Additional Coverage:
- ‘Wheel of Fortune’ fans blame unusual puzzle that left a contestant lose out on $40,000 (marketrealist.com)
Firefighter Loses Out on $40,000 Over Tricky “Wheel of Fortune” Puzzle
A “Wheel of Fortune” contestant’s dreams of winning big went up in smoke after a baffling bonus round puzzle stumped him, costing him a $40,000 prize. Darring Gallagher, a veteran firefighter, competed against fellow firefighters Melissa “Missy” Porter and Tim Stebenne during the show’s “Bragging Rights” week.
Gallagher dominated the initial rounds, securing a trip to Panama and an impressive $20,150 in cash. His success propelled him to the bonus round, where he spun the wheel and chose the category “What are you doing?”
The puzzle, “Taking a Whiff,” proved too difficult. Despite choosing additional letters, Gallagher couldn’t crack the final word, leaving him with only “Taking a…” as the timer ran out.
Host Ryan Seacrest revealed the full answer, much to Gallagher’s surprise, who admitted he wouldn’t have guessed it. The unfortunate miss meant he lost out on a $40,000 bonus prize.
Fans online quickly voiced their frustration, criticizing the puzzle’s difficulty and unusual phrasing. Some viewers questioned the choice of “Taking a Whiff,” noting its uncommon usage. The incident follows other recent controversies surrounding challenging bonus round puzzles on the show, sparking debate among fans about their fairness.