‘Wheel of Fortune’ Stunner as Fan Favorite Suffers $100,000 Heartbreak
Following a devastating Bonus Round loss, Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak struggled for words to comfort one contestant who lost out on $100,000 on Wednesday night (May 29).
The contestant in question was Larry Brown Jr. from Bowie, Maryland, returning for a second shot as part of Fan Favorites Week. Brown first appeared on the show on April 9, 2024, where he made the Triple Tossup solve of “Chocolate Lover,” which he revealed has since become his nickname.
Brown faced off against fellow fan faves Lee Mack Turner from Yoakum, Texas, who first appeared on the November 8, 2023 episode, and Laryn Nelson from Atlanta, Georgia, who first appeared on the September 13, 2023 episode.
From the start, Brown dominated, amassing $26,699 cash and a trip to Hawaii by the end of the Mystery Round. His success continued across the Express Round and Triple Tossup, ultimately giving him an episode-winning total of $34,099 cash.
Entering the Bonus Round, Brown selected the dreaded “Phrase” category along with the additional letters “B, M, D, and A.” This gave him a puzzle board that read: “_’ M / _ _ S T / S _ _ _ _ N _ / _ _ _.”
For a moment, it looked like Brown had it nailed as he confidently answered, “I’m Just Showing Out.” Unfortunately, he didn’t quite have it right and looked surprised when the timer continued. In his panic, he incorrectly guessed, “I’m Just Spending Out.”
After the time ran out, Vanna White unveiled the correct answer, while Brown could be heard saying, “Dont do it, dont do it,” realizing how close he came.
The correct answer was “I’m Just Showing Off,” meaning Brown was just one word away from winning the Bonus Round.
“Come on!” Brown said as the studio audience groaned.
Things only got worse from there when Sajak opened the prize envelope and revealed Brown missed out on the $100,000 prize.
“Don’t you do that today,” Brown said, throwing up his arms and walking off the stage.
Brown then returned to the stage, covering his face in disappointment.
Wheel of Fortune/YouTube
“I know, I know,” Sajak said, quipping, “I didn’t know how to comfort someone who had still won $34,000.”
Sajak added, “You were so darn close; that’s what you’ll focus on.”
Viewers felt for Brown and took to social media to share their reactions.
“Wheel of Heartbreak. That was a close bonus round,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter).
“Feel so bad for the man on wheel of fortune he deserved that 100,000 dollar prize and they should give it to him,” added another viewer.
“Guy on wheel of fortune just missed out on $100k because he solved the puzzle as “I’m just showing out” instead of “I’m just showing off,”” said another.
“I am all up in my feels for Larry #wheeloffortune,” added another.
What did you think of Brown’s Bonus Round blunder? Let us know in the comments section below.
Wheel of Fortune, Weekdays, check your local listings
Spin That Wheel
Get absolutely everything about Wheel of Fortune in your inbox!
Where to Stream
Conversation26 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Comments are closed on this story.
-
A
Unfortunately, as proper & well spoken as he tried to be throughout the show, he slipped up & used Black folks vernacular at the end. The puzzle is always going to be standard/proper English according to the Anglo 🇺🇲...they would say "show off" not "show out" 🤷♂️
15
-
R
I think it's more of a regional thing than a cultural thing. I'm white as the driven snow and I've heard both interchanged throughout my life by black, brown and white people. To say he probably lost because of cultural differences (i.e. If you can speak "proper English" you ain't black.) is... ah... Well, it isn't good. Besides, you're able to talk it out and keep guessing right up until your time's up. I'm positive this grown man has heard the term "show OFF" in his lifetime. He was under pressure and just didn't get there fast enough. I'm sure, given more time, he would have guessed correctly. He lost. It is what it is. And I have to agree with Pat - I, too, don't know how to comfort someone who still won $34,000.
2
-
R
I think it's more of a regional thing than a cultural thing. I'm white as the driven snow and I've heard both interchanged throughout my lifetime by black, brown and white people. To say he probably lost because of cultural differences (i.e. he's black) is... ah... Well, it isn't good.Besides, contestants are able to talk it out and keep guessing right up until their time's up. I'm positive this grown man has heard the term "show OFF" in his lifetime. He was under pressure and just didn't get there fast enough. I'm sure, given more time, he would have guessed correctly. It is what it is. He lost. And I have to agree with Pat - I, too, don't know how to comfort someone who still won $34,000.
7
-
R
Youre
-
A
Yea, I can't argue with that, but being Black, I know he went first for his cultural vernacular & it never occurred to him to use the other or he would've immediately after making mistake
-
R
Steve Harvey recently made a similar comment about Siri or Alexa not understanding his request to, "Turn out the lights." He realized later that he should have said, "Turn off the lights." Words mean things. Not all are interchangeable. My Family uses the word [S#!+] as a person, place, thing, adjective, adverb, exclamation , or whatever they like all day, much as SMURFS use the word SMURF.
-
R
Agreed. It is definitely Regional. Some say soda, some say pop, some say 'soft drink'. I very specifically say, 'Soda Pop'. But then, I love Coke, despise Pepsi, and can at least tolerate RC Cola.
-
A
The fact that he couldn't simply replace "showing out" (which is rarely used by whites) with "showing off" (usually used) when he was so close means he's not used to hearing the latter in his circle, although he presented himself well overall. This is my perspective as a Black man 🤷♂️
-
A
It's not to say a Black can't speak standard/proper English. It's to say he & the vast majority of Blacks use "show out" & whites use "show off"...he said what he & his culture are used to, however, as witty as he appeared, I'm surprised he couldn't quickly recover since the phrases were so close & he's definitely heard "show off" plenty of times from his white friends, co-workers & possibly relatives 🤔
-
R
Right, He just seems so Doggone Ungrateful for what he did win. Hey I'm gonna whine about this puzzle, so I get to come back.Sir, you freekin lost, LOST.
-
-
R
The proper phrase is "I'm just showing off". I have never heard of a phrase like "I'm just showing out". A phrase, meaning a recognizable phrase or one that is used famously that most people would recognize immediately or even with letters missing. He just missed it. Though, I have never heard of the phrase as he said it
10
-
R
Why do people think he deserves it still? He got it wrong
9
-
R
That's right. You don't get paid to be wrong in my world, maybe JOE BIDENS WORLD THOUGH.
-
-
R
He was close but not correct. You have to get it exactly correct to win. That's how the game has always worked. It's the rules. After all he had already won $34,000.00 he has no reason to wine and should be grateful.
6
-
R
Well, you certainly think he would be greatful. But he is not.
-
-
R
He got it wrong! Period!
6
-
L
He's no different from anyone else that's lost. Get over it.
1
-
R
FACTS...LOVE IT.
-
-
R
He was 2 words off not 1.
1
-
R
Who me?
-
R
BINGO.ISWRONG !!
-
R
RIGHT, LIKE W.T.H.?
-
R
What's wrong with you?
-
R
Well it's to bad he didn't get it right , but hopefully he will come back and win the bonus round !
-
R
I got it immediately. I thought it was rather easy. When he said,"I'm Just Showing Out" I knew that he was not going to get it.
-
R
Well at least you were correct.Wish I could give you that hundred grand.
-
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services