‘Wheel of Fortune’ Sparks Backlash Over “Unfair” Rule and Confusing Bonus Puzzle
Wheel of Fortune is facing fresh criticism from fans — this time over a confusing rule and a bonus puzzle that left many scratching their heads. Viewers are calling out both the show and new host Ryan Seacrest after contestant Todd Meyer missed out on \$56,000 in a controversial moment that aired originally on March 31 and was rebroadcast on June 16 during the show’s summer reruns.
The episode featured three contestants: Sheree Corder from Tampa, Florida; Todd Meyer of Las Vegas; and Latricia Randolph from Franklin, Tennessee.
Corder, an adventure lover and travel enthusiast, got off to a strong start by solving the first two toss-up puzzles — “Expect the Unexpected” and “Model Airplane Kit” — and collecting \$3,000 early on. She later picked up a Wild Card, bringing her total to \$6,600.
But things took a dramatic turn during the night’s first crossword puzzle round, which requires contestants to say each answer exactly as it appears on the board. The theme was “Party.”
Randolph kicked off the round but guessed incorrectly. Meyer jumped in and confidently answered all four clues: “Party Time,” “Party Animal,” “Party Decorations,” and “Party Bus.” But despite getting the correct phrases, Seacrest told him he was wrong — because he repeated the word “Party” for each clue, rather than just reading the words that were shown: “Time, Animal, Decorations, Bus.”
Meyer looked stunned and dropped his head in frustration. Corder then gave the simplified answer and won the round.
“That’s the rule — you have to say exactly what’s on the board,” Seacrest explained, before awkwardly adding, “It’s a shame she stole it from you.”
Fans weren’t impressed. Social media and Reddit quickly lit up with angry reactions. “Ryan failing to give contestants a reminder about how to solve crossword puzzles makes me mad every time!” one Reddit user wrote. “Sometimes he says it, sometimes he doesn’t. It’s totally unfair.”
Despite the setback, Meyer came back strong, winning \$10,000 across the Triple Toss-Up puzzles. Randolph scored a puzzle that earned her a trip to Ireland and brought her total to \$12,190. But Corder ultimately secured the win after solving “Dancing in the Dark,” entering the Bonus Round with \$16,600 and a Wild Card.
Then came the final puzzle — and even more controversy.
The category was “Phrase.” With the standard R, S, T, L, N, E provided, and Corder choosing C, D, M, I, and P, the board revealed: _ _ _ _ P I T _ P. Corder couldn’t figure it out, and the correct answer — “Whoop It Up” — left fans stunned.
“Who even says that?” one viewer commented on YouTube. Another added, “That doesn’t even sound like a real phrase.”
“That was one of the worst bonus round phrases I’ve seen,” said another. “I’ve literally never heard that in my life.”
Corder ultimately missed out on the \$40,000 bonus, ending the night with \$16,600. Randolph walked away with \$12,190, and Meyer took home \$10,000 — and a lot of fan sympathy after a round that many believe he rightfully won.
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