May 8, 1997 (Celebrity Week) recap

Airdate: May 8, 1997

From Sony Pictures Studio, it's America's game! Welcome to a special week: Celebrities and their mothers team up to win big on Wheel of Fortune!

Today's teams:
Daytime award nominee and General Hospital star, here's Steve Burton, with his mother Tory Riihimaki! (playing for Surf Rider and Ecclesia Ministries)
Accomplished television and movie star, here's Bonnie Hunt, with her mother Alice! (playing for Ann Palmer Fund and Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation)
L.A. Lakers star, here's Nick Van Exel, with his mother Joyce! (playing for Lincoln Neighborhood Community Center)

Bonnie does some plugs including her voice role in the new Pixar movie A Bug's Life (which she just referred to as "Bugs"). She'll be doing Rosie, the black widow...widow.

The top-dollar value on the Wheel is $1,000. Here's our first puzzle, with more to follow, but all loved:


The Free Spin token comes slightly loose.

After spinning $900, Alice called I, but Bonnie changed to T. The actual ruling is unclear, as the buzzer may have sounded on a dud T.

Bonnie & Alice solve RISE AND SHINE.


We add the $2,500 and one-third $10,000 for the next puzzle up:


Bonnie began spinning before the R was revealed, then stopped the spin upon realization. She wanted to be fair, asking if she should lose her turn for that. Cue Pat saying "Spin the damn Wheel!" and finally continuing the game.

Steve & Tory solve REACH OUT AND TOUCH SOMEONE. For an extra $2,000, whose slogan is that?

They are correct with AT&T.


Can the $3,500 and Jackpot spaces endure the potential abuse?


Steve & Tory solve BARBARA BILLINGSLEY AS JUNE CLEAVER.


Time goes by too fast sometimes. Pat will give the Wheel a Final Spin, and consonants are worth...$5,000 a piece! The red team begins:


Steve & Tory: S ($5,000) (followed by a guess of GENERAL HOSPITAL)
Bonnie & Alice: P ($5,000) (then an attempt by Alice to call an L)
Nick & Joyce: L (DUD!)
Steve & Tory: T (DUD!)
Bonnie & Alice: R ($10,000)
Nick & Joyce: N ($5,000)
Steve & Tory: M (DUD!)
Bonnie & Alice: G ($15,000)
Nick & Joyce: C ($10,000)
Steve & Tory: K ($10,000)

Steve asks if vowels are worth any money. Pat says "Vowels worth nothing" for a reason.

Steve & Tory guess KANGAROO'S POOCH, but then are correct with KANGAROO'S POUCH.


The Hunts and Van Exels each receive the $5,000 minimum for their charities.

Celebrity mothers receive bouquets from 1-800-FLOWERS.





BONUS ROUND:

Steve & Tory can receive $25,000 more if they solve this puzzle:

RSTLNE gives them...

HDBO gives them a good vowel:

...but they still don't solve the puzzle EMOTION. They still get the $24,200 they won earlier.

The top three teams return tomorrow. Everyone waves good-bye in the end.