Dear Ms. Bolen,
I am a fan of the game show "Wheel of Fortune", which, to my understanding, is a show you worked hard to get added to NBC's daytime lineup in 1974. However, there is a claim I read on a fan site (the "Wheel of Fortune History Wiki") which I have a hard time believing. I am quoting direct from the page:
Lin's connection to Wheel is probably the largest, as she commissioned Merv Griffin to develop what became the Shopper's Bazaar pilot in 1973. The resulting episode was met with unenthusiasm by test audiences.
She and Merv tried again on August 28, 1974; the second and third pilots, now called Wheel of Fortune, used mostly the same format as the series that eventually debuted. Despite test audiences hating this attempt as well, Bolen convinced her bosses to put Wheel on the air by placing her job on the line – if it fails, fire her; if it succeeds, give her a raise.
What I have a hard time believing is that you would risk your high-ranking position at a major television network to get one show added to the lineup. If this story is true, then I suppose that the risk you took was worth it, given how incredibly successful the show has become. Can you either confirm or deny this story? Thank you.
Respectfully, Bryce Lozier