Wheel of Fortune followers have been left confused after Friday’s (January 10) episode when a contestant was awarded an accurate puzzle remedy regardless of including additional phrases to their reply.
The contestant in query was Kiana Moreland, a latest school graduate from Grand Terrace, California. Throughout the Categorical Spherical, underneath the “Residing Issues” class, Moreland tried to unravel a puzzle that learn: “A A R D V A R Ok S / A N D / A N _ E _ _ _ E S.”
When giving the reply, she mentioned, “Is it aardvarks and antelopes?” Host Ryan Seacrest paused for a second earlier than declaring Moreland’s response was appropriate, regardless of her including the “Is it?” to the beginning of her reply.
After the episode, a consumer of the Wheel of Fortune Reddit discussion board introduced up the controversial ruling, writing, “So on Friday Jan 10, 2025 a contestant received a puzzle, however she mentioned, “Is it ‘Aardvarks and Antelopes’?”. I used to be completely constructive the judges have been gonna rule her reply incorrect, however after Ryan’s longer than normal pause he introduced she received it proper!”
“Wth?! I believed the entire “including any additional phrases” factor was common to all puzzles,” the consumer continued earlier than sarcastically including, “This was an injustice the likes of which the world has by no means seen earlier than!!”
Different commenters debated the ruling, with one individual responding, “I feel it’s as a result of they hadn’t began saying the precise puzzle but. Like, including “and” to a crossword is invalid as a result of that’s in the midst of the response. Saying “Is it” earlier than fixing might be allowed because you’re not “including to the puzzle”, you’re simply prefacing your guess.”
Nevertheless, one other recalled how a previous contestant was dominated incorrect for including “How I really feel proper now” earlier than answering, “I’m so excited.”
Others introduced up an notorious second the place one contestant mentioned “I’m” earlier than the reply “declaring victory” and was dominated incorrect, leaving him utterly baffled.
One other defined, “If the contestant mentioned on their flip “is it aardvarks and antelopes” WITHOUT SAYING “I’d like to unravel the puzzle”, then I can see why it’s legitimate, but when they mentioned “I’d like to unravel”. Then they’ll’t say “is it” they usually wouldn’t have anyway.”
“A contestant was denied a puzzle win as a result of the judges mentioned he put “A” earlier than saying “Frozen Concoction” after which he repeated himself saying solely “frozen concoction”. He was denied,” the commenter continued. “I do consider he mentioned “I’d like to unravel”. Unhappy reality is the woman after him solely mentioned “frozen concoction” and received the puzzle.”
“Doesn’t occur typically, however there’s a provision within the guidelines that enables for one thing like this,” one other added.
One other referenced the official guidelines from Wheel of Fortune Dwell, which states, “In all circumstances the judges will attempt to give the “advantage of the doubt” to the contestant fixing the puzzle, making an allowance for speech impediments, regional dialects, nervous contestants and studio circumstances. Every case shall be evaluated individually, and the choice of the judges shall be closing.”
“I’ve had the sensation that the Wheel and Jeopardy judges have each been a tiny bit extra lenient ever since their new hosts have taken over,” one other mentioned. “Simply coincidental timing I think about. Individuals prefer to see different individuals win cash, they might be giving individuals the good thing about the doubt.”
“I used to be ready for Ryan to say, Sorry that’s not appropriate, and particularly since he hesitated just a few seconds earlier than responding that it was an accurate remedy,” one other added. “I feel there may be extra banter between host and contestant they usually really feel extra comfy however nonetheless a dangerous remedy!”
Moreland went on to win the episode, although she failed to unravel the Bonus Spherical puzzle and have become the sixth contestant this season to overlook out on the huge $100,000 prize.
What did you consider the ruling? Ought to Seacrest have accepted the reply? Tell us your ideas within the feedback part beneath.
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