Wheel of Fortune Sparks Outrage with “Unfair” Puzzle
Something strange happened on the February 14 episode of Wheel of Fortune—something that left viewers questioning whether the show had lost its sense of fairness. A final-round puzzle left even a seasoned contestant scratching his head, and social media erupted, debating: was this puzzle designed to challenge, or simply to confuse?
Conner Kemmsies, a commercial pilot from Lakeside, California, had played a stellar game, earning $19,080 in cash and prizes—including a six-day whale-watching cruise to Baja, California, courtesy of National Geographic—Lindblad Expeditions. With his wife and family cheering him on, he was ready to tackle the final challenge.
The bonus puzzle was categorized as a “Phrase.” After revealing the standard letters R, S, T, L, N, and E, along with Conner’s chosen C, M, D, and A, the puzzle appeared as:
D_DM___ME__R
Conner quickly solved the first part: I DID MY—but struggled with the remainder. The correct answer?
I DID MY HOMEWORK
As the clock ran out, Conner laughed and told host Ryan Seacrest, “Aw, dude, I don’t do homework anymore. I’m not in school now.”
Fans Question the Legitimacy of the Puzzle
Social media and YouTube commenters quickly expressed disbelief. Many argued that “I did my homework” wasn’t a recognized phrase, but simply an ordinary sentence.
“That’s not a phrase, that’s just a sentence.”
“Seriously? ‘I did my homework’ is not something people use as a phrase.”
While some viewers found it straightforward, others called it one of the most confusing puzzles in recent memory.
Bonus Wheel Sparks More Criticism
The controversy didn’t end with the puzzle. Fans also criticized the bonus round prize wheel, which again landed on the $40,000 minimum payout. Longtime viewers complained that this seemed like a recurring pattern.
“Why even spin the wheel if it keeps landing on $40,000?” one viewer wrote.
Under Ryan Seacrest’s tenure, questions about fairness, puzzle difficulty, and predictable prize outcomes continue to spark debate.
🔹 Conclusion
What started as a routine game night became a storm of viewer frustration. From a puzzling bonus round answer to the seemingly predictable prize wheel, the episode reignited debates about fairness and entertainment on Wheel of Fortune. Fans are left wondering: is the show still the classic game they’ve loved, or has it strayed into baffling territory?