It's not just letters, it's....
And here's your host!
Chuck Woolery!
Broadcast History
Host: Chuck Woolery
Announcer: Randi Thomas (December 6, 2002-2003), Stacy Hayes (December 2003-present)
Assistant/Judge: Stacy Hayes (December 2003-present) (picture to come)
Airdates: August 5, 2002-Present, Game Show Network
Packager: Laurelwood Entertainment in association with IDTV and Game Show Network Originals
Origination: Netherlands (FIrst 20 episodes); Burbank Studios, Burbank, California (2002-2003), Ren-Mar Studios, Los Angeles (Dec. 2003-present)
The Lingo theme song (2002-Deccember 2003) (w/applause and ending) (RealMedia format, 1.14 MB, :31)
Main Game
Two teams of two players
compete. The object of the players is to figure out a 5-letter "mystery
word." One team is given the first letter of the word and are given 5
chances to figure out the word. 
The players 
must spell out the word. If a letter has a yellow circle around it,
it means it's in the word, but in the wrong position. If it is colored red, it
means it is in the right position. A team can lose control if they can't get it
after 5
chances, spell a word that doesn't exist, spell a word that doesn't fit or 
if
they run out of time. The other team then will get a free chance to guess with a
"bonus letter."
The
team that guesses the word wins 25 points 
in round 1 and 50 in round
2. They then get a chance to fill out their "Lingo Board." The
board is similar to that of a Bingo board, with 25 numbers, 10 automatically are
crossed off.
Team 1 has an odd numbered board, Team 2 a even numbered. 
After a team gets a
correct word, they draw out two numbers from under the podium.
Whatever number they draw out is crossed of their "Lingo Board." The 
way to make a "Lingo" is fill the spaces, with either five across, up
and down, or diagonally.
A Lingo is worth 50 points in round 1, 100 in round 2.
Starting in the second season, it was also worth a "bonus letter" in
Bonus Lingo (More on that later). 
A
team loses control if they pick one of three of the dreaded "Red
Ball." 
When a team gets a Lingo, they then get a brand new board and brand new balls
under the podium. Round 1 is played until the times-up buzzer is heard. In round
2, the values double and also, three balls labeled with a "?" symbol
are added, which are used as wild cards. The team with the most points at the
end of the game goes onto play "Bonus Lingo."
Bonus Lingo
The winning team plays
"Bonus Lingo.". 2:00 is put on the
clock and the team 
tries
to guess as many 5-letter words in that time. 
They are given two of the
five
letters and 
is
awarded $100 for each
correct guess. As mentioned earlier in the main game rules, a "Bonus
Letter" is awarded for a Lingo (started in second season). That means that
a team can call "Bonus Letter" and it will give them another letter in
the word (in the next available position). After the two minutes is up, the "Bonus Lingo" board is shown, and 13
numbers are automatically crossed off. The team then picks out the
same
amount of numbers as words they guessed in the first part. If they made a Lingo
in the first season, they won a prize package including a Border's Books Gift
Card, Argus Digital Camera, Croton Watch, and a Casio EM-500 Pocket PC. They
still kept the $100 a word if lost. 
In
season two, a slight change was made. A Lingo could be made on the first draw. 
If
they picked the ball to make a Lingo, they won $5000 cash and a trip to Jamaica.
If they were unable to make it on the first draw, 
but
made a Lingo, they just won $5,000.
If not, they won $100 for every word guessed.
Facts
-The original "Lingo" aired in the US from 1987-1988. The show was taped in Canada and was hosted by Michael Reagan (the son of Ronald) and Ralph Andrews. The show also suffered from lacking funds, as many contestants were not paid. For more information on this version, check out Chuck Donegan's rule page of Lingo.
-"Lingo" taped it's first season (20 episodes) on the set of the Dutch version of the show in the Netherlands (since a set was not ready in Los Angeles). After being the highest rated original, the show was picked up for a second season starting December 6, 2002. The show now tapes at the Burbank Studios in Burbank, CA. However, they still tape with no audience.
-Announcer Randi Thomas may not be a familiar name, but I'm sure you've heard her voice in many places. She's most famous for the Hooked on Phonics commercials (1-800-ABCDEFG), and also does voiceovers for many radio stations across the country.