Additional Coverage:
- ‘Wheel of Fortune’ fans slam contestant for losing $50,000 after getting an ‘easy’ puzzle wrong (marketrealist.com)
“Keep Up the Good Work” Fail Costs “Wheel of Fortune” Contestant $50,000
A “Wheel of Fortune” contestant’s Bonus Round blunder has fans buzzing. After a hard-fought game, contestant Janie landed on the often-dreaded “Phrase” category.
With a chance at an additional $50,000 and a total nearing $70,000, Janie spun the wheel and selected her letters. The puzzle board displayed: “EE _ _ THE _OOD OR.”
Despite the seemingly straightforward setup, Janie was stumped. With the clock ticking, she guessed “Good Word?” Host Ryan Seacrest offered words of consolation as co-host Vanna White revealed the correct answer: “Keep Up The Good Work.”
The miss sparked a flurry of online commentary. Some fans were incredulous, especially given Janie’s background as a retired educator.
One commenter quipped, “This was the phrase commonly used in schools… how did she forget to keep up the good work?” Others defended Janie, pointing to the sometimes unpredictable nature of the letter selection process.
While some viewers were less than sympathetic, Janie appeared to take the loss in stride, stating she was “very happy” with her overall winnings, which included $19,200 and a trip to Savannah, Georgia. Her journey to the Bonus Round included a comeback after falling behind fellow contestant Willis, and a successful Express Round win of a “Supernatural Walking Tour” worth $8,550.