Additional Coverage:
- ‘Wheel of Fortune’ contestant misses out on Finland trip and $45,000 because of an unusual phrase (marketrealist.com)
“Cubed Honeydew” Costs “Wheel of Fortune” Contestant a Trip to Finland and $45,000
Another night, another bonus round heartbreaker on “Wheel of Fortune,” leaving fans collectively groaning as contestant Shibby missed out on a grand trip to Finland and a hefty $45,000. Despite a strong showing throughout the main game, a perplexing “Food and Drink” puzzle proved to be her downfall.
Shibby started her “Wheel of Fortune” journey strong, quickly racking up cash with correct guesses like “Inspirational Quote” and “Grilled Shrimp” in the Toss-Up rounds. She continued her impressive run, solving a “Say Cheese” crossword with “Brie, Blue, Feta, Provolone” and securing a fantastic Mediterranean coastal adventure valued at $13,998 by correctly guessing “Screaming At The Top Of My Lungs.” By the time the bonus round arrived, Shibby had amassed a respectable $28,098 in cash and that fabulous European vacation.
However, the bonus round, which this season features special wedges for exotic trips, presented a unique challenge. After choosing the “Food and Drink” category and selecting her additional consonants (M, D, K) and vowel (A), Shibby was faced with a seemingly simple, yet ultimately stumping, phrase.
With only ten seconds on the clock, Shibby fumbled, trying variations of “Fried” before time ran out. The correct answer, “Cubed Honeydew,” left both Shibby and the audience bewildered. The revelation from host Ryan Seacrest that she had just missed out on an additional $45,000 and that coveted trip to Finland was a tough pill to swallow.
The string of bonus round losses on “Wheel of Fortune” has left viewers frustrated. Social media was abuzz with comments from disappointed fans.
“I thought the first word was baked, but the fact that it wasn’t threw me off on both words,” one user lamented, while another added, “$45,000 and Finland missed… we need a winner tomorrow. No more losing streaks…”
Many viewers felt the puzzle was particularly obscure, with one commenting, “Yea that was a budget mode puzzle for the second night in a row. No one is getting this without the right letters called.”
Another fan noted, “Shibby did well in the main event, winning $28,098. However, despite BR having MDKA as his letter combo, She was once again caught up in the alphabet misunderstandings, losing his trip to Finland and $45K.
This pattern this week is foreshadowing a terrible skunk week.”
While Shibby still walked away with a solid $28,098 in cash and a luxurious Mediterranean getaway, the missed opportunity for Finland and the extra cash served as a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change on the iconic game show.