Viewers of Wheel of Fortune were left scratching their heads after a recent episode featured a food-related puzzle that fans say simply made no sense. The controversy came during the September 24 broadcast, even though the night ended with one contestant walking away with more than $55,000 in prize money.
The episode featured three competitors: Megan Baldwin from Bossier City, Louisiana; Jaz Rackley from Las Vegas, Nevada; and Edwin McKinney-Hartsfield of Round Rock, Texas. Baldwin, a former athlete who has broken nine bones over the years, started strong by solving the first toss-up puzzle. McKinney-Hartsfield followed by nabbing the second.
After a round full of bankrupts, Baldwin picked up $2,000 by solving “Lily & Crash Pad.” Rackley, a certified personal trainer, gained momentum in the Mystery Round, scoring $5,100 and briefly taking the lead. But the spotlight quickly shifted to a head-scratching puzzle that had both players and viewers equally baffled.
The controversial moment came in the “Rhyme Time” category. The answer turned out to be “Fine Wine & Good Mood Food.” Baldwin solved it for a trip to Argentina and $13,815 in cash, but only after the puzzle was nearly complete. Fans watching at home weren’t impressed.
Social media lit up almost instantly.
“WTF? Good Mood Food?” one Reddit user asked.
“That was impossible to solve,” another fan posted.
“Seriously! That is not a thing,” one commenter complained, while another admitted they thought the answer was “Good Wood Food.”
Not everyone agreed it was unfair, though. One viewer wrote, “I’ve actually heard that expression before. The show has had stranger phrases.”
Even so, many long-time watchers felt the puzzle pushed the limits of fairness, with some calling it one of the most confusing solutions they’ve seen on the game show.
Despite the backlash, the game pressed on. In the Triple Toss-Up round, Baldwin solved one puzzle, while McKinney-Hartsfield snagged the other two. Rackley finished strong by solving “Buffalo Cauliflower” for $1,600, leaving her with a final total of $6,700. McKinney-Hartsfield wrapped up the night with $6,000. Baldwin advanced to the Bonus Round with $15,815 already banked.
For her final challenge, Baldwin selected the category “What Are You Doing?” Her boyfriend and son looked on with excitement as the board revealed more letters. With the help of her chosen picks—G, C, D, and I—she stared down the board as it revealed:
_EING R _CTI_E
At first, she guessed “Being Productive.” Then, just in time, she switched to “Being Proactive”—the correct answer. That clutch solve earned her an additional $40,000, bringing her total winnings to $55,815.
Fans online were quick to congratulate her for the impressive comeback.
“Good solve!” one YouTube user cheered.
“What a solve!” another added.
In the end, Baldwin left with cash, a trip, and bragging rights—while viewers are still debating whether “Good Mood Food” deserves a place in the Wheel of Fortune playbook.