Another night, another controversy on “Wheel of Fortune.” Viewers were left shaking their heads after the February 14 episode, calling out the bonus round puzzle as unfair—and some even questioned whether it was a real phrase at all.
The drama unfolded when Conner Kemmsies, a commercial pilot from Lakeside, California, made it to the final round. His impressive gameplay earlier in the show had earned him $19,080 in cash and prizes—including a six-day whale-watching cruise to Baja, California, courtesy of National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions.
Show hostess Vanna White in a ‘Wheel of Fortune’ episode, Photo Credit: Wheel Of Fortune/Youtube
Show hostess Vanna White in a ‘Wheel of Fortune’ episode, Photo Credit: Wheel Of Fortune/Youtube
With his wife and family cheering him on, Conner prepared to tackle the bonus round challenge.
Viewers Call Out ‘Unfair’ Puzzle Answer
The final puzzle fell under the category “Phrase,” and after revealing the standard R, S, T, L, N, E letters—along with Conner’s chosen C, M, D, and A—the board looked like this:
_ D _ D M _ _ _ M E _ _ R _.
Conner quickly figured out the first part—“I DID MY”—but struggled to complete the phrase. The correct answer?
Ryan Seacrest and Conner Kemmsies in a ‘Wheel of Fortune’ episode, Photo Credit: Wheel Of Fortune/Youtube
Ryan Seacrest and Conner Kemmsies in a ‘Wheel of Fortune’ episode, Photo Credit: Wheel Of Fortune/Youtube
I DID MY HOMEWORK.
When the clock hit zero, Conner laughed and told host Ryan Seacrest, “Aw, dude, I don’t do homework anymore. I’m not in school now.”
Is ‘I Did My Homework’ Even a Phrase? Fans Say No
Fans took to social media and YouTube comments to vent their frustration. Many viewers challenged the legitimacy of the phrase, arguing that it sounded more like a regular sentence rather than a well-known expression.
“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.”
Show hostess Vanna White in a ‘Wheel of Fortune’ episode, Photo Credit: Wheel Of Fortune/Youtube
Show hostess Vanna White in a ‘Wheel of Fortune’ episode, Photo Credit: Wheel Of Fortune/Youtube
While some viewers insisted the puzzle was “easy-peasy”, others admitted it was one of the tougher ones in recent memory.
Fans Slam Bonus Round’s ‘Rigged’ Prize Wheel
Beyond the controversial puzzle, fans had yet another bone to pick—the bonus round prize.
Once again, the prize wheel landed on the $40,000 minimum payout, a pattern that many Wheel Watchers claim happens far too often.
“Why even have a bonus wheel if it lands on $40,000 almost every time?” one viewer complained.
Ryan Seacrest and Conner Kemmsies in a ‘Wheel of Fortune’ episode, Photo Credit: Wheel Of Fortune/Youtube
Ryan Seacrest and Conner Kemmsies in a ‘Wheel of Fortune’ episode, Photo Credit: Wheel Of Fortune/Youtube
This isn’t the first time “Wheel of Fortune” fans have been up in arms over how the game plays out. With accusations of questionable puzzles and predictable prize amounts, many are wondering whether the show is losing its magic under Ryan Seacrest’s tenure.
What do you think? Was this puzzle fair or a flop? And is the bonus wheel rigged? Let us know in the comments!
