Wheel of Fortune 12/28/1981 - Pat Sajak's first episode - Part 2

[THIRT33THR33]

Seems like teens like to buy a lot of smaller prizes, but not many vowels lol.

[realdoogie]

also, sorry for the double post, but Pat was super nice to the kid that didn't win anything. I bet that really gave him a boost in the office on his first showing at the Wheel.

[realdoogie]

I can't believe that stupid kid didn't take the hot tub!!!

[JACKOTACO]

@realdoogie

Probably the Jersey Shore mentality was not around back then.

Who knows, maybe he lived in an apartment with his folks.

[BillA1016]

Woah, they didn't give them RSTLNE back then? It seems like they didn't pick tricky words in those days either (now, almost every bonus round has a Q, V, X, or some funky combination)

[Ivoryman1986]

The Jog N' Tramp, one of the very early PYL prizes, which has also appeared on Child's Play, which appeared after the CP logo faded out. Did any of you remember seeing the Jog N' Tramp plug at the end of any Child's Play episodes?

[WarioBarker88]

@masonben2011 They weren't implemented yet (and, indeed, the setup on 12/28/81 was also used on the Star Bonus episodes in 1978). The elements you mention were in place by March 11, 1982.

[collegeslammer]

This is what would become the bonus round along with his debut. Can't believe it's been doing until today!!!!

[Austin7298]

Actually, the bonus round was implemented two weeks before this episode; originally it was called the Christmas Wish Bonus, and it was not played on Chuck's last episode because of his speech. Source: The Wheel of Fortune History Wiki.

[Hondo20132]

@Austin7298 You don't say? Well, that's sure interesting information. Thanks!

[WarioBarker88]

@Hondo20132 There were also Bonus Rounds in 1973 ("Shopper's Special"), 1975-76 hour long shows, and 1978 (Star Bonus). Pat's first show was actually the FOURTH attempt at a Bonus Round, and possibly only the second time the five-and-a-vowel format was used (the first being 12/18/81).