One Million Moms Director Monica Cole explains that "Wheel of Fortune," the American television game show where contestants solve word puzzles to win cash and prizes, has aired continuously since 1975. Pat Sajak replaced Chuck Woolery as host in 1981. 41 seasons later, Ryan Seacrest (pictured above) took over in collaboration with Vanna White as co-host.
Meanwhile, the game show, often known simply as "Wheel," maintained its advertised reputation as viewing for the entire family – even safe for children as young as eight years old.
But now, a new category has prompted Cole's organization to issue a warning for families.
"The once family-friendly game show is no longer the clean, family-friendly show that it once was," she laments.
Just recently, an alteration was made to the game via the introduction of a new puzzle category, "What the Fun?" – a play on words that Cole says insinuates profanity.
"This is unacceptable, especially for a show marketed to the entire family and safe for the entire family to watch," she insists.
Cole says the implication of this word is completely inappropriate and unnecessary for any show, much less a family one. It is also disrespectful to parents, who will have to explain to their children that the primetime program they were once allowed to watch is no longer suitable for them.
One Million Moms says "Wheel of Fortune" needs to know that parents disapprove of this creative choice, and Cole invites concerned individuals to sign a pledge and online petition asking producers to remove the new puzzle category.
"Otherwise, we'll no longer be able to watch the show as it is currently," Cole reiterates. "It's not safe for the entire family, because we do know that children repeat what they hear and see."
