“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 argue the final puzzle was nearly impossible, others insist the player had enough clues to figure it out.
The contestant, Adam Wredberg, delivered a strong performance throughout the main game. From the very beginning, he stood out—solving the opening puzzle of the night and quickly surging into the lead. By the time the Mystery Round ended, Wredberg had secured $13,100 in cash and even scored a luxurious Tahitian cruise, setting him apart as the frontrunner.
His momentum only grew in later rounds. Wredberg continued solving puzzles with confidence, eventually closing the main game with nearly $30,000 in total winnings before advancing to the coveted Bonus Round. Fans watching at home were hopeful that his hot streak would continue and that he might walk away with an even bigger prize.
But the Bonus Round brought disappointment. Despite the help of the usual letters—R, S, T, L, N, and E—and his own careful selections, Wredberg struggled to piece together the final phrase. As the timer ticked down, the solution remained just out of reach. When the correct answer was revealed, groans could be heard from the audience, and social media immediately lit up with debate.
Some fans rushed to defend him, calling the puzzle “unfairly tricky,” while others argued it was well within reach. Either way, the episode left a lasting impression, cementing Wredberg’s run as both impressive and bittersweet.
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.
