Fans are criticizing Wheel of Fortune once more, this time for what they see as an unfair rule and a confusing bonus puzzle. After contestant Todd Meyer lost out on $56,000 in a contentious round that left viewers in disbelief, viewers are criticizing the game and host Ryan Seacrest.
As part of the game show’s summer rerun series, the drama took place in an episode that debuted on March 31 and was rebroadcast on June 16. Latricia Randolph of Franklin, Tennessee, Todd Meyer of Las Vegas, and Sheree Corder of Tampa, Florida, competed for the grand prize.
Show hostess Vanna White in a ‘Wheel of Fortune’ episode, Photo Credit: Wheel of Fortune/Youtube
Corder got off to a great start, describing herself as an adventurer and travel enthusiast. She was able to bank $3,000 ahead of schedule by solving the first two toss-up puzzles, “Expect the Unexpected” and “Model Airplane Kit.” In the end, she won a Wild Card, increasing her winnings to $6,600.
However, the first crossword puzzle of the evening, in which each of the four answers must be given precisely as it is shown and has a common theme, caused tension. The classification? “Convene.”
Show host Ryan Seacrest and contestant Sheree Corder in a ‘Wheel of Fortune’ episode, Photo Credit: Wheel of Fortune/Youtube
Randolph made a poor guess that caused him to falter in the round. Meyer jumped right in, correctly recognizing the four responses: “Party Bus,” “Party Time,” “Party Animal,” and “Party Decorations.” Even though he correctly answered every word, Seacrest informed him that his response was incorrect because he consistently used the word “party” rather than simply stating the words on the board, which were “Time, Animal, Decorations, Bus.”
Meyer, who was clearly annoyed, bowed his head in shock when Corder intervened and responded appropriately, taking the round away.
It’s unfortunate that she took it from you, Seacrest said after clarifying the rule: “You have to say exactly what’s on the board.”
The audience didn’t believe it. Reddit was ablaze with fans who blasted the show for not outlining the rule in detail beforehand. “Ryan neglected to remind participants how to solve crossword puzzles.” “It always makes me angry!” wrote one user. He says it sometimes and doesn’t say it other times. It’s completely unjust.
Show hostess Vanna White in a ‘Wheel of Fortune’ episode, Photo Credit: Wheel of Fortune/Youtube
Meyer recovered by winning $10,000 by winning the Triple Toss-Up puzzles. Randolph also made a significant contribution with a puzzle solution that earned her $12,190 in total and a trip to Ireland. However, Corder triumphed once more by figuring out “Dancing in the Dark” to guarantee her place in the Bonus Round, where she entered with a Wild Card and $16,600.
The last puzzle then appeared, and it left fans completely perplexed.
It was in the “Phrase” category. After selecting C, D, M, I, and P from the letters R, S, T, L, N, and E, the board displayed: _ _ _ _ P IT _P. Corder made a number of guesses but was unsuccessful. The solution? “Whoop It Up.”
Online, fans vented quickly. One YouTube viewer asked, “Who even says that?” “That doesn’t even sound like a real phrase,” another person commented.
Show host Ryan Seacrest and contestant Sheree Corder in a ‘Wheel of Fortune’ episode, Photo Credit: Wheel of Fortune/Youtube
Another fan commented, “That was one of the worst bonus round phrases I’ve seen.” “That is something I have never heard in my entire life.”
Corder ultimately finished with $16,600, missing out on the $40,000 bonus. Meyer left with $10,000, Randolph with $12,190, and a fan base still incensed over what might have been.
