Wheel of Fortune has fared quite well since it returned from its COVID-influenced delay, with TV viewers seeking out the kind of comfort programming that game shows fit into perfectly. (Especially now that Jeopardy! will be airing Alex Trebek's final episodes soon.) To capitalize upon its decades-long success, Wheel of Fortune is gearing up for a set of celebrity-filled primetime episodes, and ABC has now announced exactly who viewers will see buying vowels and solving puzzles, with The Price Is Right host Drew Carey in the mix along with The Bachelor's longtime host Chris Harrison.
Wheel of Fortune released a new video promo that revealed all of the 24 celeb contestants that will be competing for various charities during the game show's nighttime run in early 2021. Check out the full list below, which also includes names such as Grey's Anatomy star Chandra Wilson and Pee-Wee Herman himself, Paul Reubens.
Karamo BrownYvette Nicole BrownNicole ByerDrew CareyRachael Leigh CookJennie GarthChris HarrisonTeri HatcherTony HawkRobert HerjavecLeslie JonesJeannie MaiJoel McHaleMaria MenounosChrissy MetzKevin NealonPatton OswaltPaul ReubensAlfonso RibeiroRob RiggleSherri ShepherdJoe TessitoreChandra WilsonConstance Zimmer
Celebrity-infused special events are often a mish-mash of lesser-known actors and entertainers past their prime, but this lineup for Wheel of Fortune's primetime episodes is filled with big names from all over the TV-sphere. Beyond the aforementioned hosts Drew Carey and Chris Harrison, we've got other front-persons such as Queer Eye hist (and Dancing with the Stars vet) Karamo Brown, Nailed It host and comedian Nicole Byer, Card Sharks' Joel McHale, America's Funniest Home Videos' Alfonso Ribeiro, Supermarket Sweep's Leslie Jones, former The View host Sherri Shepherd, and Holey Moley's Rob Riggle and Joe Tessitore. Not to mention Jeannie Mae, who has been on The Real and Holey Moley. Kinda sounds like there's a bit of host bias happening here.
Beyond all those talented folks, Wheel of Fortune is also welcoming Joel McHale's fellow Community vet Yvette Nicole Brown – six seasons, a Wheel of Fortune episode and a movie? – Hallmark and Criminal Minds actress Rachael Leigh Cook, 90210's Jennie Garth, Supergirl vet Teri Hatcher, skateboarding icon Tony Hawk, Shark Tank's Robert Herjavec, the WWE's Maria Menounos, This Is Us' Chrissy Metz, SNL vet Kevin Nealon, A.P. Bio's Patton Oswalt, Pee-Wee and Mosaic vet Paul Reubens, Grey's Anatomy's Chandra Wilson, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. vet Constance Zimmer.
With 24 contestants, it's presumed that there will be at least eight different episodes of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune to go around, unless there are additional episodes for winners to face off or something along those lines.
Celebrity Wheel of Fortune will make its grand debut on ABC on Thursday, January 7, at 8:00 p.m. ET. While waiting to see Drew Carey popping up on a completely different game show set, head to our Fall 2020 TV premiere schedule and our 2021 Winter and Spring TV rundown to see what new and returning shows are on the way soon.
