It was just another evening, yet another debate sparked on “Wheel of Fortune.” After the broadcast on February 14, audiences were left in disbelief, criticizing the bonus round puzzle as unjust—with some even debating if the answer qualified as an actual phrase.
The tension escalated when a commercial pilot from Lakeside, California, named Conner Kemmsies, advanced to the final segment. His stellar performance earlier in the broadcast had already secured him $19,080 in winnings and rewards, which featured a six-day whale-watching expedition to Baja, California, provided by National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions.
Backed by cheers from his wife and family, Conner braced himself for the ultimate bonus round test.
Audiences Criticize ‘Unjust’ Puzzle Solution
Categorized under “Phrase,” the concluding puzzle was displayed. After the standard R, S, T, L, N, E letters were shown—combined with Conner’s picks of C, M, D, and A—the board appeared as follows:
_ D _ D M _ _ _ M E _ _ R _.
Conner rapidly deduced the opening segment—“I DID MY”—yet he floundered when trying to finish the rest. The actual solution?
I DID MY HOMEWORK.
As the timer ran out, Conner chuckled and remarked to the host, Ryan Seacrest, “Aw, dude, I don’t do homework anymore. I’m not in school now.”
Is ‘I Did My Homework’ Truly a Phrase? Viewers Disagree
Spectators flooded social media platforms and YouTube comment sections to express their annoyance. A large number of fans questioned whether the answer was truly valid, pointing out that it felt like a standard sentence instead of a recognized idiom or phrase.
“That’s not a phrase, that’s just a sentence.”
“Took me a second to get it, but seriously, ‘I did my homework’ isn’t something people say as a phrase.”
Even though a few fans claimed the puzzle was “easy-peasy,” a number of others confessed it stood out as one of the most difficult challenges in recent history.
Viewers Criticize the ‘Fixed’ Bonus Prize Wheel
Aside from the puzzle drama, the audience had another issue to highlight—the reward in the bonus round.
Once more, the prize wheel stopped on the minimum amount of $40,000, a recurring trend that numerous frequent viewers argue occurs excessively.
“Why even have a bonus wheel if it lands on $40,000 almost every time?” a frustrated fan pointed out.
This is hardly the initial instance of “Wheel of Fortune” enthusiasts expressing outrage regarding the show’s mechanics. Amidst claims of dubious puzzle categories and consistently low prize payouts, a lot of people are questioning if the beloved program is losing its charm during Ryan Seacrest’s time as host.
What are your thoughts? Do you feel this puzzle was reasonable or a failure? And do you believe the bonus wheel is manipulated? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!