Fans of the long-running game show Wheel of Fortune have expressed their displeasure over a recent episode where an unusual puzzle was used as the answer for a contestant’s bonus prize. During a Tuesday night episode, contestant Angela was tantalizingly close to winning an additional $45,000 in the bonus round.
With just seven letters left to guess, she correctly added the letters “M, H, D, and O” to the “What Are You Doing?” category. However, when presented with the puzzle ” _ O _ N _ N _ THE _ R _ _” and given 10 seconds to solve it, she was unable to complete the answer.
‘Wheel of Fortune contestant misses out on a huge prize
While struggling to solve the puzzle in time, Angela made several unsuccessful attempts, including guessing “Joining the cramp” and “Joining the brag.” Unfortunately, time ran out before she could guess the correct answer, “Joining the fray.”
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Although she missed out on the grand bonus prize, the host commended Angela’s effort and showed her the impressive sum she could have won. Angela remained optimistic and gracious, assuring Sajak that missing out on the prize was not a problem.
The gameshow lovers react to the turn of events
Despite winning $20,563 in total prizes from the show, some Wheel of Fortune fans took to social media to criticize the popular gameshow for selecting such an obscure phrase for the bonus puzzle.
“#Angela on @WheelofFortune got a piece of CRAP bonus round. I have NEVER heard of ‘joining the fray’ before in my ENTIRE life. Can we get some kind of #Sponsor to give this woman a #prize ??????? What the hell kind of puzzle was that??? Come on now. #ridiculous!! Let’s get this,” one passionate viewer tweeted.
“Exactly!! I needed to get on Twitter and make sure I wasn’t the only one going “wtf is that!!” another person responded, while another user tweeted, “@WheelofFortune WHAT THE HECK IS ‘JOINING THE FRAY?’ I’m intelligent, but that is stupid.”
Meanwhile, some other fans of the show expressed their support for the producers and the host. A viewer claimed the puzzle was as valid as it could be. “@WheelofFortune Just because some viewers never heard of ‘joining the fray’ doesn’t mean it’s not valid. Those that complained, ‘Joined the fray’ whether they knew it or not. What’s with all the ridiculous haters? There are judges behind the camera double checking answers,” the fan wrote.
“I had to come and check out the outrage to be sure, people have really never heard the word “fray”. Do people not read anymore? Shakespeare? LOTR?” Another fan agreed.