Additional Coverage:
- ‘Wheel of Fortune’ contestant loses out on $45,000 because of a single missing letter (marketrealist.com)
“Wheel of Fortune” Contestant’s $45,000 Dream Dashed by a Single Letter
A promising run ends in a bonus round heartbreak as contestant Janel misses a key letter, leaving fans debating the puzzle’s difficulty.
“Wheel of Fortune” fans are no strangers to the nail-biting suspense of the bonus round, where fortunes can change in an instant. Such was the case in a recent episode, where contestant Janel, after an impressive performance in the main game, narrowly missed out on a substantial $45,000 prize due to a single elusive letter.
Janel started strong, swiftly solving the First Toss-Up with “Save the date” for $1,000. Her winning streak continued in the Prize Puzzle round, where “Chasing waterfalls” not only earned her $11,700 for a trip to Panama but also boosted her total to $16,250.
She further solidified her lead in the Triple Toss-up, correctly identifying “Grandfather clock” and “Cuckoo clock,” adding another $4,000 to her winnings. By the time she reached the Bonus Round, Janel had accumulated an enviable $20,250 in cash and a luxurious vacation.
Opting for the “Food and Drink” category, Janel received the standard “R, S, T, L, N, E” and chose “D, M, C, A” as her additional letters. The puzzle board then displayed: “_ _, _, N, _, A, _, _, _, L.”
With only 10 seconds on the clock, she attempted “granola bowl,” “banana bowl,” and “fruit bowl.” Despite being on the right track with the “bowl” portion, she couldn’t pinpoint the crucial “Q,” failing to solve “Quinoa Bowl.”
The reveal of the $45,000 prize in the opened envelope was a bittersweet moment. While she didn’t secure the bonus, Janel still walked away with a respectable $20,250 and her Panama trip.
The episode sparked a lively discussion among viewers, with many expressing their sympathy for Janel and questioning the difficulty of the puzzle, particularly the inclusion of the letter ‘Q’.
“Ah, the old QUINOA ploy,” commented @wheelycrazyeugene, highlighting the unusual nature of the word. Another viewer, @tima.curtis2488, admitted, “I had a little bit of a struggle figuring this one out, but I solved it nearly at the last second.
It’s rare to a Q in the bonus round.” A touch of sarcasm was added by @disneydanny2, who wrote, “(raises hand) WHAT is a Quinoa Bowl?
I’ve literally NEVER heard of such a thing.”
The debate continued with @jeffreychen3069 asking, “How Many Times Should A Puzzle In The Bonus Round Comes Out To The Letter Q.” User @Animegamespublishing offered an alternative strategy, suggesting, “The A was a good guess but the B or the O could be used. Q is a rare letter but not frequently used here.”
Janel’s near-win serves as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can turn on “Wheel of Fortune,” even for the most promising contestants.