The Smash Hit UK Gameshow Comes Stateside! Everything To Know About the 'The Wheel'
Get to know the new NBC gameshow, 'The Wheel'
Get ready for The Wheel! During the new NBC high-stakes game show six celebrity guests help contestants win money. Big money. As in over $100,000. A mega hit in United Kingdom, the show is created and hosted by British comedian Michael McIntyre.
"There were a lot of returning and old gameshow formats on UK television so I literally tried to come up with a new one. And luckily the BBC loved it and it’s become a huge success for them," McIntyre told Parade about how the show originally came to be. "NBC saw the first show we made and wanted to do a U.S. version. It’s been very exciting!"
The celebrities bring their A-game to a subject where they say they have great expertise. As McIntyre explains, "the celebrity guests themselves pick a category they claim to be expert in."
The categories run the gamut from politics to Beyoncé to candy to poker to Beverly Hills 90210 and everything in between. The stars help the contestants answer a variety of trivia questions based on the category that comes up from the giant 42-foot spinning wheel.
Bursting with hijinks and hilarity the contestants answer one question from each category, but only one contestant can win this suspense-packed show. The two-week takeover of The Wheel on NBC began Monday, Dec. 19.
Here’s what we know about the American version of British game show The Wheel.
Chris Haston/NBC
What is The Wheel?
A giant hit in the United Kingdom, the all-new American version of The Wheel features a spinning roster of celebrity guests who use their expertise to help contestants win life-changing money.
During The Wheel, there are three contestants and only one can win. When the contestant is on the wheel, they have to clear six categories chosen by the celebrity guests. "The Wheel randomly spins to select a celebrity guest to help the contestant answer each trivia question," explains McIntyre. "If they get a question wrong, they are off the wheel and they may or may not return. Whoever is on the wheel at the end has a chance to win big money!"
Who hosts The Wheel?
The Wheel is hosted by renowned British comedian Michael McIntyre, who also created the show.
What celebrity guests will be on The Wheel?
The all-star lineup on The Wheel includes Clay Aiken, Carole Baskin, Brie Bella, Tom Bergeron, Bobby Berk, Bre-Z, Jaime Camil, Christine Chiu, Margaret Cho, Deepak Chopra, Cat Cora, Victor Cruz, Ester Dean, Russell Dickerson, Taye Diggs, Sheila E., Shawn Johnson East, Josh Flagg, Kate Flannery, Vivica A. Fox, Debbie Gibson, Todrick Hall, Tony Hawk, Matt Iseman, Jojo, Chris Kattan, Steve Kornacki, Ricki Lake, Lyric Lewis, Loni Love, Judge Greg Mathis, Mark McGrath, Chrissy Metz, Mike “The Miz” Mizanin, Terrell Owens, Kyla Pratt, Christina Ricci, Andy Richter, Amber Riley, Adam Rippon, Captain Lee Rosbach, Jalen Rose, Sanya Richards Ross, Amber Ruffin, Mark Sanchez, Tori Spelling, Curtis Stone, Raven-Symone, Jackie Tohn, Bruno Tonioli, John Urschel, Buddy Valastro, Kym Whitley, Justin Willman, Carnie Wilson and Captain Sandy Yawn.
How long is The Wheel?
The Wheel is one hour long.
How does The Wheel work?
Six celebrity guests who sit on a 42 foot spinning wheel advise contestants as they try to be the last one standing. The celebrities offer their expertise in a variety of funny and specific categories from candy, comedians, poker, politics and more as contestants vie to win $100,000.
When does The Wheel premiere?
The Wheel premiered Monday, Dec. 19 at 10 p.m. ET. New episodes will air nightly at 10 p.m. ET and will continue the following week with new episodes airing at 8 p.m.
What time is The Wheel on?
The week of Dec. 19 The Wheel will be on 10 p.m. ET. The following week beginning Dec. 26, The Wheel will be on at 8 p.m. ET.
What channel is The Wheel on?
The Wheel is on NBC.
Is The Wheel available for streaming?
All episodes of The Wheel will also be available for streaming on Peacock the day after they air on NBC.
When are celebrities on The Wheel?
Monday, Dec. 19 at 10 pm – The Wheel: Premiere
Contestants receive help from celebrity guests Cat Cora, Mark McGrath, Todrick Hall, Steve Kornacki, Christina Ricci and Amber Ruffin to answer trivia questions tackling a range of categories from Beyoncé and the ’90s to elections and more.
Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 10 p.m. – Boats, Soaps & Wrestling Ropes
With categories ranging from soap operas to mathematics, contestants receive help from celebrity guests Vivica A. Fox, Mike “The Miz” Mizanin, Jojo, John Urschel, Captain Sandy Yawn and Bruno Tonioli.
Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 10 p.m. – Déjà Vu & Eyes of Blue
Celebrity guests Judge Greg Mathis, Ricki Lake, Mark Sanchez, Amber Ruffin, Justin Willman and Tori Spelling lend their expertise in a variety of categories that include candy, magic and Beverly Hills to assist contestants competing for a life-changing prize.
Thursday, Dec. 22 at 10 p.m. – Divas & Derbies
With categories including cakes, horse racing, percussion and more, contestants are supported by celebrity experts Buddy Valastro, Amber Riley, Jaime Camil, Carnie Wilson, Steve Kornacki and Sheila E.
Friday, Dec. 23 at 10 p.m. – Fish N’ Chips & Gold Medal Flips
Celebrity guests Tom Bergeron, Shawn Johnson East, Captain Lee Rosbach, Kyla Pratt, Victor Cruz and Debbie Gibson lend their expertise to contestants in a wide range of hilarious categories, including “The Three Stooges,” gymnastics and seafood.
Monday, Dec. 26 at 8 p.m. – Big Cats & Bigger Brains
With wacky categories including big cats and bowling, contestants lean on celebrities Carole Baskin, Bre-Z, Deepak Chopra, Matt Iseman, Raven-Symone and Terrell Owens to be the last one standing on “The Wheel.”
Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 8 p.m. – Sky Hooks & the Almighty Book
Celebrity experts Taye Diggs, Ester Dean, Josh Flagg, Lyric Lewis, Jalen Rose and Christine Chiu advise contestants on questions about the Bible, real estate, plastic surgery and more.
Wednesday, Dec. 28 at 8 p.m. – Wigs Galore, Dogs & More
Contestants hope for answers from celebrity experts Bobby Berk, Margaret Cho, Kate Flannery, Loni Love, Andy Richter and Adam Rippon in categories that include wigs, comedians, dogs, figure skating and more.
Thursday, Dec. 29 at 8 p.m. – A Spin, a Twin & a Win
With categories including astrology, presidents and country music, contestants lean on celebrity experts Chrissy Metz, Sanya Richards Ross, Russell Dickerson, Loni Love, Brie Bella and Clay Aiken.
Friday, Dec. 30 at 8 p.m. – The Skater & the Dater
Contestants get insight from celebrity guests Christina Ricci, Chris Kattan, Kym Whitley, Tony Hawk, Jackie Tohn and Curtis Stone on a variety of categories that include “Saturday Night Live,” pregnancy and meat.
Who produces The Wheel?
The Wheel is produced by Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Warner Horizon, Apploff Entertainment and the original British creative team, Hungry McBear.
Who created The Wheel game show?
The series was created by Michael McIntyre and Dan Baldwin, who executive produce alongside Jeff Apploff, Noah Bonnett, Mike Darnell and Brooke Karzen.
Is there a trailer for The Wheel?
Yes! Watch the trailer for The Wheel here: