‘Wheel of Fortune’ Viewers Disappointed by Bonus Round’s $40,000 Prize
You’d think a $40,000 jackpot would be cause for celebration, but Wheel of Fortune viewers are ready for bigger and better prizes on the long-running game show.
In the episode airing on Friday (January 31), Cindy Valenzuela from Merced, California, became the latest Season 42 player to win the low-end Bonus Round prize.
The category for her puzzle was “Phrase,” and after the gimme letters — R, S, T, L, N, and E — and the letters Cindy selected — M, C, D, and A — the puzzle board looked like this: _ _ _ _ E N _ N _ L _ _ N _ _ E _.
Cindy guessed the answer almost immediately: HIDDEN IN PLAIN VIEW.
Host Ryan Seacrest opened the prize envelope with a flourish, revealing Cindy had won $40,000. Cindy screamed with delight and embraced her friends Stephanie and Edith, who cheered her on as she took home a total prize package worth $60,400.
But judging from YouTube comments, viewers were less enthused.
“When I saw Ryan was hiding the prize from the envelope, I thought he [was] gonna surprise her and the audience with $100,000!” one person wrote.
“How many $40,000 envelopes are there in the Bonus Round? I see another $40,000 win again,” someone else commented.
Another fan observed Season 42 hadn’t had any $1 million, $70K, or $75K winners.
“I was thought for sure [Seacrest] was going to reveal the $100,000, and it was only the $40,000,” a fourth commenter wrote. “Still, a great solve and great effort. Nice work!”
Wheel of Fortune statistics shared by game show recapper Andy Nguyen show that as of Week 20, a $40K prize had come up 61 times. A car prize, meanwhile, had come up only 11 times, a $50K prize had come up 10 times, a $70K prize had come up three times, a $75K prize had come up six times, and a $100K or $1M prize had come up three times.
Viewers also complained about the $40K prize after the game show’s January 30 episode.
“What’s the point of the bonus wheel if it’s ALWAYS landing on $40K?” one person wrote at the time. “Well, OK, maybe not ALWAYS, but it FEELS like it’s consistently landing on $40K.”
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B
People are moaning about $40K and they're not even the ones walking away with $40K more than they walked in with. This is but one small symptom of the insanity that has gripped this country.
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G
I just don't understand why there is a problem with winning 4o thousands and people sure need to get a life and get over it and that is sure a lot of money and the contestants are usually very pleased with the amount 😀 and why do people have to just pick everything apart and just let it go and thanks 😊
17 1
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C
I think Ryan is doing a good job. I wasn't sure if I would like him, but he communicates with the players and cheers them on. As for prizes. I would take $40,000 in a heartbeat.I don't understand why people are complaining about it. If they don't like it then change the channel!
12 1
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O
I agree. 40K is a good deal but it gets boring.
8 1
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C
I think there is only 1 50, 1 70, 1 75 and 1 100 money cards. The rest are all 40 with 1 car card. What happened to the 45 being the lowest amt for the number of seasons and showing where the 100 card is. Why show up if all your going to win is 40 thousand.
7 2
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G
Have you noticed. They never show where the 100,000 is any more
Maybe it’s not even there
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O
They've never shown that. They only show it when it's replaced with the million.
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O
People have the right to complain no matter how small it is to you. This is legitimate criticism. This game and the hosts rake in millions of dollars a week, and they're being cheapskates on the cash prizes? C'mon. The minimum prize you could win should be at least $50K and up.
7 3
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G
I believe now that it's mentioned they probably took the bigger payouts off the board to be able to pay Ryan
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R
It is not that $40K is a small amount but the pause and "you ready for this" by Seacrest throws me off. $40K is the minimum you can win. As long as the bonus puzzle is solved, the contestant already knows that he/she has won atleast $40K anyway.
2 1
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O
I'd be happy to see prizes of lesser value just for the variety.
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G
How about Family Feud? 5 people split $20,000! After taxes they may see 2500 each. That show is on all day in every market. How about 'The $100,000 Family Feud'. It's about time!
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G
Watching The Game Show Show last night, I was reminded that in earlier days, contestants spent the prize money on “cheesy” items, as per Pat Sajak.
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P
40grand for. Less than 30 minutes isn't too shabby 😉 plus their other winnings and trips al
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O
So if she picked the D, why was HIDDEN still ____EN? Show us how the puzzle really looked and it's a lot less impressive and I guess it's a lot less exciting: "Contestant Plays Game, Succeeds, Gets Standard Prize"
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B
I'am guessing there is only 1 100,000 and maybe 3 75000. And 5 50000 and 2 cars with the rest all 40000
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P
I agree. Seems very rarely anything other than the $40,000. It would be nice if it could be a real surprise instead of the usual. And I’m enjoying Ryan’s hosting.
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O
The wheel must be loaded with the lowest payouts, which is now $40k. Frankly when they announce the weekly giveaway at somewhere around $300,000 I think, “and the corporation made millions off advertising. Hmmm…
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O
I THINK RYAN IS DOING A GOOD JOB. FOR ALL FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS THINK THIS IS A GOLD MINE, IS THERE A REASON WHY THERE IS ONLY 40,000???? There were cars,and different amounts of money. WHAT HAS CHANGED???? I have not missed an episode in 5 or more years, SOMETHING HAS CHANGED. WHY????
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C
Rigged.
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B
The drama is sickening. Every night seacrest is acting like he's opening the $100,000 envelope!! Before he took over half the bonus wheel was a car! Wheel of Fortune takes in millions every night but didnt want to part with any cash!! And that ridiculous $15,000 Mississippi river boat cruise are you blanking kidding me!!!!!!! WHAT A JOKE!!!!!!
3 4
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O
This game show probably makes more money and has been on the air longer than any other. They are having more and more puzzles with more and more vowels so the people who eventually solve them are getting less. It’s less and less often that you see someone with more than $20,000 at the end of the game. And what’s up with Vanna? Give it up! Let another letter turner have a chance for crying out loud, haven’t you saved enough money? I’m for one tired of looking at her.
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G
I think they load the wheel with all 40k since Seacrest took over as host. I believe that he probably has a clause in his contract that says something like the lower the bonus prize, the more he gets paid. Just my opinion.
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