.
  • The Prize is trip to Seattle with footage of the Wheel on the Space Needle as Charlie describes it.
  • Round 5 goes to Speed-Up with only one consonant remaining (the F's in FOOLPROOF PLAN).
• On October 15:
  • The Mystery Round Prize is $10,000 credit to Sony Style.
  • Round 5 (CLUSTER OF RASPBERRIES) is the longest puzzle.
  • The 2000 closing theme plays during the credits.
• On October 16:
  • Vanna wears a suit.
  • The reveal of the Round 1 puzzle is shot the same way as it was on the 14th.
• On October 17, Round 4 (OSHKOSH B'GOSH) has only one vowel.
• October 20 is Living in Style. During this week:
  • Pat and Vanna enter from a fake staircase at stage left.
  • The inner frame of the puzzle board is yellow-orange.
• On October 20:
  • The reveal of the Round 1 puzzle is shot the same way as it was on the 17th; also, the chimes do not sound until about two seconds after the blanks appear, and the category strip flies on-screen before the camera has stopped moving.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 2.
  • There is a $14,850 Jackpot win.
  • Round 4 and the Bonus Round are Event.
• On October 21:
  • The Mystery Round Prize is $10,000 credit to Neiman Marcus.
  • Contestant Melanie solves the bonus puzzle HICCUPS with only the P and S showing, after Pat jokes that he will retire if she solves it.
• On October 22:
  • Pat forgets to ask contestant Pam if she wants to use the Free Spin after she calls a repeated letter in Round 1.
  • There is a $9,900 Jackpot win. In a rather rare occurrence, it comes with all the letters filled in.
• October 23:
  • The reveal of the Round 1 puzzle is shot differently than usual. Instead of a closeup of the board, the camera pans over from the contestant area before zooming in on the board.
  • The Prize is $3,500 credit to Eddia Beverly Hills.
• October 24:
  • The Mystery Round Prize is $10,000 credit to Bloomingdale's.
  • The Bonus Round puzzle CLOUDY DAY is categorized as Thing instead of Event.
  • During the post-game chat, Vanna shows video footage of her cats Kiki and Jake.
• October 27 is Halloween Week. During this week:
  • A jack-o'-lantern is projected onto the center of the Wheel.
  • Again, the inner frame of the puzzle board is yellow-orange.
• On October 27:
  • Although a repeated R is called in Round 1, it is not acknowledged as such.
  • Round 5 (STREET SWEEPER) has only one vowel.
  • Contestant Kristi wins despite losing $20,215 (including the Prize, a trip to New Orleans) to Bankrupt in Round 3.
  • Vanna's children, Niko and Giovanna, appear in their Halloween costumes at the end of the show. They are respectively disguised as a "cool kid" and an injured cat.
• On October 28, the Round 1 puzzle ROASTED PUMPKINSEEDS is misspelled ("pumpkin seeds" should be two words).
• On October 29:
  • Round 5 (GRANDFATHER CLOCK) is categorized as Thing instead of Around the House.
  • Pat's children, Patrick and Maggie, appear in their closing segment in their Halloween costumes, which are heavy sheets with holes in them.
• On October 30:
  • The Round 3 puzzle IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT (Quotation) is followed by a trivia question asking what cartoon character made it famous. Contestant Greg provides the answer of Snoopy.
  • The $3,000 Toss-Up A FULL MOON uses only one line.
• On October 31:
  • As mentioned during the closing chat, a monitor on the board breaks down for the first time.
  • All of the puzzles are very short, with Rounds 2 and 3 (DON'T SCARE ME LIKE THAT and a Before & After of THE ADDAMS FAMILY FEUD) being tied for the longest at only 19 letters.

November 2003

• The weeks of November 3-17 are taped at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on September 13, 14, and 16. On all of these episodes:
  • The set is decorated with miniatures of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, and the Music Hall; Broadway posters above the puzzle board; a video wall decorated with replicas of high-rise buildings; and a black floor featuring white outlined "NEW YORK" text in the Broadway font.
  • The Jackpot display is in the lower left-hand corner instead of the upper left-hand corner; this appears to be deliberate, as the wipe for Jackpot wins is altered to match.
  • In the Bonus Round, another cue plays after Pat announces the category to the contestant.
• On November 3, Round 2 and the Bonus Round are Event.
• On November 4, the Round 1 puzzle NETS METS & JETS has only one vowel.
• On November 5:
  • Contestant Veronica is picked from the audience.
  • The Prize is a $10,490 Tahitian cruise.
  • Veronica spins only once in the entire game, calling a wrong letter on $450 in Round 3.
  • Round 3 is the first Prize Puzzle to be categorized Before & After.
• On November 6, the $2,000 Toss-Up, the $3,000 Toss-Up and the Bonus Round are Thing(s).
• On November 7:
  • The original Round 1 is thrown out because contestant Anthony is accidentally allowed to buy a vowel despite having only $50 and the $10,000 Wedge.
  • Anthony solves the Speed-Up puzzle DOUBLE-DECKER BUS with only the B's and S showing.
  • After Anthony wins the Bonus Round, he and Pat pretend to wrestle. This has been seen in several retrospectives.
• November 10 is the ceremonial 4,000th episode, although it is actually #3,946. Similarly to the ceremonial 3,000th episode, it is a clip show narrated by Pat and Vanna.
  • The title card is a CGI two-row logo in red, with a plain-looking "O" in "of", which spins into place along with a shiny, silver-blue "4000" text element in Impact, against a transparent monochrome Wheel on a sparkly rainbow background. The picture then zooms through the first zero to show footage of Radio City Music Hall ― first the exterior of the hall, then the audience members making their way into the stage room as Charlie gives his intro, "And now from Radio City Music Hall, celebrating 4,000 shows together, here are the stars of Wheel of Fortune: Pat Sajak and Vanna White!" When Pat and Vanna walk out, they do so from different sides of the set, Pat from the right and Vanna from the left.
  • The logo seen in the intro is also shown on the center-stage video wall.

    

  • After Pat and Vanna give their opening monologue, a screen with a purple border featuring a white "4000" text element on one side flips towards the camera, showing the intro from October 2. With a "whooshing" sound effect, the video slows to a stop and then "rewinds" through various clips. The rewind ends with the January 18, 1978 opening that began the ceremonial #3,000, which is inexplicably identified as 1983. This then cuts to an opening from between September 1986 and November 1987 with a timpani roll dubbed in.
  • The first montage is set to "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" by Dead or Alive. Featuring mostly clips from the first decade of syndication, it starts with video of Pat's entrance from a shopping-era episode. It then proceeds to one of Vanna's outfits from that era; a late-1980s shot of the puzzle board reading BE A WHEEL WATCHER; a shot of the ceramic Dalmatian from the shopping era; Pat and Vanna's kiss from his last daytime episode; Pat and Vanna pieing each other on a 1991 episode; Pat and Vanna sitting in a hot tub together; Pat's interaction with a Bonus Round winner; a close-up of the 1986-96 Round 4 Wheel layout; Pat and Vanna holding humorous poses; Pat removing a wig from a Vanna mannequin; Pat and Vanna playing rock-paper-scissors; and a "Charlie, put down that _____!" Jackpot intro.
  • The second montage is set to "We Got the Beat" by The Go-Go's. Its clips are a Final Spin from around 1995; Kristen on September 13, 2002 celebrating while Pat holds the $10,000 Wedge; an answer of WINNER TAKES ALL being revealed on the trilon board; a red station wagon on a turntable; numerous contestants celebrating moments of success, including contestant Anthony celebrating a $25,000 win on October 7, 1998; Pat and Vanna exposing the skin on part of their abdomens; and finally a shot of Pat taking off his jacket on October 6, 1998.
  • The third montage is set to "I Get Around" by The Beach Boys. It includes footage of the Wheel painted atop the Seattle Space Needle in 1995, followed by several intros on road shows: a Seattle week (November 2002), San Diego (April-May 2003), Nashville (February 2003), Chicago (September-October 1991), Las Vegas taped in Culver City (January-February 2000), Hawaii (February 2001), and College Week from New Orleans (February 2000). At the end, a New Orleans trolley is shown decorated with a row of six 1997-99 logos on a black background, followed by Pat saying "I'm just in the mood, I dunno, call me wacky" to contestant Roland on December 19, 1997.
  • The fourth montage is set to "Round Round" by Sugababes. It features some of Pat's quirky behaviors, including wearing a frog hat on March 17, 1987 (daytime), carrying out a giant fake hot dog with Vanna on May 16, 2000, dancing with contestant Bill from April 13, 1997, and eating a banana while telling a joke to a stuffed gorilla on September 24, 1996.
  • The fifth montage is set to "Upside Down" by Diana Ross. It includes a Final Spin from September 24, followed by more humorous behaviors from Pat: fainting next to his-and-hers cars in Season 5 or 6, sticking a coffee cup into Vanna's dress on September 30, 1992, cutting her hair on December 1, 1995, and hugging her on a Euro Tour in November 29, 2002. It ends with Leigh from March 31, 1987 solving AN AMERICAN SUCCESS STORY for $44,300.
  • The bumper features the "Wheel of Fortune 4000" logo, set over a shot of the audience in which the video screens display the standard Season 21 title card. The logo zooms through the first zero to show Vanna in front of the Music Hall in the daytime.
  • The first montage in the second segment consists of humorously wrong answers: a Speed-Up of STYROFOAM CUP being incorrectly solved as STYROFOAM HAT in 1988, the $2,000 Toss-Up of LAST-MINUTE DETAILS as LAST-MINUTE COCKTAILS from April 26, 2002, the Speed-Up of MUSIC & PIZZA BOX as MUSIC & PIZZA BOY from April 4, 2002, the Speed-Up of PLASTIC STRAWS as PLASTIC STRAPS and PLASTIC STRIPS from March 19, 2002, the bonus puzzle AT MY WIT'S END as AT MY CAT'S END from May 5, 1986 (albeit with the 1975-89 buzzer dubbed in), the $3,000 Toss-Up AN ONLY CHILD as AN UGLY CHILD from April 11, 2002 (with the clip edited so that the rest of the puzzle fills in while contestant Linda is still talking), a $3,000 Toss-Up of SLEEPING BEAUTY as SLEEPING DOPEY on March 6 (edited so that the answer reveals right after Alberto guesses), and a $2,000 Toss-Up of FINGERS & TOES as MINERS & HOES on February 4, 2002. All of these have audience laughter dubbed in.
  • In the next montage, Vanna says that "Through the years, the puzzles have always reflected what's hip, hot, and happening", while clips are shown of various contestants solving puzzles pertaining to pop culture: SARAH JESSICA PARKER from February 7, 2001, BRITNEY & ASPARAGUS SPEARS from November 16, 2001, three puzzles from Season 20 (TENNIS PRO ANDRE AGASSI, TRADING SPACES from March 24 and April 25 and AMERICAN IDOL from November 12, 2002, FINDING NEMO from September 22, and OPRAH'S BOOK CLUB from September 17. After that, Vanna says that "Right or wrong, our puzzle solves are always entertaining", after which Angela from March 1, 1999 is shown solving TEENY-WEENY, followed by Demitra on May 7, 2002 who solves a Toss-Up of PETER PIPER and then recites the poem.
  • The next montage includes contestants who solve their puzzles very loudly, including a shot of Pat putting in earplugs on December 9, 1999, and Steve from November 5, 1999 solving the Speed-Up THE STRING SECTION and subsequently complimenting Pat, followed by random shots of other screaming contestants (three of which feature Pat screaming with the player as well).
  • After that, footage is shown of some bonus puzzles that were solved with little to no help from the extra letters: JUNK FOOD with just the N and K in December 4, 2001 (with the reveal of the K sped up); HICCUPS with the P and S from October 21, YUGOSLAVIA with the S, L, and A's from September 30, 2002; WAKE UP with the E and P from November 12, 2002; and GOPHER with the E and R from February 5, 2001. It ends with the November 11, 1999 A GROUP OF PILL-PUSHERS incident which, like the last time the clip was shown in January 2, 2002, edits out the audience's reaction and Pat's comment of "Good night, everyone!"; the latter is dubbed in at the very end of the clip.
  • Pat and Vanna introduce the third segment's first montage from behind the red scoreboard. The first montage is set to "Shout" by The Isley Brothers. It consists of screaming contestants from various episodes, including a brief shot of the answer SHOUT IT OUT from September 21, 2001. This transitions to various Bonus Round wins, including contestant Tom from May 9, 2001 who break dances and then hugs Vanna. The $100,000 wins from April 24 and May 21, 2003 are both shown as well, with the former also including Byron solving the puzzle in question.
  • The next montage is set to "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge. It includes various teams celebrating or cheering during various Bonus Round wins and other main game clips, including one on October 8, 1998 where Pat tells Vanna, "16 years on the show, and you've never jumped on me like that". It ends with Sarah from May 12 talking about her mother's 1977 appearance.
  • Afterward, Vanna says over footage of contestant Yvette spin from April 26, 2001 that "every year, over 1 million people inquire about being on Wheel of Fortune", which is followed by an October 30, 1998 Halloween week closing segment where Pat asks a skeleton prop on the set how long "he" has been waiting to be a contestant. Also included in the third segment is a montage of entertaining contestants, who include Leslie from March 10 singing "I love playing Wheel of Fortune!" as a Munchkin; Mark impersonating John Travolta from October 9, 1998; contestant Kevin from October 5, 1998 singing "Changing Keys" in chicken clucks; a clip from January 6, 1999 where contestant Mike impersonates Forrest Gump, contestant Nancy impersonates the Road Runner, and Mike later does "Forrest Gump as the Road Runner"; contestant Harry from October 2, 2001 who is a stripper and finisher; contestant Frank from March 4, 1998 who is a clown and mortician; deaf contestant George from November 24, 1997; contestant Suzette from January 14, 1999 humming "Changing Keys" through her nose to Pat and Vanna's amusement; and auctioneer Ray from March 1, 2000.
  • The next montage is set to a stock piece of circus music. It shows sped-up footage of May 6, 1998 contestant Richard chasing Pat across the stage after winning the Bonus Round and footage of contestant Jeff Smookler picking Pat up from June 2, 1998. This is followed by a montage of entertaining Bonus Round winners from various eras including Scott from May 5, 1999 kissing Pat's shoes, and Anthony from November 7.
  • The next montage is set to "Can't Get Enough of You Baby" by Smash Mouth. It features clips of entertaining main game contestants, including Christopher from May 11, 1999 attacking Pat, Johnathan from May 12, 1999 kissing a cardboard cut-out of Pat, Gervy slapping his Pat's butt on May 7, and Pat falling down after being hugged by Lisa on April 30.
  • The fourth segment begins with Pat briefly mentioning the daytime version, and Vanna discussing her audition while footage of both it and her first official episode are shown.
  • The next montage is set to "She's a Lady" by Tom Jones. It features several outfits Vanna has worn over the years, including several previously seen in the ceremonial 3,000th episode, a clip from October 8, 1999 where Vanna wears a Dior dress and Pat spins her around while calling her "a revolving Dior", and footage of Vanna in a promo shoot.
  • The next montage is set to "I'm Too Sexy" by Right Said Fred. It features a humorous montage of Pat's wardrobe, including him revealing a hanger from inside his jacket during the shopping era, dropping his pants at the end of a November 1987 show, and wearing a wig with ponytails on a New York episode of November 17, 1999. This montage ends with the cold open from January 13, 1997 in which Vanna announces that she is pregnant; footage of Vanna showing off Niko on September 14, 1994; and her pregnancy with, and on-air introduction of, Giovanna on September 15, 1997.
  • The next montage is set to "Born to Be Wild" by Steppenwolf. Among the clips are Pat's reaction to contestant Kara breaking her Toss-Up buzzer on May 1, a series of four "Charlie, put down that ______!" Jackpot intros in Season 15, and standing to make cattle horns on a floor-mounted "U" in "HOUSTON" come up out of his head during a road show in that city on May 4, 1998.
  • Afterward, a blooper reel is shown for a Season 21 promo made for KDRV in Medford, Oregon, in which Vanna repeatedly stumbles over the phrase "What's with all the exclamation points?"
  • The next montage is set to "Eat It" by "Weird Al" Yankovic. It features Pat and Vanna sampling local cuisine while on location, followed by another road show montage set to "On the Road Again" by Willie Nelson. This montage features more road show intros, including those from the Nashville show and a Dallas show; outtakes of Vanna trying to catch a fish at the Seattle Pike Place Market in 2002; Vanna in racing gear at the Texas Motor Speedway shouting "Gentlemen, start your engines!" while waving a green flag as Pat drives an early Wheelmobile down the racetrack; footage of a Wheel-branded slot machine in a Las Vegas casino followed by Vanna playing poker at said casino. The segment ends with three clips from the Hawaii episodes aired in February 2001: an intro where Pat rows a rowboat while wearing only swim trunks; a closing segment where after winning the Bonus Round, sisters Alice and Dorothy, brothers Arnold and Edward, brother-sister Venusto and Kathryn and Vanna dance with Angela Perez Baraquio; and Edward reacting to Pat's comment of "What was that noise you made earlier?", with Pat himself responding with a comment of "Good night, everybody!"
  • The next is set to "I Got You Babe" by Sonny & Cher. It features various interactions between Pat and Vanna, including another shot of Vanna pieing Pat, Pat throwing fake snow at Vanna in 1992, Pat nearly crashing a golf cart into the puzzle board on January 14, 2002, Vanna waving a checkered flag in front of Pat on April 26, 2002 and drawing a mustache on his face on October 13, 1997, Pat showing his ponytails on November 5, 1999, the two of them sticking their tongues out after eating red candies on October 20, 1998, Pat inhaling helium from a balloon and singing Mighty Mouse's theme song on January 9, 1998, both of them cleaning up after a $100,000 Bonus Round win on May 21, and finally slow-motion clips of them huddling next to (and even kissing) one another from Las Vegas in February 12, 2002.
  • In the final segment, Pat and Vanna join various members of the staff, including executive producer Harry Friedman, producers Karen Griffith and Steve Schwartz, and Charlie. They all stand in front of the puzzle board, which reads AMERICA'S GAME. Director Mark Corwin is shown in the booth.
  • During the credits roll, Harry Friedman, Karen Griffith, and Steve Schwartz's credits are synchronized to clips of Vanna hugging them, while Mark Corwin's credit includes a second shot of him in the booth. For the rest of the credits, Pat and Vanna are shown interacting with the staff members onstage, followed by brief shots of the camera operators and control room crew. A Home Puzzle Contest outtake from October 31, 1983 (daytime) appears at Merv Griffin's credit.
  • As of 2017, and likely until in-person auditions stopped in 2020, the 4,000th episode was still shown at contestant auditions.
• November 11-14 is Best Friends Week. During these four episodes, the Mystery Prize is $10,000 credit: to Kenneth Cole on Tuesday and Thursday, and to Macy's on Wednesday and Friday.
• On a Best Friends episode (possibly the 11th), a Toss-Up is thrown out because the lockouts are not activated on the buzzers, allowing one team to accidentally ring in twice. The discarded puzzle, PURRING KITTENS, later appears in the Speed-Up on April 28, 2004.
• On November 11:
  • The Prize is $4,000 credit to QVC.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 4.
  • The $2,000 Toss-Up is Person, while Round 4 is People.
• On November 12:
  • No vowels are bought in Round 4.
  • The bonus puzzle HIGH-AND-MIGHTY is only the third known bonus puzzle to have more than one punctuation mark.
  • During the post-game chat, clips of Vanna visiting with members of the New York City Fire Department are shown.
• On November 13, the Prize is $4,000 credit to QVC.
• On November 14:
  • For the second of only five times, the Prize Puzzle offers something other than a trip: specifically, a luxury suite at a New York Rangers game, valued at $8,000.
  • For the first time, a contestant or team (Sal and Tom) exceeds $100,000 without hitting that amount: $19,745 cash plus an $82,956 pair of Lexus RX 330s, totaling $102,701. This is the most expensive non-cash prize ever offered through the Bonus Wheel until Season 38.
  • The bonus puzzle PIECE OF MIND is misspelled (it should be either PEACE OF MIND or A PIECE OF YOUR MIND).
• On November 13 and 14, two teams in a row solve their bonus puzzles before the timer can start.
• November 17 is NBA Players Week. During this week:
  • The set is decorated with pictures of NBA basketball players above the puzzle board.
  • The black floor features an NBA logo.
  • The NBA players' name tags feature basketballs on the right side.
  • Charlie says "tonight's starting lineup" before introducing each NBA player as they walk onstage.
  • The NBA players are Bill Walton, Allan Houston, and Michael Finley on Monday; Brad Miller, James Worthy, and Sue Bird on Tuesday; Teresa Weatherspoon, Amar'e Stoudemire, and Derek Fisher on Wednesday; Julius Erving, Malik Rose, and Jalen Rose on Thursday; and Steve Francis, Walt Frazier, and Paul Pierce on Friday.
  • The top winner receives a trip to the NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles, Reebok apparel, NBA memorabilia, and a DirecTV package.
• On November 17:
  • The $1,000 Toss-Up is Person, while Round 1 is People.
  • Neither Thing nor Phrase is used in the main game.
• On November 18, the Prize is a trip to Vancouver, British Columbia with a tour of EA Studios, a collection of EA Sports video game titles, and autographed NBA memorabilia.
• On November 19:
  • The category strip appears in Round 1 much later than usual.
  • The Prize is a chance to attend the NBA rookie trading card photo shoots, as well as a collection of NBA trading cards from Fleer, Topps, and Upper Deck.
  • Contestant Lisa solves the bonus puzzle AS I WAS SAYING before the timer can start.
• On November 20, the $1,000 Toss-Up DOUBLE TROUBLE is categorized as Phrase instead of Rhyme Time.
• On November 21:
  • The Prize is a set of basketballs, basketball apparel, and a barbecue with an NBA player and 20 guests.
  • During the closing chat, Charlie announces that Allan Houston and contestant Maria are the highest scoring team of the week.
• November 24 is California Coast. During this week:
  • There is a cold open where Vanna says "Come take a spin with us up and down the California coast" against a shot of California scenery.
  • The Mystery Round Prize is $10,000 credit to Amazon.
  • The inner frame of the puzzle board flashes white, teal, and orange.
• On November 24:
  • There is now a split-screen during the Pat and Vanna chat, the right side of which displays the show's disclaimers and the company that provided Vanna's wardrobe. The first one is a multi-colored swirl with white fireworks, and road shows use ones with themed graphics.
  • Round 5 and the Bonus Round are Around the House.
• On November 25:
  • The Prize is a trip to London with a special-edition DVD of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
  • All of the puzzles are very short, with Round 1 (SIDE DISH OF RICE-A-RONI) being the longest at only 19 letters.
  • During the closing chat, Pat and Vanna show off behind-the-scenes footage of prize footage shoots done during the New York City tapings.
• On November 26, there is a $100,000 loss.
• On November 27:
  • The Round 3 Same Name puzzle CUCKOO & BIOLOGICAL CLOCK is the longest known puzzle with none of the five most common consonants.
  • Round 5 (MORK & MINDY) is shorter than ten letters.
  • All of the cardboard is won.
  • During the Bonus Round, there is a noticeable gap on the right side of the category strip.
  • The $3,000 Toss-Up and the Bonus Round are Place.
  • During the closing chat, Vanna mentions that she found out she would be hired by the show 21 years ago.
• All five Bonus Rounds are lost on the week of November 24, part of a seven-day streak.

December 2003

• December 1 is Rich & Famous, a week of sixth episodes.
• On December 1, a crane shot of the board is used when the E's are revealed in the Round 4 puzzle GENEVA SWITZERLAND.
• On December 2, the $2,000 Toss-Up TROUBLE-SHOOTERS is incorrectly hyphenated.
• On December 3:
  • As it is the sixth episode of Shopping Spree, the inner frame of the puzzle board is yellow and the Mystery Prize is $10,000 credit to Neiman Marcus.
  • The "only vowels remain" beeps do not sound in Round 3.
• On December 5:
  • An angled shot of the board is used when the O's are revealed in the Round 2 puzzle COLORFUL CORAL REEFS; in addition, the shot cuts back to the contestants before the third O is lit up.
  • The Mystery Round Prize is a $10,000 Diners Club credit card.
• December 8-19 is the Blue Cash Sweepstakes. This is a special "blue"-themed sweepstakes sponsored by American Express Blue Card. Home viewers may submit each episode's bonus puzzle on the show's website to enter a drawing which awards $5,000 cash to five randomly-selected home viewers each night. A promotional clip before Round 3 for this sweepstakes shows the Bonus Round win of October 20, edited so that the board says BLUE CASH in the wrong font.
• December 8 is Tropics. During this week:
  • There is a cold open where Vanna promotes the Blue Cash Sweepstakes.
  • The inner frame of the puzzle board is yellow-orange.
  • After Round 2, there is a bumper where Vanna announces the sweepstakes in front of the puzzle board, which reads $250 K GIVEAWAY center-aligned.
  • On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, the Mystery Round Prize is $10,000 credit to Cartier.
• On December 8:
  • The Mystery Round copy is shortened to "And in tonight's Mystery Round, one of our players could win this [name of prize] — [amount]!", removing both Pat's opening for the round and the mention of contestants potentially going Bankrupt. The blue question mark wipe that previously opened the copy itself now reveals the prize as the wedges are animating on-screen.
  • Charlie now announces two sponsors after the first commercial break with "Tonight's show brought to you by..." Reruns of episodes before this point are edited to include the sponsors.
• On December 9, the Final Spin is shot with a bird's-eye view of the set, which then zooms in on the red arrow as the Wheel comes to a stop. The shot alternates between this and the existing method for about the next month.
• On December 10, the bonus puzzle KITTY HAWK uses only one line.
• On December 11, no vowels are bought in Round 1.
• On December 12:
  • In Round 3, contestant Aileen calls either M or N on $600, and the N's are lit up in the puzzle RENTING A MOVIE ON DVD, but she is credited with only a single letter. This does not affect the outcome, as she later hits Bankrupt.
  • During the Speed-Up, contestant Mark is initially not credited with $12,000 after finding 2 R's in the puzzle SHREVEPORT LOUISIANA. He is credited with $6,000 just before the buzzer sounds, but this is quickly corrected to $12,000 immediately after.
• December 15 is Blue Cash. During this week:
  • There is a cold open where Vanna promotes the theme.
  • All cars in the Bonus Round are blue.
  • Both the neon parts of the set and the category strips are darker blue than usual.
  • The Gift Tag is $1,000 cash courtesy of American Express Blue Card.
  • The Mystery Round Prize is $10,000 towards purchases from Sony Style, and Charlie says "It's Blue Cash week" before reading the copy. This prize is represented by several Sony electronics positioned on the edge of the Wheel.
• On December 15:
  • The Round 1 puzzle WHO SHOT J.R.? is shorter than ten letters and has only one vowel.
  • There is a $16,400 Jackpot win.
• On December 16:
  • Round 2 is the second Prize Puzzle to be categorized Before & After.
  • During Round 2, the buzzer sounds on a correct letter, followed by the ding immediately after.
  • Music director Steve Kaplan dies in a plane crash. He remains in the full credit roll until the last of his music is retired from the show in 2007.
• On December 17, after contestant John solves Round 3 without flipping the Mystery Wedge, Pat flips it over to reveal that it contained the Sony Style prize.
• During the week of December 15, neither Thing nor Phrase is used in the Bonus Round.
• December 22 is Happy Holidays. During this week:
  • Snowflakes are projected into the center of the Wheel. This is the last time the projector is used for decorative purposes, although it returns as a turn indicator in Season 28.
  • The Mystery Prize is $10,000 credit to hsn.com on Tuesday and Thursday.
  • Various Christmas songs are used as the post-Round 3 bumper.
• On December 22:
  • Contestant Khalilah mentions that her mother competed on the show 17 years prior.
  • The buzzer does not sound on the first wrong letter (T) of Round 4.
  • Six rounds are played.
• On December 23:
  • The Mystery Round (CREAMY EGGNOG SPRINKLED WITH NUTMEG) is categorized as Thing instead of On the Menu.
  • There is a $100,000 loss.
• On December 24:
  • For the third of only five times, a Prize Puzzle offers something other than a trip: in this case, the Round 1 puzzle GADGETS AND GIZMOS offers a home entertainment package.
  • There is a $7,250 Jackpot win.
  • Contestant Derek solves the bonus puzzle TOBOGGAN before the timer can start.
• On December 25, the end of Round 2 is shot differently than usual. The camera pans over from the contestant area to the board when the W's are revealed, thus causing two of the reveals not to be seen. Also, the shot stays focused on the board when the puzzle is solved on the next turn, all without the category strip appearing.
• On December 26, Wayne Brady makes a cameo after the Round 2 puzzle EMMY AWARD-WINNING TALK SHOW HOST.
• December 29 is Music Cities Week. During this week:
  • The Jackpot display is again in the lower left-hand corner.
  • On Tuesday and Thursday, the Mystery Prize is $10,000 credit to Bloomingdale's.
• On December 29:
  • The Bonus Round graphics now disappear with a different effect: instead of simply dissolving from the left, they dissolve all at once.
  • Both Wheel and Jeopardy! show a black-and-white picture of Steve Kaplan after the credits.
• On December 31:
  • Contestant John makes a second appearance because of an error on his first episode on May 21, 2003.
  • Before Round 3, Pat pulls out a phone and pretends to call the producers, telling them "no more caffeinated drinks in the contestants' room."
  • Round 4 (CONCERT TICKET HOLDERS) is the longest puzzle.
  • Contestant Nikki finishes second with $22,500.
  • Neither Thing nor Phrase is used.

January 2004

• On January 1:
  • The Round 3 puzzle ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM is on the second through fourth rows of the board, a practice normally only done if the first word is too long for the first row.
  • Pat forgets to tell contestant Julie to remove the Mystery Wedge from her arrow when she hits Bankrupt in Round 3.
• On January 2:
  • Round 3 is the second known instance since the early 1990s of Family spelling out AND (FRANCIS FORD AND SOFIA COPPOLA).
  • Contestant Jamie incorrectly solves the fully-revealed puzzle mentioned above by mispronouncing "Coppola". This is the first time since December 1994 that a fully-revealed puzzle has been incorrectly solved.
  • Proper Name appears in the Bonus Round for the first time since April 2002.
  • "Happy Wheels" continues to play under the first promotional consideration plug.
• January 5 is NFL Players Week. During this week:
  • The NFL players are: Dan Hampton, Joe Theismann, and Dan Fouts on Monday; Jerome Bettis, Eddie George, and Deuce McAllister on Tuesday; Trent Green, Brian Mitchell, and Moe Williams on Wednesday; Kris Jenkins, James Thrash, and Keyshawn Johnson on Thursday; and Charlie Garner, Joey Galloway, and Matt Hasselbeck on Friday.
  • The top winner receives a prize package consisting of a trip to Houston for an NFL Players Party and Super Bowl XXXVIII, autographed merchandise from Players Inc., a flat-screen TV with DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket, and a Reebok home gym.
• On January 5:
  • The Prize is a $3,500 Visa gift card.
  • Ten wrong letters are called in the Speed-Up, nine of which are consecutive.
• On January 6:
  • The $1,000 Toss-Up is a redundant answer of STAR CONSTELLATION.
  • The Round 1 puzzle TIME AND NEWSWEEK is the first appearance of Titles. While Pat's comments before the round suggest otherwise, this seems to be an error on his part.
  • The bonus puzzle BAMBI & THUMPER is a rare instance of an ampersand in the Bonus Round.
• On January 8, the Round 1 puzzle PETER FALK AS COLUMBO is categorized as Classic TV instead of Star & Role.
• On January 9:
  • There is a $7,100 Jackpot win.
  • Neither Bankrupt nor Lose a Turn is hit.
  • In the final segment, Charlie reveals the highest scoring team of the week (contestant Donna and Dan Fouts).
• January 12 is Winter Sports. During this week:
  • On Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, the Mystery Round Prize is $10,000 toward sporting goods on amazon.com. As this deviates from the then-normal practice of having one prize on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and the other on Tuesday and Thursday, this may suggest that two of this week's episodes were rescheduled at the last minute.
  • After Round 2, Pat and Vanna promote the upcoming Cruise Week sweepstakes.
• On January 12, the Final Spin is shot with the bird's-eye view for the last time.
• On January 13, Vanna wears a suit.
• On January 14:
  • Pat forgets to mention that Round 1 is a Prize Puzzle. The Prize Puzzle chimes sound again after the first spin, and Pat acknowledges them.
  • The first half of the Final Spin is shot normally, but the shot of the Wheel coming to a stop is a bird's-eye view.
• On January 15:
  • Vanna wears a suit.
  • Round 4 goes to Speed-Up with only one consonant remaining (the M in CALM COOL AND COLLECTED).
  • The Final Spin shot fully reverts to normal.
  • For unknown reasons, Pat does not do the Final Spin explanation.
• On January 15 and 16, two contestants in a row solve their bonus puzzles before the timer can start.
• During the week of January 12, for the first known time, every bonus puzzle is in a different category.
• January 19 is Cruise Week. During this week:
  • Vanna promotes the show's theme aboard a cruise ship before the opening.
  • Viewers may submit each episode's bonus puzzle to the show's website for a chance to win a cruise provided by Princess Cruises. Vanna promotes this after Round 2 in a bumper that features her in front of the puzzle board as it displays WIN A PRINCESS CRUISE, with "www.wheeloffortune.com" on a category strip. In addition, the bonus puzzle is shown a second time after the end of the Bonus Round while Charlie announces the sweepstakes.
  • The Mystery Prize is $10,000 credit: to Neiman Marcus on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and Macy's on Tuesday and Thursday.
• On January 20:
  • The Gift Tag is crooked throughout the entire game.
  • There are two duplicate categories: Rounds 1 and 4 are Phrase while the $1,000 Toss-Up and Bonus Round are Thing(s).
• On January 21:
  • Contestant James mentions that his father was on the daytime show in the 70s, to which Pat responds "call Chuck and see if he remembers." Pat mentions Chuck Woolery again during the closing chat.
  • Round 2 is Title/Author, even though an Author/Title puzzle was used in Round 2 on January 1.
• On January 22:
  • A pan from the contestant area to the puzzle board is used when the R's are revealed in Round 4.
  • Round 1 and the Bonus Round are Classic TV. This is both the third time it is used twice and the third of only five times it is used in the Bonus Round.
• On January 23:
  • It is the actual 4,000th episode, although this is not acknowledged.
  • There is a very rare instance of Landmark in the Bonus Round.
  • The 2000 theme plays during the credits.
• January 26 is Coast to Coast, a week of sixth episodes. During this week:
  • Unusually for a sixth-episode week, there is a cold open where Vanna promotes the theme.
  • Due to taping order:
    • January 26-27 use the opening animation from the beginning of the season.
    • January 26-28 use the Mystery Round intro from the beginning of the season.
  • Pat and Vanna promote the upcoming Aloha Sweepstakes in a bumper after Round 2.
• On January 26, Vanna wears a suit.
• On January 27, the Mystery Round Prize is $10,000 credit to Sony Style.
• On January 28:
  • As it is the sixth episode of California Coast, the inner frame of the puzzle board flashes white, teal, and orange.
  • Despite the above week having $10,000 credit to Amazon as its Mystery Round Prize, this episode offers the Kia Rio instead.
  • The $2,000 Toss-Up PURPLE LILACS (itself a redundant answer) is incorrectly categorized as Things instead of Living Things.
• On January 29, as it is the sixth episode of Music Cities Week, the Jackpot display is in the lower-left hand corner and the Mystery Round prize is $10,000 credit to Bloomingdale's.
• On January 30:
  • As it is the sixth episode of Blue Cash Week, the Prize is a trip sponsored by American Express Blue Cash and the Mystery Round Prize is $10,000 credit to Sony Style.
  • Rounds 1 and 3 are played entirely by the contestants who started them.
  • After contestant Jenny fails to identify who is described by the Round 3 Who Is It? puzzle PRESIDENT ON THE TWENTY-DOLLAR BILL, Pat has the audience shout out the correct response of Andrew Jackson.
  • Contestant Renee finishes second with $22,200.

February 2004

• February 2 is Aloha Week. During this week:
  • It is also the Aloha Sweepstakes, in which home viewers may submit each episode's bonus puzzle to the show's website for a chance to win a vacation to Hawaii.
  • There is a cold open where Vanna promotes the sweepstakes over footage of Hawaii.
  • All of the Prizes are trips to Hawaii by the sweepstakes' sponsor, Pleasant Holidays.
  • After Round 2, there is a bumper where Vanna promotes the sweepstakes a second time. The Prize wedge is shown on the pink $300 between $400 and $900 from the yellow arrow, followed by a cut to Vanna as the board displays WIN A TRIP TO MAUI.
  • The Mystery Round Prize is $10,000 credit: to Kenneth Cole on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and to Cartier on Tuesday and Thursday.
• On February 2, no vowels are bought in Round 3.
• On February 3, six rounds are played.
• On February 4:
  • Pat does not state the category of the $1,000 Toss-Up (Place).
  • Pat says "Try that again" when contestant Brinda hits the Gift Tag despite her not being shown hitting it earlier, indicating that she hit it once as part of a "null" cycle that was edited out.
  • There is an $8,100 Jackpot win.
  • Round 5 and the Bonus Round are Living Things.
• On February 5:
  • The $1,000 Toss-Up BABY'S HIGHCHAIR is misspelled (should be "high chair").
  • After Round 3 is solved, Pat asks for the Mystery chord to sound again.
  • After the $3,000 Toss-Up is solved, the cue for a correct answer to a "bonus" question plays by mistake. Also, the answer can be seen being cleared from the board before the camera cuts to the contestants.
• On February 6, six rounds are played.
• The weeks of February 9-23 are taped at the Dodge (now Arizona Financial) Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona. During these weeks:
  • A steel guitar riff plays as Charlie says "From Phoenix, Arizona, it's..." before the title chant.
  • The zig-zag PHOENIX ARIZONA signs from the February 1997 Phoenix shows are re-used.
  • The inner frame of the puzzle board is orange.
  • The Jackpot display is in the lower left-hand corner.
  • On at least some of the episodes, the closing credits are shown on a graphic representing one of the Dodge Theatre's walls.
  • For unknown reasons, former Wheel 2000 host David Sidoni hosts the contestant auditions instead of Marty Lublin.
• February 9 is Sweethearts Week. During this week, the Mystery Round Prize is $10,000 credit to Amazon.
• On February 9, there is a $100,000 loss.
• On February 10:
  • Round 4 is the second appearance of Occupations.
  • In the final segment, Pat and Vanna discuss the Round 1 puzzle THE FAMILY CIRCUS CARTOON, and show the Family Circus strip from June 2, 2000 due to it referencing Pat.
• On February 9 and 10, neither Thing nor Phrase is used in the main game.
• On February 11, there is a rare instance of a bonus puzzle being themed to the week (HUBBIES).
• On February 12:
  • Vanna wears a sleeveless top and pants.
  • The $3,000 Toss-Up FREE-LANCE ARTIST is improperly hyphenated.
  • Actress Margaret Pellegrini (best known for playing one of the Munchkins in The Wizard of Oz) joins Pat and Vanna during the closing chat.
• On February 13:
  • Nobody solves the $1,000 Toss-Up CORNER BARBERSHOP.
  • Contestants Kerrie and Todd technically sweep the game (disregarding the unsolved $1,000 Toss-Up) and win $25,000 in the Bonus Round.
  • Kerrie and Todd fill in the bonus puzzle A CLEAN SHAVE completely.
• February 16 is Phoenix Week. During this week, the Mystery Round prize is $10,000 credit to Neiman Marcus on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
• On February 16, the Prize is a luxury suite at a Phoenix Suns game.
• On February 17:
  • Round 1 is a factually incorrect answer of JUST THE FACTS MA'AM (this line is a misquote).
  • Contestant Molly solves the Speed-Up puzzle CHANGING YOUR MIND with only the Y and the R showing.
• On February 18:
  • Contestant Rochelle is picked out of the audience; this is the last time this is done on a road show.
  • Round 1 (THE HEAT IS ON) is categorized as Song Lyrics instead of Title; at 11 letters, it is also the shortest answer to be used as a Prize Puzzle.
  • The Prize is a set of Mars golf clubs and GEM golf cart. Vanna reads the first line of the copy while modeling the golf cart with an unknown man.
  • After Round 3, there is a bumper of Vanna sitting on a hay bale and saying "Where's Pat? He told me he'd be here. I'm lonely!" A clip of this was seen in Season 30.
  • Neither Bankrupt nor Lose a Turn is hit, no wrong letters are called, and Rounds 1-3 are played entirely by the contestants who began them; however, the Bonus Round is lost. This is believed to be the closest the show has ever come to a "perfect game", the only other known example being Vanna's first permanent episode on December 13, 1982.
  • Rochelle tries to call T, N, S, and R in the Bonus Round.
• On February 19, Rounds 2, 3, and the Bonus Round are Phrase. This appears to be the result of Round 2 being thrown out and replaced.
• On February 20:
  • The Prize is $3,500 credit to hsn.com.
  • After the Round 2 Slogan puzzle OUTWIT OUTPLAY OUTLAST, the "bonus" is thrown out when an audience member shouts out the correct response of Survivor. This does not affect the outcome, as contestant Jill would have finished in a distant third place even if she had been able to claim the $3,000.
  • Pat stands over the Bonus Wheel and makes bizarre, pseudo-Native American chants before contestant Tiffanie spins it.
• The week of February 23 airs on Pluto TV on March 27, 2023, making for the first time since 2011 that episodes from prior to 2010 have aired anywhere.
• February 23 is Teen Best Friends. During this week:
  • The contestants introduce themselves from the audience.
  • After Round 2, there is a promo for Aruba Week. When these episodes air on Pluto TV, the promo is covered with a disclaimer reading "Previously broadcast. Sweepstakes has ended."
  • Photos of the friends are shown after Round 2.
  • The Mystery Round Prize is $10,000 credit: to macys.com on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and to Sony Style on Tuesday and Thursday.
• On February 23:
  • The Round 1 puzzle A CANVAS BACKPACK has only one vowel.
  • Contestants Jasmin and Melissa sweep the game but lose $25,000 in the Bonus Round.
• On February 25:
  • There are two contestants named Julie, but on different teams.
  • There is an $8,550 Jackpot win.
  • Contestants Julie and Alx spin only twice in the entire game, calling a wrong letter in Round 1 and landing on Bankrupt in Round 3.
  • The winning team (Donovan and Julie) has nine friends and family members in the audience, believed to be a record.
• On February 26, the Prize is a VIP trip to a Britney Spears concert courtesy of Showtime.
• On February 27, there is a rare instance of a contestant losing their turn with only vowels remaining in the Speed-Up.

March 2004

• March 1 is Aruba Week. During this week:
  • There is a cold open in which Vanna says, "We're celebrating Aruba this week, and you could win a trip to this beautiful Dutch Caribbean island. Find out how tonight!"
  • Home viewers may submit each episode's bonus puzzle to the show's website for a chance to win a vacation to Aruba, sponsored by the Aruba Tourism Authority.
  • After Round 2, Vanna does a bumper from the puzzle board, which reads TONIGHT WIN A TRIP TO ARUBA.
  • The Mystery Round prize is $10,000 credit: to Sony Style on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and to Bloomingdale's on Tuesday and Thursday.
• On March 1, the $2,000 Toss-Up FLAT SCREEN TV is improperly punctuated ("flat-screen" should be hyphenated).
• On March 2:
  • The $1,000 Toss-Up is pre-empted on ABC affiliates due to Super Tuesday election coverage.
  • The $2,000 Toss-Up is only the second appearance of Titles.
  • Round 1 (R & B LEGEND ARETHA FRANKLIN) is incorrectly punctuated, as the ampersand should not have spaces surrounding it.
  • Contestants Mike and Colleen both lose their turn with only vowels remaining in the Speed-Up.
  • Round 5 and the Bonus Round are Person.
• On March 3, the $2,000 Toss-Up, Round 4, and Bonus Round are Thing(s).
• On March 4, the Round 4 puzzle DON ADAMS AS MAXWELL SMART is categorized as Classic TV instead of Star & Role.
• During the week of March 1, three contestants get no help from their letters in the Bonus Round.
• March 8 is Ultimate Adventures. During this week:
  • The Mystery Round Prize is a $10,000 Kenneth Cole gift certificate on Tuesday and Thursday.
  • After Round 3, there is a bumper where Vanna promotes changes to the SPIN ID program.
• On March 8, the $2,000 Toss-Up is FABULOUS PRIZES.
• On March 9, after the Round 4 puzzle SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS is solved, Pat says, "What do you mean, 'Fictional Character'?" and quotes the entire SpongeBob SquarePants theme song. This has been seen in several retrospectives.
• On March 10, the Round 2 puzzle SOUTH OF THE EQUATOR is categorized as On the Map, making it the only puzzle in that category to consist solely of a descriptive phrase.
• On March 11:
  • The scoreboards are turned off during the intro. This is fixed by the $1,000 Toss-Up.
  • Round 1 (CROSSING TIME ZONES) is incorrectly categorized as Events instead of Event.
  • The Round 2 Next Line Please puzzle FUZZY WUZZY WAS A BEAR ("Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair") is a rare instance of a puzzle with four Z's in it.
  • A pan from the contestant area to the puzzle board is used when Vanna reveals the O in the Round 5 puzzle LOCAL WEATHERMAN.
• On March 12:
  • Contestant Rich solves Round 1 with only the $10,000 Wedge.
  • Rich only spins twice in the entire game.
  • The chord does not sound when contestant Jolene lands on one of the Mystery Wedges.
  • Round 3 is an incomplete answer of THE KENNEDY CENTER IN WASHINGTON D.C. (the center is called John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts).
  • Rounds 3 and 4 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
  • Contestant Rich finishes second with $22,000.
  • On the Menu appears in the Bonus Round for the first time.
• March 15 is Party Time! During this week, the Mystery Round prize is $10,000 credit: to Macy's on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and Cartier on Tuesday and Thursday.
• On March 15:
  • Several clear arches are added to the back of the set. The arch behind Pat has a smaller video screen which displays an identifying animation, which resembles the Season 17 main title animation in that it features the wordmark in gold with a normal-looking "O" in "of", atop a graphic of a spinning Wheel. However, unlike the Season 17 logo, this animation appears to present the Wheel layout accurately.
  • In Round 3, contestant Kimberly manages to make four incorrect guesses on what the Clue puzzle A ROMAN GOD OR THE PLANET NEAREST THE SUN describes (Mercury).
  • Wheel Watchers Club members now have a chance to win the prize offered in a Prize Puzzle with an assigned SPIN ID number. After Charlie finishes the prize plug, he reads a SPIN ID that is randomly drawn and announced in post-production. Home viewers who see their SPIN ID on the show may go to the show's website to confirm their ID and claim the prize. New SPIN IDs are edited into reruns.
    • The original SPIN ID reveal plug features a background with a transparent, bare Wheel template and several stars in random places, which comes in one of four different color schemes: yellow, green, blue, or purple. After the Prize Puzzle prize is revealed, Charlie congratulates the contestant and says, "If you're a Wheel Watchers Club member and your personal SPIN ID is [SPIN ID number], you're a winner. You have 24 hours from now to log on to wheeloffortune.com and claim your [prize description]!" The plug reveals as follows: a "spark" turns the screen white; this then fades into a couple of colored bare Wheel templates which reveal the wipe itself. The Wheel drawing in the background is already in place, and the words in the club's name zoom onto place, along with a "mini-board" displaying the SPIN ID, designed like a miniature puzzle board with a cyan inner frame and a purple outer one. "SPIN I.D." is displayed in Impact, with a green "blank screen" representing the space. At the bottom of the screen is the Prize Puzzle bug and an eligibility disclaimer. The SPIN ID itself is revealed with the words "SPIN ID" backing away, and the spaces spinning like slot machine tumblers and stopping one at a time. The ID itself is in Rockwell Condensed, the font of the trilon-based board, except in regular instead of bold.
    • For the rest of the season, there is a popup promoting SPIN IDs during the contestant interviews.
  • The bonus puzzle A GROUP HUG is categorized as Event. The next two times this answer appears (February 27, 2006 and January 12, 2010), it is categorized as Thing and does not have an A at the beginning.
  • During the post-game chat, Pat reminds Vanna that during a chat in November, she wished that Thanksgiving could be at another time, such as March. He then reminds her it is now March, and surprises her with a turkey dinner.
• On March 16:
  • Contestant Roger spins only once in the entire game, calling a wrong letter on $3,500 in Round 3.
  • A pan from the contestant area to the puzzle board is used when the E's are revealed in the Round 4 puzzle OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES.
• On March 17:
  • There is an $8,050 Jackpot win.
  • The Round 3 Before & After puzzle CHARLOTTE'S WEB SITE is misspelled ("website" should be one word).
  • Contestant Yolanda sweeps the game (except for the Slogan in Round 2) and wins a Chrysler PT Cruiser in the Bonus Round. At $19,715, this is the least-expensive Bonus Prize to be offered since the introduction of the Bonus Wheel and the last one to be valued under $20,000.
• On March 18:
  • The $1,000 Toss-Up YABBA-DABBA-DOO is improperly hyphenated.
  • There is a $12,550 Jackpot win.
  • Contestant Anita finishes second with $26,900.
  • The $2,000 Toss-Up and the Bonus Round are Person.
  • Neither Thing nor Phrase is used.
• March 22 is Travel USA. During this week:
  • The Mystery Round Prize is a Chevrolet Aveo on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. While all other cars are promoted via footage of them being driven, the Chevrolet Aveo only uses a stock image of it on a white background for unknown reasons. In addition, Charlie mispronounces the car's name by putting emphasis on the first syllable and not the second.
  • In addition to the above, the Mystery Round Prize is a $10,000 Neiman Marcus gift certificate on Tuesday and Thursday.
• On March 23, the Round 2 Clue puzzle TO SEND A PACKAGE C.O.D. MEANS THIS is the only instance since 1997 of a "bonus" category having more than one acceptable answer ("cash on delivery" or "collect on delivery"); although only the former appears on the category strip after contestant Tamacia gives that response, Pat comments on the other being acceptable.
• On March 25:
  • Contestant Chuck says the answer to the $1,000 Toss-Up ASKING FOR DIRECTIONS without ringing in. Pat tells him to ring in anyway, although he does not do so before the last letter reveals and the "time's up" buzzer sounds. Despite this, an offstage voice (presumably Harry Friedman) can be heard telling Pat to accept the answer anyway due to both of his opponents having already given wrong answers.
  • A low-angle shot from the right side of the puzzle board, similar to what was seen in some early Season 14 episodes, is used when Vanna reveals the H in Round 3.
  • There is a $100,000 loss.
• March 29 is Sand & Sea. During this week:
  • The Mystery Round Prize is $10,000 credit to Bloomingdale's on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and a $15,600 Alaskan cruise on Tuesday and Thursday. These are the third, fourth, and final times that the Mystery Round offers a trip.
  • Pat and Vanna discuss various past winners in the final segment, which is dubbed "Wheel Changes Lives". All of these feature clips from the contestants' original episodes. Notably, the Monday episode's segment is on contestant Pam Hamilton Sanders from December 5, 1988.
• On March 29:
  • Round 3 has a rare instance of a contestant losing their turn with only vowels remaining: with only the A's missing in the Next Line Please puzzle I DO NOT LIKE THEM SAM-I-AM ("I do not like green eggs and ham"), contestant Tim buys a U, after which contestant Lynnette solves for no money and does not give the next line. The fact that these lines are far more commonly used and quoted in the reverse order ("green eggs and ham/Sam-I-Am") may have misled her, as the book itself only uses the "Sam-I-Am/green eggs and ham" order once.
  • The Round 4 puzzle A TUBE OF CHAP STICK is misspelled ("ChapStick" should be one word).
• On March 30:
  • The Round 2 Headline puzzle THE LORD OF THE RINGS GETS OSCAR CLEAN SWEEP is followed by a bonus question asking how many Oscars that film won. Contestant Nalini gives the correct answer of eleven. Pat fails to hear the High Rollers chimes at first, and begins to throw to commercial for the bells sound again and he asks the question.
  • Round 4 goes to Speed-Up with only one consonant remaining (the D in GETTING THE GO-AHEAD).
  • The 2000 theme plays during the credits.
• On March 31, contestant Eleni mispronounces the second word of the Round 2 Prize Puzzle THICK PLUSH BEACH TOWELS as "plus". Against precedent, she is asked to say the answer again, and pronounces it correctly the second time. Pat then explains that she was allowed a second chance because the puzzle is a tongue twister. This ruling affects the outcome, as she wins $20,100 in that round alone and ends up winning the game because of this.

April 2004

• On April 1:
  • Contestant Janice incorrectly solves the fully-revealed Round 3 Clue puzzle OVERHAND SQUARE & SHEEPSHANK ARE TYPES (knots) by mispronouncing the third word.
  • The High Rollers chimes sound twice in Round 3 when Pat asks for the answer to the Clue.
  • Janice spins over the Final Spin bells at the start of Round 4. She is allowed to complete her turn, and the bells sound again before Pat does the Final Spin.
  • Round 4 and the Bonus Round are Event.
  • The bonus puzzle JOB FAIR uses only one line.
• On April 2, contestant Heather makes a second appearance because of an error on her first episode on May 21, 2003.
• All five Bonus Rounds are lost on the week of March 29, part of an eight-day losing streak.
• April 5 is Great Outdoors, a week of sixth episodes.
• On April 5:
  • As it is the sixth episode of Tropics Week, the outer frame of the puzzle board is yellow-orange.
  • Before Round 2, Pat steps into the contestant area to give contestant Jeff a glass of water. He then does it again when Jeff lands on Bankrupt.
• On April 6:
  • As it is the sixth episode of Winter Sports Week, several puzzles are themed to that week.
  • Round 4 and the Bonus Round are Person.
  • After contestant Natay solves Round 3 on an un-flipped Mystery Wedge, she comments that she does not want to see what was on its other side. Pat then asks the audience if they want to see it anyway, and asks Natay to turn around before revealing that it concealed the Toyota Echo.
  • A pan from the contestant area to the board is used when Vanna reveals the E's in Round 4.
  • Neither Thing nor Phrase is used.
• On April 7, as it is the sixth episode of Cruise Week, the Mystery Round Prize is $10,000 credit to Macy's.
• On April 8, as it is the sixth episode of Aloha Week, the Mystery Round Prize is $10,000 credit to Cartier.
• On April 9:
  • One of the contestants is Lori Ryan (now Lori Vallow Daybell), who would later gain infamy for her 2020 arrest in a murder case involving two of her three children (of which she would be convicted on May 12, 2023). Home-recorded clips of this episode were shown in the 20/20 documentary The Gravedigger's Wife on ABC.
  • Contestant Floretta finishes third with $15,845.
  • The Bonus Round puzzle MYTHS is the third of only three known puzzles not to have A, E, I, O, or U in it.
• April 12 is Wheel Around the World, a recurring theme from this point onward which focuses on international versions of the show. This is the first known time since Season 9 that the show has done so. During this week:
  • Pat and Vanna show clips of international versions during the closing chat: Australia on Monday, Malaysia on Tuesday, Brazil on Wednesday, Ecuador on Thursday, and Italy on Friday. Pat mentions this before Round 2.
  • The Mystery Round Prize is $10,000 credit to Bloomingdale's on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and $10,000 cash on Tuesday and Thursday. This is the first time the round offers cash and the first time a Mystery Round Prize is not sponsored, both of which would become increasingly frequent until becoming permanent in Season 24.
• On April 12:
  • The theme to the Australian version is used as a cue for the Prize, a trip to Australia.
  • Title appears in the Bonus Round for the first time since April 2002.
• On April 13:
  • There is a $13,600 Jackpot win.
  • Contestant Gloria spins only once in the entire game, landing on Lose a Turn in Round 3.
• On April 15, contestant John forgets to pick up the Prize after landing on it in Round 2. Pat does not notice this until after John loses his turn to a wrong answer later in the round.
• On April 16, contestant Wendy's total after Round 2 is accidentally shown and stated as $5,350. Before the start of Round 3, Pat corrects it to $6,390.
• All five Bonus Rounds are lost on the week of April 12, three of which have the contestants getting no help from their letters. The losing streak extends to the 20th.
• April 19 is Mexico Week. During this week, the Mystery Round Prize is $10,000 credit: to Sony Style on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and to Kenneth Cole on Tuesday and Thursday.
• On April 20, several shots in Round 3 are done from behind the contestants' backs.
• On April 19 and 20, in an unusual move, two Round 1 puzzles in a row are self-referential: I'D LIKE TO BUY A VOWEL on the 19th and ENTHUSIASTIC CONTESTANTS on the 20th.
• On April 21, one of the Mystery Wedge is accidentally placed on the orange-yellow $300, resulting in two consecutive $500 spaces. This also results in contestant Erin landing on it and subsequently lifting it. Although it hides a Bankrupt, this ultimately does not affect the game's outcome.
• On April 22, after contestant Eric loses the Bonus Round, Pat has Vanna come over to console him.
• April 26 is Spa Week. During this week:
  • The opening is shot differently than usual: both Pat and Vanna are shown in separate close-up shots when they walk out instead of being shown together, and the contestant area is shown at a Dutch angle which tilts to the left before shifting to the right.
  • The Mystery Round Prize is $10,000 credit to hsn.com.
• On April 26:
  • Neither Thing nor Phrase is used in the main game.
  • Contestant B.J. (who does not solve the bonus puzzle) misses the $100,000 by one envelope.
• On April 27:
  • Vanna wears a suit.
  • The Round 1 puzzle SOAP-ON-A-ROPE is incorrectly hyphenated. It was spelled correctly on its previous use on September 28, 2000.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 1.
  • Contestant Marietta solves the bonus puzzle A BAD HAIR DAY before the timer can start.
• On April 28, Round 2 is both the second of only two appearances of Fill In the Numbers and the last appearance of Fill In the Number altogether.
• On April 29, all of the puzzles are very short, with Round 5 (CREAMY BANANA PUDDING) being the longest at only 19 letters.

May 2004

• The weeks of May 3-17 are taped at Moscone Center in San Francisco. During these weeks, there are two screens facing the audience, which display the week's theme at the top of the show.
• May 3 is Mom & Me Week, with mother/son and mother/daughter teams. During this week:
  • The Mystery Round Prize is a year's worth of travel on Southwest Airlines, valued at $10,000.
  • The post-Round 2 bumper includes childhood photos of the contestants.
• On May 3:
  • The $1,000 Toss-Up CHOOSY MOMS CHOOSE JIF is the first of three instances of Slogan being used as a Toss-Up, and a rare instance of said category not using its bonus question due to the product being part of the answer. This is also the only such puzzle to be used twice, as it was previously used in April 2001.
  • The Prize is a $6,000 Michael C. Fina shopping spree.
  • Willie Mays makes a guest appearance after the Round 2 puzzle BASEBALL HALL OF FAME.
• On May 4, Classic TV makes its fourth of only five appearances in the Bonus Round.
• On May 5:
  • An overhead shot in Round 4 is dubbed in from the week of September 8, as the "Big Money" Prize wedge used that week is visible.
  • Contestants Kelly and Kathy solve the bonus puzzle I'M PROUD OF YOU before the timer can start.
• On May 6:
  • There is an $8,900 Jackpot win.
  • During Round 3, a shot of contestants Darryl and Marla landing on the yellow $400 between the two Mystery Wedges is dubbed in from another episode, as both Mystery Wedges are visible despite one being flipped over earlier in the round.
• On May 7, during the closing chat, Vanna shows a picture of her children.
• May 10 is San Francisco Week. During this week, the Mystery Prize is $10,000 credit to Sony Style.
• On May 10:
  • During the $1,000 Toss-Up wipe, the previous week's "Mom & Me" graphic can be seen on the screens facing the audience.
  • The lights briefly go out during a round. Gameplay is simply picked up from where it left off, and the show is edited.
  • The Bonus Wheel spin is re-shot because it did not go all the way around the first time, with the original spin edited out.
  • Contestant Jeff losses $24,050 to Bankrupt in Round 3.
  • Neither Thing nor Phrase is used in the main game.
• On May 11:
  • The Prize is $3,500 credit to Macy's.
  • Contestant Ric wins despite losing $22,150 to a wrong answer in Round 2.
  • During the closing chat, Pat and Vanna show clips from the 1996 San Francisco episode where they traded places during the Bonus Round.
• On May 12, for the first of only two times, Same Name is used as a Prize Puzzle (Round 3).
• On May 13:
  • Round 1 (CRODODILE DUNDEE) is categorized as Fictional Character instead of Title or The 80's.
  • The Round 2 Prize includes a shopping spree at the Sony Metreon (now just Metreon) shopping mall in San Francisco.
  • The Round 2 puzzle SEARCH ENGINES GOOGLE AND YAHOO! is the first use of an exclamation point.
  • In Round 3, the 1997 puzzle-solve cue is accidentally used when the correct answer to the Clue is given.
  • The Round 4 puzzle I WOULD IF I COULD has none of the five most common consonants.
  • Contestant Jenny finishes second with $20,600.
  • Contestant Sharon solves the bonus puzzle BABOON before the timer can start.
• On May 14:
  • When Round 1 is solved, the board is shown at an angle from the audience's perspective.
  • During the closing chat, Vanna shows a blooper reel of her repeatedly flubbing the line "highlight your nightlife" while shooting a bumper. This blooper reel has been shown in several retrospectives.
• May 17 is College Week. During this week:
  • There is an animated opening which shows the show's theme against stacks of books, the spines of which contain the names of certain puzzle categories or phrases relevant to the show.
  • University of California's marching band plays music bumpers.
  • All of the Wheel Prizes are trips sponsored by Contiki Holidays.
  • The Mystery Round Prize is $10,000 credit to Sony Style.
• On May 17:
  • There is an $11,550 Jackpot win. In a rather rare occurrence, it comes with only vowels remaining.
  • Round 3 is the fourth of only five known instances of a Prize Puzzle offering something other than a trip: specifically, the puzzle AN EVENING YOU'LL NEVER FORGET offers $3,500 towards purchases from TicketsNow.com. This is also the least expensive prize ever offered by the Prize Puzzle.
• On May 18:
  • Round 2 is the third Prize Puzzle to be categorized Before & After. It awards both a Jeep mountain bike and a trip to Monterey, thus making it the first of only two times the Prize Puzzle has offered more than one item.
  • Contestant Tracy solves the bonus puzzle MY GIFT TO YOU with only the T's and O's revealed.
• On May 19, contestant Adam wins by $100.
• On May 20:
  • The second spin of Round 1 is shot with a bird's-eye view of the entire set which then zooms in on the contestant's arrow.
  • There is a $7,200 Jackpot win.
• On May 21:
  • Round 2 is the fourth Prize Puzzle to be categorized Before & After.
  • Contestant Navdeep wins by $50.
• May 24 is Wheel Goes to the Movies. During this week:
  • For the last time, the Season 18 alteration of the Season 15 opening graphic is recycled. Unlike the previous weeks with this theme, a graphic of a theater marquee reading "Wheel Goes to the Movies" is added before it.
  • Except on Friday, there is a movie trailer during the Prize copy: Spider-Man 2 on Monday, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy on Tuesday, Shrek 2 on Wednesday, Soul Plane on Thursday.
  • The Mystery Round Prize is $10,000 credit to macys.com on Monday and Wednesday, Kenneth Cole on Tuesday and Thursday, and Bloomingdale's on Friday.
• The weeks of May 24 and 31 have themed backdrops for the split-screen during Pat and Vanna's talk, despite these weeks being taped in Culver City.
• On May 24, Round 1 and the Bonus Round are On the Menu, the first duplication of that category.
• On May 25, the Round 2 puzzle A LARGE BUCKET OF HOT POPCORN is categorized as On the Menu instead of Thing.
• On May 26:
  • No vowels are bought in Round 1.
  • Round 2 is the last appearance of Clue; the above-mentioned "Mercury" and "sheepshank" incidents on March 14 and April 1 may have been reasons behind the category's retirement.
  • Pat and Vanna do not sign off. This does not happen again until 2010.
• On May 27:
  • The Round 3 puzzle BEN STILLER & OWEN WILSON AS STARSKY & HUTCH is the first of three appearance of Stars & Roles, and the second of only six known puzzles to have more than one ampersand.
  • During the Speed-Up, contestant Genelle appears to call either M or N during one turn, but she quickly changes to H. Against precedent, she is held to her first letter despite it not being clear what she called, Genelle says she called M, but Pat says it was initially heard as an N before she is finally credited with an M. Neither ruling ends up mattering, as the puzzle (LAST-DITCH EFFORT) has neither M nor N in it, and Genelle wins anyway.
• On May 28:
  • Unusually, the Mystery Round Prize is displayed on the center stage video wall.
  • All of the cardboard is won.
  • Contestant Pam sweeps the game but loses $25,000 in the Bonus Round.
• May 31 is Back to the Beach, a week of sixth episodes. During this week, the Mystery Round Prize is $10,000 credit: to Bloomingdale's on Monday, Neiman Marcus on Tuesday, Cartier on Wednesday, Kenneth Cole on Thursday, and macys.com on Friday.

June 2004

• On June 1, the Mystery Round prize is $10,000 credit to Neiman Marcus.
• On June 2:
  • Contestant Holly solves the Round 1 puzzle THE LIFE OF THE PARTY with only the T's and H's showing.
  • The Mystery Prize is a $10,000 Cartier gift certificate.
  • Unusually, a shot from behind the contestants' backs is used when Round 3 is solved.
  • The buzzer sounds twice on an incorrect D in Round 6, although the second buzzer is much quieter and followed by Pat beginning to say "what does that sound mean?" before abruptly getting cut off. This would suggest there was an edit while the judges determined what letter was called.
  • Seven rounds are played.
  • The scoreboards malfunction during the Speed-Up. Holly's goes blank after she calls S, then displays $2,600 and finally $1,300 even though she had $3,900 at the time; after this, Robin's does not display her score of $1,300, leaving Pat unable to determine the final scores. The correct scores finally appear just before the throw to commercial.
  • The bonus puzzle IN A FOG uses only one line.
• On June 3, there is a $9,300 Jackpot win.
• On June 4, Rounds 1 and 2 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.

Post-season

• During the week of July 12, 2004, the reruns consist of November 10 followed by November 3-6. It is unknown what caused this to happen, and this is the first of only two known instances before Season 28 of summertime reruns not airing a week in its entirety.