Wheel of Fortune 10/14/2008 (spoiler)

[NellyLunatic1980]

Spoiler

Set the VCR or DVR if it hasn't aired in your market yet.

[gsabc]

Spoiler

I concur.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

Why?

Is anyone we know on the show?

[NellyLunatic1980]

Why?

Is anyone we know on the show?

Nobody we know... but trust me, you need to tape this episode. You'll thank me later.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

Why?

Is anyone we know on the show?

Nobody we know... but trust me, you need to tape this episode. You'll thank me later.

Ok.

[Catfish]

I saw this thread after the show aired. Tell me, tell me, tell me.

[NellyLunatic1980]

I saw this thread after the show aired. Tell me, tell me, tell me.

Spoiler

A leaky faucet cost Sony $1,000,000.

[Snaxx]

A chance to try the new spoiler

Spoiler

This happened a lot sooner than I expected, giving the hoops the contestant must jump through to win $1M. The chances seemed slim giving there have been few $100K hits each year. I was thinking there might be another SyndiBAM millionaire first.

Strategy: This woman was ahead by an insurmountable amount, excepting a big $6K a letter hit by an opponent on the final puzzle. She took spins on the last two puzzles knowing that a bankrupt would take the $1M card away from her (she would have played for a top prize of 'only' $100K). Would the potential prize be worth taking wrong guesses at the puzzle each time your turn comes?

[gsabc]

A chance to try the new spoiler

Spoiler

This happened a lot sooner than I expected, giving the hoops the contestant must jump through to win $1M. The chances seemed slim giving there have been few $100K hits each year. I was thinking there might be another SyndiBAM millionaire first.

Strategy: This woman was ahead by an insurmountable amount, excepting a big $6K a letter hit by an opponent on the final puzzle. She took spins on the last two puzzles knowing that a bankrupt would take the $1M card away from her (she would have played for a top prize of 'only' $100K). Would the potential prize be worth taking wrong guesses at the puzzle each time your turn comes?

Spoiler

I think she had good control over the wheel, and knew it. If you have it recorded, check out the section of the wheel where she kept hitting. She was within a wedge or two of her last spin each time, with no bad wedges around.

I speak from experience. I did the same thing years ago. It's a very nice feeling. Still, getting the $1MM wedge in the first place (and on her first spin!), then hitting the 1 in 24 shot at the right envelope, and THEN getting the final puzzle - quite the parley. Congrats to her.

One snide comment is necessary, though. Gee, I wonder what kind of dog would be named Taco?

[SportsFan68]

Thank you, Nelly!!!

I'm really glad I got to see that.

[rebel2008]

http://www.gameshownewsnet.com/extra/extra101508.html

An interview I did with Michelle Leowenstein.

Jason Block

[ontellen]

I thought about that strategy as well. If you have a huge lead, wouldn't it be smart to guess a "Z" or an "X" just to lose your turn and not chance hitting Bankrupt?

[TheConfessor]

http://www.gameshownewsnet.com/extra/extra101508.html

An interview I did with Michelle Leowenstein.

Jason Block

I didn't know the million bucks was an annuity. It's interesting that they offered her the option of a lump sum of $660K. I don't know if there's any "official" site of top game show winners, but at face value, I think she'd be in the top 10 of all time. Her actual lump sum probably puts her somewhere in the top 30 or 40.

[Bob78164]

http://www.gameshownewsnet.com/extra/extra101508.html

An interview I did with Michelle Leowenstein.

Jason Block

I didn't know the million bucks was an annuity. It's interesting that they offered her the option of a lump sum of $660K. I don't know if there's any "official" site of top game show winners, but at face value, I think she'd be in the top 10 of all time. Her actual lump sum probably puts her somewhere in the top 30 or 40.

If the million is her only win, it's not enough to put her in the Top Ten. I believe that thguy currently sits at number 9. --Bob

[TheConfessor]

http://www.gameshownewsnet.com/extra/extra101508.html

An interview I did with Michelle Leowenstein.

Jason Block

I didn't know the million bucks was an annuity. It's interesting that they offered her the option of a lump sum of $660K. I don't know if there's any "official" site of top game show winners, but at face value, I think she'd be in the top 10 of all time. Her actual lump sum probably puts her somewhere in the top 30 or 40.

If the million is her only win, it's not enough to put her in the Top Ten. I believe that thguy currently sits at number 9. --Bob

She won more than a million, nominally. The "million" she won was a bonus, in addition to the amount she won against the other contestants, which was about $26K. So she is one of the few game show contestants who has won more than a million, ignoring the annuity, and I think she would rank just behind thguy. Wasn't his also an annuity?

[thguy65]

I didn't know the million bucks was an annuity. It's interesting that they offered her the option of a lump sum of $660K. I don't know if there's any "official" site of top game show winners, but at face value, I think she'd be in the top 10 of all time. Her actual lump sum probably puts her somewhere in the top 30 or 40.

If the million is her only win, it's not enough to put her in the Top Ten. I believe that thguy currently sits at number 9. --Bob

She won more than a million, nominally. The "million" she won was a bonus, in addition to the amount she won against the other contestants, which was about $26K. So she is one of the few game show contestants who has won more than a million, ignoring the annuity, and I think she would rank just behind thguy. Wasn't his also an annuity?

My big win is an annuity. FOX still owes me 2 more payments.

According to this list (see the Notable Mentions section) I am at #10 at best. Ashlee Register, who won the first edition of Duel, passed me last year.

If I ever get a crack at MDP, I'm thinking I can at least pass Carpenter.

[MarleysGh0st]

I didn't know the million bucks was an annuity.

An annuity?

<grumble>®

[rebel2008]

I didn't know the million bucks was an annuity.

An annuity?

<grumble>®

Yes. The credits specifically state the 20 payment/ $660K lump sum option.

Jason

[earendel]

I didn't know the million bucks was an annuity.

An annuity?

<grumble>®

Yes. The credits specifically state the 20 payment/ $660K lump sum option.

Jason

Given the state of the market, an annuity may not be such a bad idea at this time. Indeed I heard a report on NPR the other morning that a lottery winner decided to take the annuity rather than the lump sum, since investments seem to be so uncertain.

[MarleysGh0st]

An annuity?

<grumble>®

Yes. The credits specifically state the 20 payment/ $660K lump sum option.

Jason

Given the state of the market, an annuity may not be such a bad idea at this time. Indeed I heard a report on NPR the other morning that a lottery winner decided to take the annuity rather than the lump sum, since investments seem to be so uncertain.

It's not a question of whether an annuity is a good investment (and just what bank or insurance company guarantees that annuity)--it's false advertising. If they want to pay an annuity, they should have to describe it as twenty payments of $50,000 a year or whatever. Is that too boring to waste air time on? Then suck it up and pay the full $1 million in cash!

[gsabc]

It's not a question of whether an annuity is a good investment (and just what bank or insurance company guarantees that annuity)--it's false advertising. If they want to pay an annuity, they should have to describe it as twenty payments of $50,000 a year or whatever. Is that too boring to waste air time on? Then suck it up and pay the full $1 million in cash!

In that case, TPTB at PowerBall and MegaMillions lottery headquarters are equally guilty, and for a longer time.

And yes, it would be boring to have the show's title be "Who Wants To Be A Six-Hundred-and-Sixty-Thousandaire?", or whatever the annuity's initial value would be ('BAM doesn't offer a one-time payment). Meredith doesn't even want to say "Is that your final answer?" She'd never get her mouth around that title.

[goongas]

But on the other hand you have to hope the annuity company does not go under.

[MarleysGh0st]

It's not a question of whether an annuity is a good investment (and just what bank or insurance company guarantees that annuity)--it's false advertising. If they want to pay an annuity, they should have to describe it as twenty payments of $50,000 a year or whatever. Is that too boring to waste air time on? Then suck it up and pay the full $1 million in cash!

In that case, TPTB at PowerBall and MegaMillions lottery headquarters are equally guilty, and for a longer time.

And yes, it would be boring to have the show's title be "Who Wants To Be A Six-Hundred-and-Sixty-Thousandaire?", or whatever the annuity's initial value would be ('BAM doesn't offer a one-time payment). Meredith doesn't even want to say "Is that your final answer?" She'd never get her mouth around that title.

I grumble about all the lotteries engaging in their false advertising (and with a much larger advertising budget), too.

Like I said, if she doesn't want to say all that, she and TPTB can make those "Million Dollar" checks real.




It's not like they've actually handed one out for the last five seasons.

[thguy65]

But on the other hand you have to hope the annuity company does not go under.

My checks come directly from FOX, so as long as "American Idol" is around I think I'm good.

[rebel2008]

But on the other hand you have to hope the annuity company does not go under.

My checks come directly from FOX, so as long as "American Idol" is around I think I'm good.

I think you are good

Jason