Wheel of Fortune’s fun formula stands test of time

Can you solve a puzzle from this week’s headlines? It involves a topic you’ve no doubt heard about, if not engaged with personally.
_ i _ t _ g _, t i m _ l _ s s, f _ _ l-g _ _ d t _ l _ _ i s i _ n g _ m _-s _ _ w.
Need a clue? The clock is ticking. Prize money awaits if you’re quick enough. Perhaps you should buy a vowel. 
Pat Sajak and Vanna White made headlines this week after airing their final episode of the popular TV gameshow Wheel of Fortune. The iconic duo has been puzzling audiences for more than 40 years with a simple yet genuine brand of entertainment, though Sajak has now officially played his last game. 
I came of age with Wheel of Fortune, in a way, as the show kicked off in 1982, smack dab in the middle of my college days. Watching a quick 30-minute episode, or part of it, became a habit, often in the student union where friends would kill some time, chiming in to see who could solve the puzzle first. Silly, perhaps. Meaningless, for sure. But a nice little brain teaser and small slice of fun for any and all ages.
During those early years I gained some inside perspective when a college friend appeared as a contestant on the show and actually came home with some bling. Mick was a bit of a word nerd, in his own words, and he had a blast filming the episode. It was pretty cool to see regular, every day people, even someone I knew, getting their 15 minutes of fame on the tube, thanks to Pat and Vanna.
I can’t say that I’ve remained a regular viewer over the years, though my wife and I still get sucked in occasionally while eating dinner. It’s just so easy, and tempting, to try and solve the word puzzle before the contestant, and occasionally get the right answer. I have no chance watching Jeopardy, but kudos to you if you’re a whiz with random facts and historical did-you-knows.
There is something to be said for a television show that spans 42 years. Americans like simple fun, and this show is just that. After watching a heavy dose of news almost every night on any channel, simple, light-hearted fun is still good, in fact it’s probably as popular as ever.
Ryan Seacrest will take over now as the new host, working with Vanna White for at least two more years before she turns her last letter. I’m not a TV critic, but my hunch is that the simple fun formula of solving word puzzles for prizes will continue to resonate. 
Speaking of puzzles, here’s the answer to the one above: “Vintage, timeless, feel-good television game-show”

KURT JOHNSON can be reached at kjohnson@ hamilton.net