THEN AND NOW: How your favorite game shows have changed since they first aired

Talia LakritzSep 16, 2020, 23:04 IST

Pat Sajak has been hosting "Wheel of Fortune" since 1981, and Vanna White joined in 1982.Herb Ball/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

Before Alex Trebek began hosting "Jeopardy!" in 1984, Art Fleming was at the helm.
While the look of "Wheel of Fortune" has changed through the years, the host has not — Pat Sajak holds the Guinness World Record for longest career as a game show host.
Changes to "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" over the years have included imposing time limits to answer questions and shuffling the difficulty of answers.

Classic game shows like "Wheel of Fortune," "The Price Is Right," and "Jeopardy!" have remained fixtures of American households for decades.

While the set design, game format, and hosts have changed through the years, the suspense and excitement of watching contestants win big keeps people watching.

Here's how four classic game shows have evolved over time.

Art Fleming hosted "Jeopardy!" from 1964 to 1974, and then hosted a revamped version from 1978 to 1979.

Art Fleming. NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

Alex Trebek has hosted the show since 1984, when it became syndicated daily.

Alex Trebek. Amanda Edwards/Getty Images

When Fleming hosted the show, the category amounts ranged from $10 to $50.

"Jeopardy!" creator Merv Griffin and Art Fleming. NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

When Trebek took over hosting in 1984, the amounts ranged from $100 to $500.

Jeopardy! Power Players Week in 2012. Kris Connor/Getty

"Wheel of Fortune" began airing in 1975.

Pat Sajak with "Wheel of Fortune" contestants. Ron Tom/NBCU Photo Bank

It's now the longest-running syndicated game show on American television.

"Wheel of Fortune" in 2007. Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

Pat Sajak has been hosting "Wheel of Fortune" since 1981, and Vanna White joined in 1982.

Pat Sajak and Vanna White. Herb Ball/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

Sajak currently holds the Guinness World Record for the longest career as a game show host for the same show.

Pat Sajak and Vanna White receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019. Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage/Getty Images

Bill Cullen was the first host of "The Price Is Right," holding the role from 1956 to 1965.

Bill Cullen hosts "The Price Is Right" in 1960. Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Bob Barker hosted a revamped version of the show beginning in 1972.

Bob Barker with a contestant in 1978. CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images

After 35 years, Drew Carey took over the show from Barker and continues to host today.

Drew Carey hosts "The Price Is Right" in 2019. Greg Gayne/CBS via Getty Images

Producer Michael Davies brought the British game show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" to the US in 1999, with Regis Philbin as host.

"Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" in 1999. Maria Melin/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images

Meredith Vieira took over as host in 2002 and held the position until 2013.

Meredith Vieira hosts "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire." Heidi Gutman/Disney-Walt Disney Television via Getty Images

From 2013 to 2019, the show cycled through several hosts, including Cedric the Entertainer, Terry Crews, and Chris Harrison.

Terry Crews hosts "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire." ABC

Jimmy Kimmel now hosts a new version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" with celebrity guests who compete for charity.

Anderson Cooper on "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire." Eric McCandless via Getty Images

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