Wheel of Fortune timeline (syndicated)/Season 33

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A timeline for Season 33 of Wheel of Fortune, which aired in first-run from September 14, 2015 through June 10, 2016.

Season Changes

• The intro is slightly changed to start at the bay just outside Sony Pictures Studios rather than at the studios' entrance, combining the intros from Seasons 31 and 32.
• The Toss-Up graphic is slightly altered so that the Wheel portion becomes a dark blue.

  

• The category strip for Character(s) is updated to match that of all other categories by using the Gotham font instead of Arial.
• ½ Car tags are no longer available in Round 1. In addition, the only car offered now is a $14,965 Ford Fiesta.
• Bonus Round cars no longer have a cash bonus.
• The scoreboards now have a more "rough" texture behind the numbers, instead of showing an embossed portion of the Wheel.
• Jim now only reads the Prize copy if it is won, unless it also includes a sponsor plug and/or a movie trailer.
• The category strip's bug now reads "America's Game" on the left side, and when maingame puzzles are solved, the strip now makes a white "ripple" effect starting in the center and moving to the edges.
• For the first time since Season 8, no road shows are done. While there were plans for international road shows as well as three weeks to be taped at Navy Pier in Chicago, these appear to have been scrapped due to a combination of travel expenses and the Sony email leaks.
• Robert Ennis is promoted to full-time director.
• Once a week, one of the pre-Round 2 bumpers features Vanna in front of the puzzle board, which displays the theme of the week on it.
• In Round 2, on the scoreboards, the mystery wedges in between "MYSTERY" are replaced by question marks in purple circles.

• The "Wheel of Fortune HD" graphic shown at the beginnings of episodes is retired.
• A new generic daily promo is created for this season, set to "Still the One" by Orleans. The promo features footage of Pat and Vanna wearing foam fingers, shots of the puzzle board reading STILL THE ONE, random historical clips, and Pat and Vanna holding three Prize wedges with STILL, THE, and ONE in the Clarendon font (thus somewhat resembling the pre-Season 15 Prize wedges).
• Most of the themed category wipes (such as the school bus for Teacher's Week) are retired.
• The animated intro used for America's Game weeks is retired.
• For at least two taping days this season (a team week and College Road Trip), America's Game shows taped alongside weeks that require certain "types" of players (such as married couples or college students) now have three "normal" predetermined players and one standby. The players specifically chosen for the week now only draw numbers from 1-5.

September 2015

• September 14 is Teacher's Week, taped July 16 (also the first taped week of the season). During this week, the post-Round 2 bumper is Pat or Vanna reading a trivia question about a famous person who was formerly a teacher, with the answer given before Round 3. These bumpers use the opening graphic that was used for the same week in Season 28.
• On September 14:
  • The $2,000 Toss-Up SUMMER BREAK uses only one line.
  • Contestant Chris finishes second with $20,350.
• On September 15:
  • Round 2 is the first appearance of Headline since September 23, 2013.
  • Contestant Erica finishes second with $20,598.
• On September 16, the Gift Tag is $1,000 cash from Pilot Pens.
• On September 17, the Prize is a RetailMeNot.com shopping spree.
• On September 18:
  • The Gift Tag is $1,000 cash from Pilot Pens.
  • A "null" cycle is not edited out of Round 2 (Lose a Turn, an incorrect W, and a Bankrupt by a contestant with no money or cardboard).
  • Pat does not do most of the Final Spin spiel.
• Between January 7 and September 18, the car envelope is not hit for 117 consecutive episodes.
• Between June 8 and September 18, ten consecutive Bonus Rounds are played for the minimum cash prize.
• September 21 is Home Sweet Home, taped July 31.
• On September 21:
  • Three changes are made to the Wheel. The orange $800 decreases to $650, the pink $900 decreases to $600, and the yellow $900 also decreases to $600 for all rounds except for Round 3. This is the first time since the change to a one-template system in September 1996 that an individual dollar figure other than the top dollar has changed between rounds.
  • Six consecutive turns are lost in Round 1.
  • The Prize is a RetailMeNot.com shopping spree.
  • Bankrupt is hit nine times.
  • After the Speed-Up, Vanna announces the Bonus Round from the puzzle board.
  • Rounds 1, 2, and the Bonus Round are Phrase, only the fourth known time since 2003 that the same category has been used three times in one game. It appears that Round 2 is a replacement puzzle, as no puzzles are done that fit the theme of the week.
  • In the final segment, Vanna discusses the previous season's Secret Santa Sweepstakes, particularly contestant Pam Prindle.
• On September 23:
  • An overhead shot of the pink $650 in Round 2 is done in post with the Round 4 template, as $5,000 can be seen.
  • There is a rare instance of a contestant solving the Speed-Up without any money.
  • The bonus puzzle HI FOLKS is entirely on one line.
• On September 24:
  • Vanna wears a shirt and pants.
  • An overhead shot of the ½ Car tag near the pink $600 in Round 2 is done in post on the Round 4 template, as $5,000 is visible. Unusually, it shows the arrow landing on the one near the orange $900, and the Prize wedge is visible as well (suggesting that it was put back on for the re-creation of the shot). The shot is more obvious as the same contestant actually lands on the tag near the orange $900 later in the round.
• On September 25:
  • There is a ½ Car win.
  • Contestant Jeanette hits Bankrupt three times, but never loses any money or cardboard to it.
• All five Bonus Rounds are lost on the week of September 21.
• September 28 is Wheel Across America, taped August 20. During this week:
  • The title card features the Pat and Vanna avatars driving the Wheelmobile, followed by the words "Wheel Across America" written on an Interstate highway shield against a map of the United States.
  • Sheldon is on set, next to a fire hydrant.
  • For the first time since Season 25, two vehicles are available in the Bonus Round: a 2016 Ford C-MAX Hybrid SEL and a Winnebago.
• On September 29:
  • Contestant Tiger has his father spin for him.
  • Nobody solves the $2,000 Toss-Up, GLOSSY MAGAZINES.
  • The Round 1 puzzle TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME is inexplicably categorized as Title instead of Song Title.
  • Round 3 is the third appearance of Headline this season, making this the first time since Season 26 that the category has appeared three or more times in a single season.
• On September 30:
  • No vowels are bought in Round 2.
  • Pat and Vanna read most of the Prize Puzzle copy from Sandals Emerald Bay.

October 2015

• On October 1:
  • The $2,000 Toss-Up SOCIAL MEDIA uses only one line.
  • The bonus puzzle VACUUM-PACKED BAGS is the last presence of any punctuation in the Bonus Round until April 18, 2018.
• October 5 is Weekend Getaways, taped July 17. During this week:
  • The Season 32 Wheel template is used.
  • Game show announcer Randy West is in the audience of the Monday-Wednesday tapings.
• On October 5:
  • Rounds 2 and 3 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
  • Contestant Amanda wins despite failing to claim $13,800 in the Speed-Up.
• On October 6, The retro Bonus Round (DEPOSIT SLIP from an early 1996 episode) is the same one from October 1, 2012 and October 17, 2013. Unlike its past two appearances, the clip jump-cuts over most of Vanna revealing the remaining letters.
• On October 7, Round 4 and the Bonus Round are Food & Drink.
• On October 8, a "null" cycle is not edited out of Round 1 (an incorrect F, an incorrect P, and a Lose a Turn).
• On October 9:
  • In Round 1, the B in the puzzle LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE fails to light up for several seconds after it is called.
  • Seven rounds are played, the first time since September 22, 2005.
  • All of the puzzles are abnormally short, with Round 2 being the longest at only 19 letters.
  • The $1,000 Toss-Up and Bonus Round are What Are You Doing?
• October 12 is Great Escapes, taped August 14.
• On October 12, the altered templates first seen on September 21 are made permanent, barring sixth episodes.
• On October 13:
  • A "null" cycle is not edited from the start of the Speed-Up, possibly because it ends only two turns later.
  • RSTLNE reveals more than half of the Bonus Round answer (WOVEN TOGETHER).
• On October 15:
  • Deidre Hall and James Reynolds of Days of Our Lives appear in the closing segment, to honor that show's upcoming 50th anniversary on November 8. Their names appear on the puzzle board and the show's theme plays as they walk out. Also, the Days of Our Lives logo appears on the center-stage video wall until the "promotional consideration provided by…" tag, at which point it reverts to displaying the week's theme.
• Between October 12 and 15, three Express runs are ended on the first letter.
• On October 16:
  • Vanna reads the Prize Puzzle copy, except for the value.
  • In reference to the previous day's closing segment, Pat shows a clip of himself portraying Kevin Hathaway on Days of Our Lives.
• October 19 is Fall Fun, taped September 24.
• On October 19:
  • The $1,000 Toss-Up COLLECTING PINECONES is misspelled ("pine cones" should be two words).
  • The Prize Puzzle copy includes a trailer for Spectre.
• On October 20:
  • The Round 5 puzzle KNOCK ON WOOD has only one vowel.
  • Six consecutive wrong letters are called in the Speed-Up, none of which are edited out.
• On October 21:
  • Contestant Sheri hits Express on her first spin of Round 3, and uses it to fill in the entire puzzle OFFICIAL CURRENCY by herself.
  • Pat references a "null" cycle cut from Round 5 by telling contestant Rosalyn "there you go" on her first aired turn.
  • Six rounds are played.
  • Sheri solves the Speed-Up puzzle BRUSSELS BELGIUM with only the S's showing.
  • Sheri has $77,100 before the Bonus Round. She exceeds $100,000 without hitting that amount in the Bonus Round, which she solves for $33,000 and a total of $110,100.
• On October 22:
  • Footage of contestant Royal goes viral due to him wearing an eyepatch.
  • Neither Thing nor Phrase is used in the main game.
  • Contestant Emily wins by $50.
• October 26 is Halloween, taped July 30. During this week:
  • The intro sequence is the same one used in Season 28.
  • The shot of Pat and Vanna walking out is rendered in black-and-white with film grain, making the transition back to color just as Vanna walks to the puzzle board.
• On October 26:
  • Jim does the opening and pre-Round 2 bumper in a Dracula voice.
  • In Round 1, Pat forgets to remind contestant Justin about his Wild Card after he lands on $2,500, even though he picked it up only one turn prior. However, Justin does not solve the puzzle.
  • Round 2 is only the fifth appearance of Star & Role since May 20, 2011.
  • Round 4 and the Bonus Round are Food & Drink.
• On October 27:
  • Round 1 (WE ALL GO A LITTLE MAD SOMETIMES) is categorized as Movie Quote instead of Quotation.
  • Neither Thing nor Phrase is used.
• On October 28:
  • The $1,000 Toss-Up ALIEN VS. PREDATOR is categorized as Title instead of Movie Title, likely due to the existence of a comic book series of the same name.
  • Rounds 1 and 4 are played entirely by the contestant who began them. The latter has contestant Andrew fill in the entire puzzle SWORD-WIELDING SKELETONS by himself.
  • Jim does the post-Speed-Up bumper in a Dracula accent.
• Between October 27-29, an unknown spooky voice does the pre-Round 2 bumper.
• On October 29, Round 2 is the season's second appearance of Star & Role, possibly the first time the category has ever been used twice in one week.
• On October 30:
  • Jim does the opening in a Dracula voice.
  • Contestant Robin finishes second with $17,200, which is earned entirely from the Toss-Ups and Speed-Up.
  • For only the fifth known time, a contestant calls Q in the Bonus Round. However, it is not in the puzzle.

November 2015

• November 2 is Take Me to Hawaii, taped August 13, sponsored by Hilton Waikoloa Village. During this week:
  • A piece of steel guitar music is used instead of the usual opening theme.
  • The Prize is a trip to Hilton Waikoloa Village.
  • The Gift Tag is $1,000 cash from Hawaiian Springs Water.
  • Before Round 3, Pat, Vanna, Jim, and three contestants promote the upcoming Secret Santa Sweepstakes.
  • There is a Take Me to Hawaii puzzle between the Bonus Round and closing chat, which home viewers may submit on the show's website for a chance to win a trip to Hawaii and $1,000 cash.
• On November 4, after Jennifer solves Round 2, Pat accidentally begins to take away her Wild Card, as he thought that she hit Bankrupt earlier in the round, but an offstage voice quickly corrects him. Jennifer later loses the Wild Card to Bankrupt anyway in Round 3.
• On November 5:
  • Jim is shown on-camera after he reads the Prize copy, reacting to one of Pat's jokes. He is wearing a Hawaiian shirt instead of his usual dress shirt and tie.
  • There is a ½ Car win.
  • In the final segment, Pat and Vanna show a clip of the "Who said anything about a horse?!" incident from November 10, 2014.
• November 9 is Veterans Week, taped August 21. During this week:
  • During the interview segment, pictures are shown of the contestants while they were still on active duty.
  • Except on Monday, Pat and Vanna promote gotyour6.org after Round 2.
  • For only the second time since Season 25, two vehicles are available in the Bonus Round: a 2016 Ford C-MAX Hybrid SEL and a 2016 Ford Explorer.
• On November 9:
  • Pat references a "null" cycle cut out of Round 2 by telling contestant Sheri "try it again" on her first aired turn.
  • In Round 3, Sheri claims a ½ Car tag after that round's other tag is lost to Bankrupt.
• Between October 29 and November 9, eight bonus puzzles in a row are Thing.
• On November 10:
  • In the Speed-Up, contestant Nura makes a very unusual move by intentionally calling obviously incorrect letters or getting buzzed out on every turn. When Pat asks her why she did this after the round, Nura simply replies, "That's what I saw." Despite this, she still wins the game. The round later goes viral with assumptions that she did so to allow her opponents to earn some money. Pat confirms these theories in a 2021 interview; he recalls asking Nura again during the commercial break, to which she replied that she "had enough".
  • A "null" cycle is not edited out of the Speed-Up.
• On November 11:
  • Jim is shown on-camera after the Prize copy.
  • After Round 2, Vanna is shown standing next to the puzzle board, which reads THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, a shot of which is also used in the weekly promo.
  • Bizarrely, the overhead shot of the Final Spin shows the previous season's template landing on the red $600 (the nearby former pink $900 is clearly visible). Furthermore, the shot shows the scoreboards with the previous seasons' "embossed Wheel" texture rather than the current "rough" texture, the camera does not zoom in, and the red arrow is perfectly centered with the shot rather than tilted to the left, suggesting that this shot was made last season solely for post-production rather than being taken from another episode.
  • Once again, a "null" cycle is not edited out of the Speed-Up.
  • After the Speed-Up is solved, the red arrow can be seen sitting on the red $700, indicating that the actual Final Spin likely landed on the adjacent blue $600 but somehow clicked over to the red $700 after the fact.
• On November 12:
  • Contestant Jennifer wins no money, as she solves Round 3 for only the Prize Puzzle package, and no other puzzles.
  • Round 2 and the Bonus Round are What Are You Doing?
• On November 13:
  • Wheel is pre-empted in several markets due to coverage of the terrorist attacks in Paris. Coincidentally, the Prize is a trip to said city (which is not won). The show comments on the circumstances on its social media pages. The episode is re-broadcast on June 24, 2017.
  • Five consecutive wrong letters are called in the Speed-Up, none of which are edited out.
  • The bonus puzzle HOT BATH uses only one line.
• November 16 is Great Outdoors, taped October 16.
• On November 16:
  • Contestant Agustine is only credited with $650 when he finds two D's on that amount in Round 1, as his score is shown as $2,500 instead of $3,150 when he solves after the next turn. However, this does not affect the outcome.
  • One Direction promotes the Prize Puzzle trip, which is to London.
• On November 18:
  • The Prize Puzzle copy includes a trailer for Love the Coopers.
  • Rounds 1 and 3 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
  • Contestant Courtney finishes second with $23,750 while contestant Gemina finishes third with $19,478, respectively. Interestingly, contestant Michael wins with $25,450 which is earned entirely in Round 4.
• On November 19, although Bankrupt is hit three times, nothing is lost to it.
• On November 20:
  • Rounds 1 and 2 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
  • Jim is shown on-camera after the Prize Puzzle copy.
  • Six rounds are played.
  • A "null" cycle is not edited out of the Speed-Up.
• November 23 is America's Game.
• On November 23, as it is the sixth episode of Teacher's Week, all three contestants are teachers and the Season 32 Wheel template is used.
• On November 25:
  • Bankrupt is hit six times in Round 1, including three in a row, a tie for the most known Bankrupts in one round.
  • The closed captioning identifies the Express train horn as "[ VEHICLES PASSING ]".
• On November 26:
  • Unusually for an America's Game episode, the $1,000 and $2,000 Toss-Ups are themed to the airdate. In addition, no America-themed puzzles are used.
  • Round 3 and the Bonus Round are What Are You Doing?
• On November 27:
  • Despite being the sixth show of Veterans Week, none of the contestants have military experience.
  • Contestant Taryn hits Bankrupt three times in Round 3 but never loses anything to it.
• November 30-December 11 are the Secret Santa Sweepstakes, taped September 10 and 11. The first week is also Family Week. During the Sweepstakes, the Prize is a $7,500 Sears shopping spree, which is placed on the pink $650 during the first week and moves to the red $800 for the second.
• On November 30, contestants Jessica and Christina fill in the entire Round 2 puzzle MOM AND POP CULTURE by themselves.

December 2015

• On December 1:
  • All three teams hit Bankrupt consecutively in Round 2.
  • Rounds 3 and 4 are played entirely by the teams who began them.
  • Although the Final Spin lands on the purple $500 between $800 and $650, the closeup shot shows the green $500 between $550 and $600 instead, possibly due to the arrow clicking over to the red $800 shortly afterward (as seen after the round is solved).
  • For only the second time, Song Title and Song Lyrics are used in the same game.
• On December 2:
  • Wheel is pre-empted in several markets due to news coverage of the terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California. Despite the preemptions, the episode is never rerun.
  • Rounds 1 and 2 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
  • In Round 3, Pat references a "null" cycle twice by telling two teams in a row that their letters (L and N) have already been called, despite both of the first calls having been part of the cycle. Bizarrely, these two turns are also part of an intact "null" cycle, as the next turn is an incorrect D.
  • Contestants Leema and Bree finish second with $20,400.
  • Round 2 and the Bonus Round are What Are You Doing?
  • The segment in which Pat reveals the location of the $1,000,000 envelope is done in post-production, after Jim reads the Secret Santa SPIN ID.
• On December 3:
  • The train horn does not sound when Express is hit in Round 3.
  • The original $3,000 Toss-Up WARM APPLE PIE is thrown out due to one of the teams' buzzers not working. Interestingly, this answer was already used on September 21.
  • Two "null" cycles are not edited out of the Speed-Up.
• On December 4, the segment in which Pat reveals the location of the $1,000,000 envelope is once again done in post-production.
• During the week of November 30, for the first time, the Million-Dollar Wedge is brought to the Bonus Round three times in a single week.
• On December 7:
  • There is a ½ Car win.
  • In the final segment, Pat announces that everyone in the audience will get a $10 Sears gift card.
• On December 10:
  • Round 3 (PADDLEBOARDING) is the only instance since February 1999 of Round 3 being only one word.
  • In the final segment, Pat and Vanna show a clip from Round 1 of Vanna accidentally getting a prop present stuck to her dress. The clip then plays a second time at Pat's request.
• On December 7, 9, and 11, after Round 2, Vanna introduces a segment in which two contestants from the Secret Santa taping sessions share Christmas memories.
• December 14 is Home for the Holidays, taped October 15. During this week, the Prize is $6,000 credit from travel.buzz.
• On December 14:
  • The audience does not applaud any correct letters on Express in Round 3.
  • For only the second time, a contestant gets buzzed out on Express.
  • The Prize Puzzle copy includes a trailer for Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation, the Blu-Ray combo pack of which is included in the prize package.
  • The Speed-Up (BEAT THE CLOCK) is categorized as Phrase instead of Classic TV or TV Title.
  • Pat references a cut "null" cycle in the Speed-Up by saying "No S, either", despite all other incorrect letters having been part of the cycle.
  • In the final segment, Pat and Vanna, along with Mark Rosenthal of Mr. Food, promote the Wheel of Fortune cookbook. They announce that they will be sampling recipes from it throughout the week, and that everyone in the audience will receive one.
• On December 15:
  • For only the first time this season, the retro Bonus Round is one that has not previously been used in this feature.
  • Against normal practice, the "only vowels remain" beeps sound in the Speed-Up, but they do right as contestant Maria calls a repeated Y, followed by contestant Allison calling E and giving three wrong answers. This does not affect the outcome.
  • The bonus puzzle DOWNRIGHT HYSTERICAL has at least one each of R, S, T, L, N, and E.
• On December 18 the Round 5 puzzle CHINATOWN is shorter than 10 letters.
• On December 17 and 18, six rounds are played. This is the first known instance of this happening on consecutive episodes.
• December 21 is Winter Break, taped September 25. During this week:
  • Various staff members give holiday greetings after Round 1 and before Round 3:
    • Monday: producers, marketing/promotions, and publicity teams
    • Tuesday: production team, contestant department
    • Wednesday: stage crew, Jim and sound crew (Jim's voice starts out high-pitched as a joke)
    • Thursday: production team again, post-production team
    • Friday: art department, licensing and clearance department
  • At a random point during any of the first three rounds, Santa's sleigh can be seen flying behind the puzzle board.
  • The Bonus Round car is a Nissan Rogue worth $24,295. This is the least expensive Bonus Round prize since the retirement of the $25,000 envelope. It is won on the sixth episode, which airs December 31.
• On December 21, Vanna reads the Prize Puzzle copy.
• On December 22:
  • The Round 1 puzzle THE MOST FAMOUS REINDEER OF ALL is categorized as Character instead of Song Lyrics.
  • Pat forgets to take away contestant Kathleen's Wild Card after she hits Bankrupt in Round 4, and erroneously states after the Speed-Up that she will be taking it to the Bonus Round, but corrects this error before she spins the Bonus Wheel. This does not affect the outcome, as she manages to solve the bonus puzzle regardless.
• On December 23:
  • Seven rounds are played, the only known instance of this happening twice in the same season.
  • Contestant Dick finishes second with $21,750.
  • There is a $100,000 loss, the only one of the season.
• December 28 is America's Game.
• On December 28:
  • As it is the sixth episode of Weekend Getaways, the Season 32 template is used for the last time.
  • Pat reminds contestant Sarah in Round 4 that she can use her Wild Card "at any time" after she lands on $800. It ends up unused.
• On December 30, Round 4 and the Bonus Round are What Are You Doing?
• On December 31:
  • Unusually for an America's Game episode, all three Toss-Ups are themed to the airdate, and no American-themed puzzles are used.
  • The Retro Bonus Round is one that has not already been used in this feature.
  • The winning contestant, after winning the Bonus Round, finishes with $36,045. This is the lowest total for a Bonus Round winner since April 1, 2010.
• On December 30 and 31, What Are You Doing? is used in the Bonus Round on two consecutive episodes.

January 2016

• On January 1:
  • Round 3 is only the eighth known use of Occupations.
  • The bonus puzzle I GOT A KICK OUT OF IT is the first known bonus puzzle since 1985 to have more than five words.
• January 4 is Fun & Fit, taped December 3.
• On January 6, Pat forgets to announce the category of the $1,000 Toss-Up.
• Between December 15 and January 8, Round 4 does not begin as a Speed-Up for 19 consecutive episodes. This is the second longest known streak of such episodes since the practice of always having a Final Spin began in Season 18.
• January 11 is European Vacation, taped November 19. During this week:
  • All the Prizes are sponsored by Collette Vacations, resulting in many of them being over $10,000.
  • Home viewers may submit each day's bonus puzzle on the show's website for a chance to win an Italian vacation.
  • On Tuesday-Thursday, Pat or Vanna does a retrospective on a previous contestant who won a Collette vacation.
• On January 11:
  • Contestant Chris's hometown is never mentioned.
  • Against normal practice, the "only vowels remain" beeps sound in the Speed-Up.
  • Round 1 is Places, and the Bonus Round is Place.
• On January 12:
  • There is a ½ Car win.
  • While contestant Michael solves the $1,000 Toss-Up, he ends up spinning only once, landing on Bankrupt in Round 2.
  • No wrong letters are called.
• On January 13, contestant Vanessa wins the Mystery Round with only the $10,000 prize.
• On January 15, contestant Mike leaves with $62,398 despite failing to solve the bonus puzzle for $50,000.
• January 18 is Bed & Breakfast, taped November 20.
• On January 15 and 18, What Are You Doing? is used in the Bonus Round on two consecutive episodes. This also results in two consecutive instances of it being used twice in one game, as it is also the $2,000 Toss-Up on the 15th and Round 3 on the 18th.
• On January 19:
  • Contestant Sigi's hometown is never mentioned.
  • Pat and Vanna read the Prize Puzzle copy.
• On January 20, two contestants give the same incorrect answer to the $1,000 Toss-Up, HOMEMADE MUFFINS.
• On January 21:
  • Round 4 and Bonus Round are What Are You Doing?
  • The bonus puzzle (BROWSING THE AISLES) has at least one each of R, S, T, L, N, and E.
• January 21 and 22 have an extremely rare instance of RSTLNE revealing more than half of the Bonus Round answer on two consecutive episodes (the latter is JOINT VENTURE).
• All five Bonus Rounds are lost on the week of January 18, part of a seven-day losing streak beginning on the 14th.
• January 25 is Teen Best Friends, taped December 4. During this week:
  • No cars are available in the Bonus Round.
  • None of the contestants' last names are mentioned on-air.
• On January 25:
  • Jim is shown on-camera before Round 2.
  • In the closing segment, the timer on the Used Letter Board is shown, due to Pat and Vanna discussing the fact that the winning team solved the bonus puzzle with exactly one second remaining.
• On January 26:
  • Although Bankrupt is hit five times (counting the reverse of a Mystery Wedge), the Wild Card is the only thing lost to it.
  • Contestants Taylor and Emma solve the Speed-Up puzzle so closely to the buzzer that it cannot be determined by ear, after which Michael and Colby call a correct letter and solve. Although Pat announces that the scores are tentative and that Taylor and Emma's answer will be checked, no indication is given for the rest of the show as to the outcome of Taylor and Emma's answer.
• On January 29:
  • Pat forgets to say the Round 4 category until after the second turn.
  • Contestants Julia and Natalie finish second with $22,840.

February 2016

• February 1 is Beaches Resorts Family Week, taped December 17. During this week:
  • Despite the week's name, all teams are married couples.
  • All of the Wheel Prizes and Prize Puzzle prizes are trips to Beaches or Sandals resorts, with Pat and/or Vanna reading the copy on-location. Also, the trips are valued much lower than usual for team weeks.
• On February 1:
  • The Round 2 puzzle DRESSED TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is only the third known instance of the connecting term in a Before & After being two words instead of one.
  • In the final segment, Vanna shows pictures of her, Gigi, and Niko at various Beaches resorts.
• All five Bonus Rounds are lost on the week of February 1, part of a nine-day losing streak beginning on January 26. This is also part of a six-week span beginning on December 28 where only four Bonus Rounds are won.
• The week of February 8 is Girlfriend Getaways, taped January 8. During this week, all teams are female friends.
• On February 10:
  • The Prize is $7,500 credit to travel.buzz.
  • Contestants Jan and Jan win despite failing to claim $25,600 in the Speed-Up.
• On February 11:
  • A contestant on the blue team utters an obscenity after ringing in too soon on the $1,000 Toss-Up, although this is muted.
  • All three teams ring in but do not solve the $1,000 Toss-Up SPICING THINGS UP, which itself is not themed to the week.
• February 15 is Disney Sea & Shore, taped January 7. During this week:
  • Only cash is available in the Bonus Round.
  • All the teams are married couples, resulting in the first known instance of four consecutive team weeks. Despite the use of married couples, the ½ Car tags are not used.
  • The $5K Every Day SPIN ID is displayed during the contestant interviews, instead of after the Bonus Round.
  • The Prize is a trip to Disney's Aulani resort in Hawaii. Vanna reads the copy on-location.
• On February 15, contestants Dave and Jessica use their Wild Card on $500 in Round 4.
• On February 17, contestants Gene and Genie solve the Round 4 puzzle OUTSTANDING WORK (which begins as a Speed-Up) with only the T's showing.
• Between February 1 and 17, twelve consecutive Bonus Rounds are played for the $33,000.
• February 22 is Shopping Spree, taped January 21.
• On February 22:
  • Rounds 1 and 3 are played entirely by the contestants who began them, although the former includes an incorrect consonant on Free Play.
  • Six rounds are played.
  • Contestant Marci finishes second with $30,400.
• On February 24, the Prize is a $6,000 BeyondTheRack.com shopping spree.
• On February 25:
  • There is a ½ Car win.
  • The retro Bonus Round is one not already used in this segment.
  • Contestant Tracy finishes with only the Prize Puzzle package, and no other cash or prizes.
• February 29 is Wish You Were Here!, taped February 4.

March 2016

• On March 1, for the first known time, Vanna uses a hand-held mic during the closing chat, as there is no place on her dress to fit a clip-on.
• On March 2:
  • The Prize Puzzle (WE'RE STOPPING IN VIENNA) is categorized as What Are You Doing? instead of Phrase.
  • A "null" cycle is not edited out of Round 3 (an incorrect answer, an incorrect H on Free Play followed by a Bankrupt that takes away no money or cardboard, and an incorrect C).
• On March 3, the closed captioning misspells contestant Jameil's name as "Jamell" through the entire episode.
• March 7 is R&R, taped February 5.
• On March 8, the bonus puzzle (LIGHTING FIXTURES) has at least one each of R, S, T, L, N, and E.
• On March 10, the Prize is $6,000 credit to travel.buzz.
• On March 11, Shawn solves the bonus puzzle FUTURE WIFE despite getting no help from his extra letters.
• March 14 is America's Game. On Wednesday and Friday of this week only, the category strip in the Bonus Round is colored to resemble the American flag.
• On March 14:
  • A "null" cycle is not edited out of the Speed-Up, possibly due to it containing an incident discussed in the closing chat: namely, Vanna mistakenly thinking that she heard a letter light up and walking across the puzzle board as a result.
  • Contestant Chevonne finishes with only the Prize Puzzle package, and no other cash or prizes.
• On March 15:
  • Vanna wears a sleeveless top and pants.
  • Pat forgets to mention the Same Letter and its corresponding bonus when it is called in Round 2.
• On March 16:
  • Six rounds are played.
  • The $3,000 Toss-Up SWEATER WEATHER is inaccurately categorized as Rhyme Time.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 4.
  • The Round 6 puzzle GARTH BROOKS uses only one line.
• On March 17, contestant Shanna picks up a ½ Car tag in Round 3 after losing that round's other tag to Bankrupt. She immediately passes it to Pat at his request.
• On March 18:
  • The show originally tapes with contestant Todd, who ended up playing on the 7th instead, but taping is stopped after Pat and Vanna walk out due to Todd's wife fainting in the audience. As a result, alternate contestant Joanna plays in his place.
  • Contestant Debbie finishes with only the Prize Puzzle package, and no other cash or prizes.
  • Contestant Robin finishes with only $8,400, and all three contestants combined have only $18,900, making for both the lowest winning and cumulative scores since April 12, 2013.
• March 21 is Spin & Sail, taped January 22. During this week:
  • Only cash is available in the Bonus Round.
  • All of the Prizes and Prize Puzzle trips are Carnival cruises. Pat and Vanna read the copy for the former.
  • After the Bonus Round, a second puzzle is shown, which home viewers may submit for a chance to win a Carnival cruise.
  • The week also honors the 20th anniversary of the Wheel of Fortune slot machine.
• Starting March 21, the closed captioning is now done in mixed case instead of all-caps. This carries over to all shows captioned by VITAC. On repeats of episodes prior to this date in the 2016-17 weekend run, some episodes, but not all, have their captioning updated with this style.
• On March 21, Pat and Vanna promote the Wheel of Fortune slot machine line in the closing segment. An alternate closing was taped to be used for reruns, though when the episode did rerun on June 20, the original closing was still used.
• On March 22:
  • Most 7:00 PM Eastern airings of Wheel are pre-empted due to extended evening news coverage of the bombings in Brussels, Belgium. Because of this, the show announces that any input will be accepted for the sweepstakes puzzle. The episode is re-broadcast on June 21.
  • The shot of the contestants during the intro is obviously a reshoot, as the yellow arrow is on the yellow $700.
• On March 23, Round 2 begins with two "null" cycles that are edited out. No letters are revealed in the puzzle until the seventh played (but only first aired) turn.
• On March 24 and 25, the show announces that any input will be accepted for the sweepstakes puzzle due to pre-emptions on CBS affiliates caused by NCAA March Madness.
• On March 25:
  • The $1,000 Toss-Up PORT & STARBOARD is categorized as Places. The last time this answer was used (November 6, 2004), it was categorized as Things.
  • Contestant Robert solves the above Toss-Up with only the D showing.
• March 28 is College Road Trip Week, taped February 19.
• On March 28:
  • The Prize is $6,000 cash plus a Blu-Ray combo pack of Daddy's Home, a trailer of which is shown.
  • No vowels are bought in Round 1.
• On March 29:
  • Jim appears on-camera during the contestant interviews.
  • The Prize is a $10,978 trip to Australia and Fiji.
  • Pat describes the Gift Tag as "two $500 gift cards" for Phillips 66, 76, and Conoco stations.
  • Before Round 3, Jim promotes the Wheel of Fortune cookbook.
  • In a somewhat unusual move, the bonus puzzle (BIOLOGY EXAM) is themed to the week.
• Between March 17 and 29, nine bonus puzzles in a row are Thing(s).
• On March 30:
  • Six rounds are played.
  • Contestant Michelle finishes with only the Prize Puzzle package, and no other cash or prizes.
• On March 31, Jim once again promotes the cookbook before Round 3.

April 2016

• On April 1, as an April Fool's Day joke, Jim reads a promo for "Live Like a Pilgrim Week" after Round 1.
• April 4 is Sandals Resorts Week, taped December 18. During this week, the Wheel Prizes and Prize Puzzle prizes are all trips to Sandals or Beaches properties, with Pat and Vanna reading the copy on-location. Notably, on April 4 and 6, the Wheel Prize is a trip to the Sandals resort of the contestant's choice.
• On April 4:
  • Before the opening segment, there is a clip of Pat and Vanna acknowledging the previous Friday's April Fool's Day joke.
  • Rounds 1 and 4 are played entirely by the contestant who began them.
  • Contestant Chelsea finishes with only the Prize Puzzle package.
  • Al Roker makes a cameo in the closing segment, and Pat mentions that he previously played the game during Celebrities & Moms Week in May 1997.
• On April 6:
  • Rounds 1, 2, and 4 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
  • Round 4, ABRACADABRA, is a very rare instance of a one-word Rhyme Time and has only one vowel.
• On April 8, there is a ½ Car win.
• April 11 is America's Game. Before Round 3 of every episode this week, Jim announces that the show is now accepting video submissions from viewers who want to be on the show. These ads include footage of contestants notable for solving puzzles with very few letters revealed (specifically Matt solving THE LONE RANGER with only the second R on December 26, 2014, Rufus solving CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH with only the T on February 17, 2015, and Emil solving the bonus puzzle NEW BABY BUGGY with only the N and E on March 19, 2014).
• On April 11:
  • Despite being the sixth show of Beaches Resorts Family Week, three solo contestants play.
  • There is a ½ Car win.
  • Pat does the closing chat with the winning contestant's grandmother-in-law standing in Vanna's usual spot.
• On April 13:
  • There is a ½ Car win.
  • Contestant Chris finishes second with $20,400.
  • Contestant Porschia, who does not solve her bonus puzzle, misses the $1,000,000 by only one envelope.
• On April 14:
  • After contestant David solves Round 3, his total is accidentally displayed as $7,000 instead of $8,214. Pat corrects this before the $3,000 Toss-Up.
  • There is a rare instance of a contestant losing their turn with only vowels remaining in the Speed-Up, as contestant Mellissa calls the last consonant and then gives two incorrect answers, after which the "only vowels remain" beeps sound and contestant Nicole solves without calling a letter. A stock audience groan is dubbed in after Mellissa's first incorrect response. This does not affect the outcome, as Mellissa wins the game regardless.
  • David finishes with only the Prize Puzzle package, and no other cash or prizes.
• On April 15:
  • Despite being the sixth show of College Road Trip Week, three civilian contestants play.
  • Round 3 and the Bonus Round are What Are You Doing?
  • Rounds 2 and 4 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
• April 18 is Big Money, taped March 3. During this week:
  • The Prize is a trip to Las Vegas, which is promoted on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday only.
  • The Gift Tag is $1,000 cash courtesy of Bicycle playing cards.
  • Similarly to the week of April 13, 2015, most affiliates in New York state air the episodes with regionally modified openings and new SPIN ID draws for New York residents.
• On April 19:
  • Somewhat unusually, Rounds 1, 2, and 4 do not have E in them.
  • The bonus puzzle (VERY INSIGHTFUL) has at least one each of R, S, T, L, N, and E.
• On April 21, in the final segment, Pat brings one of the cue card men and has him hold up cue cards reading "Happy birthday to Lesly Sajak and Judy Friedman" so that the audience can with both of those people a happy birthday.
• On April 25 is Desert Oasis, taped March 18.
• On April 26:
  • Contestant Matt wins the ½ Car in Round 3 after picking up three tags: one in Round 2, and two in Round 3.
  • Neither Thing nor Phrase is used in the main game.
• On April 28:
  • The Retro Bonus Round is not done.
  • The Prize Puzzle trip is an $11,300 trip to Maui.
  • There is a $100,000 win, the first since February 23, 2015.
• On April 29, The Round 5 puzzle LOVEY-DOVEY has none of the five most common consonants.

May 2016

• The weeks of May 2-16 are Great American Cities: May 2 is Seattle, May 9 is Denver, and May 16 is Philadelphia, taped February 18, March 17, and March 31. During these weeks:
  • All of the contestants are from the respective city being promoted for that week.
  • Pat and Vanna promote local landmarks and attractions during the closing chat.
• On May 2:
  • There is a ½ Car win.
  • Although the Final Spin lands on the green $500 between $550 and $600, the overhead shot shows the one between $5,000 and $600 instead.
• On May 4:
  • After Round 2, Pat and Vanna do a segment from Husky Stadium.
  • Contestant Jeff lands on Express on the first spin of Round 3, and uses it to fill in the entire puzzle COME ON IN THE WATER IS PERFECT by himself.
  • The $3,000 Toss-Up and Bonus Round are What Are You Doing?
• When this week is rerun during the week of August 24, 2020, the May 4 episode is replaced with the March 9, 2020 episode in order to avoid having to add a SPIN ID drawing after the $10,000 Mystery Wedge is won.
• On May 6, a cycle is edited out of Round 4 despite not being "null", as it includes an incorrect vowel from contestant Terryl. This is seen by her score reading $11,500 when the aired turns amounted to $11,750. This affects her final score, but not the outcome.
• The reruns of the May 3 and 5 episodes on August 25 and 27, 2020 are ironically pre-empted in Seattle due to overrun from the 2020 Republican National Convention. The former does not begin until Round 3, while the latter does not air at all.
• On May 9, Pat forgets to tell contestant Jen to pick up her Prize wedge until after she buys U on her next turn. A voice can be heard acknowledging this error, and as a result, the U is revealed while the camera is focused on Jen.
• The July 30, 2020 rerun of the May 12 episode is ironically pre-empted in Denver due to overrun from a Major League Baseball game.
• On May 13, contestant Connie finishes with only the Prize Puzzle package.
• On May 17:
  • Round 2 begins with seven consecutive lost turns; the first four are left intact due to the third being a Bankrupt that claims a Wild Card, but the last three are edited out.
  • The Prize Puzzle copy includes a trailer for The Angry Birds Movie.
• On May 18, there is a ½ Car win.
• On May 20:
  • No vowels are bought in Round 1.
  • Rounds 1 and 4 are played entirely by the contestants who began them.
  • The $3,000 Toss-Up is People, and the Bonus Round is Person.
• May 23 is Wheel Around the World, taped March 4. During this week, the hosts of an international version are seen at the following points during the show:
  • At the start of the Prize copy: Croatia on Monday, Romania on Tuesday, Greece on Wednesday, Turkey on Thursday, Spain on Friday.
  • In a bumper after Round 1: Serbia on Monday, Spain on Tuesday, Romania on Wednesday, Georgia on Thursday, Greece on Friday.
  • Introducing Round 2 and stating its category in their native language, then asking Pat to do the same in English: Croatia on Monday, Georgia on Tuesday, Serbia on Wednesday, Spain on Thursday, Greece on Friday.
• On May 23:
  • The hosts of the Romanian, Serbian, and Spanish versions promote the theme during the intro.
  • The Prize is a $10,798 tour of Croatia.
  • The Round 1 Before & After puzzle FANNY PACK RAT has only one vowel.
• On May 25:
  • The hosts of the Georgian, Greek, Serbian, and Turkish versions promote the theme during the intro.
  • The Round 3 puzzle BIRDS BUTTERFLIES FLOWERS inexplicably omits the word AND.
  • Six consecutive turns are lost in Round 4, including a "null" cycle which is not edited out (an incorrect H, an incorrect S, and a Lose a Turn).
  • There is a tie, the first since March 2, 2006. Interestingly, it is caused by contestant Danielle winning $24,000 in the Speed-Up. Unlike the other two ties in the Toss-Up era, the tiebreaker Toss-Up is valued at $1,000.
  • There is a $100,000 win. This is the last time until Season 38 that more than one win occurs in the same season.
• On May 27:
  • The hosts of the Turkish, Croatian, and Romanian versions promote the theme during the intro.
  • Both trips are over $10,000: the Prize is a $10,338 tour of Spain, and the Prize Puzzle is a $10,100 trip to Maui.
• May 30 is America's Game.
• On May 31:
  • Contestant Tony has his friend spin the Wheel for him.
  • Contestant Becky mentions that her father and sister were both on the show. During the closing segment, her father is shown on-camera while Pat mentions that he won over $47,000 during a Father's Day week (specifically, June 5, 2013).

June 2016

• On June 1, the original $3,000 Toss-Up (MAKING MONEY) is thrown out due to an audience member shouting out the answer.
• On June 2, in Round 1, Pat references a cut "null" cycle by telling contestant Tara that L has already been called, despite the original call being part of the cycle.
• On June 3:
  • The Prize is a $10,598 tour of Paris and London.
  • Contestant Asia snags her jacket on the Bonus Wheel when trying to spin it. Against precedent, Pat has her continue the spin without resetting the wheel.
• June 6 is America the Beautiful, taped April 1. During this week, the puzzle chimes are replaced with a different set of chimes playing the line "And crown thy good with brotherhood" from "America the Beautiful", the music notes to which are also shown on the category strip.
• On June 6:
  • Round 2 introduces the Crossword Round. The first one is in the category Seeing Red, with the words LOBSTER ROSE BLUSHING, thus making it one of the only ones to have only three words. The feature is tested every day this week, and viewers are asked to submit their opinions on what they think of the round, and how frequently they would like to see it played next season.
  • The Prize Puzzle copy includes a trailer for the 2016 Ghostbusters film.
• On June 7, contestant Chris is the son-in-law of April 4 contestant Pam, although this is never mentioned on-air. According to a news article, the two had originally auditioned for a family week; while they were not accepted due to not being biologically related, they were accepted for individual episodes.
• On June 9, the Crossword Round (Round 2) has only three words.