‘Wheel of Fortune’ Fans Slam Bonus Round Answer: ‘That’s Not a Phrase’
Another Wheel of Fortune bonus round, another controversial result. Fans of the game show are calling out the final puzzle from Wheel’s February 14 episode.
It was Conner Kemmsies, a commercial pilot from Lakeside, California, who got to the bonus round after winning the prize puzzle and the triple toss-up and earning $19,080 in cash and prizes — including a six-day whale-watching cruise to Baja, California, with National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions.
As Conner’s “beautiful family” and “smoking hot wife” watched on, he took on the episode’s ultimate challenge.
The category for the bonus round was Phrase, and after filling in the gimme letters — R, S, T, L, N, and E — and Conner’s selections — C, M, D, and A — the puzzle board read: _ D _ D M _ _ _ M E _ _ R _.
Conner got the first part — I DID MY — but couldn’t think of the last word. The answer, it turns out, was I DID MY HOMEWORK.
“Aw, dude, I don’t do homework anymore,” a disappointed Conner told host Ryan Seacrest. “I’m not in school now.”
In YouTube comments, fans objected to the bonus round answer.
“Took me a little bit, but [I] got it,” one said. “But ‘I did my homework’ is not a phrase.”
Two other fans agreed, with one saying, “That was a normal sentence.”
Commenters seemed split about the difficulty of the puzzle, with some saying it was “easy-peasy” and even “so easy,” and others saying it was “hard” or “tough.”
And as before, fans were frustrated that the bonus round prize was the minimum $40,000 yet again.
“What’s the point of the bonus wheel when it lands on $40,000, like, 90% of the time?” one person wrote.
Another added, “It’s always $40,000. Let’s mix it up!”
So far in Wheel of Fortune’s 42nd season, players have drawn the $40K prize from the bonus wheel 75 times and won that prize 38 times, according to stats shared by recapper Andy Nguyen. There have been 11 car prize draws with four wins, 10 $50K draws with six wins, three $70K draws with no wins, six $75K draws with no wins, and 10 $100K or $1M drawn with three wins.
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C
I'm 69 years old and figured it out immediately. Too many complainers.
34 2
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B
We old schoolers know that is also a phrase. For instance, you could use it this way: "yes, before I bought that car I did my homework and checked out the Carfax on it".
19 1
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P
Why are people so nitpicking regarding Wheel of Fortune lately? I doubt that Vanna or Ryan choose the “phrase” so get upset with the producers!
13 1
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P
According to Google, a phrase is "a small group of words standing together as a conceptual unit, typically forming a component of a clause." So if I understood right, that would be a phrase.
11
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G
People really need to get a life and turn off the tv. Good lord! I'm furious at myself for hitting a link on this article.
9
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O
That for me was an instant solve. One of the easiest ones I've seen in a very long time.
8
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R
I think there sure are a lot of picky. Critical people who should shut up. The show is better than ever. Vanna & Ryan are doing a GREAT job.
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R
I mostly came here for the comments to see if other people thought this complaint was as dumb as I did. I guess when there's no real controversy to cover, tvinsider needs to do come up with a story on something.
Also, did that phrase fall out of favor? It seems like everyone talking about using it is also saying they are old. Maybe younger generations don't use that phrase anymore.for those that aren't familiar with it, it just means being prepared, having done your research ahead of time.
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O
Kids today don't have homework or research anything. They would "goggle it"
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M
Omg! Now they are going to fuss over whether it's a phrase or sentence? Some people really need to get a life.
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C
Quit complaining! I hadn’t watched it for a long time. Then I started watching before Pat Sakai retired. I don’t remember this complaining when he was boss. Why is it happening now? Can anyone tell me?
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R
It's always been that way. Clickbait sites have to find some controversy to talk about. Pat used to gripe about the people on the internet spinning every little thing when he was on the show, too.
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C
Forget the "smokin' hot" wife . . . let's talk about Mom!!
2 1
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R
The problem is choosing PHRASE. They can put almost anything! Also THING can be a billion different things. Household thing, living thing, dead thing! PERSON, PLACE are the best!! If you choose phrase you're a loser!!!
4 3
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R
How about a minimum for players that would pay for their trip out and back home. Also the wheel needs to increase the amounts and get rid of one of the bankrupts. Finally, the lame trips around the US after having to pay the taxes are not a real great prize package. MORE MONEY MORE MONEY
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O
Or they could actually be somewhat intelligent and on Jeopardy and end up winning nothing?? Jeopardy needs to pay better. Not wheel. It doesn't take much to spin something around and guess letters.
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P
Irregular verb: DID
A phrase should not have a verb.
2 9
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B
Actually a phrase can have a verb. It cannot have a subject performing the action of the verb. So, it was "I" that meaased it up.
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