Wheel of Fortune is under fire after a Bonus Round puzzle cost a contestant a chance at a $100,000 jackpot, leaving fans furious and calling the challenge “unfair” and “nearly impossible.” Social media quickly lit up following the episode, with viewers labeling the phrase one of the toughest puzzles the show has aired in years and questioning whether it was even realistic.
The controversy unfolded during the Friday, May 2 episode, which capped off a week where no Bonus Round prizes were won. Contestant Kristyn Hobbs of Oklahoma started strong, winning early toss-ups and sharing a personal story about planting over 1,500 seedlings in her new greenhouse. After rocky early rounds, she gained momentum, solved key puzzles, won a trip to Peru, and finished regular play with $18,000.
In the Bonus Round, Hobbs selected the category “What are you doing?” The puzzle revealed R_ _ _ _GING IN THE _ C _ R. Unable to solve it in time, she watched as host Ryan Seacrest revealed the answer: “Rummaging in the Backyard.” Inside the envelope was $100,000. Fans immediately erupted online, calling the phrase unnatural and unwinnable, reigniting debate over fairness on the show.
