“Wheel of Fortune” broke tradition this week — and fans can’t get enough. For the first time ever, Monday’s episode featured not strangers, but three close friends and longtime coworkers from a Rhode Island fire department going head-to-head.
Melissa “Missy” Porter, Darrin “Poppa” Gallagher, and Tim Stebenne have spent over two decades working side-by-side — and this time, they weren’t just chasing cash. They were competing for bragging rights and the honorary title of “Best Wheel of Fortune Contestant.”
The friendly rivalry was on full display: Porter joked she only cooks meatballs when the show’s on, Gallagher leaned on his years of seniority at the station, and Stebenne likened himself to David facing two Goliaths. It wasn’t just a game — it was a showdown fueled by pride, laughter, and long-standing camaraderie.
Fans flooded social media with praise for the show’s new format. One Instagram user exclaimed, “This is so much better than playing in teams,” while another wrote, “I’m confused but obsessed with this dynamic.” The change sparked buzz on Reddit and Twitter, where many viewers said the friendship among contestants brought a fresh, heartfelt vibe to the fast-paced competition.
But it wasn’t just the contestants that made the episode stand out—some popular game features returned, too. The Jackpot round was back, starting at zero and increasing by \$500 with every spin. The player who solved the puzzle would win the full amount—so long as they didn’t land on “Bankrupt.” The \$1 Million wedge also made an appearance, and host Ryan Seacrest confirmed it would stay in play for the Bonus Round if no one lost it during the main game.
When it came to gameplay, the competition was tight from the start. Gallagher and Porter each snagged early toss-up wins, while Stebenne scored big by solving “Love-Hate Relationship,” earning a trip to Iceland. He kept the momentum going with another puzzle win soon after.
Gallagher later claimed a vacation to Panama by solving “Lush Rainforest of Panama,” then dominated the Triple Toss-Ups, sweeping all three for a total of \$10,000 and pulling into the lead.
Porter finished strong, solving “Running Neck and Neck” for \$6,000 and wrapping up her night with \$7,000. Stebenne walked away with \$12,700, but it was Gallagher who came out on top—taking home \$20,150 and a dream getaway to Panama.
The Bonus Round turned out to be a tough break for Gallagher. Faced with the puzzle in the category “What Are You Doing?”, he revealed the letters “TAK_NG A _ _ _ _ _” and guessed “Taking a…” — but couldn’t come up with the missing word: “whiff.”
Host Ryan Seacrest revealed that Gallagher had missed out on a \$40,000 prize. Fans quickly chimed in online, pointing out that this marked the show’s 11th straight Bonus Round loss.
One frustrated YouTube commenter wrote, “At this point, just let someone win already.” Another added with a laugh, “Who even uses the word ‘whiff’ anymore?”
Still, despite the Bonus Round miss, fans are clearly embracing the show’s bold new direction. With innovative formats, returning favorites, and surprises that keep even longtime viewers guessing, “Wheel of Fortune” appears to be stepping confidently into an exciting new chapter.
