‘Wheel of Fortune’: Pat Sajak Reacts to Contestant’s Agonizing $100K Loss
Seeing a contestant lose out in the bonus round is always tougher when it’s one of the bigger prizes, such as the case was in the March 18 episode of Wheel of Fortune.
Cairo Hunter (from Fontana, California) made it to the bonus round after winning $28,267. His options for his bonus round category were: Phrase, Thing, and Living Things. He chose Phrase. The letters he then chose were the three consonants H, M, and G and the vowel A. That gave him the board pictured above (THE_ HA_E G___ __AL_T_ES.
With the 10 seconds to try to figure it out, Hunter got as far as “They Have Good…” Then, time ran out. “You got three-quarters of it,” host Pat Sajak told him. “They have good something.” The correct answer was “They Have Good Qualities.” Sajak then opened the envelope, and without reading what was inside aloud, noted, “Wow, so the important thing is that he’s won $28,267. I guess there’s no putting this off.” Sajak then winced as he showed that Hunter had lost out on $100,000.
“Well, how do you think I feel?” the host asked the camera. “And him. You had a big night. You should be very pleased. Twenty-eight thousand plus, nice going.” He turned and shook Hunter’s hand.
This loss came after Hunter had a couple notable solves. For Same Letter, after an incorrect guess (“Galactics Gadgets Gizmos”), he solved when it was his turn again that round and was right with “Galaxies Gadgets Gizmos.” After that, Sajak remarked, “if at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again. Although, that could be our next puzzle. I may have screwed that up.” And in Fun & Games, with the board showing the below, Hunter correctly solved “Performing in a Talent Show.” Sajak called that “very nice.” With that, Hunter won a Disney Cruise Line vacation to the Caribbean featuring Marvel Day at Sea, worth $11,667.
Wheel of Fortune
After the episode, one fan wrote on X, “YOU KNOW YOU’RE IN TROUBLE WHEN… @MarvelStudios week on @WheelofFortune produces no heroes today. One player goes bust, the other faces the BR’s greatest enemy, the letters “QU”. Too bad he won’t win! Ha, ha, ha!”
What did you think of the bonus round’s puzzle? Did you get it? Let us know in the comments section, below.
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Comments are closed on this story.
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C
I guessed it. But if I'd been on the stage, the pressure may have made a difference. It's probably easier on my couch!
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O
I thought it was easy. I'm surprised but bummed he didn't get it.
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C
By in large, rhe guessing has become worse. Contestants don't know certain phrases (implies lack of reading) or they're lousy spellers. EITHER WAY- evident of a decline in our educational process
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O
I knew it right off, but it's easier when you're watching from home versus actually being there.
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O
I solved it. Surprised he didn't get it, because it was easy.
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L
Since it’s Pat’s last hurrah, you would think the producers would give some of these contestants a break! The “phrases” are sometimes so difficult, Einstein wouldn’t be able to solve them! I am getting SO VERY TIRED of contestants making it to the bonus round, only to fail miserably, and lose an opportunity at a car, $40000 or more. Please make the phrases words that people say regularly, for goodness sake! Help Pat go out giving money away and no more LONG FACES with Pat’s poor excuses!!
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R
I got it. I was surprised when he didn’t. And sorry, of course.
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O
There seems to be many incredible gaffes among contestants lately. I'll be knowing the answer long before puzzles aren't solved (some of these border on the arcane).
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