Wheel of Fortune viewers were left incensed after Monday’s (Jan. 31) broadcast when a contestant was “robbed” of $40,000 after she appeared to guess the Bonus Round puzzle correctly but did not win.
Contestant Megan Carvale chose a “rare category” for her Bonus Round: Living Things. After Carvale guessed a few letters, she had just ten seconds to guess the two-word answer.
Right as the countdown music began, Carvale guessed, “Something orchid.” That clearly wasn’t the answer so she continued grasping for an alternative before she finally guessed, “Pony orchid,” before time ran out.
“You might have been overthinking a type of orchid. I’m sorry that didn’t work out for you,” host Pat Sajak said as the board revealed the answer to be “Pink Orchid.”
Carvale sounded disappointed as she read “pink” off the board.
Sajak then revealed that the prize money on the line was a whopping $40,000. “But she had a good night!” he said as the audience cheered for Carvale’s impressive performance.
Viewers at home were convinced that Carvale had guessed “Pink Orchid” right as the countdown began. Because the countdown music was playing at the same time, her first guess is a bit difficult to understand.
Many viewers took to X to complain, where they demanded the show give her the $40,000 she missed out on.
“There is no question, she absolutely said ‘pink orchid’. Please give this girl her winnings,” one user wrote.
“I can’t stop thinking about Wheel of Fortune. I know she said ‘Pink Orchid,'” another viewer wrote. “Was it just me that heard that? Yes? No? So weird. I swear she said it.”
“Hey @WheelofFortune I definitely heard the contestant say ‘pink orchid’ at the beginning of that final puzzle & rewound it to make sure. You owe her some $$$,” one viewer demanded.
Fortunately, Carvale did not go home empty handed. She won $14,007 in cash and a trip to a beach resort in Aruba.
Scroll up to watch the entire Bonus Round and settle the debate for yourself. Did she say “Something Orchid” or “Pink Orchid”?
Wheel of Fortune airs on weeknights at 7:30/6:30c. Check out their website for your local listings.