Two of America’s most beloved game shows, Wheel of Fortune and The Price is Right, share a common element—a giant spinning wheel. However, recent revelations have surprised fans as they uncover the challenges contestants face when spinning these wheels.
The Mystery Behind the Wheels’ Weight
The exact weight of these game show wheels had long been a mystery to the public. However, in 2021, The Price is Right revealed through a social media post that its famous Showcase Showdown wheel weighs an impressive 2,000 pounds.
Meanwhile, Wheel of Fortune’s wheel, which lies flat rather than upright, is even heavier. According to World Strides, it weighs approximately 2,400 pounds—400 pounds more than The Price is Right’s wheel. While the structure of the wheels differs, fans and contestants alike have debated which one is actually harder to spin.
Players Weigh in on the Challenge
Discussions on Reddit have sparked debate over which wheel requires more effort. Some users who have had the chance to spin both wheels shared their experiences:
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One former contestant who spun The Price is Right wheel at an event said, “I would guess the Big Wheel on TPIR. I spun it once at SXSW, and it was much heavier than I anticipated.”
Another pointed out, “So the Wheel of Fortune is heavier, but TPIR’s wheel feels harder to spin because it’s upright, and gravity is against you. You have to pull it down, whereas Wheel of Fortune’s wheel is flat and only requires pulling it across.”
Another added, “The TPIR wheel needs to make a full rotation for the spin to count, so it takes more effort compared to Wheel of Fortune, where you don’t need a full turn.”
Some contestants mentioned that petite individuals found the TPIR wheel particularly challenging to spin.
The History of The Price is Right Wheel
The iconic Price is Right Big Wheel debuted in 1975 when the show transitioned from a 30-minute format to a one-hour episode. The addition of the Showcase Showdown introduced the now-famous spinning wheel, where contestants compete to get closest to 100 without going over in two spins. Over the years, hosts including Bob Barker, Drew Carey, and even guest host Craig Ferguson have presided over the show’s legendary wheel.
Ryan Seacrest’s Experience with Wheel of Fortune’s Wheel
Ryan Seacrest, who recently took over as host of Wheel of Fortune, shared his excitement about spinning the famous wheel for the first time. In a behind-the-scenes Instagram video, Seacrest spun the wheel and joked about its size, saying, “The wheel’s maybe smaller than you think… as am I.”
The video captured Seacrest’s enthusiasm on his first day, as he even clicked his heels together in excitement before skipping off-camera. Fans expressed their anticipation for the new season, with longtime hostess Vanna White returning alongside Seacrest.
The Verdict: Which Wheel is More Difficult?
While the Wheel of Fortune wheel is technically heavier, many contestants argue that The Price is Right wheel is harder to spin due to its upright positioning and rotation requirements. The challenge of these iconic wheels continues to be a talking point among game show fans, proving that spinning for prizes isn’t as easy as it looks on TV.
Regardless of the difficulty, both wheels remain legendary symbols of excitement, anticipation, and life-changing prizes in the world of television game shows.
