International versions of Wheel of Fortune
The Wheel of Fortune has had a number of versions in different countries:
Australia
Main article: Wheel of Fortune (Australian game show)
Belgium
The Wheel Of Fortune (or 'Het Rad Van Fortuin' in Dutch) was aired by VTM from 1989-1997 (presented by Walter Capiau from 1989-1994 and by Bart Kaell from 1994-1997) and from 2004 until the end of August 2006. (presented by Luc Appermont)
Canada
While the United States version of the program has aired continually, in syndication, on various English-language television stations in Canada (with the show moving to CBC Television in September 2008 [1]), the TQS network aired a French-Canadian edition of the show from 1989 to 1992. Entitled La Roue chanceuse, the show was hosted by Donald Lautrec and Lyne Sarrazin.[2]
Chile
La Rueda de la Fortuna was broadcast by Canal 13 in 1979 and hosted by Rodolfo Torrealba.
France
There have been two versions. The first ran in the early 1990s, and in August 2006, a revival has been made, hosted by Christophe Dechavanne and Victoria Silvstedt.
Germany
There have been three Glücksrad versions in Germany: 1988-1998 on Sat.1 hosted by Frederic Meisner and Peter Bond, 1998-2002 on Kabel 1 hosted by Frederic Meisner (-2001) and Thomas Ohrner (2002-2004) on 9 Live hosted again by Frederic Meisner.
Israel
The show aired in Israel from 1993 through 2000, and was among the prominent shows of the newly founded commercial television channel. It is closely associated with its host, Erez Tal, which would later star in other television game shows.
Malaysia
Shown on Astro Ria and one weeek delay repeat on TV3 until 2002, the Malaysian version of the show is called Roda Impian. Production of the show began in 1996, and since that time it has become one of the most famous game shows in the country. It was hosted by Halim Othman from 1996 to 2002 and Hani Mohsin from 2002 until he died of a heart attack in 2006. No new episodes have been aired since the death of Mohsin, and it is currently unknown when or if the show will return.
Netherlands
The Dutch version is called 'Het rad van fortuin', like in Belgium, and it was broadcast by RTL 4 from 1989-1998 and hosted by Hans van der Togt.
New Zealand
There was a version in New Zealand with Phillip Leishman as host (later replaced by Simon Barnett) and Lana Coc-Kroft as co-host. This version ran from 1991 to around 1996.
Norway
Lykkehjulet on TV 3.
Philippines
Actor Rustom Padilla hosted the Philippine edition of the show on the Associated Broadcasting Company (ABC) during its short run from 2001-2002. It was part of ABC's response to the popularity of IBC 13's version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? and The Weakest Link.
However it is expected to return to Philippine airwaves as last December 9, 2007, a teaser was shown on ABS-CBN. It involves the following: "Category: New Kapamilya Game Show" and they showed the letter 'F' as a clue and the remaining letters kept undisclosed to spell out the game show. The end of the teaser showed "2008," which means the show is expected to air sometime next year.
Romania
The show was broadcasted in Romania by Pro TV, starting in 1997, under the name Roata Norocului and it was hosted by actor Mihai Călin.
Russia
Russia's version of Wheel of Fortune, called Pole Chudes (Russian: По́ле Чуде́с) began in 1990, now hosted by Leonid Yakubovich.
Singapore
MediaCorp TV Channel 5 produced the Singapore's version of Wheel of Fortune in 2002. Eunice Olsen, who is Miss Singapore Universe 2000, was a co-host. DJ Bernard Lim was the main host.
Spain
During the 1990s the Spanish version of the show was broadcasted as La Ruleta de la Fortuna, first on Antena 3 and then by Telecinco. It returned to Antena 3 in 2006 as part of the "Nostalgia phase" that hit the channel that year. IN its revival, the show was renamed to La Ruleta de la Suerte. The revived format has since become one of the channel's most successful programmes for the TV season 2006/2007 scoring shares of 25%+ on a daily basis. Originally the show aired ina hour long block but in view of its success, Antena 3TV decided to extend episodes to 90 minutes with the inclusion of new games within the show. La Ruleta de la Suerte airs weekdays between 1230h and 14h.
Presenters of La Ruleta de la Fortuna Mayra Gómez Kemp (1990) Antena 3TV Ramón García (1990) Antena 3TV Irma Soriano (1990-1991) Antena 3TV Bigote Arrocet with Mabel Lozano (1991-1992)Antena 3TV Belén Rueda …. Herself (1992)Antena 3TV Fernando Esteso (1993) TeleCinco Jesús Vázquez …. (1993-1994) TeleCinco Andoni Ferreño …. (1994-1995) TeleCinco Goyo González …. 1995-1996)TeleCinco Carlos Lozano …. (1996-1997)TeleCinco Diana Fernández ….(1996-1997)TeleCinco Jorge Fernandez (2006 - ) Antena 3TV (Now as Ruleta de la Suerte)
United Kingdom
Main article: Wheel of Fortune (UK game show)
United States
Other countries
Some other countries that air "Wheel of Fortune", and the titles used, include Indonesia (Roda Impian), Brazil (Roda a Roda, previously known as Roletrando), Vietnam (Chiếc nón kỳ diệu), Ecuador (La Rueda de la Fortuna, for Ecuavisa), Italy (La Ruota Della Fortuna), Israel (Galgal Hamazal), Turkey (Çarkıfelek), Poland (Koło Fortuny), Finland (Onnenpyörä), Denmark (Lykkehjulet), Hungary (Szerencsekerék), and Argentina (aired live twice a day under the names Tiempo Límite FAN (Time Limit Fan) and Tiempo Límite ATP (TV-G Time Limit).
SoapNet's website (specifically, the part where they discuss Soap Stars on Wheel of Fortune week) reveals that versions have also aired in the Czech Republic, Estonia, India, Latvia, and Mexico.
*The American version airs in Canada and Canadians are not eligible to be contestants and cannot participate in any of its contests, such as SPIN ID.
See Also
Past broadcasts
Other countries that have had the show include Croatia (Kolo Sreće), Colombia, South Korea, Slovenia, Greece, Slovakia, Panama, and Sweden (there, it was called Lyckhjulet and was aired on Swedish TV3).
References
- ^ "Canadian Press: "Hockey soap opera, immigration police drama on CBC's winter schedule"". Canadian Press, via jam.canoe.ca. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
- ^ "Roue chanceuse, La (1986-1992)". Emissions.ca. Retrieved 2007-02-22. Richard Therrien (2006-08-25). "Les 20 Ans de TQS; De hauts en bas". Le Soleil. Retrieved 2007-02-22. "Australian Game Show Homepage". Retrieved 2007-02-22. "Saison 1986-1987". TQS.ca. Retrieved 2007-02-22.