Wheel of Fortune Contestant Loses $45,000 on an ‘Obscure’ Puzzle Twist
Note: We are revisiting this story that initially made headlines in April 2023.
Wheel of Fortune is facing backlash following a recent episode that left the audience annoyed by an obscure bonus round phrase. The Tuesday night broadcast showcased contestant Angela, who was on the verge of winning an extra $45,000. Unfortunately, the selection of an uncommon idiom for the puzzle caused significant viewer frustration.
Competing in the “What Are You Doing?” category, Angela needed just seven more letters to crack the code. After her chosen letters were revealed, the board displayed “_ O _ N _ N _ THE _ R _ _”. Given a mere 10 seconds to figure it out, Angela rapidly guessed phrases like “Joining the cramp” and “Joining the brag,” but the buzzer sounded before she could find the correct solution.
The 76-year-old host, Pat Sajak, disclosed the actual answer: “Joining the fray,” an expression describing entering an ongoing battle or argument. Despite Angela’s impressive performance that netted her $20,563 in total cash, she ultimately missed out on the $45,000 bonus prize.
The show’s fanbase immediately expressed their anger regarding the puzzle’s high difficulty and the rarity of the phrase. One spectator took to Twitter, stating, “I have NEVER heard of ‘joining the fray’ before in my ENTIRE life. What kind of puzzle was that? Ridiculous!” Additional fans echoed this sentiment, calling the challenge “impossible” and slamming the show for utilizing such a cryptic idiom.
“I had to make sure I wasn’t the only one thinking ‘What the heck is that?!’” another person replied, while a different viewer took aim at the creators of the puzzle, referring to them as “snooty crossword puzzle people” who “need to take their expectations down a peg.”
Even amidst the criticism, a portion of the audience stood up for the answer, pointing out that it is a legitimate expression and that the uproar was overblown. “Just because some viewers don’t know it doesn’t make it invalid,” noted one supporter, also mentioning the presence of “judges behind the camera double checking answers.”
The controversy surrounding the clue is still causing a split among viewers, prompting some to wonder if today’s public is simply out of touch with classic idioms. “Do people not read anymore?” questioned one fan, bringing up legendary works like Shakespeare and The Lord of the Rings.
In separate Wheel of Fortune developments, 66-year-old co-host Vanna White playfully reprimanded Sajak not long ago for sharing an annual practical joke he pulls on his wife. With all the recent commotion, it is evident that Wheel of Fortune continues to keep its audience highly engaged.
Representatives from the program have not yet replied to inquiries for a statement.