Introduction
This alternate/revised history article focuses on the history and trivia about game shows. It focuses on four game show franchises: Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, The Price is Right, and the Password franchise.
Wheel of Fortune
Changes in 2011
- The returning champions format ends in 1998, but is brought back in 2011, with a maximum of five appearances for each returning champion prior to retirement.
- Toss-up puzzles are discontinued, and the process of drawing numbers to see which contestant goes 1st, 2nd, and 3rd is brought back.
Notes on Charlie O’Donnell
- Charlie O’Donnell (August 12, 1932 – November 4, 2023) is known for being the original announcer for Wheel of Fortune, and announced for current hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White from the end of the 1980s until he retired in 2023, dying several months later.
- As a side note, Charlie is given a 13-year extension on his lifespan. In the current version of history, he dies in 2010 during his announcing career in the 2010-11 season of Wheel before it’s possible to retire.
Jeopardy!
Change in 2011
- To coincide with Wheel of Fortune implementing, in 2011, a maximum of five appearances per contestant prior to retirement, Jeopardy! follows suit. This ends the practice of a contestant having no set limit on appearances until being defeated.
Additional Notes
- Johnny Gilbert (born July 13, 1928) is known for being the announcer on Jeopardy! for Alex Trebek (born July 22, 1940) from 1984 until retiring in 2025. Gilbert lives on for at least 8 more years.
- In the current version of history, Alex Trebek, the host of Jeopardy! from 1984, dies from pancreatic cancer in 2020. However, in this revision, Trebek lives well past 2020, and continues to host Jeopardy! until retiring in 2030. Alex Trebek lives on for at least 7 more years after that.
The Price is Right
Notes on Johnny Olson
- Johnny Olson (May 22, 1910 – November 7, 2012) announced for Bob Barker on The Price is Right until retiring in 2005. He was succeeded by Rich Fields.
- In the current version of history, Johnny Olson dies from a cerebral hemorrhage in 1985, in the middle of his announcing career. But as can be seen in the next version, Olson’s announcing career is given a 20-year extension; and he lives on for 7 years after his retirement.
Notes on Bob Barker
- Bob Barker (born December 12, 1923) hosted The Price is Right from 1972 to his retirement in 2009, when he was succeeded by comedian Drew Carey.
- In the current version of history, Bob Barker retires in 2007; and he dies in 2023, just shy of his 100th birthday. But in the next version, having retired in 2009, Barker doesn’t die until 2026. Thus, Bob Barker has a 1-year extension on his retirement, a 2-year extension on his career as host of The Price is Right, and a 3-year extension on his life. So, living from 1923 to 2026 will make Bob Barker a centenarian game show host!
Note: Under construction! More coming soon!