`WHEEL OF FORTUNE' TURNS 25 (JAN. 6)

`WHEEL OF FORTUNE' TURNS 25 (JAN. 6)

LOS ANGELES (Wireless Flash) -- Tomorrow should be good fortune for game show buffs because "Wheel Of Fortune" "turns" 25 years old. On January 6, 1975, "Wheel Of Fortune" made its debut on NBC with Chuck Woolery as host and model Susan Stafford as the letter-turner. Current host Pat Sajak took over the reins in 1981 and Vanna White joined up a year later. However, the show didn't explode in popularity until it was syndicated in 1983. Other "Wheel Of Fortune" facts... -- The pilot was titled "Shopper's Bazaar" and featured former "77 Sunset Strip" star Edd "Kookie" Byrnes as host. -- Merv Griffin not only helped create the show, he wrote the show's theme song. -- And, finally, all "Wheel Of Fortune" contestants are allegedly required to sign an agreement promising not to lay a hand on Vanna.