Today's Entertainment

January 4 - 10, 2021 Page 3 ACROSS 1. New series about a doctor 9. With 10 Across, fast- paced sport (2) 10. See 9 Across 11. Brain wave test, for short 13. American living abroad 15. Singer Frankie 17. Actor on "Modern Family" (2) 18. "Santa __ Trail"; Errol Flynn western film 20. MMXXI, for one: abbr. 21. Neon or nitrogen 23. "__ the Bounty Hunter" 24. "Joan of __"; Ingrid Bergman movie 25. Actress McClanahan 26. Lansing's initials 29. Prefix for print or place 30. "__ __ Beyond"; 2016 sci-fi film sequel 34. Just right 36. Emmy or Oscar 38. Eggy drink 39. Actor Katz 42. "... '__ the season to be jolly ..." 43. "FBI: __ __"; Julian McMahon series DOWN 1. Money for Uncle Sam 2. Ready to be picked & eaten 3. International military alliance 4. Initials for Lamb Chop's puppeteer 5. Family man 6. "__ Marleen"; WWII love song 7. __ Patrick Harris 8. Number of seasons for "Friends" 9. Actor on "The Goldbergs" (2) 12. Actor on "MacGyver," once (2) 14. Tally up 16. "__ Rise" 19. "My Name Is __" 20. "How I Met __ Mother" 22. Vanna White's state of birth: abbr. 23. "__. Phil" 27. "Harper Valley __" 28. "__ Amsterdam" 30. Lily variety 31. "__ __ Like Love"; Ashton Kutcher film 32. "__ Man"; 1988 Dustin Hoffman movie 33. Hudson or Mulgrew 35. Mr. DeLuise 37. Get __ of; shed 40. Initials for Wallace of "60 Minutes" 41. Acuff's initials Solution is on page 2. CoverStory By Jay Bobbin If you're playing "Wheel of Fortune," you have to know which letters you want to choose. However, for a new celebrity version, three letters — namely, ABC — did the choosing. The network adds Pat Sajak and Vanna White to its roster of primetime game-show personalities as "Celebrity Wheel of Fortune" launches a new Thursday slate of con- tests starting Jan. 7. (In the others, "The View's" Sara Haines hosts "The Chase," and Craig Fergu- son presides over "The Hustler.") Even with stars taking the spins, "Wheel of Fortune" remains the familiar game that's long been a syndication pow- erhouse, with the celebrity players donating their win- nings to charities. The game itself always is the ultimate "star" of "Wheel of Fortune," though, and Sajak says, "That's been part of my success, recognizing that. It's not 'The Pat Sajak Show.' I may be the most charming and delightful host in the world — and I probably am! — but if there's no game, there's nothing there. You can't get in the way of it." Viewers "want to see the puzzle and solve it," reasons Sajak. "Unlike most shows like "Jeop- ardy!," the object is not to try to solve the puzzle first; it's to try to make some money (by picking as many individual letters as possible), so it's lei- surely in that sense. The player's not trying to solve it instantly." That should remain the case as celebrities vie to win money for the organizations they desig- nate. With the late Alex Trebek having hosted a playoff between "Jeop- ardy!" champions in a special ABC series last winter, Sajak believes that "greased the wheel a little bit" for the "Celebrity Wheel of Fortune" order. "It's a tricky business," Sajak notes. "The one thing you don't want to start doing is to overex- pose the show. In some markets, you'll have a half-hour of (the syndicat- ed) 'Wheel of Fortune' fol- lowed by an hour of (the ABC) 'Wheel of Fortune,' and I don't think you can do that too often without watering it down. But for a limited run like this, I think it's fine." Sajak appreciates the career longevity he's had thanks largely to "Wheel of Fortune," which he has hosted since 1981. His popularity was reaffirmed by the fan outpouring during his absence after emergency intestinal sur- gery in late 2019. (White moved over and filled in as host, and Sajak's country-singer daughter Maggie was a guest let- ter-turner.) Pat Sajak and Vanna White spin ABC's 'Celebrity Wheel of Fortune' The identity of the featured celebrity is found within the answers in the puzzle. In order to take the TV Challenge, unscramble the letters noted with asterisks within the puzzle. Advertise Here! (574) 533-2151

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