If you thought Wheel of Fortune was just a harmless game show with spinning wheels and happy winners, think again. A recent episode has set social media ablaze after contestant Megan was denied a $40,000 prize despite what many fans believe was a perfectly valid answer.
During the bonus round, Megan was trying to solve the puzzle “_ N’R _ _ _” under the category “Living Things.” Just before the timer ran out, she shouted something that sounded like “Pink Orchid.” When the final answer flashed on the board confirming her guess, Megan was visibly frustrated, and so were the people watching at home.
Host Pat Sajak wasn’t sure if she got it right in time, and ultimately handed her a much smaller prize. That decision led to a flood of complaints online. Viewers started rewatching the episode, analyzing every second. “I paused it, rewound it, watched it again,” one fan posted. “She definitely said ‘Pink Orchid.’ This was wrong.”
Others agreed, pointing out that even with background noise and timing pressure, Megan’s answer was clear enough to count. Some noted that hearing-impaired viewers who rely on subtitles or lip reading also confirmed her words. “It’s not just about luck—it’s about fairness,” one user commented. “They owe her that $40K.”
This isn’t the first time the show has faced heat from fans. Not long ago, another episode confused players and viewers alike when the answer “Absolutely Positively” was accepted in a Rhyme Time round—even though the words don’t actually rhyme. With two questionable calls in recent months, fans are starting to wonder if the show needs a rule refresh.
