‘Wheel of Fortune’ Sparks Outrage Over Controversial Final Round Puzzle, Some Call It ‘Unfair’
Another night brings yet another controversy on “Wheel of Fortune.” Viewers were left bewildered after the episode aired on February 14, criticizing the bonus round puzzle as unfair—and some even doubted if it was a legitimate phrase at all.
The drama began when Conner Kemmsies, a commercial pilot hailing from Lakeside, California, reached the final round. His impressive performance earlier in the game had netted him $19,080 in cash and prizes, which included a six-day whale-watching cruise to Baja, California, courtesy of National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions.
With his wife and family cheering him on, Conner got ready to face the bonus round challenge.
Viewers Call Out ‘Unfair’ Puzzle Answer
The final puzzle was categorized as “Phrase,” and after revealing the standard letters R, S, T, L, N, E—along with Conner’s selected letters C, M, D, and A—the board appeared as follows:
_ D _ D M _ _ _ M E _ _ R _.
Conner quickly deciphered the first part—“I DID MY”—but had difficulty completing the phrase. The correct answer?
I DID MY HOMEWORK.
As the clock struck zero, Conner chuckled and told host Ryan Seacrest, “Aw, dude, I don’t do homework anymore. I’m not in school now.”
Is ‘I Did My Homework’ Even a Phrase? Fans Say No
Fans flocked to social media and YouTube comments to express their discontent. Many viewers questioned the validity of the phrase, arguing that it sounded more like a common sentence rather than a recognized expression.
“That’s not a phrase, that’s just a sentence.”
“It took me a moment to figure it out, but honestly, ‘I did my homework’ isn’t something people commonly say as a phrase.”
While some viewers claimed the puzzle was “easy-peasy,” others acknowledged it was one of the more challenging ones in recent memory.
Fans Slam Bonus Round’s ‘Rigged’ Prize Wheel
In addition to the controversial puzzle, fans had another issue to address—the bonus round prize.
Once again, the prize wheel landed on the $40,000 minimum payout, a trend that many Wheel Watchers argue occurs far too often.
“Why bother with a bonus wheel if it nearly always lands on $40,000?” one viewer expressed their frustration.
This isn’t the first instance of “Wheel of Fortune” enthusiasts voicing their concerns about the gameplay. With claims of dubious puzzles and repetitive prize values, many are questioning if the show is losing its charm during Ryan Seacrest’s time as host.
What are your thoughts? Was this puzzle just or a disaster? And do you think the bonus wheel is fixed? Share your opinions in the comments!
Sources: IMDb