Wheel of Fortune contestants frequently whiff their bonus puzzles, however the winner of Monday, December 2’s episode was in for a very heartbreaking spin. Her further letter selections added ZERO letters to a tough puzzle, which was much more stunning since she had the benefit of a Wild Card wedge.
The robust break concerned Kelsey Sowders, a mother of three and steak/wine savant from Tomball, Texas. After an astounding efficiency, she proceeded to the coveted bonus spherical, having racked up $40,398 in money, a prize journey to Japan, and the elusive Wild Card. This meant she bought to choose 5 further letters as an alternative of 4, which frequently spells success.
Deciding on “What are You Doing?” as her class, with the off-side help of her eldest son Grant and husband, Sowders joined Ryan Seacrest middle stage. She landed on the star portion of the wheel, and the host assured, “Maybe it’s good luck.” “I hope so,” Sowders stated.
The 2-word puzzle learn as “_EE_N_’ ‘_ _ S_,’ and she or he selected a further “MFDA,” and H.” Nonetheless, Vanna White didn’t transfer an inch because the letter selections have been ineffective, making the puzzle very tough. “Oh no!” Sowders exclaimed in disappointment. She went by means of the 5 phases of grief, staring in disbelief, blowing a raspberry in frustration, and recollecting herself.
Seacrest wished her the most effective, “You’re doing nice to this point tonight.” However the merciless coincidence left Sowder unable to resolve the puzzle beneath the 10-second timer, which ended up being “KEEPING BUSY.” She was shut, even capable of get the primary phrase, however nowhere close to the second.
“Oh no!” Sowders exclaimed as soon as extra as the total puzzle was displayed. Then, chopping again to the contestant and Seacrest, the second dagger got here. The host revealed from his prize card contained $75,000 and she or he hid her face from it. “I don’t wish to see that,” she stated as Seacrest winced on the digicam. “Don’t fear,” the host informed her as she emotionally recovered and informed him, “That’s okay.”
The sport present shared the massive miss on YouTube, the place followers expressed their shock and empathized with the participant’s response.
“That was a troublesome one. I didn’t get it both. Props to her for getting the primary phrase proper, however that second phrase was tough as hell. I’m glad she’s not strolling away empty-handed, although. She nonetheless gained up till that time and no one can take that from her,” one fan wrote.
“Unattainable with out the proper letter selections. Been a number of of these this season,” wrote one other.
“If she would have gained, she would have gained over $100,000 money with out truly touchdown on the envelope! That’s actually disappointing. Additionally, the truth that she had 5 letters however didn’t get a single one?! Ought to I be dissatisfied or impressed?” requested a 3rd.
“Ouch!” wrote a fourth. “You don’t see $75,000 all that usually!”
In the meantime, Seacrest had enormous sneakers to fill changing the legendary Pat Sajak after 4 a long time for Season 42. His debut month was the strongest rankings month for WoF previously three years, and viewers have been already handled to a viral second (by way of a spherical of sausage). That stated, there have been some questionable host moments based on followers.
In September, Seacrest suffered what followers dubbed his “first blooper”, involving a delayed response to rewarding a bonus spherical. Followers additionally known as out the host for ruling in opposition to one other participant earlier than the timer was up. Most controversially, followers just lately known as out the host for not reminding a participant to choose a letter, resulting in him shedding the sport in a misunderstanding and by a mere $147.
One other puzzling sample has emerged, which is that no participant has gained the bonus spherical in a full week, many followers blaming the gamers, not the host. As for Sowders, one other contestant just lately botched their bonus puzzle in the same means after selecting poor letters, however in that occasion, they didn’t have the increase of the Wild Card wedge.