Please be aware that this story is being republished after it was initially published in January 2024.
Angry “Wheel of Fortune” viewers are demonstrating because they think a contestant named Megan was unfairly denied $40,000 for what may have been a right solution.
A bonus challenge involving two terms that fit within the “Living Thing” category had to be solved by Megan, a married choir director at a California high school.
When host Pat Sajak guided Megan to the puzzle board while the wheel was spinning, the unfinished phrase “_ N’R _ _ _” became visible.
Megan carefully selected the letters and modified the board to read “P_N_’ RC _ D.”
Megan screamed out her guess in the last ten seconds, which was either “Pink Orchid” or maybe “Something Orchid.” As soon as the timer sounded and the appropriate letters appeared on the screen, Megan yelled her frustration at the right answer, “Pink Orchid”.
Sensing she might be correct, Sajak produced the prize estimate card and gave Megan a healthy $40,000—much more than the $14,007 she ultimately received.
Viewers, who were in their living rooms, couldn’t accept the outcome and took to Wheel of Fortune to express their annoyance with Megan’s response, which they believed was unfairly wrong.”The woman got screwed on the #WheelOfFortune bonus puzzle tonight; she totally said ‘PINK ORCHID’ right at the start,” commented one user.
As soon as she said that, I immediately asked the judges! I am partially hearing in one ear and deaf in the other, therefore I lip read and use subtitles. She referred to me as “Pink Orchid.” “Definitely!” said another admirer.
“I’m blowing up! “Pink orchid,” she murmured, understanding! “WTF?” shouted a third person.
Hello, @WheelofFortune After hearing the competitor say “pink orchid” at the start of the last puzzle, I rewound it. “You owe her some $$$,” yelled one angry viewer.
Okay, @WheelofFortune. If you rewatch tonight’s program to solve the last problem from the most recent airing, you might clearly hear her say “pink orchid.” You did not give the winner the credit they deserved. Now play it back. That’s exactly what she said! Bright Orchid.
In the middle of the controversy, Wheel of Fortune fans have been increasingly critical of the show over what seem to be errors, including a recent debate over a rhyme during an Express round. When the show seemed to falter over an answer in the “Rhyme Time” category on January 22, the audience erupted.
The current farce had left two of the contenders perplexed, but Jill, the third applicant, figured it out by guessing two “y’s,” coming up with the rhyme “Absolutely Positively.”
“Absolutely Positively” is not a rhyme, according to supporters, who vehemently disagreed with the decision.
“Hello @WheelofFortune,” one of the spectators wrote. Would you kindly explain the rhyme between these two words? Since they most certainly don’t.
