Additional Coverage:
- ‘Wheel of Fortune’ contestant loses out on car because he couldn’t identify a fruit correctly (marketrealist.com)
“Wheel of Fortune” Contestant Squeezes Out Big Win, But Loses Car Over a Fruit Fumble
It’s a tale as old as time on “Wheel of Fortune”: a contestant plays brilliantly throughout the game, only to stumble at the final hurdle of the bonus round. Such was the case for Nathan Simpson, who walked away with a respectable sum but missed out on a brand-new car, all because of a tricky fruit.
Simpson, who brought his mother to the show for support, had an impressive run, banking a solid $26,450 before heading into the high-stakes bonus round. Even host Ryan Seacrest had to prompt the crowd for a louder “aww” when Simpson’s mother expressed her love for her son – a light moment before the tension ratcheted up.
For the bonus challenge, Simpson chose the “Food and Drink” category, a seemingly promising choice. After the standard letters (R, S, T, L, N, E) were revealed, he added K, C, H, and A to the board. The puzzle that stared back at him read: _A_A_A _ _ _CE.
With just 10 seconds on the clock, Simpson brainstormed aloud, confidently guessing “Banana place.” Unfortunately, that wasn’t quite the right blend. As the timer ran out, the correct answer was unveiled: “Papaya Juice.”
The reveal was a bittersweet moment. Seacrest then opened the prize envelope, confirming that Simpson had indeed lost out on a new car. However, the contestant remained in good spirits, appreciative of the more than $26,000 he was taking home.
Online fans, however, were not so quick to let it go. Viewers flocked to social media, lamenting Simpson’s near-miss.
Many expressed frustration, with some claiming they were “screaming” the answer at their screens, while others pointed out that a single “P” would have sealed the deal for the car. The consensus among many was that while “juice” was obvious, “papaya” proved to be a surprisingly challenging curveball.
It seems the Hyundai will remain in the garage for another day.