Vanna White: Today is a big day around here ! For we have
a new host of Wheel of Fortune and I'd like to introduce you to
him at this time. Please welcome, the new host of the Daytime
Wheel of Fortune: Rolf Benirschke !
And history was made !
Yes welcome one and all. This is the internet's first site to the
infamous wheel host Rolf Benirschke ! Why am I doing this ? To
give praise to a host that really wasn't that bad !
On January 6th, 1989. After nearly 7 years as host of the hit NBC
game show, Wheel of Fortune, Pat Sajak decided to leave the
daytime version to host a CBS Late Nite Talk Show. A void had to
be filled ASAP !
The show's boss at the time, Merv Griffin, scowered Televsion
looking for a replacement. One night he watching a talk show and
one of the guests was Rolf Benirschke. Merv was impressed and
later called Rolf and asked him if he was willing to audition to
host a new show he was creating. Later, he asked Rolf to auditon
to host Wheel of Fortune ! Somehow, he got the gig !
Rolf Benirschke played professional football for the San Diego
Chargers as a placekicker from 1977 to 1986. A bout with cancer
forced Rolf into retirement. He now was chosen to front one of
the biggest game shows in US history !
On a cold Monday, Tuesday January 10th, 1989. America was
introduced to the hosting skills of Rolf. The contestants were
Karen Nelson, a bride-to-be. Cheryl Gilmore, a mother and a clown
and the returning champ Consuelo Palmer, a flight attendant from
Chicago with $3500 in prizes.
Rolf's performance on his first show, to put in a nice way, was
pretty terrible. He talked in a nervous droll stammer and was
always fumbling up his speech. It was important to understand
that Rolf had never hosted a TV Show and this was a new
experience for him. Despite his stumbles, Rolf survived his first
show. He even gave away a car in the bonus round !
It was pretty obvious NBC really had no real faith in Rolf. The
total prize budget was slashed from $105,000 on Pat's last to
$77,000 on
Rolf's first. The prizes themselves were a lot cheeper too.
Rolf's fate was sealed when on one episode a game ended in a tie.
Rolf looked into the camera, stared, and told a national audience
that he "had no idea what to do here" and went into a
commercial. Rolf had become the butt of many bad host jokes
Rolf did his last show on June 30, 1989. By then, the plan and
nervous Rolf had been replaced with a more excited and enthuastic
Rolf. He had for the most part overcame his nervousness and was
actually doing a great job hosting. Contestants even started to
refer to him on a first-name basis and he did his show with very
few hitches.
But it was too late, the damage had been done. NBC cancelled the
show shortly after Rolf's last episode had been taped. The show
was quickly picked-up by CBS, but Rolf did not make the transfer.
He was replaced by former host of Blackout: Bob Goen. It's unsure
if Rolf was fired or voluntary resigned. Rolf's last episode was
also the last episode with prize shopping on Wheel. Bob Goen was
a bigger success and took the show to it's ultamate cancellation
in 1991.
Since leaving the show, Rolf is known to frequent the
Insperational Seminar Circuit, talking about his battle with
cancer and his football carrer. He later wrote the autobiography
"Alive and Kicking" in 1996. Rolf is curretnly living
in San Diego with his wife of 14 years and his three kids: Erik,
Kari, and Timmy.
Rumors have said that Rolf is embarrased over his stint on Wheel
and refuses to talk about it. His website
(www.greatcomebacks.com) makes no mention whatsover of his run.
And that my friends is the story of Rolf Benirschke ! The Man,
the Myth, the Mystery !
Fun Facts about Rolf WOF !
- Rolf was never mentioned on Pat's last show. He was refered to
as, "The New Guy".
- On his first show, there was no gameplay in the first segment !
After his intro they went straight into commercial.
- Rolf asked an engaged woman if she's even been on a
"Whirlwind Romance"
- Rolf ended his first show on this incredibly lame joke:
"When I first came out out here, it was almost like, being
asked to kick a field goal without any pregame warmup"
- Despite the theme playing, Rolf states that they have time for
another round and "We'll get to it right away". The
contestant pointed out, "... after this..." We see
Rolf's embarassed face as it goes into commercial.
- During a "Teen Week" special Speedround. When Rolf
gave the final spin of the day, he was looking off the Blue
Player's arrow for the amount and the Blue contestant, ATGS's
Jade Mills, had to remind Rolf he's supposed to look at the Red
Arrow, ON CAMERA !
- Rolf's run actually gave Daytime WOF's largest win total ever.
Over $65,000 in prizes.
- Rolf's first puzzle: "Doesn't miss a trick". Rolf's
last puzzle: "Liquid Diet"
- There was no formal goodbye on Rolf's last show
Rolf Quotes
"Fun to be here, little overwhelming, but it's
exciting"
"People don't want to know about me or watch us here"
"XXX in the bank"
"Hurry ! Hurry ! Hurry !"
(When a contestant stated that she's single) "This isn't The
Dating Game, this is Wheel of Fortune !"
(When "Bankrupt" was hit 3-times-in-a-row) "In
Hockey we call that a 'Hat Trick' I don't know what we call it on
the Wheel of Fortune"
"And now the Wheel of Fortune voice, Mr. Charlie O'Donnel
!"
"We time for another round, so lets get to it right away
!"
"You pulled that out of left field"
"I know a lot of you are expecting Pat Sajak, but Pat's off
doing other things and I'm trying to replace him"
(After seing Vanna)"Wow, and they pay me to work with her
!"
"It is Phrase"
"Welcome to America's Number One Game Show and were kinda
proud about that"
Goodness, I need a life...
(Source of some info: www.greatcomebacks.com)
(Source of pic: Eric Butler)
