Last year’s introduction of the million-dollar-wedge, for instance, raised the stakes without doing anything to monkey with the basic game play. I’m not automatically opposed to any change on Wheel.

Unlike “Free Spin”, which had no value when landed on, each correct consonant called during a “Free Play” is worth $500. It also allows contestants to call a vowel for free whether or not they have the $250 necessary. If he or she calls a letter that is not in the puzzle, calls a letter that has already been called or incorrectly tries to solve the puzzle, he or she will not lose a turn. The wedge gives the contestant immunity on his or her first action. “Free Play” will be on the wheel during the first three rounds of play and can be landed on repeatedly, and by all 3 contestants, without losing its value. Well, here’s the description the show’s press-meisters sent: The “Free Spin” wedge will be replaced by “Free Play.” What is that, you ask? That eternal process continues the game show starts a new season Monday, with a new twist that-like many in the past-sounds like a needless complication of something that already worked.

Follow week, Robo-James’ time machine looked at the evolution over the decades of Wheel of Fortune.

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