Wheel of Fortune (Australia) - July 15 1996 - Tony Barber’s Debut Episode

Tony Barber's debut episode on Wheel of Fortune - Monday July 15 1996
Features Tim, Jo Anne and Greg
The first episode of Wheel following its massive revamp at a new location with a new set. The show would now be recorded at ATN-7 in the Sydney suburb of Epping, the format changed from 3 rounds to 4 (this remained until Rob Elliott's arrival but was returned in 1999), the red podium was the carry-over champion's spot as the introduction of buzzers and a simple quiz gave everyone an equal opportunity to have the first spin as opposed to the red (rnd 1) yellow (rnd 2) turquoise (rnd 3)sequence, gameplay was continuous (eg: if the red player buzzed in with correct answer, but yellow player solved the puzzle in round 1 then the blue player had the first spin in round 2), dollars were no longer secured, the blue podium replaced the turqouise podium, envelopes replaced the yellow wheel (for the first 5 weeks), new theme music was introduced (this also lasted 5 weeks) but many of the existing sound effects (letters, incorrect guess sound effect, puzzle fanfare) remained, Tony Barber replaced John Burgess, puzzleboard graphics were changed and more importantly a new wheel was devised which in my opinion looked much more up-to-date, sophisticated and uniquely Australian. Some changes in the set about 5 weeks later occurred when the former theme music and yellow wheel were returned (these included changing of the lighting tubes on the podium backdrops, white edges on the flippers and the Wheel logo lit up behind Tony) made this set in my opinion the best set that we've had on Aussie Wheel alongside the revised set that was introduced in August 2003. Unfortunately though because of the way the Seven Network made the transition, this revamp was not very well received and Tony was ousted by the end of the year and would be replaced by Rob Elliott.
Features Sydney radio personality Ron E Sparks as announcer during this period, before John Deeks returned in 1997.
Apologies also for the poor quality, this was downloaded from DownsA530's channel back in 2010. To @gameshowaus2 or anyone who might be able to help - if you have this episode and the quality is the same as the July 19th episode then by all means upload it if/when you see fit as this one is a shocker.
Note: I do not own this. No infringement is intended but I will remove it if requested to do so

[@JamesJimmaHarding]

I think Greg was the real star of the show. What a great bloke

[@sdrewe99]

I remember Tony Barber forgetting the names and rules of wheel of fortune when he hosted this version. Funny stuff.

[@WolfpackEntertainmentYT]

wish i could find a clear version of this song in full. For som reason i love the aussie wheel theme.

[@MrShieldsy100]

Not sure if people are aware, but Ron E. Sparks passed away today at the age of 72. He had a great voice, and I’m surprised he didn’t continue on the show into ‘97, but at least he had Hot Streak for a year. Rest in peace Ron E ❤

[@7120Magnum]

@@MrShieldsy100 Yes I did hear the news late yesterday announced by WSFM’s Jonesy and Amanda. The main reason my guess is for not returning in 97 was because they failed to get Burgo back, Adriana was still absent and so they got John Deeks back given he was familiar to the viewers. I reckon he would’ve returned in 97 if Deeksy had replaced Tony Barber - he was rumoured for a time in June 96 to replace John Burgess as host which Seven denied in TV Week on June 17, three days before Tony was secured as new host. Rest In Peace Ron E.

[@jacquelinestoodley622]

Thanks for uploading, my grandad Greg is playing!

[@henrywinkler6058]

is he still with us? such a vibrant guy!

[@jacquelinestoodley622]

@@henrywinkler6058 He very sadly passed in 2015

[@7120Magnum]

2:25 It’s taken me until now to realise the explanation of the change of rules in relation to the Bankrupt wedges doubled up as a gag about Christopher Skase re the “holiday to Majorca”.

[@johncraw8572]

Awesomeness video please do more wheel please thanks

[@cutemimi25]

This episode aired when I was only 1 year old "Yes my birthday is July 15th"

[@7120Magnum]

Got sacked as part of the revamp. I found Tony a better host and more energetic etc, but the reason he failed was because of Channel 7's handling of the whole thing resulting in the public backlash. Tony was gone at the end of the year, and the only reason Burgo wasn't returned in 1997 was because he'd signed a contract by then with Channel 9 - hence Rob Elliott's tenure.

[@RonaldOnionjr]

Joshua92ification I agree with you.

[@kylemacdonald9711]

Was Tony sacked or did he resign himself?

[@jasonscott2847]

no Tony said himself on interviews he left himself at his own accord and he even backed it up in his Book he published. Tony's version of Wheel I found was better than hes previous host, yes he made mistakes and got rules wrong, I felt he would of stepped in the role of host well if all the stuff from Burgo was handled correctly at the time.

[@7120Magnum]

@@jasonscott2847 In his book he said it was the Network that ultimately removed him as host. He was on a 12 month contract from July and the deal was his contract would be immediately renewed when the time came for another 2 years if he went along with the “resignation” charade. This lies at the feet of those in “middle management” at Seven. Earlier in 1996 there was an Australian adaptation of a British gameshow called “Talking Telephone Numbers”. Its hosts were Rob Elliott and Bridget Adams, and John Deeks was the announcer. It was cancelled after 3 episodes. Reading between the lines, the idea to revamp the show was born after “Talking Telephone Numbers” was cancelled with the view to making Rob Elliott the new host of this revamped Wheel. His name actually came up in conversation between Tony and Burgo when it was all going down, and Tony was ultimately Gary Rice’s captain’s pick. The rest is history, there’s no doubt in my mind that this was deliberately botched on the part of Seven’s “middle management” given they got their way and their host at the beginning of the new year.

[@newtimetravelhyman88]

This Is The First Appearance Of Tony Barber Replacing John Burgess Who Was Fired

[@MrShieldsy100]

I do find Tony's line, "It's the same old game and its the same old me" more than a bit amusing.....

[@quangbuicute]

Wonder if you could upload the full opening theme song of this episode , please ?

[@mutsortima174]

The only reason why the new theme didn't last long was because Tony Barber personally disliked it.

[@pjcasabuena]

To be honest, this is a good theme

[@7120Magnum]

Nothing to do with what Tony thought of the theme song. He had no input on the production of the show and said as much when in the announcement of his “resignation” from the show about his objection to being held responsible for ALL the changes and everything that the viewers didn’t like about it.

[@ruantengyi]

Thank god they brought the original theme back with a new sound!

[@chris.twentyeightt]

3:43 Drama Queen/King “Top dollar is $581” 15:36 what did he just say???

[@petercolbeysgameshowmania7176]

15:36 Watch out! Watch out for that black one!

[@ukgladiatorsfan]

Burgo got sacked i think

[@TheBundychick82]

he wan't as good on wof then sale of the century thats why i turned it off when i was a teenager but watched it when rob elliot replaced him i loved it ever since it was sad when he got fired and wof spiriled down to it's axing on channel 7 in 2006 it had a breather in 2005!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ischultz25]

Such a cringe start to Tony's debut - their rushed entrance to be in sync with the theme music, his fail of a kiss to Adriana LOL

[@7120Magnum]

And that’s why the new theme lasted 5 weeks. In Tony’s autobiography, he mentioned that what was originally planned at the start was not what went to air in the end. A lot chopping and changing of the new format went on while trying tape 5 weeks worth of episodes because the next round of taping couldn’t happen until after the Olympics. The floor manager actually walked out halfway through the taping of this episode.

[@cheekypeteski7545]

Tony barber ruined wheel of fortune.. sacking john bugesss was the biggest mistake.. and moving it from adelaide to Sydney was a disgrace