‘Wheel of Fortune’ Fans Debate ‘Letdown’ Prize Puzzles — Is the Show Cutting Costs?
For all the skill involved in solving Wheel of Fortune puzzles (without embarrassing yourself on national television), there’s certainly a luck-of-the-draw element on the syndicated game show. And fans think some Prize Puzzle prizes turn out to be disappointments.
“Imagine getting on WOF and winning the coveted Prize Puzzle, and you can’t wait to hear if you’re going to Turks and Caicos or Barcelona or [on] an Alaskan cruise, only to hear [announcer] Jim [Thornton] tell you you’re going to Salem, MA, or Savannah, GA,” one fan wrote in a new Reddit thread. “Nothing against those places, but come on, that’s a road trip for half the contestants.”
That fan wondered whether the “road trip” destinations were producers’ way of recouping money after doling out big-ticket prizes — or whether producers are “just cutting back expenses that much this year.”
This poor girl was working hard to solve the prize puzzle on Wheel of Fortune and ended up winning thinking she’s getting a fancy trip. She got a trip to… Salem, Massachusetts. Her face
— AJ (@slayjb2) October 24, 2024
When a commenter said “both of those cities are big vacation spots,” the original posted replied: “Absolutely they are. I love Salem personally, but I rarely travel, and even I have been there. I’m just saying, if I won that trip, but a couple days earlier someone won a trip to Greece, it would be a bit of a letdown.”
Another fan concurred. “My husband and I laugh at every domestic U.S. trip,” they wrote. “[I have the] same thought, that [I] hope the winner doesn’t live within three to four hours of the location.”
One commenter said they live an hour from Salem and listed some of the historic Massachusetts city’s tourist attractions, including the Peabody Essex Museum and the local whale-watching tours. “But winning a trip there vs. the Caribbean or Alaska or Europe? Bummer,” they added.
Other fans disagreed, with one saying they’d be “ecstatic” to win a vacation in the so-called Lower 48. “Either type of destination means a fancy hotel room, entertainment, and food, but the overseas locations mean losing a couple of days to air travel,” they contended. “I’d rather minimize my travel time and maximize my relaxation.”
Someone else wrote, “I’m sure that many of those contestants are happy to win a paid trip to almost anywhere. And how many have passports or can take the time off work or can even afford the taxes on their winnings? Heck, I travel several times a year (for pleasure, not work), and there are countless places here in the U.S. I’ve never been and would love to win a trip to.”
How thrilled would you be to win a continental U.S. vacation in the Prize Puzzle? Let us know in the comments!
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With the shape of the world these days, who wants to go abroad?
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The trips to Canada, Iceland or the UK would be nice.
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Haven’t you been listening? A certain candidate claims the US is now the armpit of the world. Who would want to stay here for vacation? And certainly not that floating pile of garbage, Puerto Rico!
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That certain candidate said it was becoming a s/hole country because the real garbage countries are emptying their prisons and asylum's and facilitating the inmates journey to the US, just as Castro did in the past. And the Dems are doing nothing to prevent it. Keep sipping the Lie flavored Kool-Aid.
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Precisely.
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I think both those were on the Halloween shows and were at "haunted" landmarks
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Was coming here to say that!
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To many people that are having problems with the over seas trips. These days you can't be too careful.
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I think the US trips are awesome. Explore your own country and learn more about American history. So much to see and do! I don't have a passport and would much rather keep my money here in the states than out of the country.
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Unfortunately, the sun-belt states are overrun with illegals as are the most interesting cities in the other states. Chicago, Denver, NYC, etc. are crime ridden due to Democrat "sanctuary city" status.
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Hahaha it's funny how dumb you are.
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Yeah those travel destinations were associated with the theme of the week, Halloween...DUH!!! 😄
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I think if you r lucky enough to win you should take what you are given. Who cares make your own 😊 😊 fun when you get there
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If I was fortunate enough to win a free trip to anywhere that included luxury accommodations, upscale dining and quality entertainment, it would be gladly and gratefully received. I mean, if you don’t like it, give it away to someone less fortunate.
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Why all the complaining. I'd love to go to Yellowstone or Grand Canyon. If you don't want the trip, give it to someone who would appreciate it, me.
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I would be happy to win a vacation in the United States. I have no desire to travel abroad with very going on right now besides the fact I don’t have a passport and my husband has no desire. We haven’t had a real vacation in about 8 years or more because of circumstances at home.We have so much to see in the United States of America!! Lots of History to enjoy we just don’t realize what is in our own backyard! I would enjoy every moment of the trip! If someone does want their trip I’m sure you can find someone that would appreciate it very much!!
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They're cutting costs because Vanna White's contract for 1 year is about $3M. Why is she on show still? She's irrelevant to the show, just retire already. Geez.
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I’d much rather travel in US
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I haven't been on a nice vacation in over 10 years. I'd be very grateful to have a paid one anywhere. Even if it was only an hour from home
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Gotta pay for Ryan
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He's worth it, Vanna is not.
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I find that other game shows give away a lot more nice prizes and cash. Wheel is cheap with prizes and cash
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Not really. Name another show that lets the non winners keep what they won prior to the finale. A little perspective, sometimes the non winner is just a few bucks shy of the winner's total and the winner often misses the bonus puzzle.
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Think this is so they can pay Vanna and ryan
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Ryan is worth it, Vanna is worthless. She's pushing 70, retire her.
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The domestic trips are a joke, agreed. I always feel bad for those trip winners. Cheated for the shows bottom line, no doubt.
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Seacrest is boring, the new sets are terrible and the sponsors for the games are killing the feel of the show.
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If Seacrest is boring, why are Wheel's ratings the highest on the charts?
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It’s because of the high salary they are paying Ryan Seacrest, twice what they paid Pat Sajak!
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They should dump the useless Vanna and save $10 million per season.
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I thought it was the other way around...Seacrest gets a fraction of what Sajack got.
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Seacrest is going to be the the end of WOF
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Seacrest is light years ahead of most of the current game show hosts. What's not to like?
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