24-05-2021

Wheel Of Fortune Game Contestants

It's one of the most famous and instantly-recognisable game shows on the planet. But an on-air fail has dragged its host through the mud.

Game Overview. You can compete for cash and prizes, just like contestants on the actual game show. Get ready to spin the wheel, buy a vowel, and solve puzzles in a variety of categories. Begin Round 1 by clicking the Wheel with your mouse to spin it! You have 5 turns to solve the word puzzle. “Wheel of Fortune” fans are upset after a contestant lost out on close to $10,000 in cash and prizes over a technical rule violation.

Social media users have slammed a Wheel of Fortune host's mistake. Picture: Twitter/@lakeside_23Source:Twitter

Debate is raging on social media after a Wheel of Fortune host misheard a contestant – potentially gifting her thousands in prize money.

The scandal occurred last week during the US version of the popular game show when guest Angela Evans was asked to select a letter.

She asked for a letter that host Pat Sajak heard as a “D” – although many viewers were convinced Ms Evans had actually said “B”.

After Sajak decided Ms Evans had chosen “D”, the contestant went on to solve that round’s puzzle, which was “Drinking from a coconut”.

Ms Evans, a Marine Corps veteran who had appeared on the show during the annual Veterans’ Week special, ended up progressing to the next round – when a similar potential stuff-up again occurred.

SHE SAID B!!!!! NOT D!!! She shouldn’t have won this round Pat!!! Wow. #WheelOfFortunepic.twitter.com/t43o2cOK2V

— Di✨ (@lakeside_23) November 8, 2019

She appeared to request the letters “B”, “H”, “D” and “A” – but when the host asked her to confirm whether the third letter was a “D” she corrected him and said it was a “B” – before changing her mind and insisting it was a “D”.

Ms Evans did not win that round but ultimately went home with prizes worth $US19,800 ($A28,856).

Twitter has been flooded with complaints from viewers who are convinced the Wheel of Fortune host misheard the contestant and effectively handed her a win.

Some have even called for Sajak’s resignation over the incident.

“SHE SAID B!!!!! NOT D!!! She shouldn’t have won this round Pat!!! Wow,” one Twitter user posted, while another wrote: “I’m sorry does this guy not understand his letters. This is the second time! Come on!!!”

Ms Evans walked away with $28,856 in prizes. Picture: Twitter/@lakeside_23Source:Twitter

“He’s been hosting the show for 36 years and can’t distinguish a clear B from a D? Maybe time to retire …” another said, while another claimed: “OMG this is outrage! Her winnings should be taken away! She said B.”

However, Ms Evans has weighed into the debate, hitting back at Twitter critics and insisting she said “D” all along.

When one Twitter user claimed the woman had “Definitely said B. as in bullsh*t”, Ms Evans responded with: “Nope. D as in Definitely said D.”

Wheel of Fortune debuted on US TV screens in 1975, and Sajak has hosted since 1981.

The 73-year-old was recently temporarily replaced by hostess Vanna White as he underwent emergency surgery “to correct a blocked intestine”, according to the Wheel of Fortune Twitter account.

However, it’s not the first time a game show blunder has made global headlines.

In July this year, popular UK quiz show Countdownleft its hosts red-faced — and fans in stitches – after one seven-letter clue took a “risky” turn when co-host Rachel Riley uncovered the letters “N”, “R”, “W”, “A”, “E”, “K”, “S”, “O” and “M” during an episode.

Two contestants who had to rearrange the letters to make a new worth both submitted the term “wank*rs”, drawing audible laughs from the audience.

Vanna White and Pat Sajak, pictured in 2007, have co-hosted Wheel of Fortune for years. Picture: Peter Kramer/AP PhotoSource:AP

And in January this year, TV legend Jeremy Clarkson – the host of the UK’s version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? – was accused of cheating by helping a contestant on air.

And back in 2001, another major scandal rocked Who Wants to be a Millionaire? in the UK when Charles Ingram was a contestant on the program with his wife Diana and friend and university lecturer Tecwen Whittock in the audience.

Wheel

The group devised a scheme to ensure a million-dollar win, with Mr Whittock coughing to indicate the right answers and blowing his nose when wrong answers were read.

He ended up winning the lot but was later forced to hand the cash back and was also convicted of deception in court.

And in 1999, contestant Tony Kennedy scored £64,000 ($A114,432) after his incorrect answer was accepted as correct.

He was asked, “Theoretically, what is the minimum number of strokes with which a tennis player can win a set?” and given four possible answers – 12, 24, 36 and 48.

Mr Kennedy went with 24 – but 12 was the right answer.

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“Wheel of Fortune” fans are upset after a contestant lost out on close to $10,000 in cash and prizes over a technical rule violation.

Contestant Kristen Shaw made a minor mistake on Thursday night’s episode while trying to solve the “crossword puzzle” challenge. Although she had the puzzle solved, she added an extra word to her answer, which cost her the game and has prompted many fans to call on the long-running game show to make a rules change.

Game

As Yahoo Entertainment reports, Shaw was attempting to solve the puzzle, which requires a contestant to list the words that appear. In Shaw’s case, the words were “right,” “football,” “left” and “Sally.”

She gave her answer: “ “Right, football, left and Sally.”

Unfortunately, Shaw answered the question in the form of a sentence, adding the conjunction “and.” The rules say contestants must say the words in the puzzle--and only the words in the puzzle. This unfortunate mistake forced host Pat Sajak to deny her the win.

Wheel Of Fortune Contestant Application

“Most times I caution people not to add anything, and you maybe didn’t even hear yourself say it but you threw an ‘and’ in there with the last thing and we have to go by the rules,” he explained.

The minor flub cost Shaw $1,950 as well as a trip to Nashville valued at more than $8,000. Another contestant solved the puzzle after Shaw’s mistake and easily took home the cash and the big win.

'Our long-standing rule is that in order to have a correct puzzle solve, a contestant must say only what is on the board without adding words,' A spokesperson for the show told Fox News. 'Contestants are thoroughly briefed prior to the show, and Pat often reminds them of this rule when solving a puzzle in this particular category.'

Regardless, the controversial moment sparked a debate online, with some fans calling on the show to amend its gameplay and others defending the clearly defined rule book.

'@WheelofFortune watch all the time but strongly disagree with the rules on the crossword puzzle for 11/21 show. Should have contestants say the word and the category to avoid extra words,' one Twitter user wrote.

'wheel of fortune's 'if you say 'and' when solving the crossword it doesn't count' rule sounds like a 3rd grade playground technicality enforced by the rich kid,' another user noted.

'They can easily change the rule to allow 'and' as part of your verbal answer. Conjunctions are natural parts of speech an [sic] should be ok for crosswords,' another grammar-savvy person wrote.

Wheel Of Fortune Contestant Rules

'Utterly ridiculous that you didn't give credit to Kristen for the ___ field puzzle because she said 'and' before the last word of the list. Functionally no different from the pauses you allow. You know she knew the puzzle,' another user complained.

However, there were a handful of people who are of the opinion that she violated the rules and has to live with the consequences, no matter how close she was.

'Anybody who watches WOF knows not to add anything. The rule is fine it's a world where we must fix everything to win is wrong,' one user complained.

Wheel Of Fortune Game Contestants List

'I DISAGREE! SHE WAS TOLD NOT TO ADD ANY WORDS, AND SHE SAID 'AND' SO SHE LOST.! ALWAYS SOME NUT COMPLAINING ABOUT SOMETHING!' another user noted.

Wheel Of Fortune Game Show Contestants

'It is a puzzle word game. She was warned and still let it slip. Just like people who umm in their speech. Grow up and say it right,' someone else noted.