Premieres: September 14
Airs: Check Local Listings
Network: Syndicated
Hosted By Pat Sajak, Vanna White
Where We Left Off: That famous wheel kept on spinning, and with last year’s addition of the $1 million Bonus Wedge, the show gave away a record $10.1 million in cash and prizes during the 2008/09 season.
What To Expect: As the classic game show enters its 27th year in syndication, some changes are in store. First of all, say goodbye to “Free Spin” on the wheel. In its place, a new wedge, “Free Play,” will be added. Free Play will be on the wheel during the first three rounds of play and can be landed on repeatedly, and by all three contestants, without losing its value. The wedge gives the contestant immunity on his or her first action. If he or she calls a letter that is not in the puzzle, calls a letter that has already been called or incorrectly tries to solve the puzzle, that person will not lose a turn. It also gives contestants a chance to call a vowel for free whether or not they have the $250 necessary. Unlike Free Spin, which had no value when landed on, each correct consonant called during Free Play is worth $500.
Season 27 kicks off with two weeks of shows which were taped in July at The Venetian and The Palazzo in Las Vegas. In February 2010, two more weeks of shows from Vegas will air. This season, the show will also travel to Boston for the first time since 1993 to tape three weeks of shows with themes, “Historic Boston,” “College Week” and “Boston’s Got Game,” which will air in November.
