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CHUCK-ISMS

THE WISE WIZENED WORDS OF CHUCK WOOLERY DURING HIS "WHEEL OF FORTUNE" TENURE!

On Rules
  • Chuck actually called the wheel the "wheel of fortune" in the now-infamous introductory spiel:




    • "Let's take a look at our Wheel of Fortune: [Chuck gives the wheel an initial kickstart spin here] The top dollar value on the wheel for the first round is $750 but look out for this black space, BANKRUPT, because if you hit that, you lose all your cash but not your merchandise, because once you buy a prize it's yours to keep. Let's take a look at our first puzzle. It's a [category]. Good luck, everybody..."

  • Chuck also let viewers know about the "used letter" board that was off screen:


    • "I might point out that there's a "used letter" board over here. The home audience can't see it, but the players can. Be sure not to re-use your letters or you lose your turn."

  • He also gave a neat reason as to why they add a BANKRUPT space for Round 2:


    • "Round 2: Top dollar value is $1000. We've got another BANKRUPT to make it a little more interesting."

  • And do you remember how on the NBC version, they'd take a break in between a puzzle leading to Chuck asking this favor?:


    • "I want to ask the contestants to turn their backs. We're going to take a short break"

Memorable Moments from contestant interviews

So, contestant interviews weren't Chuck's forte. At least he had a good sense of humor about things. Here are two interview highlights:
  • The bicycle chat from the June 20, 1980 episode of "Wheel":


    • CHUCK: [Linda's] a sales assistant for an insurance company and an avid bicycle rider.

    LINDA: That's right...

    CHUCK: Two-wheel or four-wheeler?

    LINDA: Two...

    CHUCK: Two-wheel...Well, that's right...a BI-cycle...two wheel...I lost my mind there for a second!

  • "English as a second language??" from a November 1980 episode:


    • CHUCK: Here's Monty Preston. He teaches English as a second language...What does that mean?

    MONTY: I teach English to foreign people who come over from other countries.

    CHUCK: Oh...THEIR second language...

Play-by-play of the wheel spins

Chuck just didn't let the wheel spin aimlessly by. He'd let the folks in on the wheel action calling the play-by-play as the various spaces fled by the arrows. Here's a taste of some of his fine work:

  • "She has to get by the BANKRUPT though...and I don't...You're going to make it!"


  • "$550 coming up...Can you make it? No..."


  • Gotta watch that BANKRUPT!....You're all right..."


  • "The ol' BANKRUPT with the $1500 right before it...You got it! One thousand-five hundred dollars!"


  • "$2000 coming up for Ken...it'll be too long but $1500's right behind it...He nailed it!"


  • "Ken's going for that $2000. Here it comes!....Gonna be the other side of it."


  • "$1500...by the 2 ($2000)...or $1500...We're looking at 4 ($400) or 3 ($300) if you can hold it."


  • "Looking for that $2000...Here it comes!...It's gonna be by it but the $1500's right behind it...$800 in front of that but you're in good shape no matter."


  • "$2000...$1500...9 ($900)...5 ($500)...$2000 coming up a second time but a LOSE A TURN's in the way"


  • "$900 coming up...$200 right behind it...could go all the way to 4 ($400)."


  • "Easy does it...getting close to that BANKRUPT!"


  • "Here comes $1500...The BANKRUPT'S right behind it...You're going to be awful close!"


  • "FREE SPIN TERRITORY" - Yup, that's the nickname he gave to the area around the "Free Spin" space on the wheel. Here's are some "Free Spin Territory" highlights:


    • "FREE SPIN Territory coming up...will not make it..."

    "FREE SPIN Territory coming up...Looks pretty good...Can you hold it?...No..."
Being polite

On top of being a funny guy, Chuck Woolery also showed off his down-home genteelness while hosting "Wheel"
  • Every now and then, when a female contestant would ask for a letter and it was on the board Chuck would say, "Yes ma'am." Whatta polite guy!


  • Chuck apologized following the Speed-up Round (that's the round where the host gives the wheel a final spin because time is running out to the contestant for not being able to hit a higher amound on the wheel:


    • "I'm sorry I didn't spin more money than that!"




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