It's a scream

Watched Wheel of Fortune tonight with my wife. One contestant - I don't remember her name and she's not the one in the picture - got on my wife's nerves. This contestant happened to be good at the game, and every time she solved a puzzle she would let out a scream or three. Pretty soon my wife was rooting against her, in a vain effort to shut off the hollering.

Sadly for eardrums around America, the high-volume contestant kept winning, and screaming, right up to the bonus round. I realize game shows often recruit contestants for their vocal cords. Loud reactions make for raucous TV, and raucous is supposed to be better than quiet. But after a while diminishing returns set in. When a contestant yells after every success, the bellowing soon seems more forced than spontaneous.

Producers should still look for excitable contestants who visibly enjoy themselves on game shows. Fans like emphatic reactions to the gameplay. But it might not be a bad idea for contestants to tone it down a bit after letting out a few good squeals.