The December 5 episode of "Wheel of Fortune" ignited a fervor among fans after a monumental Bonus Round controversy. Amanda Brown, a San Diego-based dancer, was moments away from claiming a $40,000 prize. Tragically, the judges deemed her answer to be too late. The live audience was not impressed, and social media was flooded with debates on whether she had been robbed of a life-changing payday.
The judges' decision to deny the bonus prize to a contestant sparked a heated controversy. Amanda Brown faced off against Kristopher Oliviera from College Park, Maryland, and Sammie Anderson from Plymouth, Massachusetts. She dominated the toss-ups and prize puzzles, swiftly establishing a lead. Brown solved "Buying an Engagement Ring" and "Sensational Rides" in the prize puzzle round, amassing $20,878 in cash and prizes, including a dream trip to Walt Disney World.
With her family cheering her on from the sidelines, Brown opted for the Bonus Round and chose "Food & Drink." She began with the usual R, S, T, L, N, and E, then added P, M, H, and A, leaving the puzzle as "MAPLE TA_ _ _." As the clock ticked down relentlessly, she guessed "Maple Takes," "Maple Tazzy," and finally, "Maple Taffy." However, the buzzer sounded the exact moment she hit the correct answer. The judges ruled it too late, snatching the $40,000 bonus away and leaving her with $22,878 total.
Fans went into a frenzy online, claiming that Brown had her answer in time. One YouTube user suggested that the judges should have gone to commercial and checked if the buzzer or her solve came first. Others commented: "She was robbed! She said it in time," and "That judge should be fired!" Fans tuning in also argued that the show's timing rules may have been applied incorrectly.
The entire fiasco serves as a testament to how intense game-show moments can become under public scrutiny. "Wheel of Fortune" has been a staple for decades and adheres to strict timing and judge rules in the Bonus Round. However, fans are adamant that Brown's answer should have been counted.
