Tinkering

A thread on the GSN board (miraculously still in existence) chats about possible changes to Wheel of Fortune. As a very sensible poster notes, WoF is still the most watched game show in the country, so it's not like a bunch of changes are urgent. But game show fans being who they are, the thread collects a zillion ideas for tinkering with the gameplay.

I realize that the summer heat has melted down WoF's recent ratings to some extent. But the show still sits comfortably atop the game show heap. So I have a novel idea. Don't change anything. Yep, just keep spinning business as usual.

Whenever I watch the show, I'm struck by how well-designed the current format is. Nicely paced with plenty of puzzles, challenging but not impossible gameplay, a pleasant mix of different variations on a theme. Not to mention the perfect pair of co-hosts in Pat and Vanna. So why mess with the damn thing?