Additional Coverage:
- ‘Wheel of Fortune’ contestant loses out on $75,000 after failing to solve a near-impossible puzzle (marketrealist.com)
Local “Wheel of Fortune” Contestant Misses Out on Big Bonus Round Win
A local family’s game night watch party turned into a nail-biter, but not with the happy ending they’d hoped for. Chad Benner, a self-proclaimed “word guy,” recently appeared on “Wheel of Fortune,” racking up over $14,000 and making it all the way to the Bonus Round. With a chance at $89,000, the excitement was palpable.
Benner’s family, including his daughter Caleigh, who described the experience as “mind-blowing,” gathered to watch the episode. However, the Bonus Round puzzle proved to be a formidable challenge.
Choosing “Living Things” as his category, Benner was given the letters R, S, T, L, N, and E, and chose M, C, P, and I as his additional consonants and vowel. The resulting puzzle, “_ _ _ _ E _E _ _ _,” left even the most seasoned puzzle solvers stumped.
Benner’s guess, “Dead heathens,” drew a chuckle from host Ryan Seacrest but failed to solve the puzzle. The revealed answer, “Baby hedgehogs,” was deemed nearly impossible by Seacrest himself. The unlucky contestant missed out on a $75,000 prize.
Despite the loss, Benner remained upbeat, enjoying the once-in-a-lifetime experience with his family. He even sported his name tag from the show during the watch party. In a Facebook video, Benner admitted that “Baby hedgehogs will haunt me all my life,” but acknowledged the incredible experience.
Seacrest, known for his comforting demeanor both on and off screen, consoled Benner after the tough loss. This echoes a previous incident where the “American Idol” host mistakenly welcomed contestants back to “Wheel of Fortune,” showcasing his lighthearted approach to even high-pressure situations.