Xenides, 54, co-host of the long-running game show Wheel of Fortune for 18 years, was admitted to Liverpool Hospital in Sydney last week with stomach pain. John Burgess and Adriana Xenides. She died just before 5pm yesterday from a ruptured intestine. Her family were at her bedside. John Burgess For many years he was a familiar face on our televisions as host of Wheel of Fortune. He's now back in Perth after 19 years away, jumping back into breakfast radio. His name is, and always will be, synonymous with 'Wheel of Fortune' and 'Catch Phrase'. As a celebrity he's been on the inside of TV wars, crazed fans, stars, fame, fortune and scandal yet this year John Burgess marks a milestone – 50 years on-air. It's an achievement.
Wheel of Fortune
Production details
Run dates: 1981-2004Production company: Grundy Organisation
Network: 7
Hosts: Ernie Sigley (1981-1984), John Burgess (1984-1996), Tony Barber (1996), Rob Elliott (1997-2003), Steve Oemcke (2004)
Hostesses: Adriana Xenides (1981-1999) Sophie Falkiner (1999-)
Announcers:
John Burgess Wheel Of Fortune Bob Mackie
John Dean (1981-1984), John Deeks (1985-1995, 1997-2004), David Day (1996), Ron E Sparks (1996)Run dates: 2006 (for ~6 months)
Production company: Grundy Organisation
Network: 7
Host: Larry Emdur
Hostess: Laura Csortan
Announcer: John Deeks
Ernie Sigley
Spun-off into a Saturday night program, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune,' screening from 1990-1991.
Tony Barber was appointed host in July 1996, as part of a major re-vamp for the show, in an attempt to boost ratings and attract a younger audience. However, the plan backfired, ratings slumped, boycotting and hate-mail campaigns ensued. Tony 'resigned' at the end of that year (at least that's what the press releases said), and Rob Elliott became the new host at the start of the 1997 season. Adriana Xenides was absent for seven months (November 1996-June 1997, Tony's final month, and Rob's first shows) due to illness. Guest hostesses took the show through to the end of 1996. Until she returned in 1997, Kerrie Friend was guest hostess (amid speculation that she would gain the job permanently). Adriana undertook another indefintite sick leave period in 1999, with Sophie Falkiner filling in. Adriana officially resigned during this absence, and Sophie gained the job full-time.
As part of a revamp, including a move from the 5.30pm to 5pm timeslot and the inclusion of a new 'touch screen' letterboard, Rob Elliott was sacked in late 2003 and Steve Oemcke was appointed host (see articles below). Steve's stint as host lasted until the show was 'rested' in late 2004. The show began to air again in 2006 with new hosts, but this version only lasted for ~6 months
John Burgess
Premise
Three contestants take turns to spin a large roulette-style wheel containing spaces with varying amounts of money values. They then attempt to solve a word puzzle by guessing a letter that may be in it. Correct guesses result in the amount 'spun up' being added to the contestants' score. Incorrect ones terminate that contestant's control of the game, and play passes to the next one.The wheel also contains 'Bankrupt', 'Lose a Turn', 'Free Spin', and special prize spaces. Contestants who solve the puzzles are able to 'spend' their score in the prize shop.
Tony Barber and Adriana Xenides
Tony Barber hands the show over to Rob Elliott, January 1997
Writing
Wheel Of Fortune revamped, host axedeBroadcast, 27 December 2003
New Wheel Of Fortune host announced
eBroadcast, 5 January 2004
Oemcke's in driving seat
Sydney Confidential, Daily Telegraph, 5 January 2004
Good luck runs out for Wheel of Fortune
Sun Herald, 18 June 2006
Audio
Please note that files marked with * require RealPlayer, and are streaming media clips that are not suitable for downloading
Files marked with # require Windows Media Player
1981-1994 theme music*
Theme music to the 1990-1991 Saturday night celebrity shows*
1995-2006 theme music#
Short-lived opening theme to the revamped 1996 show* Karamba slots.
Short-lived closing theme to the revamped 1996 show*
John Burgess Wheel Of Fortune
Further Information
An unofficial websiteIf you are viewing this page without a frame at the top,type http://zap.to/ozgames in your address bar
E-mail any comments, questions or information to synchronised_pickles@yahoo.com
John Burgess Wheel Of Fortune Telling
John Richard Burgess (born 4 June 1943) is an Australian television and radio personality and host, often referred to as 'Burgo' and from his radio days 'Baby John Burgess' or 'Baby John', as the youngest presenter at the station. He is best known for his long tenure hosting duties on the Australian version of game show Wheel of Fortune.
Career
Television
Burgess was host of the Australian version of Wheel of Fortune on the Seven Network, and was its longest serving presenter from 1984 to 1996. He later hosted the Australian version of Catchphrase, conceived under its original name, before later being re-titled as Burgo's Catch Phrase, shown on the Nine Network.
Also he hosted teenage show 'Turning On' on HSV7 in the 1970s. This show featured many bands including 'Zoot' and Gillian Fitzgerald was one of the main dancers and included Judy Moody and Christine Kelson.
He also hosted the Australian game show Pass the Buck, shown in 2002 on the Nine Network.
John Burgess joined the cast of Balls of Steel Australia on The Comedy Channel in 2012.
Radio
Ernie Sigley
Spun-off into a Saturday night program, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune,' screening from 1990-1991.
Tony Barber was appointed host in July 1996, as part of a major re-vamp for the show, in an attempt to boost ratings and attract a younger audience. However, the plan backfired, ratings slumped, boycotting and hate-mail campaigns ensued. Tony 'resigned' at the end of that year (at least that's what the press releases said), and Rob Elliott became the new host at the start of the 1997 season. Adriana Xenides was absent for seven months (November 1996-June 1997, Tony's final month, and Rob's first shows) due to illness. Guest hostesses took the show through to the end of 1996. Until she returned in 1997, Kerrie Friend was guest hostess (amid speculation that she would gain the job permanently). Adriana undertook another indefintite sick leave period in 1999, with Sophie Falkiner filling in. Adriana officially resigned during this absence, and Sophie gained the job full-time.
As part of a revamp, including a move from the 5.30pm to 5pm timeslot and the inclusion of a new 'touch screen' letterboard, Rob Elliott was sacked in late 2003 and Steve Oemcke was appointed host (see articles below). Steve's stint as host lasted until the show was 'rested' in late 2004. The show began to air again in 2006 with new hosts, but this version only lasted for ~6 months
John Burgess
Premise
Three contestants take turns to spin a large roulette-style wheel containing spaces with varying amounts of money values. They then attempt to solve a word puzzle by guessing a letter that may be in it. Correct guesses result in the amount 'spun up' being added to the contestants' score. Incorrect ones terminate that contestant's control of the game, and play passes to the next one.The wheel also contains 'Bankrupt', 'Lose a Turn', 'Free Spin', and special prize spaces. Contestants who solve the puzzles are able to 'spend' their score in the prize shop.
Tony Barber and Adriana Xenides
Tony Barber hands the show over to Rob Elliott, January 1997
Writing
Wheel Of Fortune revamped, host axedeBroadcast, 27 December 2003
New Wheel Of Fortune host announced
eBroadcast, 5 January 2004
Oemcke's in driving seat
Sydney Confidential, Daily Telegraph, 5 January 2004
Good luck runs out for Wheel of Fortune
Sun Herald, 18 June 2006
Audio
Please note that files marked with * require RealPlayer, and are streaming media clips that are not suitable for downloadingFiles marked with # require Windows Media Player
1981-1994 theme music*
Theme music to the 1990-1991 Saturday night celebrity shows*
1995-2006 theme music#
Short-lived opening theme to the revamped 1996 show* Karamba slots.
Short-lived closing theme to the revamped 1996 show*
John Burgess Wheel Of Fortune
Further Information
An unofficial websiteIf you are viewing this page without a frame at the top,type http://zap.to/ozgames in your address bar
E-mail any comments, questions or information to synchronised_pickles@yahoo.com
John Burgess Wheel Of Fortune Telling
John Richard Burgess (born 4 June 1943) is an Australian television and radio personality and host, often referred to as 'Burgo' and from his radio days 'Baby John Burgess' or 'Baby John', as the youngest presenter at the station. He is best known for his long tenure hosting duties on the Australian version of game show Wheel of Fortune.
Career
Television
Burgess was host of the Australian version of Wheel of Fortune on the Seven Network, and was its longest serving presenter from 1984 to 1996. He later hosted the Australian version of Catchphrase, conceived under its original name, before later being re-titled as Burgo's Catch Phrase, shown on the Nine Network.
Also he hosted teenage show 'Turning On' on HSV7 in the 1970s. This show featured many bands including 'Zoot' and Gillian Fitzgerald was one of the main dancers and included Judy Moody and Christine Kelson.
He also hosted the Australian game show Pass the Buck, shown in 2002 on the Nine Network.
John Burgess joined the cast of Balls of Steel Australia on The Comedy Channel in 2012.
Radio
Burgess has also hosted numerous radio shows throughout the years:
On 25 September 2006 he started as breakfast show announcer for easy listening radio station 3MP in Melbourne.
On 12 December 2011 he took over from Johnny Young at 6IXPerth, departing the station in December 2015. Burgess returned to 6iX in a new timeslot on 22 April 2017.
External links
- John Burgess at IMDb
