Wheel of Fortune fans furious over ‘jarring’ new show change that viewers slam as ‘cheap & tacky’

Wheel of Fortune fans furious over ‘jarring’ new show change that viewers slam as ‘cheap & tacky’

WHEEL Of Fortune has made a jarring set change involving its beloved puzzle board ahead of its new season.

The show reportedly put its signature centerpiece in storage and fans called its futuristic new version cheap and tacky.

Wheel of Fortune has replaced its press-censored puzzle board for this
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Wheel of Fortune has replaced its press-censored puzzle board for thisCredit: Instagram

It was leaked that instead of a small monitor for each letter, there will be one large laser-powered LED TV
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It was leaked that instead of a small monitor for each letter, there will be one large laser-powered LED TVCredit: Cory Anotado/Buzzerblog
Wheel of Fortune’s puzzle board is getting a facelift ahead of its September 12th Season 40 premiere that has left fans bewildered.

The show teased a behind-the-scenes video on Tuesday, captioned: “Tell everybody! #Wereback.”

Host Pat Sajak, his daughter and rising staffer Maggie Sajak and letter-plucking legend Vanna White each appeared on set at different areas indeed announcing: “We’re back!”

But when Vanna stood at the iconic letter display, something was different – it appeared to be new.

The show has installed one single gigantic flat-screen TV for the letters.

Back in 1997, the board first decommissioned its treasured turn-able pieces and swapped them out for a collection of TV monitors, one per letter.

Vanna would touch the letter to activate it.

But now, the board will be one single monitor that will be powered by lasers and a “massive LED display,” according to BuzzerBlog’s Cory Anotado.

The game show blogger went on a recent tour of the studios and confirmed the board has a “grid of invisible lasers in front of it” activated not by Vanna but really by the control room.

“The set is basically permanent, and the wheel and the puzzle board rarely get put into storage,” he lamented.

The blog also shared that last month, a video was quietly dropped of its head of electronics discussing the new technology.

It was explained: “It’ll be a beam of light, where they put their finger through, we’ll know the XY coordinates, so we’ll know to trigger that box.”

‘ODD AND COLD’

Buzzer Blog then tweeted after their discovery: “OK honest opinion and I know it’s petty so I apologize.

“Am I alone in thinking it looks…cheap? Having a flat screen with no depth and or activity feels odd. It could be just this photo [above]. But it just feels a bit odd and cold.”

Fans were absolutely shocked by the overhaul in look; the new screen can seemingly project show logos, dollar signs, or theoretically anything else remotely.

One fan replied: “They’re not going to ‘fake’ the 12-14-14-12 monitors with the one large board are they? That’s awful.”

Another fumed: “This board looks like one of those menu monitors behind the counter of a 2010s+ fast food restaurant.”

​​And a third: “It might look better on TV.”

SHOW DIFFERENT

Wheel of Fortune debuted in 1975 and airs after Jeopardy! on weeknights.

Pat joined the show in 1981 while Vanna in 1982.

Both shows were created by Merv Griffin, the gameshow great also composed the Jeopardy! music.

Pat and Vanna celebrated their first letterboard change in 1997.

They announced then that (as many may remember growing up watching) instead of Vanna turning the letters herself, it would be digital, requiring only a press.

While explaining the then-huge change to viewers, the host ad-libbed a controversial comment.

“This is the last night of this puzzle board. You will no longer be turning letters,” Pat said, referencing his co-host.

“The new board… it’s heat-activated if you will,” he continued, before making the side comment, “And if anyone can heat up a board, you can.”

As Pat tried to go on, poor Vanna appeared to force out an uncomfortable laugh.

Wheel of Fortune first changed its letter board from analog to digital in 1997
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Wheel of Fortune first changed its letter board from analog to digital in 1997Credit: Instagram

But now, it will be one giant screen powered by 'lasers' off stage - not separate monitors for each letter seen above
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But now, it will be one giant screen powered by ‘lasers’ off stage – not separate monitors for each letter seen aboveCredit: Wheel of Fortune

It's unclear how the new technology will go when Vanna White and Pat Sajak return for Season 40 on September 12th
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It’s unclear how the new technology will go when Vanna White and Pat Sajak return for Season 40 on September 12thCredit: Getty

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