The popular Wheel of Fortune game show celebrated Valentine’s Day with a special sweethearts week, but Tuesday the 14th’s episode was far from sweet as host Pat Sajak served up a nearly impossible puzzle to contestants. Greg Ruvolo and Tom Bayer from Lathrup Village, Michigan attempted to win $40,000 with their answer, but lost and went home with way less — $15k.
The contesting couple, who have been together for 18 years — six of which as a married couple — easily stole the audience’s heart as they revealed their dream to run a gourmet bistro market. Social media fans and viewers of the show rooted for their win, but were left quite disappointed as the lovers received a lower financial winning instead.
‘Wheel Of Fortune’s most difficult puzzle?
Greg and Tom had a chance to win nearly triple the amount they already had during the bonus round, which featured the “Event” category with the puzzle having additional letters “C, M, P, and O” and the given letters of “R, S, T, L, N, and E.” The duo also used the Wildcard Wedge to pick an extra consonant, “Y.”
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The two-word puzzle reads “YE _ R LY _ _ N _ _ ET,” and they both guessed “Yearly Bonnet” and “Yearly Benefit,” which both turned out incorrect, with the right answer being “YEARLY BANQUET.”
“I’m sorry, you were right there, you had the right idea,” show host Pat Sajak announced before revealing the prize envelope to show that Greg and Tom lost $40,000.
Fans react to the couple’s loss
As the audience sighed in disappointment, Sajak pointed them to a sliver of hope, saying, “Hey, they’re going to France and got $15,350,” but that did not quite satisfy them as they wanted the duo to go home with the grand prize. “Shoutout to the gay couple on Wheel of Fortune whose names are Tom and Greg,” a viewer wrote on social media.
Another added that they “just want to be Greg and Tom’s friend, they are so much fun” while others commended the “diversity and inclusivity in all game shows.”
“People who think otherwise need to have a clear reality check,” they added via the YouTube comments section. “They got a gay couple on Sweethearts Week, I’m in joy!!!” someone wrote, sharing the same sentiment on X, formerly Twitter.