Gina Heslop
A recent episode of Wheel of Fortune caused a stir among fans when a challenging puzzle left many viewers frustrated.
The episode featured a contestant named Angela who came close to winning an additional $45,000 in the bonus round. However, the puzzle’s obscure phrase proved too difficult, sparking debate online.
The puzzle was in the “What Are You Doing?” category and appeared as “_ O _ N _ N _ THE _ R _ _.” Angela had just 10 seconds to solve it. She guessed phrases like “Joining the cramp” and “Joining the brag,” but none were correct.
When time ran out, host Pat Sajak revealed the answer: “Joining the fray.” The phrase means participating in an ongoing conflict. Although Angela couldn’t solve it, she still walked away with $20,563 in total winnings.
Fans of the show quickly took to social media to express their frustration, calling the phrase too obscure. One viewer tweeted, “I’ve NEVER heard of ‘joining the fray’ in my life. What kind of puzzle was that?”
Another viewer agreed, saying they had to double-check to make sure they weren’t the only ones unfamiliar with the phrase. Others criticized the show’s puzzle writers, accusing them of being overly complicated and out of touch with everyday language.
However, not everyone agreed. Some fans defended the phrase, saying it’s a valid idiom that has been used in literature and other contexts for years. They argued that just because some people don’t know it doesn’t mean it’s unfair.
One viewer pointed out that the phrase appears in works like Shakespeare and The Lord of the Rings, suggesting that the issue might be a decline in familiarity with older expressions.
The debate over the puzzle has raised questions about whether modern audiences are less familiar with traditional idioms.
Meanwhile, the show has yet to comment on the backlash. Despite the controversy, it’s clear that Wheel of Fortune still knows how to keep viewers talking.
In other show news, co-host Vanna White recently playfully scolded Sajak for revealing a prank he plays on his wife each year, adding to the drama surrounding the beloved game show.
