Simultaneously replacing the Free Spin token and the yellow $400 between Lose A Turn and Bankrupt, Free Play allowed contestants to call a letter, call a free vowel, or solve the puzzle right away, all without penalty.

And starting in Season 39, the “Free Play” wedge on the wheel has been removed and replaced by an $850 wedge. Also, a $4,000 bonus has been added to contestants who solve all three puzzles in the Triple Toss Up Round, making the round worth $10,000.

Three contestants compete by spinning the Wheel and calling out consonants to solve puzzles for cash or prizes. Contestants with enough money can buy vowels for $250 each. The contestant who solves the puzzle wins the prizes they have amassed through the round.

The median “Wheel of Fortune” viewer is in the oldest age bracket that Nielsen tracks: “65+.” (The median ages of many of the higher-rated entertainment shows in prime time in the most recent television season - “Survivor” (62.1), “Abbott Elementary” (60.2), “The Voice” (64.8) - are not far behind.)

On-stage contestants are selected at random from among those who register. Audience members will be selected at random to play games and win prizes during the show.

Some free-to-play games display advertisements to players, either as banners on the screen or as video ads that play before or during gameplay. The game developers earn money when an ad is displayed or clicked on. This is most common in mobile games but can be seen in a few console or PC games.

The “Free Spin” wedge will be replaced by “Free Play.” What is that, you ask? Well, here's the description the show's press-meisters sent: “Free Play” will be on the wheel during the first three rounds of play and can be landed on repeatedly, and by all 3 contestants, without losing its value.

Guests are randomly selected to go on stage and feel like they stepped into the game show itself. The live stage show is the only way you can have the chance to spin a full-sized replica of the iconic Wheel.

If the show's casting department thinks you'd be a good fit, you must go through the audition process. According to the official Wheel of Fortune website, the process takes about an hour, and you'll be contacted if you've been selected.

Appearing on Wheel of Fortune could change your life. Here's how to get a chance at a contestant audition and Big Money! Fill out the application below, and submit a photo and, if you'd like, a video of one minute or less telling us why you'd make a great contestant. Videos aren't required, but we love to see them!

It's that sense of familiarity. Most other shows bounce around time slots like ball on a roulette wheel. The concept is simple. It's hangman.

Harry Friedman, “Wheel's” executive producer since 1999, says the essence of the show's success is simple: “Likeability: that's a quality that's hard to come by, but when you meet someone and you like them immediately, you know you have something special,” he says. “They are a huge part of the success of the show.