Wheel of Fortune (Australian Game Show) - Changes To The Show

Changes To The Show

• 1981: First episode. Studio very similar to the American version at that time.
• 1982: Red, yellow, and green sunbursts were installed behind the curtain, somewhat similar to the red, yellow, and blue sunbursts in the US. The puzzleboard was slightly remodified in colour.
• 1984: John Burgess replaces Ernie Sigley as host.
• 1992: Sunburst backdrops are replaced with cones and the green backdrop becomes turquoise. A new colour scheme for the wheel is introduced.
• June 1994: John Burgess celebrates his 10th anniversary as host.
• 1995: The theme music is updated. Also, during this time, an electronic category display replaces the trilon on the puzzleboard.
• July 1996: The show changes its location to Sydney with Tony Barber replacing John Burgess as host as well as a new set. The turquoise backdrop becomes blue. The Major Prize Wheel is replaced with envelopes. Format changes to four rounds plus the major prize round. New theme music is introduced.
• August 1996: Minor changes to the new set. The prize-shop "replica" is introduced and the Major Prize Wheel and the former theme music return.
• 1997: Rob Elliott replaces Tony Barber as host. Format is changed back to original 3 rounds plus the major prize round.
• 1999: A new set is created for the show, with new graphics and a new puzzleboard. Format is changed back to 4 rounds plus the major prize round.
• May 1999: Sophie Falkiner replaces Adriana Xenides as hostess.
• Late February 2000: The CAR wedge is introduced on the wheel beginning its run with The Proton Wedge. Top values are tweaked to 750, 1,500, and 2,500 respectively. A cash jackpot starts being used, starting at $2000, rising by $100 every night until it is won (highest ever won was $25,000) (similar to Sale of the Century)
• June 2000: 4,000th episode on 13 June. Four car wedges introduced on the Major Prize Wheel.
• 2003: The Bonus and Car wedges are removed. The Mystery Round is introduced along with Mystery Wedges.
• 11 August 2003: The set background changes to purple. The show's logo is changed. The major prize round area, is located in front of the display screen next door to the Renault Clio instead of behind the Wheel.
• 2004: Steve Oemcke replaces Rob Elliott as host. The puzzleboard is revamped, with electronic screens replacing the trilons. Flip Ups and Prize Puzzles are introduced. Scoreboard is revamped, with eggcrate display replacing the seven-segment display. Timeslot changes from 5:30pm to 5:00pm as part of the Wheel and Deal hour, with Deal Or No Deal taking the previous Wheel slot.
• Late 2005: Larry Emdur and Laura Csortan replace Steve Oemcke and Sophie Falkiner as host and hostess after it was announced by Sunrise hosts David Koch & Melissa Doyle. The whole set is revamped with the remaining of the letters' font, the theme music and the wheel. Show moves to Pyrmont from Epping's studios. The puzzleboard is given a major change, with a blue border that changes colour, and performs light animation. LG flat screen plasmas replace the Contestant Trapezoid backdrops that animate during events on the show, such as landing on Bankrupt, bell sound, or solving the puzzle.
• March 2006: The show celebrates its 5,000th episode with multiple chances to win $5,000.
• July 2006: The show celebrates 25 years on Australia television, and ends its run on the Seven Network a week later. 20 unaired episodes were aired featuring Steve Oemcke, Sophie Falkiner and the old set (see the 2004 section) from 2005, before it was shelved.
• May 2008: Wheel of Fortune is picked up by the Nine Network now known as Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune and hosted by Tim Campbell. The show is cancelled after five weeks on air due to low ratings and negative reviews, including one where Burgo and Xenides had an argument about why they both disliked the show.