Wheel of Fortune is facing fresh backlash after a recent episode left viewers frustrated over a bonus-round puzzle many felt was unfairly obscure. The episode aired Tuesday night and featured contestant Angela, who came within seconds of winning an additional $45,000. Instead, an unfamiliar idiom stopped her short, igniting a heated debate among longtime fans of the show.
Angela entered the bonus round strong, having already earned $20,563. The category was “What Are You Doing?” and the partially revealed puzzle read “_ O _ N _ N _ THE _ R _ _.” With just 10 seconds on the clock, Angela attempted guesses like “Joining the cramp” and “Joining the brag,” but failed to solve it before time expired. Host Pat Sajak later revealed the correct answer: “Joining the fray.”
While the phrase is a recognized idiom meaning entering an ongoing conflict, many viewers argued it was too rarely used for a high-stakes bonus round. Social media quickly filled with complaints, with fans calling the puzzle “impossible,” “ridiculous,” and unfair to contestants. Some criticized the show’s puzzle writers, suggesting they favor niche expressions over everyday language.
Others, however, defended the show, insisting “joining the fray” is a valid and well-established phrase found in literature and journalism. Supporters argued that unfamiliarity doesn’t make an answer wrong and questioned whether modern audiences are simply less exposed to older expressions.
The controversy highlights an ongoing tension for Wheel of Fortune: balancing challenging puzzles with accessibility. As the debate continues, the show remains as talked-about as ever, proving it can still stir strong reactions decades after its debut.
