March 31, 1987

A few other notes I picked up from this episode:

* Leigh's "wonderful guy" she referred to in her interview was Randy Sampson, who earlier in the month competed on the daytime show and – according to the Wheel Of Fortune History wiki, – won "around $20,000 in prizes," including a Jeep Cherokee. Maybe someone has those episodes; be neat to see how his run went. In any event, it was apparent Pat recognized him during the close, although he did not mention their connection.

* The prize copy for Leigh's huge win wasn't even close to a record – exactly two minutes – but "Struttin' On Sunset" is probably the prize music most often used for longer prize copy, since that cue runs just over three minutes and was, on at least one occasion (in 1985, when someone bought 13 prizes), played to completion. For some of the semi-long prize lists (she had seven total from the $44,300), you'd often hear a cue like "Frisco Disco," which is just over two minutes long.

* All of the prizes Leigh bought from Round 3 – I'd guess it was the "Guest Bedroom" or "Lovers' Retreat" – were at least $1,500. I added it up myself, and indeed, her seven prizes left just the $93 Gucci (I'd guess) gift certificate. Interestingly, she passed over a number of other items, including (at least) a brass floor lamp, a wing chair, carpeting, a bedding ensemble and a Giorgio perfume basket, and I'd guess wallpaper and maybe window blinds/drapes, a mattress set and other sundry items ... but that's quite OK. Leigh indeed came away with a haul from her spree, and her least expensive gift on the day – aside from the Gucci gift certificate ($233 over three rounds) – was those wooden duck decoys won in Round 2 (thanks to netting just $200 in that first round). Maybe the decoys went into the bedroom!

* Had Leigh chosen to spin on in Round 2, her total could potentially have been bigger by about $5,000 (assuming she landed on $1,000 each time), as she left two L's, two D's and a Y on the board. Still, a great time to solve and not risk losing the car to either Lose A Turn or Bankrupt. She played that Free Spin correctly.

A great episode and I'm glad I got to see it.

Brian