The only reason Ten’s high-profile Wheel of Fortune reboot will struggle to gain viewers in 2024
Funnyman Graham Norton is all set to host the Australian reboot of Channel 10’s Wheel of Fortune later this year.
But insiders are already predicting disaster for the beloved game show after the British version upset fans this week with a controversial format change.
Originally presented with two hosts, the new version produced by ITV features only Graham, while the assistant role has been replaced by a digital board.
Australian TV industry blogger Rob McKnight previewed the UK version and said the local reboot could face problems winning fans.
“One big change that some viewers may find difficult to accept is the absence of a letter that rotates in the style of the iconic Adriana Xenides,” he said in Television tonight on Tuesday.
Funnyman Graham Norton is all set to host the reboot of Wheel of Fortune on Channel 10 later this year – but insiders are already predicting disaster for the much-loved game show after the UK version aired this week with a controversial format change that has upset fans . Graham Norton on the set of the Wheel of Fortune reboot
Adriana co-hosted the show for 18 years, after first appearing on the program in 1981.
The blonde beauty was tasked with ‘turning’ letters on a giant board used in the quiz, a guessing game based on a word puzzle.
‘In the age of computer graphics, there really isn’t a need for it anymore [spinning] role and the ITV production has put an end to it.
‘Personally I don’t mind it, but it has caused a stir in Britain.’
McKnight also complained that while Graham was funny, the show felt stretched at its new one-hour running time.
Originally presented with two hosts, the new version, produced by ITV UK, features just Graham, while the assistant role has been replaced by a digital board. Pictured: Wheel of Fortune Australia hosts John Burgess and Adriana Xenides
He also predicted that it could be difficult to win over fans in a prime time slot because viewers might think the show, first conceived in 1973, might seem too much of a throwback.
It comes after Channel 10 announced in October that the much-loved game show, which last aired in 2008, will now be filmed in Britain.
Norton is best known for hosting The Graham Norton Show, which airs in Australia on Channel 10.
The Aussie Wheel of Fortune revival began casting in September, with producers looking to recruit Australian expats in the UK for the limited series.
The film will air in prime time on Channel later this year.
Australian TV industry blogger Rob McKnight previewed the UK version, saying the local reboot may have trouble winning fans due to the ‘digital board’ (pictured)