Wheel of Fortune Faces Backlash as Fans Claim Contestant Was Robbed of $40,000
A recent episode of Wheel of Fortune has sparked outrage among viewers, with many arguing that contestant Megan was unfairly denied a $40,000 prize despite seemingly providing the correct answer.
The controversy arose during the bonus round, where Megan, a high school choir director from California, was tasked with solving a two-word puzzle in the Living Thing category.
As host Pat Sajak guided her to the puzzle board, the incomplete phrase appeared as “_ N’R _ _ .” With careful letter selections, Megan adjusted the board to read: **“P_N’ RC _ D.”**
In the final ten seconds, Megan excitedly blurted out what sounded like “Pink Orchid” or something similar. But as the timer ran out, the correct answer—Pink Orchid—flashed on the screen, prompting an exasperated reaction from Megan.
Sajak then revealed the prize card, showing that Megan would have won a hefty $40,000, far exceeding the $14,007 she ultimately took home.
Fans React: “She Said It!”
Outraged fans quickly took to social media, insisting that Megan had indeed said the correct answer in time.
“The woman got screwed on Wheel of Fortune tonight! She totally said ‘PINK ORCHID’ right at the start,” one viewer tweeted.
“I rewound the footage—she said ‘Pink Orchid’ clear as day! You owe her some $$,” another fumed.
“I’m livid! She clearly said ‘Pink Orchid’ and they ignored it! WTF?” a third added.
Several viewers even called on the show’s producers to replay the footage and make things right.
Another Wheel of Fortune Blunder?
This isn’t the first time the beloved game show has faced backlash. Just days earlier, fans were up in arms over a puzzling ruling in the “Rhyme Time” category.
On the January 22 episode, a contestant guessed “Absolutely Positively”—which won her the round. But many viewers pointed out that the two words don’t actually rhyme, branding it another baffling mistake by the show’s judges.
“Wheel of Fortune, please explain how ‘Absolutely’ and ‘Positively’ rhyme. Because they don’t,” one disgruntled fan wrote.
As frustration mounts, some Wheel of Fortune fans are calling for better consistency in the show’s rulings. But will the producers address the uproar?
What do you think—was Megan robbed of her prize? Should the show correct its mistake? Let us know in the comments!