Additional Coverage:
- ‘Wheel of Fortune’ contestant loses $100K as time ran out just when she guessed the right answer (marketrealist.com)
“Maple Taffy” Mystery: Wheel of Fortune Contestant Misses $100K by a Hair
“Wheel of Fortune” viewers are buzzing after a recent episode saw contestant Amanda Blue, a dedicated doctor and mother of two, narrowly miss out on a massive $100,000 prize during “Secret Santa” week. The puzzle in question? A seemingly simple “Food and Drink” category that left fans scratching their heads and crying foul over the clock.
Blue, who walked away with a still respectable $22,878, had her loving family cheering her on from backstage. Host Ryan Seacrest even shared a light-hearted moment with Blue as she introduced her husband Joe, mother Crystal, daughters Alexis and Jordan, and even a family pet, Stitch. Seacrest playfully warned the girls about “troublemaker Stitch” before encouraging Blue to spin for the big money.
After selecting the traditional R, S, T, L, N, E, Blue added P, M, H, and A to the board, revealing “M, A, P, L, E, T, A, _, _, _.” As the crucial ten-second timer began its countdown, Blue made several attempts, cycling through “Maple Take,” “Maple Tazzy,” “Maple Tacky,” and finally, “Maple Taffy.”
The tension was palpable. Did she get it in time?
Seacrest’s reaction confirmed the heartbreaking truth. “No, not until-well, you got-It is maple taffy.
Not quite in time in the 10 seconds. Nice effort,” he announced, a note of disappointment in his voice.
The golden envelope revealed the $40,000 bonus prize that Blue had just missed, adding to the sting of the moment.
Fans quickly took to social media to express their frustration, many feeling Blue was “robbed” by the clock and the unusual puzzle. “What is Maple taffy??
I think we all lost with that answer. Canadian thing?”
one fan questioned. Others pointed out the close timing, with one commenter stating, “She started ON the buzzer.
Legal solve in Wheel’s rulebook, she was robbed.” The consensus was clear: Blue was “THAT close to win the bonus round, just ran out of time.
That’s gotta hurt.”
This isn’t the first time “Wheel of Fortune” has sparked debate among its loyal viewership, and it certainly won’t be the last. But for Amanda Blue and her supporters, this particular “Maple Taffy” moment will likely be remembered as a sweet prize agonizingly out of reach.