“Wheel of Fortune” viewers are buzzing after a recent episode left fans divided over a contestant’s heartbreaking loss in the Bonus Round. While some believe the puzzle was nearly impossible, others argue the player should have nailed it.
The contestant, Adam Wredberg, dominated the main game, walking away with nearly $30,000 in cash before heading into the final challenge. His early momentum was impressive—he solved the very first puzzle of the night and quickly took the lead. By the Mystery Round, Wredberg had scored $13,100 in cash plus a dream Tahitian cruise.
He didn’t stop there. In the Express Round, Wredberg snagged another big prize—a Trafalgar tour of America’s National Parks valued at $9,800, according to Andy Nguyen’s recap blog. By the end of the regular game, his total winnings stood at $29,900 along with two incredible trips.
Then came the high-stakes Bonus Round.
Standing alongside new host Ryan Seacrest, and joined by his brother Andy and sister-in-law Jessica, Wredberg picked the category “What Are You Wearing?”—a bold and uncommon choice. After selecting his letters, the board revealed this: “M _ F _ N _ _ _ L O T _ E S.”
With the standard “R, S, T, L, N, E” already in place, Wredberg added “M, F, G, and O” as his extra letters. That left him with just 10 seconds to solve the three-word phrase.
At first glance, he seemed close. The first and last words appeared clear, but the middle one stumped him. He guessed phrases like “My fun clothes” and even joked, “My funcles,” as the clock ran out. Unfortunately, the correct answer—revealed moments later—was “My Fancy Clothes.”
To make matters worse, Seacrest revealed what Wredberg had missed out on: a whopping $40,000 in bonus cash.
Despite the tough loss, Wredberg handled it like a pro, smiling as the audience cheered. But fans on social media weren’t as unanimous. The show’s YouTube comments section lit up with debate.
“That was notably harder than it looks,” one user wrote. “I wouldn’t have gotten ‘fancy’ without another letter.”
Others disagreed, insisting the puzzle was doable. “Two clueless players back-to-back in Bonus Land this week!” another fan commented. “These puzzles weren’t that difficult! Sure, nerves are a factor, but come on—they should’ve been solved!”
Whether it was bad luck or a missed opportunity, one thing is certain: this episode has fans talking.