Saddest Day in 'Wheel' History... Man Misses Puzzle with Every Letter in Place
The wheel gives, the wheel doth taketh away.
When it comes to “Wheel of Fortune,” in the latter case, it’s usually because a contestant pressed his or her luck too hard and ended up on “Bankrupt” or “Lose a Turn.”
That wasn’t the case, however, on Monday’s edition of “Wheel.” Someone missed the puzzle with every letter in place — and yet, that didn’t even seem like the worst mistake on the show.
The first mistake involved a man who had banked $7,100 during the round and was trying to solve the puzzle.
It should have been easy for the contestant named Jonny, given that, well, every letter was in place. It was totally solved: “Flamenco Dance Lessons.”
Instead, he said “Flamingo Dance Lessons,” losing himself more than $7,000.
This sort of thing isn’t unheard of. In 2013, “Wheel” contestant Paul Atkinson was in the running for a $1 million payout. The first hurdle he had to clear to win the prize was correctly solving the puzzle that featured the phrase “Corner Curio Cabinet” but was missing one letter in “Cabinet.”
Atkinson got tongue-tied and said “Corner Curro Cabinet,” costing him the game and a chance at the $1 million prize.
So letting your mouth get ahead of your brain happens once in a while on the big stage of a game show. But it turns out the “Flamingo Dancers” actually wasn’t Jonny’s first mistake of the night. Not by a long shot.
Take a look at what he did earlier in the show:
Jonny nooooo!!! What are you doing Jonny? Poor Jonny. Jonny, Jonny, Jonny. pic.twitter.com/V44ngajsrs
— Eric Nathan (@BarstoolNate) April 9, 2018
I understand these “Before & After” puzzles are the bane of every serious “Wheel” and “Jeopardy” watcher. However, “Doc and Pony Show Me the Money?” Are you kidding me?
There’s one question I have through all of this: How hard does Pat Sajak have to work to keep a straight face? The man is a pro, folks.
There are times when I wonder whether or not contestants on these shows, knowing they won’t make much money from the appearance, just want to go viral with their stupidity. If so, Jonny was highly successful.
I kind of doubt that’s actually the case. Maybe it’s the fact they’re in California that makes them dumber. Or maybe they freeze under the pressure.
Whatever the reason, one of the saddest days in “Wheel” history certainly made for some entertaining television.
Unintentionally entertaining, sure. But entertaining nonetheless.
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