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Post by jjc927 on Sept 11, 2021 16:28:53 GMT -5
My only real issue with the theme weeks is the reliance on puzzles that fit the theme, also an issue with the Prize Puzzle since it almost always breaks with the theme of the week. If they are indeed phasing out themes maybe it's for the purposes of opening up the puzzle writing possibilities.
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William
Posts: 400 
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Post by William on Sept 11, 2021 16:30:15 GMT -5
Same here... theme weeks were kinda cool in the '90s, but ultimately add nothing to the show.
Originally the prizes reflected the theme of the week. Now it's the puzzles, but I've never liked the practice of themed puzzles on a regular basis and prefer a neutral selection of puzzles.
Theme weeks (and puzzles) are nice on occasion, but I'm more than fine with them being mostly gone... if it turns out that way.
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Post by williamporygon on Sept 11, 2021 16:33:45 GMT -5
^ Same. I don't mind some theme weeks if there's a point to them (sponsorship, families/couples, holidays) but a lot of the generic things like "Spa Getaways" or "Great Vacations" or whatever just felt like having a pointless theme for the sake of having a pointless theme.
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SmashWhammy
Avatar by LemonJoel (from the Jackbox Games fan community)
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Post by SmashWhammy on Sept 11, 2021 18:21:31 GMT -5
and Big Money Money Themed Puzzle Week being the for the usual stakes, unlike another show that has the same name for a themed week
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MarioGS
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Post by MarioGS on Sept 11, 2021 18:36:27 GMT -5
Yeah, I'm glad we'll be seeing less puzzles like THE BEST MASSAGE OF ALL TIME.
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Post by jarvisabrodie89 on Sept 11, 2021 22:06:19 GMT -5
To me, the theme weeks mostly seemed like pointless gimmicks that added nothing to the show. I'd be glad to see them cut back. I'd say cut back or discontinue altogether in favor of the more occasional ones like "Teachers", "College", "Teen", "Family", "Sweethearts", "Armed Forces/Veterans" or even "My Favorite Teacher" despite the latter's absence for the past 26 years. Lol. Nevertheless, I do agree about the lack of substance with theme weeks. But just to add on: What's obvious, at least only to me, is that Harry Friedman and the producers during the Friedman-era have completely run out of ideas over the last 15 to 20+ years when they came up with crazy titles like "Live Like a Star", "Highlight Your Nightlife", "Live the Good Life", just to name a few that never made sense. Needless to say, it all explains why they started using the title "America's Game" almost every week since the late 2000s. After all, Wheel of Fortune is still "America's Game". Lol. Anyway, if it is official that Wheel of Fortune will no longer be doing theme weeks every week, then heck, I'm all for it! I mean, when I first started watching Wheel of Fortune as a toddler in the early 90s, there were no theme weeks except on special occasions like "Teen", "College", "Family" or "Sweethearts". Nevertheless, this season would be the first in 25 to 26 years without a weekly theme title. |
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Post by gameshowfandanny on Sept 12, 2021 15:38:18 GMT -5
Does anyone else think the $10,000 Mystery Wedge Giveaway is retired or on hiatus? Its rules haven't been updated for Season 39 and I think if they were still doing it, then it would have been updated by now.
EDIT: The rules were updated today.
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Post by speedandstrategy on Sept 13, 2021 19:14:24 GMT -5
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Post by atrocalypse on Sept 13, 2021 22:08:47 GMT -5
Still no audiences? Not even virtual ones?
IOW, Pat should have stopped doing final spins after Season 20. Better late than never.
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Post by jeopardyfan939 on Sept 14, 2021 1:40:32 GMT -5
I'm eventually going to get used to the new music, and that's because I've been so used to the 2006 and 2017 theme music package for all these years. At first I figured the 2017 theme was going to be in use for 10 years since that was the case with the 2006 version of "Happy Wheels". And another note, I have a good feeling Bleeding Fingers Music is behind the music refresh for S39; it has the same sound as the music for Celebrity WoF as well as Jeopardy! The Greatest of All-Time.
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Post by pannoni1 on Sept 14, 2021 6:36:49 GMT -5
J!'s theme update is basically a Bleeding Fingers rendition of the 2008-21 version, and the set also got a freshening after the previous version lasted just a season, the first time since the mid-80s to have a unique set for a single season. Still, these changes are certainly a breath of fresh air that go beyond just adding another grand to the BR minimum. The puzzle writing obviously could be improved, and if Free Play is gone, I suppose there's the possibility for the return of Free Spin down the line. Still, it's nice seeing non-CA contestants again, even if they still won't allow family/friends of the contestants yet unlike TPIR. I'd wish the audience for Wheel (and J!) had those pods like you see on those CBS shows since I really found especially on Price yesterday that special something that was absent all of last season.
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Post by wizardwof on Sept 14, 2021 6:46:45 GMT -5
Hi all. First post here! I overall liked the changes. The new back drop behind contestants, Pat not doing the final spin, the $10k if you won all three tossups... only thing I did not like was the music during the final spin puzzle. That sounded ominous. Hope they realize that and change it.
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MarioGS
Made It and Played It VIP
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Post by MarioGS on Sept 14, 2021 20:56:19 GMT -5
Literally every comment on every new post on the show's Facebook page is criticizing the set and/or music. Kind of sad. People actually want the video wall back because it was "soothing".
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Post by trevor807 on Sept 14, 2021 21:30:01 GMT -5
I have to say, I like the new set changes and music. The reason for these negative comments on social media is because it's been years since Changing Keys was used and the video wall was there for so long. Too long, in fact.
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Post by logicman27 on Sept 14, 2021 21:51:37 GMT -5
While I love the new changes (I explained ‘em thoroughly in my review on the S39 premiere recap), I enjoyed reading the negative comments saying that “everything is horrible”. There’s bound to be some haters…
Though I will say this: the intro was enough to wake up a sleeping baby.
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Post by usedletterboard on Sept 15, 2021 8:55:45 GMT -5
I kind of find it hilarious how some people online are complaining that the new version of "Changing Keys" is too repetitive. I mean, what were they listening to for the last four years and change?  I do wonder how much of that pushback can be attributed to a generational divide and how the general public (not us hardcore fans) born since 2000 reacts to such changes. Pat was right with his closing comments in Tuesday's episode. "Changing Keys" is the definitive theme because it is the one that has been in the public consciousness the longest. Sure, the new version could have a more imaginative arrangement, but the core composition is far better than any of the excuse of a "theme" the show has had for the last 20 years or so. Cutting corners at the expense of losing a little bit of identity is never a good thing, particularly with a show with the longevity and significance of Wheel. I think I'd go as far as to say that I like the new theme more than the '94 and '97 versions - even though those versions are superior strictly from a music composition standpoint - only because it strays away less from the original melody. |
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Post by newt on Sept 15, 2021 9:20:37 GMT -5
You want to know something ironic. When the music package was revamped in 2017, people complained about it on Facebook. If there was social media more than 20 years ago, people would have complained about Happy Wheels.
This is what I read online about someone’s tweet reacting to people’s complaints about Changing Keys.
“For those complaining about the new music this season on Wheel, give it time. Just like the last music package they had, it'll grow on you. For the record, I REALLY love 'Changing Keys '21'. Good on Wheel for bringing back that iconic theme! #WheelOfFortune,”.
Another tweet says “So happy #ChangingKeys is back and better than ever! 🎹,”
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Post by speedandstrategy on Sept 15, 2021 12:14:50 GMT -5
I've already stated here and elsewhere that I loved the changes. It's possible that the negative responses are more representative of what everyday viewers (as opposed to old school geeky fanboys like me) think, but it's more likely that most average viewers don't care much either way.
The only thing I will agree with the critics about is that the volume could be turned down a little.
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Post by jarvisabrodie89 on Sept 16, 2021 13:55:29 GMT -5
I kind of find it hilarious how some people online are complaining that the new version of "Changing Keys" is too repetitive. I mean, what were they listening to for the last four years and change? I do wonder how much of that pushback can be attributed to a generational divide and how the general public (not us hardcore fans) born since 2000 reacts to such changes. Pat was right with his closing comments in Tuesday's episode. "Changing Keys" is the definitive theme because it is the one that has been in the public consciousness the longest. Sure, the new version could have a more imaginative arrangement, but the core composition is far better than any of the excuse of a "theme" the show has had for the last 20 years or so. Cutting corners at the expense of losing a little bit of identity is never a good thing, particularly with a show with the longevity and significance of Wheel. I think I'd go as far as to say that I like the new theme more than the '94 and '97 versions - even though those versions are superior strictly from a music composition standpoint - only because it strays away less from the original melody. Amen to that! As far as the other "theme songs" used during last 20+ years, between 2000 and 2021, there's really NOTHING memorable about them because they never really fit in to the wholesome atmosphere of Wheel of Fortune. For a theme as iconic as "Changing Keys", there was no way they could have come up with a better theme that would "attracted a new generation of viewers" no matter how hard Harry Friedman tried. Same thing goes for the generic music going to into commercials, which I'm glad they've stopped doing after 25 years. As far as I'm concerned, and I've said this before, it all made Wheel look more and more like a Game Show WITHOUT a theme song. And that just didn't look right! But now that "Changing Keys" is back, I believe for the first time in 21 years Wheel of Fortune does have a renewed sense of purpose! |
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Post by trevor807 on Sept 16, 2021 14:52:53 GMT -5
The non-"Changing Keys" themes used for over 20 years feel more like prize cues, or at least better fits on some other game show. When it was removed, a large part of Wheel's identity was gone. Now it's back, and it truly feels like, well, Wheel again.
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I do wonder how much of that pushback can be attributed to a generational divide and how the general public (not us hardcore fans) born since 2000 reacts to such changes.