Note: We are republishing this story, which originally made headlines in December 2024.
The first Wheel of Fortune episode of December delivered another tense Bonus Round. Contestant Kelsey Sowders came close to cracking the puzzle but ultimately missed out, despite using her Wild Card and making some bold letter choices.
On Monday’s show, Kelsey was faced with a challenging two-word puzzle under the category “What Are You Doing?” With just the letters E, N, and E showing, she had 10 seconds to solve it. She used the Wild Card to pick extra letters—M, F, D, A, and H—but none of them appeared in the puzzle, leaving her unable to guess the correct phrase.
As the final seconds ticked away, Kelsey wasn’t able to come up with the correct answer. When the clock hit zero, the solution—“KEEPING BUSY”—was revealed. Though she came close, she missed out on the \$75,000 grand prize.
Still, there was a bright side: Kelsey walked away with an impressive \$40,398, a total that earned her praise from fans despite falling short in the Bonus Round. Many had hoped she’d land the \$100,000 prize, given how well she played throughout the episode.
While some viewers wished she’d picked different letters to improve her chances, most were quick to congratulate her on a strong showing and a solid cash win.
This episode was one of several Wheel of Fortune installments leading up to Thanksgiving where contestants struggled to solve the Bonus Round puzzle. Although some of the puzzles seemed within reach, the high-pressure environment proved challenging for many players.
Viewers watched as hopeful family members cheered from the sidelines, only to face disappointment when guesses fell short. Ryan Seacrest, the show’s new host, remained supportive, offering words of encouragement as each contestant’s final attempt ended in frustration.
Interestingly, the recent string of Bonus Round losses hasn’t sparked the kind of backlash once directed at Ryan Seacrest or the show itself. When Season 42 first premiered, some fans were quick to criticize Seacrest’s hosting style and questioned whether the puzzles were becoming too difficult.
But after several strong episodes and a few impressive wins, opinions have shifted. Viewers now seem to embrace the tougher challenges as part of what makes Wheel of Fortune exciting, with many appreciating the heightened stakes.
As the season progresses, fans are still holding out hope for the first \$1 million winner of Season 42. Two contestants have come close, but no one has claimed the top prize—yet. Could it happen before the year ends? Tune in each weekday on ABC or stream the episodes on YouTube TV to find out.
