‘Wheel of Fortune’ Contestant Misses $55,000 After Fans Call Bonus Puzzle ‘Easy’
Karen Stevenson came within seconds of a life-changing win on Wheel of Fortune, but a difficult-to-decipher Bonus Round clue left her just short of an additional $55,000. The missed prize would have lifted her total winnings to $88,934, turning an already impressive performance into an even bigger payday.
The tense moment unfolded during the April 7 episode, when Stevenson outperformed two competitors to claim the night’s victory. However, her Bonus Round attempt quickly became a talking point among viewers, many of whom felt the final puzzle should have been easier to solve.
A Competitive Game From the Start
Returning champion Raul Lopez entered the episode hoping to build on the $18,109 he had won the previous night. The College Station, Texas, native faced Ben Johnson, from Colorado Springs, and Karen Stevenson, from Joliet.
Johnson, a pastor who enjoys swing dancing with his wife, got off to a strong start by solving the first toss-up puzzle. Lopez answered the next one correctly, keeping the competition close.
Stevenson then found her footing in the “You Can’t Beat The Price!” category. Her correct answer earned her $1,350 and a valuable Wild Card, putting her in a promising position.
But the wheel soon changed the course of the game. Stevenson lost her Wild Card after landing on Bankrupt in the following round, while Johnson failed to make the most of a Mystery wedge offering the possibility of a $10,000 bonus.
Stevenson recovered by solving a crossword-style puzzle in the “American ___” category, winning a trip that substantially increased her total.
Stevenson Takes the Lead and Secures the Win
Lopez had an opportunity to fight his way back into contention, but repeating a letter cost him his turn. Stevenson capitalized on the opening, solving “See You Later, Alligator” and adding a trip to Mexico to her winnings.
All three contestants subsequently picked up additional cash during the Triple Toss-Ups, keeping the contest competitive. Ultimately, however, Stevenson pulled ahead by correctly solving the final main-game puzzle, “High School Gym Teacher.”
She finished with $33,934 and earned a place in the Bonus Round.
Johnson left with $3,000, while Lopez collected another $4,000 for the episode. Including his previous night’s winnings, Lopez ended his two-episode run with $22,109.
One Final Puzzle Stands Between Stevenson and $88,934
For the Bonus Round, Stevenson selected the “Person” category and was joined by her sister, who helps care for their 109-year-old grandmother.
After receiving the standard letters R, S, T, L, N and E, she chose M, P, D and A in an attempt to complete the puzzle.
The board displayed the following pattern:
“A _ _ MAN D NAM”
With the countdown underway, Stevenson tried “A Woman Dynamite,” but the answer was incorrect. Moments later, the correct solution appeared: “A Human Dynamo.”
The reveal prompted an audible sigh from Stevenson as she realized how close she had come to solving the puzzle in time.
The stakes made the moment even more disappointing. The envelope contained a potential $55,000 prize, which would have increased her winnings from $33,934 to $88,934.
Viewers Question the Missed Opportunity
The Bonus Round quickly sparked reactions from viewers online. Many described the puzzle as relatively easy and expressed surprise that Stevenson had failed to identify the phrase before time ran out. Some said they had been shouting the correct answer at their screens as the final seconds ticked away.
Despite the painful near miss, Stevenson is set to return for another chance on Wheel of Fortune. After securing the main-game victory and $33,934 in cash and prizes, she will have an opportunity to put the Bonus Round disappointment behind her and continue her run.